Deadly Rivalry (Hardy Brothers Security Book 17)

by Lily Harper Hart

  “Jilted?” Madeline’s expression was momentarily hateful. “You know, I’m not going to pretend like I handled things well when we broke up. You hurt me. I was crushed. I lashed out in extremely stupid ways. You’re not innocent in it, though. You led me on and treated me poorly. You should take some responsibility for what happened.”

  James rested his elbows on his desk and steepled his fingers. “That’s a fair point,” he said. “I did treat you poorly. I thought the relationship would naturally run its course. When I realized you expected more from me … well … I ran. I took the coward’s way out. For that I am sorry.”

  “Are you sorry you left?” Madeline’s question was tinged with hope.

  “No,” James replied, not missing a beat. “I didn’t love you. That relationship was going nowhere. I knew that. I thought you knew it, too. I was in it for fun and the lack of emotional attachment.” His words were blunt – bordering on rude – but he needed her to be very clear about where they stood.

  “And you didn’t have that problem with your wife?”

  “No,” James answered. “I knew the moment I saw her that things were different. I didn’t know what it was at the time, but there was a spark of energy between us. I was in love with her within two weeks. I knew I was going to propose three months in. Once we were together I couldn’t imagine being with anyone else.”

  “I see,” Madeline said, her tone cold. “Well, I guess I know where you stand.”

  “That is exactly where I stand,” James said. “Mandy is my life. We are happy. Nothing is going to get between us. So, if that’s all … .”

  “Believe it or not, I’m not here to sleep with you,” Madeline said. “I have need of your other … services.”

  James pressed his lips together and faked a cough to give himself time to adjust to the request. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”

  “If you say you’re in love with your wife, I don’t see what the problem is,” Madeline said. “I’m not going after you. I don’t go after married men.”

  “That’s not how you made it sound last night,” James pointed out.

  “That’s because I thought you were messing with me,” Madeline replied. “I thought you told me you were married because you wanted to play a game. I was wrong. You’re married. You’re happy. We can move on with no regrets or embarrassment.”

  She was suddenly all business and that made James suspicious. “And what job do you have?”

  “I need a security system for my office,” Madeline said. “It’s a day spa in Clinton Township. I just opened it.”

  James frowned. He was familiar with day spas. Mandy and Ally would live in one if they had their way. “Why does a day spa need our brand of security?”

  “I need cameras on each floor, proper computer equipment, adequate lighting and coverage in the parking lot, and a search system built into my desk computer to run background checks on my customers,” Madeline answered. “I’m willing to pay fifty percent over your normal rate if you can start this week.”

  “You didn’t answer my question,” James pressed. “Why would a day spa need our brand of security?”

  Madeline shrugged. “Tell me if you’re interested,” she said. “If you are, we’ll go out to lunch this afternoon and I’ll tell you a story. If not, I need to get going now so I can find someone else to handle my problem. It’s up to you.”

  James was conflicted. Ever since he laid down the law with Madeline she’d been professional and courteous. The day spa would be an easy job – and a nice chunk of change – so he wasn’t keen on turning it down. He also wasn’t keen on putting up with Madeline if she started playing games.

  “If you say one word about my wife – if you try one thing that I don’t like – I’ll end this job before you have a chance to think up a lie to cover your ass,” James warned.

  “I’ve already told you I’m not interested in someone else’s husband,” Madeline said. “Do you want the job or not?”

  “Sure,” James said.

  “Meet me at the Italian restaurant in Mount Clemens at noon,” Madeline instructed. “I have two appointments this morning, but I can go over all the details with you at the restaurant.”

  James balked. Mandy ate lunch in downtown Mount Clemens, although he couldn’t remember her ever mentioning the Italian restaurant. She usually visited The Pantry or a local deli with her friend Heidi. “I … .”

  “I don’t have time for this,” Madeline said. “You’re in or out. I need to know which.”

  “Fine,” James said, giving in. “I’ll meet you for lunch.”

  “I can’t wait.”

  5

  Five

  “Thanks for meeting me,” Madeline said several hours later, glancing back at her cell phone before placing it on the table. “I know you’re probably reconsidering, but I promise I’ll be on my best behavior.”

  James took the seat across from her, purposely keeping empty chairs between them, and smiled. “As long as you don’t say anything bad about my wife, or try to do something we both know you’ll regret, I don’t have a problem doing the security on your business.”

  “Are you familiar with how a day spa works?” Madeline asked.

  “My wife and sister visit the one in Sterling Heights at least once a month.”

  “Have you ever been to one, though?”

  “Actually I have,” James admitted. “The whole family – all four women and all four men – went together one weekend day. It was horrific.”

  “Your brothers are married, too?” Madeline seemed surprised. “I never thought Grady would settle down. He was a bachelor to the core.”

  “They’re not married,” James clarified. “Grady lives with a woman and they’ll eventually get married – once they get their heads in the right place, that is. Finn is engaged. His fiancée just gave birth to a baby a month ago and she wants to be thin for their wedding so she can get into her dream dress. To be fair, you wouldn’t know she gave birth a few weeks ago. She’s already dropped the weight.”

  “Did she trap him with the baby?”

  James scowled. “You need to stop assuming that,” he chided. “Finn and Emma are in love. The baby is cute, although I can’t put my hands on him until he can hold his own head up. He freaks me out because he’s so tiny.”

  Madeline snorted. “What’s his name?”

  “Avery James Hardy.”

  “They named him after you,” Madeline said, her face lighting up. “That has to feel nice. Where did the first name come from? Is it from this Emma’s family?”

  “No,” James answered, shifting in his chair. “It’s Mandy’s maiden name.”

  “They named the baby after your wife?” Madeline asked. “Don’t take this question the wrong way, but … why?”

  “Because Mandy delivered Avery during a bad situation,” James replied, opting for honesty. “Emma is the daughter of Lance Pritchard. He broke out of prison and he was going to take the baby. Mandy … stopped him.”

  “Oh, my … . I heard about that on television,” Madeline said, concern washing over her features. “Are you saying your wife killed Lance Pritchard?”

  “I’m saying my wife delivered Emma’s baby and then did what she had to do to protect Emma, Avery, and herself,” James clarified. “Don’t suggest Mandy did anything other than what she had to do. If that’s where you’re going, we can end this right here.”

  “You don’t always have to think the worst about me,” Madeline argued. “I think what your wife did was brave. They were heralding her as a hero on television, although they didn’t name her. I expected to see her making the rounds and doing interviews, but that story died pretty quickly.”

  “Mandy doesn’t want to do interviews,” James said. “She wants to forget about what happened.”

  “And how is that going?”

  “It’s a work in progress,” James said. “Let’s talk about the job. Why do you need expanded security for a day spa?”
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  “I’m having a problem with an ex-boyfriend,” Madeline said. “He’s been … difficult. I want cameras everywhere. I also want a safe and the other computer upgrades I mentioned.”

  “This seems like a lot of hoops to jump through for an ex-boyfriend,” James pointed out. “Is he stalking you?”

  “No,” Madeline replied. “We lived together for a year and a half. We were going to get married. I found out he was stealing money from my account. We broke up and he’s been … a pain in the ass. He keeps claiming he got used to a certain lifestyle and he wants me to keep supporting it. I have no intention of doing that.”

  “What’s his name?” James asked. “We might be able to track him down and put a scare into him.”

  “I would rather not have things go that far,” Madeline said. “We’ve parted ways and he seems to be maintaining his distance. For now, I just want the security.”

  “Okay,” James said, smiling as the waitress approached.

  “What can I get you?”

  “I’ll have the antipasto salad and an iced tea,” Madeline said.

  The waitress turned to James and smiled broadly. “How about you?”

  “What pasta do you have that doesn’t have garlic in it?” James asked.

  “Don’t you like garlic?”

  “I like garlic fine, but I have plans for my wife tonight and I don’t want to take any chances.” James’ smile was lazy.

  “I think the shrimp Alfredo is the one with the least amount of garlic,” the waitress offered.

  “I’ll take that,” James said.

  “Your wife is very lucky,” the waitress said, winking at Madeline.

  “I’m very lucky to have my wife,” James said, shifting uncomfortably because the waitress assumed Madeline was the wife in question. “This is a business lunch. She’s not my wife.” He had no idea why he said it, and when Madeline frowned he couldn’t help but internally smile.

  “Thanks for that,” Madeline said once the waitress left.

  “No problem.”

  “WHERE do you want to eat?” Heidi asked, lifting her head to the sky so she could soak up some of the sun’s potent rays as she left the courthouse with Mandy a little after noon. “We have an hour and a half for lunch today. The judge said we could take our time.”

  “I don’t care,” Mandy said, shrugging. Heidi usually picked their lunch destinations. “We could have Thai.”

  “That’s a little spicy for me today,” Heidi said.

  “I’m not all that hungry, so it’s up to you,” Mandy said, causing Heidi to shake her head. “What?”

  “You know James called me to make sure you ate breakfast this morning, right?”

  Mandy stilled, mortified. “No way.”

  “He told me you knew he was going to call,” Heidi protested. “Don’t you dare get me in trouble for telling you.”

  “I thought he was joking when he said that,” Mandy said.

  “What does it matter? You ate an entire steak bagel and most of your hash brown serving.”

  “It matters because he’s treating me like a child,” Mandy replied. “I’m capable of feeding myself.”

  “Well, you should do it more often,” Heidi said, taking a pragmatic approach. “You’re thinner than usual and you seem tired most of the time. Although, to be fair, you’ve been pretty happy and chipper today.”

  “Ugh.” Mandy was angry. “I’m going to yell at him like you wouldn’t believe tonight.”

  “I think it’s cute how much he cares about you,” Heidi said. “You should feel lucky, not angry. He loves you so much he made sure you ate breakfast. Most women would kill for that kind of attention.”

  “I know you’re right, but he doesn’t need to worry,” Mandy said. “I’m better than I was. As soon as I can shake the nightmares … and go back in the guesthouse … things will be back to normal.”

  “No luck with the guesthouse, huh?” Heidi was sympathetic. “If it’s any consolation, I don’t blame you for being afraid to go back inside. That whole thing must have been hellish.”

  “It wasn’t pleasant,” Mandy said. “I know James is worried, but I’m doing the best that I can. He needs to chill out.”

  “Mandy, James loves you so much he can’t stand it sometimes,” Heidi pointed out. “He doesn’t mean to smother you, but he’s desperate to make sure he doesn’t lose you. I think that’s the most romantic thing I’ve ever heard.”

  “He’s very romantic,” Mandy conceded. “We had naked Sunday yesterday.” She knew Heidi loved hearing about their sexual exploits and she decided to indulge her friend. “He wants me to get home early so we can end the night with naked Monday.”

  “If I crawled into bed with James Hardy every night I would have a naked life,” Heidi said, grinning when Mandy giggled. “How about we go to that Italian place for lunch? You can get some pasta, which will be easy on your stomach and is filling, and we can gossip. I heard Shelly on the third floor had a boob job and the nipples point in different directions.”

  Heidi loved gossip, and while Mandy could take it or leave it when it was about people she didn’t care about, an afternoon of talking about others sounded like fun. “Okay,” she said. “I would love some shrimp Alfredo.”

  “See, James will love that,” Heidi said. “He’ll be excited when I text him what you ate for lunch.”

  “Don’t you dare,” Mandy ordered, following Heidi down the sidewalk. “I will kill you if you text him about my lunch.”

  “SO, how did you meet your wife?” Madeline asked, leaning back in her chair and playing with her straw wrapper. “You said it was love at first sight. Where did that first sight happen?”

  “Technically it wasn’t love at first sight,” James clarified. “I knew Mandy from when we were kids. She was Ally’s best friend in Barker Creek.”

  “Are you kidding me?” Madeline asked, stupefied. “You traveled to Detroit to marry a woman from Barker Creek?”

  “I wasn’t planning on marrying anyone,” James said. “Mandy was too young for me when I was up north. She and Ally were in middle school when I left and joined the military.”

  “So how did you hook up down here?”

  “She was having trouble with a stalker,” James answered. “It turned out to be her former stepbrother and he was after the inheritance her father left her when he died. Ally pointed her in our direction to help, and when I saw her as an adult for the first time … I honestly thought I forgot to breathe there for a moment.”

  “Did you guys start going out that day?” Madeline was making a show of pretending to be interested in James and Mandy’s relationship, but James didn’t mind talking about it because he thought it would instill the reality of their situation in Madeline.

  “I fought it for almost a week,” James said, smiling at the memory. “I honestly wasn’t expecting a relationship. I couldn’t stay away from her, though. Once we were together … we were both done.”

  “Did you move in together right away?”

  “Technically no,” James answered. “Mandy had her apartment for six months after we started dating. We spent every night together, though. It was usually in my apartment. She wanted to buy a house and we were figuring out our living arrangements when … something happened.”

  “What happened?” Madeline leaned forward, intrigued.

  “Someone put a bomb under Mandy’s car during a charity event at the courthouse,” James said, his eyes clouding over. “We had separate cars that night. She was going to drive herself home, but I talked her into riding with me. As she was walking away … someone set off the bomb.”

  “That’s horrible,” Madeline said, her hand flying to her mouth. “She’s lucky to be alive.”

  “She was badly hurt,” James said. “I already knew she was my future, but that explosion made me realize I couldn’t wait another minute to make sure she knew it. Once she was healed – which was a long process – I bought her dream house and proposed to her in fron
t of it.”

  “Your poor wife has been through the wringer,” Madeline said. “She was stalked by her stepbrother, almost blown up, and threatened by Lance Pritchard. How does she sleep at night?”

  “On top of me,” James said, smirking. “My baby is tough. She bounces back … and sadly those aren’t the only things that have happened to her.”

  “I guess you’re busy taking care of her most of the time,” Madeline said. “When are you going to expand your family?”

  “We’re not,” James replied. “We talked it over and we want to travel. You can’t take off to London for two weeks on a whim if you have a baby. Ally and Finn will definitely keep my parents in grandchildren, so I don’t feel pressure to add any. Mandy and I will be fine on our own.”

  “That sounds romantic.” Madeline’s expression was wistful. “I’ve always wanted to travel.”

  “We’ve got a list of places we want to visit,” James said. “Once Mandy is done with her job at the courthouse, we’re hitting Australia and New Zealand this fall.”

  “Mandy is quitting her job?” Madeline arched an eyebrow. “I guess you make enough money to support both of you. Why work if you don’t have to, right?”

  James frowned. “Mandy works hard,” he argued. “She gets paid very little and is in a stressful position. I don’t want her at the courthouse. It’s dangerous and I can’t stand all those smarmy lawyers hitting on her all day.

  “It doesn’t matter, though,” he continued. “Mandy doesn’t want to be a clerk. She wants to be an artist. She has a studio in the guesthouse and she’s gifted. Once she’s done at the courthouse she’s going to work on her art full-time.”

  “That’s very … bohemian,” Madeline said. “I never pictured you married to a free spirit like that.”

  “Mandy can do anything she sets her mind to,” James shot back. “If she wants to be a successful artist, I have no doubt she will do just that. Focusing on her art allows us to travel and take weeks off whenever we feel like it. It’s a win for both of us.”

  “It sounds like you have it all figured out,” Madeline said.

  “I do,” James said.

  “You might want to figure out what you’re going to tell your wife about us having lunch together,” Madeline suggested.