Deadly Illusions (Hardy Brothers Security Book 3) (9 page)

By the time Finn managed to convince the teenager that Emma had someplace else to be, someplace important, he was exhausted. Mandy and James beat a hasty retreat, and Finn had no doubt where they were going. It seemed some undersea exploration was in order on the second floor of Hardy Brothers Security this evening.

He wouldn’t make the mistake of bothering them again tonight.

He led Emma out to his Escalade, making sure she was snug and safe in the vehicle before he loaded the hatchback up with her goodies. When he climbed into the driver’s seat, he fixed her with a worried look.

“Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” Emma said. “It was just a … weird day.”

“You’ve been having a lot of those,” Finn said. “What do you say we pick up some food and head back to the apartment?”

Emma looked relieved. “That sounds good.”

“What do you like?”

Emma shrugged. “What do you like?”

“I’m fine with whatever you want,” he replied.

“I’m fine with whatever you want.”

“You know, this game is more fun when you actually give an opinion,” Finn pressed. “How about you say a food you like, and then I’ll say a food I like?”

Emma raised her eyebrows. “Okay, how about Italian?”

“We could get some pasta from Sorrento’s,” Finn said. “That sounds good. There’s one on the main road just before Mandy’s apartment.”

“I thought you were going to say a food you like,” Emma protested.

Finn smiled indulgently. “Next time, how does Lebanese sound?”

Emma smiled. “I like Lebanese.”

“Good.”

“Are you sure there’s going to be a next time, though?”

Finn shrugged. “I guess we’ll have to wait and find out.”

ONCE THEY
got back to the apartment, Finn unpacked the food while Emma sorted through her new belongings.

When she was done, she joined him at the table. For the first time in her life, Emma felt … settled. She engaged in mindless conversation with Finn, relishing every time her comfort level nudged up a notch. They talked about movies, music, television, and entertainment.

They talked about politics, the weather, and Macomb County’s changing demographics.

Finn was both smart and charming. It was an intoxicating combination.

Not for the first time since she’d met him, Emma wished he could be hers. All hers. His smile. His body. His heart. She wanted every piece of him.

When they were done, Finn tossed the empty food containers into the garbage can under the sink and then the two of them settled on the couch to watch television. Emma handed Finn the remote control.

“I picked dinner,” she said. “You get to pick the entertainment.”

Finn knew what entertainment he would opt for, but he dutifully flipped through the channels, ultimately settling on
Grey’s Anatomy
.

Emma arched an eyebrow. “You like
Grey’s Anatomy
? That doesn’t seem like your kind of show.”

“No,” Finn agreed. “I’m guessing you might like it.”

“Why do you say that?”

“It’s a popular show … and I took a guess.”

“I do like it,” Emma said. “We can watch something else, though. It should be your choice.”

Finn’s choice was to make her happy. He dropped the remote control on the coffee table. “You’re going to have to tell me who all these people are and what they’re doing,” Finn said. “Otherwise, I’ll be lost.”

“Well, I’d hate to … lose you,” Emma said. Her face contorted when she said the words, and she shifted uncomfortably next to him. Emma spent the next hour explaining the inner workings of the hospital show and its randy staff, pretending Finn’s close proximity wasn’t unnerving her.

When the credits started to roll, Finn turned to her expectantly. “Do you want to watch something else?”

Emma shook her head. “Actually, I was thinking of going to bed.”

“Oh, okay.”

Emma slowly got to her feet. There was something she wanted to ask him, she just couldn’t bring herself to give voice to the query.

Finn could practically see the gears moving inside of her head. “Do you want me to come with you?”

Emma opened her mouth to say something. No sound came out.

“I’ll just be there next to you,” Finn said. “I won’t put the moves on you. I know you don’t want that.”

The problem was, Emma
did
want that. She knew that now. She knew it would never last. She knew he could never truly love her. For a night, though – just one night – she wanted it all.

Emma found her voice. “What if I do what you to put the moves on me?”

Finn froze, wondering if she’d really said the words or he’d merely imagined them. “I’m sorry?”

Emma steeled herself.
Maybe he would reject her after all?
She was willing to take the risk. “I’m asking you to put the moves on me,” Emma said.

Finn leaned forward, wanting to make sure he wasn’t mishearing her. “Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

Finn was done waiting. He reached over for her, wrapping his hand around her neck so he could draw her closer. He inhaled deeply, and then covered her mouth with his lips.

Emma sighed, sinking into the kiss. Finn’s hand cupped her head, his fingers tangling into her hair. He wanted her so badly he thought he would jump out of his own skin. He didn’t want to take her, though. He wanted them to fall into each other, to claim each other. There would be no taking. Not tonight.

Finn slipped his tongue into Emma’s mouth, letting it wander until it met hers. Emma raised her hands, rubbing them over Finn’s chest as she deepened the kiss. His mouth was talented. She knew it would be. She wanted to taste every inch of it.

Finn pulled back, breathless. “Let’s go into the bedroom.”

Emma nodded eagerly. Finn got to his feet, scooping her up into his arms, and then returning his mouth to hers. They kissed, their tongues intertwined, the entire length of the short hallway.

Finn didn’t bother flicking the light switch. The ambient light from outside was more than enough for him to see what needed to be seen. He wanted Emma to be comfortable. He wanted her to feel safe. He had a feeling the harsh glare of the overhead would only leave her feeling exposed.

He set her down on the bed gently, never moving his mouth or lessening the pressure of his lips. Once she was settled, he moved both of his hands up to the back of her head so he could continue his tongue assault on her mouth.

After a few minutes, Finn lowered his hands, rubbing them down Emma’s shoulders. His fingers found the hem of Emma’s top, and he pulled back long enough to strip the T-shirt over her head.

Emma lifted her arms, making his task easier. Once the shirt was gone, she unclasped her bra and removed it from her body. Finn sighed when he caught sight of her round breasts and the small, pinkish nipples that jutted out from the center of them.

He cupped them reverently. He’d seen most of her before, the tiny bikini she wore at the boat show left little to the imagination. This was more than he could have ever hoped for.

Finn brushed another kiss across her lips before lowering his head so he could taste one of her pink rosebuds.

Emma jerked when she felt his tongue make contact with her nub, gasping as she arched forward. Finn opened his mouth, sucking her nipple into his mouth as he splayed his hands across her back to bring her closer.

He grazed her nipple with his teeth, causing Emma to moan as she rubbed her hands over Finn’s head. “Oh, God,” she said. “Oh.”

After ministering to both of her nipples for so long he thought he was going to lose his mind, Finn finally pulled away. He stood and yanked his own shirt off.

Emma knew he was built. The reality in front of her was something else altogether. His chest looked like it had been carved out of granite, broad shoulders leading to a bare chest, leading to eight-packed abs, and finally tapering to a narrow waist. The only hair she could see was the brown fluff that poked out from the top of his jeans and led down … down to what she really wanted to see.

Emma reached forward and unbuttoned his jeans, pulling the zipper down so she could reach inside.

Finn flinched when he felt her fingers brush over his throbbing length. She was eager, inquisitive. He didn’t want any fabric to stand in the way of her curiosity. He tugged his blue jeans down, kicking off his shoes and leaving his pants in a pile on the floor next to him. He shed his boxer shorts next, finally revealing himself to her in his entirety.

Emma sighed, reaching out to brush a feather-light touch across the head of his member. Then she wrapped her delicate hand around it, impressed with his robust size and girth.

Finn groaned. He loved the feeling of her hand on him, but if she didn’t move it soon, he would spill his load before he got to the core of her being – and that was the last thing he wanted.

He shifted his hips, grabbing her wrist. “If you keep doing that, this is going to be over before it starts.”

Emma reluctantly released him.

Finn moved his hands down to Emma’s jeans and unsnapped them. Emma lifted herself up, letting him shimmy the tight fabric down her hips, watching as he dropped her jeans on the floor next to his.

Finn went for her panties next, slipping them down her thighs and relishing the sight of her wondrous center as it was exposed to him. Finn knew – never in the past, never in the future – had anything so beautiful ever existed.

Finn climbed onto the bed next to Emma, pulling her down next to him. Their mouths found each other again, their hands roaming across flesh, ceaselessly exploring. Finn let Emma take the lead, sensing she somehow needed the control.

Emma pushed Finn over onto his back, moving her thigh over his waist so she could straddle him. Before she could get too comfortable, Finn pointed to the nightstand. “Get a condom.”

Through her fevered haze, Finn’s words barely registered, but Emma did as she was told. She found the box and pulled out one of the wrapped discs, handing it to him.

Finn opened the condom, his hands shaking slightly. He secured it in place, and then returned his fingers to her hips so he could grip her as she lowered herself onto his length.

She was tight, so tight. Finn gasped when he felt her warmth envelope him. He fought the urge to help her, to shove all the way home. This was her night. He would let her go at the pace she desired.

Emma pushed herself down, sliding over him, crying out when he gained full entry. Both Finn and Emma stilled for a moment and then, wordlessly, started moving together.

Emma rose and sank on top of him, planting her hands on his chest for leverage. Finn reached his fingers over so he could stimulate her pleasure bud, rubbing it in a circular motion as she rode him.

Emma cried out when she came, stiffening on top of him as relief claimed her. Finn moved his hand so he could steady her hips, pumping into her from below. His own orgasm washed over him quickly.

Emma dropped down, resting her head against his chest, her heart pounding. Finn tightened his arms around her back, pulling her as close to him as he possibly could. Sleep found them not long after but, sometime in the night, they woke together and coupled again.

The endless night brought endless joy to them both.

“I have a job today,” Emma said, snuggling her naked body closer to Finn’s sleepy warmth the next morning. She felt a little sore from their vigorous lovemaking the previous evening, but she also felt happy. The feeling was so unusual for her, so surreal, she wanted to bask in it – even if it was only for a few minutes longer.

“What is it?” Finn asked, his voice muffled, his mind still clinging to euphoric slumber.

“It’s just an advertising shoot,” Emma said. “It’s at the Daily Tribune, actually. I have to pose with some newspaper boxes and stuff. It’s for those little cards they put in the boxes.”

Finn wrinkled his brow. “I never really thought about that,” he admitted. “I guess those stock photos have to come from somewhere.”

“Yeah,” Emma said, brushing her lips against Finn’s strong jaw. “I actually don’t mind these gigs.”

“Why not?”

“Because I get to dress like a normal person, and I never have to leave the studio,” Emma said. “It’s boring. It’s stupid. It’s also easy and great money. I’m going to need the money.”

Finn reached up, pushing the tangle of hair away from her face. “I never asked before, I didn’t think to. Do you have insurance?”

Emma nodded. “I’m not stupid. I have replacement-cost insurance. I emailed my adjuster yesterday. He’s already been out to look at the scene. They’ll cut me a check as soon as I get them a list.”

“Well, that’s a relief,” Finn said.

“There’s still endless stuff to get done,” Emma said.

“Like?”

“Like I need to get a new driver’s license, debit card, credit cards, a social security card, all that stuff,” Emma said. “I also need to pick up my car.”

Finn sighed, rubbing his hand over the back of Emma’s head. “Well, let’s make a list. We’ll tackle it one chore at a time.”

Emma’s stomach flipped when he said the word “we,” but she pretended she hadn’t noticed. “What are you going to do today?”

“I guess I’m going with you,” Finn said. “I don’t feel comfortable leaving you alone.”

“Why?” Emma asked. “Besides the horny teenager at the mall yesterday, nothing has happened since that first day at the boat show.”

“You mean other than the fire, right?”

Emma stiffened. “You don’t think … ?”

“I don’t know,” Finn cautioned. “I was hoping to be able to get over to the police station and get a report on the fire today. Maybe I can send Grady.”

“You know, I’m perfectly capable of going to a photo shoot on my own,” Emma said. “I am an adult, after all.”

“I know,” Finn said, touching his lips to hers softly. “Maybe I just don’t want to be away from you.”

Emma sighed. “I don’t need to be babysat.”

Finn rolled his eyes. “What if we compromise?”

“What does that mean?”

“Well, you said you’ll be at the Daily Tribune building,” Finn said. “That just happens to be where Sophie works.”

“So, you want Sophie to watch me?” Emma was dubious.

“I was actually thinking of sending Grady over there,” Finn admitted. “He can take the opportunity to flirt with Sophie in front of her co-workers – he loves making her uncomfortable – and he can watch you at the same time.”

“I don’t know,” Emma hedged.

“What if I told you it would make me more comfortable,” Finn pleaded.

His face was too much for Emma to resist. “Fine.”

Finn blew out a relieved sigh. That was one less thing to worry about. Now he just had to convince Grady.

GRADY
had not only been up for the task, but also excited by the opportunity. Watching Sophie in action gave him a charge – and getting to know Emma better was on the top of his to-do list, at least that’s what he told Finn.

Grady picked Emma up at Mandy’s apartment, smiling like the Cheshire Cat when he saw Finn give her a deep kiss before loading her into his brother’s truck. Once they were gone, Finn went about his day – although his mind kept wandering to the night before.

As he drove to the police station, Finn’s mind was jumbled. Visions of Emma writhing in his arms, her breathy gasps as he filled her, warred with the worry pooling in the pit of his stomach. He had no proof that the fire at Emma’s building had been intentionally set – and if it was, that Emma was the intended victim – but his gut told him that it was too much of a coincidence.

Finn parked on the street outside of the Eastpointe police station, locking his Escalade before jogging inside. He stopped at the protective bubble in the lobby, flashed his Hardy Brothers Security identification pass, and told the officer behind the bullet-proof glass why he was there.

The woman glanced at his badge and then motioned to one of the seats across the hall. “I’ll call the detective in charge,” she said. “It might take a few minutes.”

Finn nodded mutely. He wasn’t expecting instant action. That’s not how local police departments worked.

After waiting for about twenty minutes, the door separating the lobby from the inner sanctum of the police department opened. A detective in a polyester suit, his pronounced beer gut dipping over the lip of his pants, poked his head out and glanced at Finn. “Are you Finn Hardy?”

Finn nodded, getting to his feet.

“Come back here,” the detective said.

Once the door shut behind him, the detective introduced himself. “I’m Bobby Andrews,” he said. “I’m the primary on the Eastgate apartment fire.”

“Do you have anything yet?” Finn asked, following Andrews through the dingy hallway.

The detective didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he led Finn into a small office, settling behind the desk as Finn sat in one of the uncomfortable wooden chairs. Once they were face-to-face, Andrews focused on Finn. “Can I ask what your interest in this case is?”

“A woman who lives in the building is a client of ours,” Finn said. “She had to climb down the fire escape from the third floor. I’m just trying to find out if the fire was intentionally set.”

Detective Andrews leaned back in his chair. “May I ask the name of your client?”

Finn saw no sense in lying. “Emma Pritchard.”

“She’s the model, right?”

“She is.”

“She was also attacked at the boat show in St. Clair Shores a little over a week ago?”

“That’s her.”

“Is that why your firm has been retained?”

Technically, Hardy Brothers Security wasn’t on retainer. Finn saw no reason to volunteer that information. “Yes.”

“And you’re worried that the fire was set because of Ms. Pritchard.”

“I am.”

Andrews blew out a heavy breath. “Well, you’re probably not going to like what I have to tell you then,” he said. “An accelerant was not only used, but it was pooled in the hallway on the third floor. Even if Ms. Pritchard had tried to escape through the hallway, it would have been impossible.”

Finn’s heart flopped painfully. “What kind of accelerant?”

“Well, that’s the interesting thing,” Andrews said. “It wasn’t gasoline. It was a special blend of gasoline and oil that’s not readily available over the counter.”

“Where is it available?”

“We’re still looking,” Andrews said. “The truth is, anyone could have mixed it. The lab technician says it was designed to burn fast and hot, though. That would suggest that someone had to have some sort of working knowledge of chemical accelerants to mix it.”

That wasn’t good news. “I’m guessing that you’re sending it to the state lab for further tests.”

“I am,” Andrews said. “There’s something else.”

Finn didn’t like the sound of that. “I’m almost scared to ask.”

“I’ve been in contact with the St. Clair Shores Police Department,” the detective said. “I was curious about the attack on Ms. Pritchard at the boat show and I wanted to cover my bases.”

“And?”

“And they were … ambivalent to the situation we have out here,” Andrews said.

“Meaning they didn’t care,” Finn supplied. “They thought the whole thing was some kind of joke.”

“That doesn’t mean they didn’t do due diligence,” Andrews cautioned. “They did send the melted plastic to the state lab for analysis.”

Finn waited.

“It seems it wasn’t normal acid that burned the display case.”

“Let me guess, a special blend?”

“Yes.”

“That means we’re looking for a chemist,” Finn said.

“Probably,” Andrews said. “There’s no way we can be a hundred-percent sure that it’s the same perpetrator in both cases.”

“You believe it is, though, don’t you?”

“I think it would be one hell of a coincidence if it wasn’t.”

Finn couldn’t help but agree. “So, what comes next?”

“Well, I was going to contact Ms. Pritchard about protection,” Andrews said. “Maybe try to cajole her into a safe house or something. I’m worried that the attacks could speed up – not slow down.”

“That won’t be necessary,” Finn said. “We’ve put her under our protection.”

“That’s actually a relief,” the detective replied. “Our resources are taxed here. You and your brothers have a good reputation. I’m confident that you can keep her safe – which will make my job easier.”

“What’s next for you?”

Andrews leaned back in his chair, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Leg work.”

“Meaning?”

“We have to find someone who has a grudge against Emma Pritchard – or, more likely, her father – who also has a background in chemistry.”

Well, that solved the quandary Finn was struggling with regarding Lance Pritchard. “You know about her father?”

“Son, everyone in this county knows about her father.”

“You’ve been upfront with me,” Finn said. “I feel I owe you the same. I’m worried that certain
individuals
won’t look at her as a victim, that they’ll only look at her as the child of an infamous child molester. She is not her father. She is not responsible for the things he did.”

“I appreciate your candor,” Andrews said. “Let me assure you of one thing: I don’t blame Emma Pritchard for what her father did. I’m also worried about her safety. We need to work together on this. I’m willing to share information if you are.”

Finn nodded. “Let’s do it.”