“Sure,” James said, bobbing his head. “Do you know how many dates you’re going to need?”
“That’s actually still up in the air, but if you need to reserve a car I’m willing to pay for an entire week,” Parker said.
“We have two cars in our fleet, so that shouldn’t be an issue,” James said. “Why don’t you let me get my calendar and we can move out to the lobby and talk without having to watch these gluttons eat.”
“Are you sure?” Owen looked as if he felt guilty for interrupting the family moment. “I can wait until you’re done eating.”
“Oh, it’s fine,” James said, waving off the offer. “I have dinner plans with my wife tonight so I’m saving room for a lot of seafood.”
“That’s how you did it,” Grady crowed, slapping his knee. “You got her to forgive you for the drooling comment by offering her seafood. She’s always so easy to bribe. Crab legs and lobster tails do it every time.”
James fought the urge to punch his brother and instead maintained a professional demeanor. “He doesn’t think before he speaks sometimes. I apologize. You don’t have to worry about him doing your job.”
“Oh, Sheesh,” Grady muttered. “That’s a real punishment. Here, you’ve misbehaved. Therefore you shall do no work.”
James gestured toward the lobby. “He definitely won’t be doing your driving job,” he said. “He’ll be doing inventory … by himself … for the rest of the week.”
“Oh, man,” Grady muttered.
“And he’ll be doing it without internet access and a computer,” James added.
“There went my lifestyle,” Grady complained. “I’m totally bummed, too. I was just about to hit level two hundred.”
6
Six
“Who wants to take the driving job tonight?” James asked, glancing at his calendar before shifting his eyes pointedly in Finn’s direction. “It should be easy.”
“I’ll take it,” Grady said, raising his hand.
“Oh, no. You’re doing inventory,” James said. “You’ve earned it.” He stared Finn down as his brother shifted uncomfortably in his chair.
“Wow. Why don’t you stare a little harder?” Finn deadpanned. “I can feel those laser beams you have for eyes boring into me.”
“I thought you would like the driving job,” James countered. “It’s only a few hours of work and this Owen guy says that he’s going to need transportation for at least two days – and maybe a full week – and he just needs someone to drive him and his wife to the casinos. That’s a cake job.”
“It is a cake job,” Finn agreed. “Since Jeff just got here, though … .”
“Jeff is the reason I want you to take it,” James said. “This allows you more time to spend with Emma and Avery while giving her more time with him, too.”
“Hey, don’t change your schedule on my account,” Jeff said. “I don’t want you to go out of your way for me.”
“Too late,” James said. “I think you’re perfect for this, Finn.”
Finn wasn’t ready to capitulate just yet. “If it’s such a great job, why don’t you take it?”
“Because I promised Mandy seafood tonight and I can’t back out,” James replied, not missing a beat. “The last time that happened she didn’t stop crying for days.”
“Over seafood?” Jeff was confused. “She must really like shrimp.”
Grady snorted. “She wasn’t crying over the seafood,” he said. “She was crying because James ignored her for three days and missed out on her first art showing. She was also in a car accident and almost killed. He was a very bad husband.”
“Thank you for that,” James snapped. “That’s another reason you’re doing inventory.”
“Man, it sounds as if Mandy is a trouble magnet,” Jeff mused. “First she takes on my father and then she almost dies in an accident. You must want to wrap her in bubble wrap and lock her in the house.”
“You’re joking, but I’ve considered it,” James said. “Finn, if you don’t take the driving job then Jake is going to have to do it.”
“I can take it,” Jake said. “Ally is infatuated with watching Oz and I can’t watch her reenact scenes one more time. Another night of her yelling at the television when a character she likes dies sounds fairly intolerable. It makes me uncomfortable when she talks like a prison guard and orders me to put my hands on my head and spread ‘em, too.”
James didn’t want to laugh, but he couldn’t help himself. “What is it with her and Oz?”
“She just likes binge watching things,” Jake replied. “Last week it was old Miami Vice episodes and she ran around in linen pants with loafers and no socks talking about how much she wanted to live on a boat. That was kind of cute, though.”
James scowled at the wistful expression on Jake’s face. “Something tells me that story ends up being dirty so I don’t want you to finish it.”
“Oh, we finished.” Jake smirked. “Miami will never be the same again. Don’t kid yourself either, she manages to make the Oz episodes dirty, too. Why do you think she keeps telling me to spread my legs?”
“You’re so sick,” James muttered. “That’s my sister.”
“I think you’re just lucky Mandy doesn’t have a brother,” Grady said. “You’d be dead given all of the filthy stuff you’ve done with her.”
“No one is talking to you,” James chided.
“Hey, if I’m stuck doing inventory, I’m going to do nothing but talk,” Grady said.
James shook his head as he focused his attention back on Finn. “Do you want the driving job or not?”
“I guess,” Finn hedged.
“If you take it you can sleep in with Emma and Avery tomorrow,” James added, trying to make the job more appealing. “It’s really conducive to family time.”
“Fine,” Finn said, giving in. “I’ll take it. There’s no need to continue with the hard sell. I’ll do it.”
“You’ll do what?” Emma asked, walking into the office without knocking, Avery balanced on her hip.
James was surprised by her appearance. She never bothered them during work hours. In fact she went out of her way to be quiet so as not to disturb them. “Finn is taking an easy driving job so he can sleep in with you and Avery tomorrow.”
Emma made a dubious face. “Avery doesn’t sleep in,” she said. “He’s up at the crack of dawn.”
“Yes, and it’s not very cute,” Finn said, poking Avery’s stomach and causing him to giggle. “Thankfully he’s cute the rest of the time so he more than makes up for it.”
Avery opened his arms and reached for Finn, cooing as he tried to escape Emma’s grip. Finn held his arms out and took the baby, causing James to make a face.
“We’re supposed to be working,” James said. “Between Grady’s Candy Crush addiction and everyone going crazy for the baby … .”
“He’s your nephew,” Emma said, annoyed. “You’ll live.”
Finn snickered at the dumbfounded look on James’ face. “Oh, look at that, Avery. Uncle James can’t believe Mommy mouthed off to him.” Finn kissed his son’s cheek as Avery gurgled.
James rolled his eyes. “I don’t understand how this is even happening,” he admitted. “This is a place of business.”
“Dude, when you lived upstairs you used to lock the office door and have sex with Mandy on top of your desk,” Grady said. “That’s on top of the time I caught you doing it on the stairs and on the pool table.”
“Keep it up,” James warned, extending a finger. “I’ll put you on inventory duty again next month if you’re not careful.”
Grady didn’t appear bothered by James’ threat. “Bring it on, tough guy. I’ll just bribe your wife so she’s on my side. You’re a big marshmallow whenever she bats those baby blues of hers. She can be bought and I know her weaknesses.”
“I’m supposed to be the boss,” James complained. “Instead I have annoying brothers threatening to make my wife manipulate me.”
�
��The best part of that statement is that you don’t even consider not letting your wife manipulate you,” Grady pointed out.
“And … we’re done,” James said. “Finn, you take the driving job. Jeff, you enjoy a nice dinner with your sister and we’ll dig into more of the computer programs tomorrow. Jake, I don’t want to know what wacky things you’re doing with my sister. I am going to enjoy dinner with my wife. And, Grady, you can start inventory now.”
“I hate you,” Grady muttered, running a hand through his shoulder-length hair. “You’re a real jackass sometimes.”
“Yes, but I’m a jackass who gets his way,” James said. “Is everyone clear on what they’re doing? Great. I need to stop at the flower shop before I romance my wife. I’ve got big plans for her tonight … and they don’t involve Candy Crush.”
FINN was all smiles as he straightened his tie, giving himself the once over in the mirror as Emma planted a kiss on his cheek and scanned his reflected features over his shoulder.
“You’re very handsome,” Emma said, running her hand down the back of Finn’s short-cropped hair. “In fact, I think you’re the most handsome man in the world.”
Finn smiled as he turned, drawing Emma close as he gave her a soft kiss. “I know you’re the most beautiful woman in the world,” he said. “I love you.”
“I love you, too,” Emma said, snuggling close. “I wish you didn’t have to work tonight. I think James just did it because he likes bossing people around.”
“Well, he’s the boss and that’s his right,” Finn said. “Believe it or not, though, I think he did it for altruistic reasons.”
“Like?”
“Like he knew you wanted to spend time with Jeff and this would allow you a chance to go all out cooking dinner,” Finn replied. “You can fawn over your brother to your heart’s content and I won’t be in the way.”
“You wouldn’t be in the way,” Emma protested. “My way is your way. Our way is together.”
“Oh, so cute,” Finn teased, kissing the tip of her nose. “It’s okay, sweetie. The way James set this up, I can spend extra time with you in the morning and during the day and you can still spend time with your brother at night. It’s only for a few days and it really is the best of both worlds.”
“But … it doesn’t seem fair to you,” Emma protested. “You hate working nights.”
“No, I hate being away from you,” Finn clarified. “I don’t actually mind working nights. I volunteered for most of the night shifts before you came along and changed my life.”
“Oh.” Emma wrinkled her nose. “Do you wish you were still working night shifts?”
Finn let loose with a long-suffering sigh only someone who loved a woman and still wanted to shake her could muster. “I think you’re missing my point, sweetie,” he said. “I don’t mind night jobs and I love you more than anything. That doesn’t mean I’m not happy for you because this means you can spend time with your brother.
“This is really the best of both worlds right now,” he continued. “Jeff is still getting used to the outside world and I think he has a hard time relaxing around me. He can relax around you, though. During the day he’ll be working with James – and they seem to get along fine – and I can spend quality time with you and Avery.”
“So you’re saying that this is really a gift for me,” Emma said. “James rigged it so I can spend time alone with all three of my favorite men.”
“I hope you’re counting Avery as one of those men – because we’re going to have issues if you’re not – but yes,” Finn said, grinning when Emma took a playful swipe at him.
“I’ll still miss you,” Emma said. “I’ll make sure I put leftovers in the refrigerator. I can wait up for you, too.”
“Don’t wait up for me,” Finn said. “I can handle my own dinner. The casinos have great food and I can get caught up on paperwork in the car. I can even handle Avery’s midnight feeding because I should be getting home around then. You can get a full night of sleep, for a change.
“Then you can get up with Avery in the morning and I’ll join you a little later so we can spend some time together,” he continued. “We can go for a walk as a family and have a romantic lunch just the two of us while Avery is napping.”
“It does sound nice,” Emma said, resting her hand on Finn’s broad chest. “I agree to your terms, but I’m adding a caveat.”
“Oh, good,” Finn said, smirking. “What is your caveat?”
“I want you to wake me up after you feed Avery but before you fall asleep,” Emma said. “I think we need some quality time alone – without the baby – and that’s probably our best window of opportunity.”
Finn pulled Emma’s body flush against his when he realized what she was insinuating. “I’m not waking you up for sex. That’s kind of rude. Thank you for the offer, though.”
Emma made a face that would’ve been comical under different circumstances. “If you don’t wake me up tonight I’m going to be forced to wake you up tomorrow morning.”
“I can live with that.” Finn pressed a firm kiss to Emma’s mouth. “In fact, that’s what I’m going to think about while I’m away from you tonight.”
“I’ll still miss you.”
“I’ll miss you more,” Finn said, gracing Emma with another sweet kiss. “It’s only for a few days and everyone will be much more settled when it’s over.”
“Okay,” Emma said, although she still looked dubious. “I wasn’t joking about waking you up tomorrow morning, though.”
“I’m looking forward to it.” Finn beamed as he grabbed his keys off the bathroom counter. “Have a good night with your brother.”
“Thank you,” Emma said, her eyes lighting up as he turned to go. “Oh, Finn?”
“Huh?”
“How come it’s rude for men to wake women up for sex, but it’s acceptable for women to wake men up for sex?”
This time the grin Finn flashed was cheeky. “Because one is a dream come true and one is a sure ticket to Poutsville.”
It took Emma moment to realize what he was saying. “Am I your dream come true?”
“You’ve been my dream come true from the moment I met you,” Finn replied. “Now … relax and enjoy your night. I’ll be home before you know it.”
“I WANT lobster and crab.” Mandy, her back exposed in a low cut dress that showed off every muscle, was bubbly as she snuggled up to James’ side in the lobby of the restaurant. “I might want scallops, too.”
James pressed his hand to her back, marveling at how much he loved the feeling of her skin, and kissed her forehead. “You can have whatever you want.”
“Because you said I drool?”
James loved the adorable tilt of her chin when she asked the question. “Because I love you more than anything and you’re always willing to reward me with numerous bouts of hot sex when I buy you seafood.” A middle-aged woman waiting for a table with her family shot a death glare in James’ direction when she heard the comment. “I’m sorry,” James said, although he really wasn’t. “Seafood fires her up, though. That’s why we’re here.”
A year before Mandy would’ve been mortified by the statement. Now all she could do was giggle. “You’re just … unbelievable.”
“I know,” James said, kissing Mandy’s neck as she tilted her head to the side. “You can have whatever you want, though. Why else do you think I forced Finn out on the driving job? I did it all to make you happy.”
“That’s cute,” Mandy said dryly. “I honestly believe that part of that is true. After what happened with Jesse … .”
“I thought you weren’t going to bring him up,” James said, referring to his former military buddy, a man who threatened his marriage and then Mandy’s very life. “I said I was sorry.”
“And I forgive you,” Mandy said. “I was just saying that I’m sure you won’t be canceling dinners with me anytime soon after the Jesse mess. However, I also think you were trying to help Finn and Emma by giving th
em an easy schedule.”
“I think you’re inferring I’m a softie,” James said, slipping his arm around Mandy’s waist. “There’s nothing soft about me.”
“And there won’t be when we get in the hot tub later, that’s for sure,” Mandy said, pressing a kiss to James’ neck and causing a shiver to go up his spine. “I have big plans for you later.”
The fact that she echoed his sentiments from earlier caused James’ anticipation to grow … and his heart to warm. She knew him so well, and he couldn’t imagine spending his life with anyone but her. “I love you, wife.”
Mandy jolted, surprised by the naked emotion on his face. “I love you, too. I’m not thrilled with the drooling comments, but I love everything else about you.”
James grinned. “I like it when you drool on me.”
“I think in your head I’m drooling for a different reason.”
“No,” James said, shaking his head as he tucked a strand of Mandy’s flaxen hair behind her ear. “You drool because you’re comfortable enough – you feel safe enough – to really sleep. That’s the most important thing in the world to me.”
“I thought the most important thing in the world to you was naked Sundays?”
“That, too,” James said, pulling her close and scorching her with a hot kiss as the woman next to them frowned. James groaned when his cell phone dinged in his pocket, reluctantly pulling away from Mandy as he fished around for it. “This had better be good.”
Mandy rolled up to the balls of her feet to kiss James’ neck as he answered the call. She was in a playful mood and it only shifted when she felt James stiffen. She could read him as well as he could read her and she knew instantly something was wrong.
“What hospital?” James asked, his voice ragged. He waited for a beat and then curtly nodded, as if the voice on the other end of the phone could see his reaction. “I’m on my way. What? No. He’s not allergic to any medications that I’m aware of.”
“What is it?” Mandy asked, her face a mask of concern when James disconnected the call. “What happened?”
James ran his hand down the back of Mandy’s head as he collected his thoughts. “Finn has been shot.”
Deadly Reunion (Hardy Brothers Security Book 20) Page 5
