Deadly Rivalry (Hardy Brothers Security Book 17) (18 page)
Read Deadly Rivalry (Hardy Brothers Security Book 17) Online
Authors: Lily Harper Hart
“Some things aren’t about money,” Rodrigo said, winking at Mandy. “Now strip!”
“I will not!”
“Then I’ll strip you,” Rodrigo said, moving toward Thorpe with a clear purpose.
James grabbed Mandy and pressed her head to his chest so she wouldn’t see the forcible stripping and herded her back toward the house. They were almost out of the trees when the unmistakable sound of boy band music assailed James’ ears.
He increased his pace and exploded through the trees, fixing Grady with an incredulous look as his brother bopped up and down to the music.
“What in the hell are you doing?” James roared. “Are you trying to kill the neighbors with bad music?”
“I’m trying to distract the bad guys in the woods,” Grady replied. “I think it’s working.”
“It’s over with,” James shot back. “It’s done.”
“Good,” Grady said, the music still blaring. “Did we win?”
James shook his head but he couldn’t hide his chuckle as he turned to his wife and pulled her in for a bear hug. “I won the day I found you again.”
“I love you.”
“I love you, too, baby.”
James lowered his mouth and kissed her, the exchange slow and sweet. When they finally separated, Mandy grabbed his hand and dragged him toward the guesthouse. “Come on! The sharks are waiting.”
James laughed. Even madmen in the woods – and possible stripping by mob thug – couldn’t bring her down tonight. He gladly followed her.
“You two are so sick,” Grady said, crossing his arms over his chest. “I guess I’m supposed to deal with the cops, huh?”
“That would be great,” James said. “Make sure they clear out before midnight. I’m going to need a few hours of sleep if I’m going to keep up with my wife. I’m going to burn this music, by the way. I have no idea where you found it. It’s going to kill the mood if I don’t get rid of it, though.”
“Sick!”
“
I
’m so
glad everything is over and done with,” Ally said the next morning over a leisurely family breakfast. It was actually closer to noon than sunrise, but Mandy and James refused to get up early no matter how much Ally prodded them. “What’s going to happen to Mason and Thorpe?”
James shrugged as he poured a glass of juice for Mandy and offered her a sexy smile. “They’re facing numerous charges and Keats’ trial is on hold while quite a few more are added to his list.”
“Oh, you two are sick,” Grady said, shaking his head. “You’re sitting there and thinking about doing it again. I can see it on your faces and it’s disgusting.”
Sophie reached under the table and viciously pinched his thigh. “Leave them alone,” she said. “I’m pretty sure you were the one swearing up and down you would never give them a hard time about their sex life again if you could somehow make it to them in time to save them.”
“He made it to us in time to kill us with bad boy band music,” James said. “Where did you find that CD, by the way?”
Grady averted his eyes. “It was in Sophie’s car.”
Sophie snorted. “We drove in your truck,” she reminded him. “You had it under your seat because you were hiding it from me. You knew I would never let you hear the end of it.”
“I like the boy bands,” Grady snapped, wiggling around in his chair. “My name is Grady Hardy and I like boy bands. Sue me!”
“I’m considering it,” James said, although his grin was too wide to suggest he planned on doing anything of the sort. “I’m surprised you guys showed up for breakfast. I thought for sure we wouldn’t see you until after the weekend.”
“He means he was hoping he wouldn’t see us until after the weekend,” Ally clarified, wrinkling her nose as she tried to entertain Avery. He rested in his mother’s arms, his face expressionless, and yet Ally was determined to be the first to make him smile. “He wanted to have another naked weekend before facing all of us.”
“And yet you’re still here,” James said, squeezing Mandy’s knee under the table.
“When are you going back to work, Mandy?” Sophie asked, turning the conversation to something more serious. “Can you go back right away?”
“I talked to the judge this morning and he wants me back whenever I’m ready,” Mandy answered. “I’m going back Monday, although I probably will have to sit out the Keats trial and do office work because I’ll be on his witness list when the charges are adjusted.”
“Ugh. That’s going to be quite the switch,” Sophie said. “Can Judge MacIntosh keep the case if you’re giving testimony?”
“I would like to see someone try and take it away from him,” Mandy said. “He is livid about what went down. He wants Mason’s case to be in front of him, too. I’m not sure that’s a good idea, but he’s out for blood. He says he knew Mason was dirty by the way he was going after me in the parking garage the day Madeline’s body was discovered.”
“I think we all figured Mason was dirty that day,” Grady said. “He wasn’t very bright, though. I can’t figure out why Morgan kept him on as long as he did given his personnel file and Morgan’s obvious suspicions.”
“Morgan is facing a lot of problems in his department,” Sophie explained. “There’s something of a mutiny afoot in a few of the departments, including the detective bureau. Morgan won the special election to retain his seat, but it was only for a partial term and there’s a lot of chatter that one of his own deputies is going to run against him in the general election.”
“Do you know who?” James asked.
“Rumor has it that Mason was going to be one of the prospects,” Sophie replied. “If that’s the case, that might explain why Morgan kept him around. It’s always good to keep your enemies close so you know what they’re doing.”
“That makes sense,” James said. “Mason won’t be able to win the seat now. Does that mean they’ll run someone else?”
“That would be my guess,” Sophie said. “We’ll have to wait and see. For now, Morgan is happy with Mason’s takedown and he’s thrilled to be able to parade a litany of charges out against Thorpe. Absolutely no one likes him.”
“That’s because he’s a douche,” Mandy said, making a face.
Out of the corner of her eye she saw Avery’s eyes shift and land on her. She turned and locked eyes with the baby, pressing her lips together and offering him a lame smile. “He’s very cute.”
“Thank you,” Emma said. “I understand why you don’t want to hold him and I’m not going to pressure you to do it. I want you to know that it’s okay. When you’re ready, he’ll be ready.”
“That’s great.”
James peered around Mandy’s shoulder and focused on his nephew. “I know I’m supposed to say he’s the cutest baby ever, but don’t you think he kind of looks like a really pale Yoda without the ears?”
“I will kill you if you ever say anything like that again,” Ally warned.
“I think all babies are weird looking,” James said, smiling so Avery wouldn’t take it personally. “I’m sure he’ll grow into a strapping boy and be handsome like the rest of us. I wouldn’t worry.”
“Will you stop that?” Mandy said, slapping James’ knee. “That’s your nephew. He’s cute.” Mandy turned back to the baby and smiled. “Don’t listen to your uncle. He’s obviously blind. You’re the cutest baby in the world.”
Emma beamed and Finn laughed and then … yup … Avery smiled. He focused on Mandy and legitimately smiled.
“No,” Ally wailed, shaking her head. “Did he just … no … it was supposed to be me!”
“Calm down, angel,” Jake chided. “It’s a marathon, not a sprint. Although, not only was Mandy the first to hold him, but now she’s also the first to get a smile. You’re definitely lagging.”
“I’m going to kill you, too,” Ally threatened.
“I can’t believe he smiled,” Emma cooed, rubbing his belly. “What a good boy. You’re so smart. You smiled at your aunt and melted her heart. You’re a genius.”
Mandy’s heart rolled at the words and she glanced at James. She wasn’t sure if she was ready, but she wondered if she would ever be ready if she didn’t force herself. She took everyone by surprise when she stretched out her arms. “Give him to me.”
Emma widened her eyes and mutely handed over the baby. Mandy clutched him close to her chest, fear racing through her as she stared into the baby’s sweet face.
“You’re not so scary, are you?”
Avery smiled again, causing Ally to curse under her breath.
“Oh, good job, Ally,” Grady said. “You can teach the baby his first swear word.”
“At least I’ll get the first something,” Ally grumbled.
Mandy wet her lips and smiled at Avery. “Welcome to the family. I can’t wait to show you
Jaws
.”
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I
’m a romantic at heart
. A true romantic. I love the idea of a happy ending, so much so I have trouble writing a sad one. The world is sad enough. I like escaping in fiction. That’s just me. I like sarcasm and snark – but I’m not sure a sad ending is in me. If you’re looking for an edge like that, you’re probably looking in the wrong place. Just FYI.
As a heads-up, Ivy Morgan’s witchcraft growth will be coinciding with her relationship growth. That means she’ll be learning more about her powers and beliefs at the same time Jack does. I hope you enjoy their romance.
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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
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H
ardy Brothers Security
A
Maddie Graves Mystery
A
n Ivy Morgan Mystery
A
Harper Harlow
Mystery