Deadly Intentions (Hardy Brothers Security Book 1)

by Lily Harper Hart

  “You might want to try,” James said grimly, revealing his presence.

  “James,” Mandy gasped.

  Troy jumped when he heard the voice, glancing over his shoulder worriedly. “Ah, great. I knew it! I knew you would show up!”

  “Then you should have listened to that inner voice that told you going after my woman wasn’t going to end well for you,” James said, catching a glimpse of Mandy’s relieved face out of the corner of his eye. He wanted to go to her. He wanted to put his body between her and that knife. If he moved too quickly, Troy would use her as a human shield and he couldn’t risk that.

  “What is it about her?” Troy asked, his voice bordering on shrill. “Does she have a magic vagina or something? She must. I know she’s pretty, but come on. No woman is worth risking your life for.”

  James gripped the handle of his gun as he focused on Troy, forcing himself to breathe evenly. “You don’t have a lot of options here, Troy,” James said. “If you take a step toward her, I will kill you. If you take a step toward me, I will kill you. If you put your knife down, I might let you live. You’ll be in prison, but at least you’ll be alive. Think about it.”

  “I guess I better go out in a blaze of glory then,” Troy laughed crazily. “I’m not going to prison. A guy like me won’t be able to survive prison. I might as well have a little fun gutting her before I die. You know, a last bit of joy before I go to the hereafter.”

  James’ heart clenched as he realized that sanity wasn’t a trait Troy could list on a résumé.

  Troy took another step toward Mandy. He was only three feet away now. James was done playing. He hoisted the gun and aimed at Troy’s back. “This is your final warning.”

  Troy licked his lips nervously, glancing at James one last time. “You wouldn’t shoot a guy in the back, would you? That seems somehow beneath you.”

  “If it meant saving her? Yes.”

  Troy must have read the truth in James’ words. Instead of backing down, he lunged at Mandy. James pulled the trigger. He was already moving before Troy’s body hit the ground.

  James kicked the knife out of Troy’s reach as he passed him, not slowing his stride. He was fairly certain Troy was dead, but he didn’t want to take any chances. Mandy was in his arms, her face pressed into his chest, before he finally allowed himself to take a breath. He buried his face in her hair, inhaling her scent.

  “You scared the hell out of me,” he mumbled, clutching her tighter. “I thought … well, I thought some terrible things.”

  “I can’t believe it was Troy,” she choked out. “I don’t understand.”

  “You can’t understand crazy, baby.”

  “I knew you would find me.”

  “I will always find you.” James framed her face and drew her mouth to his. “I will always find you.”

  Twenty-Seven

  It was almost midnight when James opened the front door to his apartment. The police had questioned them for hours; making both of them retrace their steps multiple times until they were satisfied with their answers.

  A deputy had retrieved Mandy’s purse and phone from her office. The courthouse would be closed the next day since it was an active crime scene and Mandy had already been informed that she didn’t have to report to work the next day – which was a minor relief.

  They were both physically exhausted.

  “You knew it was Troy, didn’t you?”

  James met Mandy’s weary blue eyes evenly. “Grady called me when I was on my way to the courthouse,” he admitted. “He said that Troy was arrested in Idaho on an outstanding nonsupport-of-minors charge. The problem is, when Troy’s prints were run through the system, they didn’t match.”

  “So, who was it?”

  James shrugged. “Some friend of his. The guy admitted to police that Troy paid him to live in his house, use his computer, and drive his car around town so people would think he was still in Idaho. He was setting up an alibi.”

  Mandy sighed, running a hand through her tangled hair. “All of this because he was too stupid to Google probate law.”

  “If it wouldn’t have been this, it probably would’ve been something else,” James replied. “I don’t get the feeling that he was wound too tight.”

  “I guess.”

  James rubbed the back of his neck, stretching his sore muscles. “What do you say we get some sleep? We can talk about all of this tomorrow. You look like you’re dead on your feet.”

  “Tomorrow,” Mandy murmured. “I wasn’t sure there was going to be a tomorrow.”

  “You said you knew I would find you.”

  “I did,” Mandy said. “I didn’t know if it would be in time, though. I have faith, but I couldn’t figure out how you would know where I was.”

  “Well, you don’t have to worry about that,” James said, stripping off his shirt. “It’s all over now.”

  Mandy watched as he unsnapped his jeans, dropping them to the floor. When he saw she was eyeing him, James couldn’t hide his smile. “I hope you’re not too disappointed, but I was hoping we could just sleep tonight.”

  Mandy’s smile was small, but heartfelt. “That sounds good.”

  “If you really want me,” James said. “I guess I could just lie there and let you do all the work.”

  “I’ll think about it,” Mandy said, her hands mechanically reaching to the buttons of her own shirt.

  James led her into the bedroom when she was done, gathering her into his arms as they situated under the covers. He yawned widely when her head hit his chest. “The good news is, you have the day off tomorrow.”

  “Why is that good news?”

  “Because I’m finally going to get my day in bed,” he replied. “I don’t care how much you beg, we’re not going miniature golfing. We’re doing what I want to do tomorrow.”

  Mandy snorted out a laugh. “I think I can live with that.”

  “Good.”

  James rubbed the back of her head until he felt her body sink into his, relaxation finally claiming her. Then he said the only words his heart would allow him to utter before sleep washed over him.

  “I love you.”

  Mandy heard the words and sighed, letting the last bit of worry regarding his intentions ebb into the ether.

  “I love you, too.”

  Up Next

  Grady Hardy is a bachelor to the core. He doesn’t want a wife. He certainly doesn’t want a girlfriend. One-night-stands and occasional dalliances are all he can handle. The errand his brother, James, gave him is more than enough responsibility to last him for an entire week.

  He certainly didn’t see her coming.

  Sophie Lane is dedicated to her job. She’s a reporter – and she loves it. She likes big stories and county corruption. She has big dreams – dreams that will one day take her out of Michigan and to New York City. She’s got a plan. She doesn’t need any romantic entanglements.

  When she meets Grady Hardy, she’s beyond annoyed. Sure, he saved her from the guy accosting her with vague threats and hidden innuendo, but his swollen ego is too much for her to bear. Sophie is chasing a big story: Almost $600,000 is missing from the county coffers. It looks like someone at the sheriff’s department is embezzling money. Finding those funds is the problem, and her focus.

  Grady doesn’t want to anything to do with Sophie. She’s rude, obnoxious, and a little too full of herself. When their worlds collide, though, he’s not sure he can stay away.

  Sophie knows Grady isn’t ready for a relationship. Sex is one thing, a future together is another. Unfortunately for her, her heart disagrees.

  When Sophie’s life is in danger, Grady is ready to fight for her survival – and a future he didn’t even know he wanted. Her heart is a whole other story.

  Preorder the next adventure in the Hardy Brothers Security series, which will be released on November 4, 2014, here.

  Coming Soon

  The James and Mandy love story isn’t over. Track their progress through upco
ming books – and maybe find out a little more about the Hardy family, too.

  Deadly Intuition: Grady Hardy isn’t looking for love, but when local newspaper reporter Sophie Lane uncovers a big story, he can’t help but get involved. Her life isn’t the only thing on the line, though, because he’s also in danger of losing his heart – even though he isn’t entirely sure its something he wants to give up. When things come to a head, Grady’s number-one priority is keeping Sophie safe – even if it means sacrificing his own life to do it. Preorder it here!

  Deadly Illusions: Finn Hardy wants what his brothers have. He’s almost sure of it. The problem is, he doesn’t know where to find it. When local model Emma Pritchard crosses his path, he thinks he might have found what he’s been searching for. He just has to keep her safe long enough to find out. There’s a stalker out there, and he’s set his sights on Emma. Finn has to find a way to protect the woman who very well might be his future – even if the stalker decides Finn is the greatest obstacle to his ultimate goal.

  Deadly Proposal: James and Mandy have settled into a routine, but it’s not necessarily a happy one. Mandy is still looking for a house, but James seems reticent to help her with the endeavor. There’s something on his mind – but he’s keeping his cards close to his vest. When a new threat stirs up old memories, though, James goes into protection mode – which pushes Mandy over the edge. Can he keep her safe long enough to make all of their dreams come true?

  Deadly Prospects: Ally Hardy has watched all three of her brothers find happiness, and now she wants some of her own. When Hardy Brothers Security employs Jake Harrison to help with their expanding business, none of the of Hardy boys think he’s good enough for their baby sister. Ally has other ideas, though, whether Jake is agreeable to them or not. When Ally finds herself in boatload of trouble, it’s not her brothers she turns to. Jake can’t fight Ally’s pull, and, at a certain point, he’s not sure he even wants to try. Will this duo survive to find out if they can overcome the disappointment of three brothers and forge their own path?

  Deadly Ever After: Someone is getting married – although I’m not telling whom. The road to happily ever after is going to be littered with hurdles – and maybe a few bodies. Will a beloved couple get to say “I do”? Or will the enemy finally be too much for the Hardy family to overcome?

  Author’s Note

  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.

  When approaching the Hardy Brothers Security series, I decided to do it differently than a normal series romantic suspense series. I started out with James and Mandy – and I’ll continue on to the other Hardy family members – but I plan on continuing everyone’s stories in each progressive book.

  What does that mean? It means you’ll see progression with James and Mandy in Grady’s story. You’ll find progression with James, Mandy, Grady and Sophie in Finn’s story – and so on. Everyone is going to get a shot at love – and story fulfillment.

  I love these characters and I want them to live on. Each book will not be strictly about one couple’s story. I want everyone to grow together.

  If you’re interested in upcoming releases, follow me on Facebook and Twitter. I do not spam. I don’t believe it and, as a reader, I find it annoying. Only new release information and special sales promotions will be posted.

  This book is available for lending. Please do so. I want people to fall in love with the Hardys – and all their friends.

  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.

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission from the author, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review.

  Books by Lily Harper Hart

  Hardy Brothers Security

  Deadly Intentions

  Deadly Intuition

  Deadly Illusions

  Deadly Proposal (Coming January 2015)

  Deadly Prospects (Coming February 2015)

  Deadly Ever After (Coming March 2015)

  Deadly Honeymoon (Coming April 2015)