Deadly Secrets (Hardy Brothers Security Book 11) (12 page)

“Where are we?” Jake asked from the passenger seat of James’ Explorer. “Do you recognize this place?”

James nodded, slowing the Explorer and parking three houses down from the one Mandy was walking in to. She looked angry. No, that wasn’t right. She looked enraged.

“Well?” Jake prodded.

“This is where Heidi lives.”

Jake paused, confused. “That’s her friend from the courthouse, right?”

“Right.”

“Shouldn’t we follow?”

“We need to come up with a plan first,” James said. “I’m kind of confused why Ally would come here. I mean, Heidi is a nice woman, but I didn’t realize she and Ally were close.”

“I don’t think they are,” Jake said. “I’ve never heard Ally mention Heidi in more than passing, and usually in conjunction with some story that revolves around Mandy.”

“That means it was Mandy’s idea.”

“Why are you so concerned about this?” Jake asked, worried.

“I don’t know,” James admitted. “It’s just … weird.”

“Let’s go.” Jake moved to open the door.

“Wait.”

“For what?”

“We have to decide how we’re going to approach this,” James said. “We might only get one shot.”

“Do you really think Heidi is going to stop us from seeing them?”

“I think Heidi is loyal to a fault,” James said. “If she thinks she’s protecting Mandy, she’ll do whatever my blonde wants. Just let me think about this a second.”

“I need to see Ally.”

“I know,” James said. “Just … give it a minute. We’ll be able to see them if they try to leave. I’d almost rather approach them outside.”

“You sound like you’re really scared.”

“Hey, for all we know, Heidi has a gun – and Mandy and Ally both know how to use it.”

Jake sobered. “I … Ally wouldn’t shoot me, would she?”

“I have no idea what’s going through either of their minds right now.”

“YOU
saw
him?” Ally’s face was pale, her eyes swollen from crying, and she was dressed in a pair of Heidi’s pajamas. Since Heidi had thirty pounds on her, Ally looked like a small child playing in her mother’s clothing.

“He was in the office when I stopped in,” Mandy said, throwing herself on the couch next to Ally. “He was just sitting there with his stupid hair and his stupid face, acting like he hadn’t done a thing.”

“Did he look sad?”

“He looked miserable,” Mandy said. “Not miserable enough for my taste, though.”

“What did you do?” Ally asked.

“I yelled at him again and then I threatened to set him on fire if he ever came near you.”

Ally was impressed. “What did he say?”

“Nothing. Then I stormed out.”

“It sounds like a soap opera,” Heidi said, nervously perching on the arm of her couch. “What’s going to happen now?”

“I have no idea,” Mandy said. “I’m too angry to talk to James right now.”

“How is this James’ fault?”

“He didn’t fire him.”

“I don’t want him fired,” Ally said, morose. “I just … I don’t want to see him. He’s a good worker. He should keep his job. I just won’t go into the office.”

“And what happens when Finn and Emma move in upstairs? Are you never going to see the baby there?”

Ally worried her bottom lip with her teeth. “I didn’t think about that.”

“I want him fired,” Mandy said, crossing her arms over her chest.

“I don’t think James can legally fire Jake for cheating on his sister,” Heidi pointed out.

Mandy narrowed her eyes. “Jake would be an idiot to fight being fired in this scenario. He had to know it was coming … the stupid jackass.”

“Not that I’m not excited to have you guys here, and I genuinely enjoyed playing hooky from work today, but how long are you going to hide here?” Heidi asked.

“Why?”

“Um, well, Clint is coming over tonight. We’re supposed to have a romantic dinner.”

Ally shot Heidi a rueful smile. “I’ll be out of here soon.”

“You don’t have to go,” Heidi said hurriedly. “I can cancel the date.”

“You’ll do no such thing,” Ally said. “I’m not ruining your love life just because mine is … over with.”

“I’m sure it’s not over with,” Heidi said. “You’re just going through a rough patch.”

“I want to go home anyway. I didn’t want to be there last night in case he tried to explain away his actions, but I’m ready to go home now. I just want to take a long bath and get into bed.”

“Why don’t you change your clothes?” Mandy suggested. “I’ll wait for you and follow you home. We can order pizza and trash men.”

“You’re coming to my house? Why aren’t you going home?”

“Because I’m mad at your brother,” Mandy said. “If I see him right now, we’re going to have a big fight.”

“I thought you liked to fight?”

“Only about little things.”

“Mandy, this isn’t your battle,” Ally said. “I appreciate everything you did for me last night. I’m really sorry I just left you there. I didn’t think. I just ran. You don’t have to put your life on hold for me. I’m a big girl. I can handle my own problems.”

“You’re my best friend. Your problems are my problems.”

Ally reached over and hugged her, holding her tight for a moment. “You’re the best friend I’ve ever had.”

“THE
door is opening,” Jake said, pointing.

James followed his finger with his eyes, leaning forward so he could study the two figures on the front porch of Heidi’s house more closely. “It’s Mandy and Ally.”

“Let’s go.” Jake pushed the door open.

James opened his mouth to argue but realized it was fruitless. It was now or never. He jumped out of the Explorer and followed Jake, his face resigned when Mandy’s gaze shifted and landed on him. She was so angry it hurt to look at her.

“What the hell? Did you follow me?” Mandy stalked down the front walk, cutting off Jake’s path to Ally. “Go away!”

“Mandy, I just want to talk to her.”

“I told you what would happen if you did,” Mandy said. “Someone hand me a lighter.”

James tamped down the mad urge to laugh. Even in fevered discontent, not a stitch of makeup on her face, she was still the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen.

“Ally, please, I need to talk to you,” Jake said. “I swear I didn’t cheat on you. Just … give me a chance to explain.”

“No.”

Jake swallowed the lump in his throat. She looked so … lost. Her eyes were puffy from crying, and her hair was a mess from sleeping on it. She obviously hadn’t showered, and she was back in the black clothes from the previous evening. “Please, angel.”

“Don’t call me that.” Ally’s voice was ragged.

“You are my angel,” Jake said. “You’re always going to be my angel. I need you to listen to what I have to say.”

“I don’t want to hear it,” Ally said.

“I can make it better, Ally.”

“You can’t.” Ally’s eyes were red-rimmed and glistening. “Even if you could somehow explain Cara’s visit to your house, you still lied to me.”

Jake faltered. “I … .”

“After you went undercover in Detroit and made me think I was going crazy, you promised me you wouldn’t lie to me again.”

Jake pressed his eyes shut, fighting off the tears that were threatening to leak out. “I didn’t want to lie to you. I just … it was an awkward situation.”

“He knows what he did was wrong,” James said. “He still had a reason for doing it. Just listen to him, Ally.”

“You stay out of this,” Mandy snapped.

“Maybe you should stay out of this,” Jake suggested, immediately regretting the words when he saw the look on Mandy’s face. “Or not. I’m perfectly happy having you here.”

“Don’t you dare say anything bad to her,” Ally said. “She’s all I have now.”

“That is not true, Ally,” Jake said. “You have me. You just have to give me a chance to explain everything.”

“Can you explain why you lied to me?”

“I didn’t mean to lie to you,” Jake said. “I didn’t look at it that way. I thought I was protecting you.”

“Can you explain why Cara kissed you?”

“She saw you and Mandy through the window,” Jake said. “She was trying to get a rise out of you. I pushed her away.”

“You held her face.”

“To stop her from kissing me.”

Ally sucked in a shaky breath. “Can you explain why Cara was staying at your house? Can you explain why you snuck out of my bed while I was still asleep and went to her?” Ally was openly weeping now.

Jake instinctively reached for her. “Angel … .”

Ally pulled back, leaning into Mandy as the blonde wrapped a solidifying arm around her waist. “I don’t know how you expected this all to go,” Ally said. “I do know that you promised you wouldn’t lie to me again.”

“Ally, I can explain all of this to you,” Jake pleaded. “I did the wrong thing by letting Cara hide at my house, but I did it for the right reasons. She’s in danger. I’m in danger. We have an old enemy … .”

Ally held up her hand to stop him. “I don’t want to hear it. You’re just going to try and distract me from what I know is true. You did it the other night when I told you how hurt I was by the note. You made me believe you cared.”

“I do care.”

“You made me believe I was important.”

“You’re the most important thing in my life, Ally.”

“You don’t lie to the most important thing in your life,” Ally said, gripping Mandy’s hand tightly. “That’s the one thing you don’t do.”

Jake was lost. “You’re my girlfriend. You have to let me explain this to you. You have to at least give me a chance to fix this.”

“That’s where you’re wrong,” Ally said. “I
was
your girlfriend. I’m nothing to you now.”

“Don’t you say that.”

“I’ll pack up your stuff and have Mandy drop it off at the security office,” Ally said. “Just … give your key to James. If you don’t, whatever, we’ll just change the locks.”

“Ally, please.” Jake was begging now.

“I need to go home,” Ally said, smiling for Mandy’s benefit.

“I’ll be right behind you,” Mandy said.

Ally shook her head. “I need to be alone right now. Just … go home. I’ll call you later.”

“Are you sure?”

“I need some time to myself,” Ally said. “I have to … adjust … to some new realities.”

“Ally,” James said. “Don’t do this.”

“It’s already done,” Ally said. “I didn’t do it. Jake did. I’m just finding the strength to hold on to the little pride I have left and walk away.”

Mandy, James and Jake watched Ally walk to her car. Once she was gone, Mandy turned and headed toward her Ford Focus without saying a word.

“Where are you going, baby?” James asked.

Mandy didn’t answer. Instead she got in her car and pulled away, never uttering another word.

“Just give them time to cool down,” James said, turning his attention back to Jake. “Just … there’s nothing else you can do.”

Jake sank to the pavement. “She’s gone.”

“You don’t know that yet,” James said. “In a couple days … .”

“She hates me.”

“She’s just hurt.”

“I’ve lost her.”

“I … .” James wanted to argue, but he had a feeling Jake was right. He’d never seen Ally so defeated … or resolute. “Just give it a few days before you give up on her.”

“I’ll never give up on her,” Jake said. “She’s already given up on me, though.”

James found Mandy in her studio an hour later. He’d hoped the drive home, and a few minutes to herself with her easel and paints, would release some of the anger she was clinging to.

He was wrong.

“Are you okay?”

“No.”

“Talk to me, baby,” James said. “We need to talk about this.”

“I don’t want to talk to you right now,” Mandy said. “I feel like you have not only chosen Jake over your sister, but over me, too.”

“Mandy, I will never choose anyone over you. You know that. You’re the love of my life, and you’re the one thing I can’t live without.”

“And yet you’re taking Jake’s side.”

“I am not taking Jake’s side. I do understand his side, and if you would just listen for five minutes you would get a handle on what’s going on here and maybe – just maybe – you might feel a little sympathy for him, too.”

Mandy’s face was blank. “I don’t want to feel sympathy for him. He crushed Ally. That’s all I need to know.”

James pinched the bridge of his nose, conflicted. He wasn’t sure how to tackle this situation. On a normal day they would engage in a screaming match and then some outrageous make-up sex. This was obviously not a normal day. “Jake is in danger. So is Cara. He didn’t cheat on Ally. Cara tried to make it look like something was going on because she saw you two outside. They’re dealing with a very serious situation.”

“That’s too bad for him.”

James hated the flat tone of her voice. “I’m going to go into the house and order some pizza. When you’re ready to talk, I’ll be in the house.”

“I’m not going to want to talk tonight.”

James froze. “What is that supposed to mean?”

“I’m not staying here tonight.”

“Yes, you are.”

“No, I’m not,” Mandy said. “I’m going to go over to Ally’s.”

“She said she wants to be alone.”

“She needs me,” Mandy said.

“I need you,” James countered. “You’re my wife. We have spent one night apart since we got married, and that was only because you were kidnapped. In a year and a half, we’ve spent three nights apart. This is not going to be the fourth.”

Mandy’s face was drawn as she finally raised her cloudy eyes to his. “Yes, it is.”

JAKE
opened his front door to a glowering James the next morning. After a night in a hotel, he’d returned to his house to find an apologetic Cara begging for forgiveness. He’s pretty much ignored her for the entire hour he’d been home.

“What’s going on?” Jake asked, weary. Even though he’d finally gotten some sleep the night before, sheer exhaustion claiming him, it had been fitful and only came in short bursts. “Did something happen to Ally?”

“Yeah, she’s living with my wife,” James snapped, pushing past Jake and stalking into the house. “Where is the she-devil?”

Jake pointed to the living room.

“Did you stay here last night?”

“I’ve taken a room at the Hilton on Gratiot. I just came back so we could run some more searches and figure things out. I’m not staying here as long as she’s here.”

“Well, I might kill her,” James said.

The two men found Cara sipping coffee in the living room. She lifted her eyes when James threw his keys on the coffee table. “Is something wrong?”

“I hate you,” James said. “You’re a scourge on my life right now.”

“I see your wife isn’t the only dramatic one,” Cara said, nonplussed. “How is she, by the way? Did you know she threw a rock through Jake’s window? I covered it up with a blanket, in case you missed it. You’re going to have to call a repairman.”

“If you say one more thing about my wife, I’m going to kill you,” James said. It wasn’t an idle threat. He meant it.

“I get it. She’s the love of your life. She walks on water. Why are you here with us instead of at home worshipping her?”

“Because my wife has moved in with my sister,” James growled. “Do you want to know why?”

“I don’t really care.”

“She left because of you,” James said.

“I’m not responsible for your marital problems,” Cara said.

“Yes, you are,” James said, his voice getting louder with each passing word. “You purposely made a pass at Jake when my sister could see and imploded her world. When my sister’s world implodes, that means my wife’s world implodes. When my wife’s world implodes, that means I’m very, very unhappy!”

“That sounds very co-dependent.”

“I’m going to kill her,” James said. “We’ll just call Peter. He knows how to hide a body.”

“Go for it,” Jake said, slouching dejectedly in the armchair at the edge of the room. “I’ll take the rap. I have nothing left to lose.”

“Oh, please, are you saying your little girlfriend didn’t forgive you? Where were you the past two nights if she didn’t forgive you?”

“I was sitting in her driveway the first night,” Jake said. “She never came home. Then I found her yesterday and watched her squeeze my heart until it stopped beating and I spent the night in a hotel last night.”

“Well, that’s just silly,” Cara said. “This house has three bedrooms.”

“I don’t want to be near you,” Jake said.

“Listen, it’s just latent attraction,” Cara said. “Just because we’re under the same roof, it doesn’t mean we’ll act on it. Besides, your girlfriend dumped you. It wouldn’t be cheating now.”

“I was never attracted to you, Cara,” Jake replied honestly. “There were very few female choices overseas. I was just bored.”

Cara scowled. “There’s no need to be mean.”

“Huh. It’s funny you should say that. You thought it was funny when you hurt Ally. I thought I would return the favor.”

“I know you were attracted to me.”

“That’s why I dumped you even though you were the only female in a hundred-mile radius.”

Cara’s face fell. “You don’t have to be so … harsh.”

“You don’t seem to pick up on any other social cues,” Jake said. “Harsh is all you’re getting.”

“I’m sorry you lost your girlfriend,” Cara said. “I never meant for that to happen.”

“That is a lie.”

“It is,” James agreed. “You’ve been trying to hurt Ally since you met her. You’ve been trying to hurt Mandy, too, and I have no idea how that benefits you.”

“No offense to your wife … .”

“Don’t you even think about finishing that sentence,” James warned. “I will snap your neck. I don’t believe in hurting women, but I do believe in protecting my wife at all costs. One of those things will beat out the other, and you’re nothing to me while my wife is everything.”

“Are you always this grumpy when you miss out on sex?”

“See, that’s your problem,” James said. “You make everything about sex. You thought that was the way to Jake’s heart, and you were wrong.”

“Are you saying you don’t have sex with your wife?” Cara was doubtful.

“Oh, I love having sex with my wife,” James said. “That’s not what I missed last night, though. I missed her mere presence. I missed the sound of her breathing. I missed her head on my chest and the hand that she always rests over my heart.

“I missed waking up to her this morning,” he continued. “She’s always so soft … and warm … and cuddly. She’s muddled in the morning. It takes her a few minutes to wake up. My favorite part of the day is those five minutes where I just get to hold her.”

Cara’s mouth dropped open, stunned by his candor.

Jake’s heart stuttered. He hadn’t gone two mornings in a row without Ally in his arms since they started dating. He didn’t know it was possible to miss someone this much.

“So, here’s what’s going to happen,” James said. “We’re all going to work on this together. I’ve got Grady and Finn doing searches on the computers back at the office. Grady is asking Peter to check his networks for Mitchell, too.”

“Do they know … everything?” Jake asked.

“Yes,” James said. “I’m sorry if you didn’t want them to know. We need them, and I’m not playing games.”

“It’s okay,” Jake said. “They have a right to know. I … what do they know about Ally and me?”

“They know everything,” James said. “I didn’t tell them that. Sophie and Emma were filled in, and then when they went to Ally’s last night, too, I had two angry brothers to grapple with.”

“Did Sophie and Emma spend the night, too?” Jake was horrified. He’d upended everyone’s lives.

“No, they went home,” James said. “I’m the only one who slept alone last night.”

“Not the only one,” Jake grumbled.

“Fine,” James conceded. “You caused the problem and you slept alone. I listened to your explanation and tried to calm down my wife and now I’m miserable.”

“This is just unbelievable,” Cara said. “Are you honestly saying that you can’t go one night without seeing your wife?”

“Cara, I can’t go one minute without thinking about my wife,” James said. “You just don’t get it because you’ve never been in love. She’s all I want. The thought of her and Ally holing up and crying together is killing me.”

“So go over there and beg her to forgive you,” Cara suggested.

“She’s not ready to forgive me because of you!”

“I get it,” Cara said. “I’m the big bad.”

“You’re the Devil,” James said. “Now we’re all going to work together to solve this problem so we can shun the Devil.”

“I’m right there with you,” Jake said. “I want my life back.”

“I thought your girlfriend broke up with you,” Cara said. “Isn’t it time to let her go?”

“I’ll never let her go,” Jake said. “I have to find a way to fix things. I know it’s not going to happen overnight. I know I’ve completely and totally wrecked what we had. I am not giving up, though. I don’t want to live my life without her.”

James cocked an eyebrow as he studied his friend. “You’ll get her back.”

“That’s not what you said yesterday.”

“I had a lot of time to think last night … while I was lonely and cold in my bed.” He shot a dark look in Cara’s direction. “Ally loves you. She wants to forgive you. We’re going to find Cameron Mitchell. We’re going to handle him. I have no idea how yet, but we’re going to do it. Then we’re getting this bitch out of town and making our women happy.”

Jake smiled. It was weak, but it was heartfelt. “I hope you’re right.”

JAMES
was morose as he stared at his empty bed that night. He’d called Mandy twice, and texted her so many times he’d lost count. He’d knocked on Ally’s door and listened to them whisper on the other side.

Mandy was still avoiding him.

The thought of climbing in that bed alone again was almost too much to bear.

The sound of someone walking into the bedroom jolted him, and when he saw Mandy in the doorway his heart jumped. “Baby?”

“I’m still mad at you.”

James nodded stiffly. “I know. I’m working on it.”

Mandy shuffled across the floor and wrapped her arms around his waist, resting her head against his chest. James pulled her close, burying his nose in her hair and inhaling her scent.

“I love you, Mandy.”

“I love you, too.”

“I … .”

“I’m not ready to talk yet,” Mandy said.

“You don’t want to make up?”

Mandy shook her head. “I’m still too angry.”

“I … are you staying here with me tonight?”
Please say yes
, he internally begged.

“I can’t be away from you for another night.”

James sighed, relieved. “Okay.”

“We’re not having sex.”

“I don’t care about that,” James said, rubbing his hand over the back of her neck. “I just want to be able to hold you.”

“You can hold me. We’re not going to talk about Jake, though. I’m not ready, and I’m so tired. I didn’t sleep at all last night. I was out of it all day at work.”

“Okay.” James brushed his lips against her forehead.

“When I’m ready to talk, I’ll tell you.”

“As long as I can see and touch you, I’m going to agree to all of your terms,” James said. “Last night was one of the most miserable nights in my whole life.”

“It was for me, too.”

“I … .”

“No, that’s all we’re going to say for now,” Mandy said. “I’m terrified we’re going to fight.”

“What do you want to do?”

“Turn off the lights, put my head on your chest, and sleep.”

“That sounds like Heaven to me right now, baby.”