James pursed his lips. “You are … .”
“Delightful,” Peter supplied. “She’s delightful, and loyal. She did the best thing for all of us.”
Mandy narrowed her eyes. “Wait, so you’re not upset?”
“I’m not happy,” Peter said. “I had vengeance on my mind. I got the biggest piece of that vengeance sated this afternoon. The fact that you stopped me from hurting your family and … perhaps … saved me in the process, well, I can’t be angry about that.”
“Are you sure? When I do things James doesn’t like he throws things,” Mandy said. “You can throw things if you want.”
Peter’s eyes flashed with amusement. “I’ll consider it for later.”
“No offense, and this is a great house,” Emma said. “But I really just want to go home now. I need to think on all of this. It’s a lot to take in.”
Finn kept his arm around her waist. “I agree. Let’s go home, sweetheart.”
“Me, too,” Ally said, jumping to her feet. “I finally got my boyfriend back, and I’m going to celebrate with a long bath and a bottle of wine.”
“A bath?” Jake asked.
“Don’t worry, you’re invited,” Ally teased.
James pointed a finger. “No, you’re not. Don’t say things like that in front of your brothers, Ally.”
“Oh, get over it,” Ally chided. “We’re going to have lots and lots of sex, just like I know you are. I believe I heard a rumor that you were playing shark hunter tonight.”
James made a face. He rested his forehead against Mandy’s. “You have a huge mouth.”
“I know.”
“Come on, baby,” James said, tugging on her hand. “Let’s go home and enjoy the hot tub. I think you’ve earned it.”
“I always earn it.”
“Not always,” James said. “Tonight, though? Yeah.”
“Can we have Middle Eastern food?”
James sighed. “Yes.”
“Can we have wine in the hot tub?”
“Yes.”
“Can we get put the iPad on a chair and play Jaws on it while we’re out there?”
James made an exasperated sound in the back of his throat. “Move your ass, wife. I’m done negotiating. You get whatever you want tonight.”
“We should go, too,” Sophie said, lacing her fingers with Grady’s. “We have a hot tub, too, and I’m dying to relax in it.”
“Me, too,” Grady agreed.
“Wait just a second,” Peter said.
“What?” Sophie asked, furrowing her brow.
“I thought an escape might be in order tonight,” Peter said. “You’ve been through an ordeal.” He handed Sophie an envelope. “I made a call while the cops were questioning us. I reserved a suite at the Townsend for the weekend.”
Sophie’s eyes brightened. “For us?”
“I figured room service and rest were in order,” Peter said, fixing his eyes on Grady. “For both of you.”
“Thank you,” Grady said.
“No thanks are necessary,” Peter said. “You love my … daughter. That’s all the thanks necessary.”
Sophie gave Peter an enthusiastic hug. “This is so nice.”
Peter waited until they were close to the door before he gave them one more gift. “Oh, and I believe the hot tub, which is supposedly shaped like a champagne glass, has rose-colored bubbles and a delightful floral scent. It’s rumored to be quite the sight.”
Sophie paused. “Really?”
“Only the best for my daughter,” Peter said. “Always.”
“Thank you.”
“Have a good time,” Peter said. “And never, ever, tell me the details. Have a good weekend. I’ll talk to you next week.”
“I love you, Peter.”
“I love you, too, my dear.”
Sophie shifted her gaze to Grady. “I love you both.”
Grady kissed her. “I love you.”
James had been right. Once he said the words, they were easier to say the second time. He knew he’d never stop staying them now.
Up Next
The Hardy family is about to get bigger. The question is: Who is expecting a bundle of joy?
After a minor misunderstanding – which leads to a major one – Emma Pritchard is facing an uncertain future. She’s not sure she’s ready to be a mother, and she’s even less sure that Finn Hardy is prepared to be a father.
Finn finds his world thrown into tumult. He loves Emma more than anything, but a new life is closing in on him – and he’s terrified.
When Emma’s errant mother returns to town professing pure motives – but nefarious deeds – the Hardys find themselves in the middle of another mystery.
Emma desperately wants a family, and that includes a grandmother for her unborn child. She also needs to face a harsh reality: Her mother isn’t the woman she wants to believe in.
The Hardys are excited to welcome a new addition to their family, but they have to uncover Emma’s mother’s true motivations before they can move forward.
When things come to a head, Emma’s life hangs in the balance – and she’s the one who stands to lose the most.
Can the Hardys save Emma and smooth Finn’s frayed nerves, or will this couple crumble under the pressure?
Deadly Addition hits shelves June 2, 2015. Purchase it here.
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.
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
Deadly Prospects
Deadly Ever After
Deadly Honeymoon
Deadly Questions
Deadly Addition
Deadly Vacation
Deadly Secrets (Coming August 2015)
Deadly Storm (Coming September 2015)
Deadly Dealings (Coming October 2015)
Deadly Christmas (Coming November 2015)
A Maddie Graves Mystery
Grave Homecoming
Grave Insight
Grave Delight (Summer 2015)
Grave Misgivings (Fall 2015)
Deadly Questions (Hardy Brothers Security Book 8) Page 21
