“I think Peter would’ve given her anything she wanted,” Mandy continued. “Sophie kind of steeled herself to lose stuff, so it’s like she doesn’t want to buy new stuff because she thinks she’s just going to lose it again.”
James considered his wife’s words. “You know, I have to give you credit,” he said. “Women have a certain intuition when it comes to stuff like that. You’re pretty insightful.”
“I’m amazing,” Mandy agreed.
“You will be in a few hours,” James said. “Once that food bolsters you, you’re going to be downright amazing.”
Mandy ignored him. “So, did anything else happen? Did you yell at Ally for her drinks?”
“Ally was home in bed, too,” James replied. “And so was Emma. We didn’t see Sophie until right before we left, and she looked … rough.”
“Did she look as bad as I did this morning? I’m going to burn your phone if you don’t delete that picture, by the way.”
“Go ahead,” James said. “I’ve already saved it to the cloud. I showed it to Jake and Finn, too. They didn’t think you were nearly as cute as I did.”
“I want a divorce.”
“Maybe tomorrow,” James said. “Despite her hangover, Sophie is the one who discovered what those numbers on the flash drive meant.”
“She did? What do they mean?”
“They’re dealer packs.”
“Like for weighing money?”
James stilled. “How can you possibly know that?”
“I work in the court system,” Mandy reminded him. “I hear the lingo from time to time.”
“I’ve said this before, and now I’m saying it again, but you constantly amaze me,” James said.
“That’s sweet, but I should’ve figured it out when I saw the numbers,” Mandy said. “It said ten kilograms, that’s what a million dollars in hundreds weighs.”
“Did you sell drugs in another life?”
Mandy ignored him. “That means that there is eight million dollars out there, and we have a map to it.”
“Do you want to go back to Bermuda and look for it?”
“As much as I loved Bermuda, I love our life here more,” Mandy said. “I was just thinking out loud.”
James reached across the table and squeezed her hand. “I love our life here, too.”
“Even if I get drunk and make a fool of myself?”
“Even if.”
Mandy shot him a small smile before returning to her meal. “Do you think that the guy at the festival put the flash drive in my purse?”
James leaned back in his chair, fixing her with an unreadable look. He hadn’t mentioned that part of his theory to her, and he was genuinely surprised she’d figured it out on her own. “What makes you think that?”
“How else would it have gotten in my purse?”
“I can’t think of another way,” James admitted.
“He was all over me, and we thought it was because he was drunk, but maybe it was because someone was following him.”
“That’s a possibility.”
“He’s obviously the one who broke into the house,” Mandy said. “Then, either because he couldn’t find the flash drive or because someone caught up with him, he was killed outside.”
Her mind was a marvel sometimes, James thought. Even muddled with a hangover, she’d put everything together for herself.
“I bet that whoever tried to grab my purse outside of the furniture store is involved,” Mandy added.
James tilted his head, eyeing his wife curiously. “I … why … shit.”
“What?” Mandy’s eyes clouded with worry.
“I never put that together,” he admitted. “It makes sense, though. Why purposely target you? You were standing outside of a furniture store on your cellphone. People don’t carry cash to a furniture store. That guy made a beeline for you. He didn’t even look at anyone else. I saw him approaching through the window. At first I just thought he was going to ask you for directions. I didn’t realize until it was too late that he was after something else.”
Mandy patted his hand. “I’m fine.”
“Yeah, but … .”
“If you’re going to pout, I’m going to have sex with myself tonight and leave you out of it,” Mandy warned.
James licked his lips, trying to tamp down the laughter in his throat. He failed. “Have you ever considered giving up your job for the judge and coming to work for me?”
“What would the hours be like?”
James leaned forward and kissed her.
“What would the pay be like?” Mandy pressed.
James kissed her again.
“What would the benefits be like?”
James kissed her one more time. “Eat your dinner and I’ll show you.”
“MAYBE I should come work for you,” Mandy purred, resting her head against James’ shoulder as he cuddled her to him in the hot tub. They were both still coming down from their orgasms, and James was practically boneless. “Judge MacIntosh never did that for me before.”
“That’s good,” James said, rubbing lazy circles on her back. “I’d hate to have to try and get away with the murder of a circuit-court judge.”
Mandy giggled. “How come you get to mention all the women you’ve satisfied over the years, but if I even make a joke about having sex with another man you threaten to kill him?”
“Because I’ve never loved anyone but you,” James said. “You’re not in any danger of being supplanted. The thought of anyone else touching you, loving you … well, I just can’t deal with it.”
Mandy frowned. “I’ve never loved anyone but you.”
James stilled, opening his eyes so he could see her face. “You haven’t?”
“Of course not.”
“But … .”
“But what?”
“I thought women only had sex with men they were in love with,” James said.
“Are you saying you think the hundreds of women you’ve slept with have been in love with you?”
“No,” James said. “They’re nothing like you, though.”
“That doesn’t mean I’m some paragon of virtue.”
“I guess not,” James said. “So, you’re telling me that I’m the only man you’ve ever loved?”
“I thought you knew that.”
“I knew you loved me more than anyone else,” James conceded. “I guess part of me thought that you still might have fond memories of an ex-boyfriend rattling around that busy mind of yours.”
“I’m sure there are some fond memories in there,” Mandy conceded. “I’ve never loved anyone but you. And, yes, I know that makes me sound pathetic. It’s true, though. When I look at you … sometimes … I feel like I’m going to drown in all the love I feel.”
James pulled her back to him so he could kiss her. “I thought I was the only one who felt that way.”
“Not even close.”
“Well, then I guess we’re pathetic together,” he said. “Because when I look at you, there are times I worry my heart is going to explode because it fills with so much love.”
“I think someone is going to get lucky twice tonight.”
“Maybe even three times,” James suggested.
“I bet that can be arranged,” Mandy said, nuzzling her face into James’ shoulder. “Before we move on to round two, can I ask you for a favor?”
“Baby, I’d buy you another house right now,” James said. “Ask away.”
“Do you think there’s a chance that the stuff from Sophie’s childhood still exists?”
James stilled. That wasn’t where he envisioned this conversation going. One look at Mandy’s serious face told him he had to switch gears. “I don’t know. Why?”
“Well, I don’t want to tell her – or Grady, in case he gets his hopes up, too – but I was hoping we might be able to find a few things,” Mandy said. “Even if it’s just a photograph of her parents.”
“She doesn’t have a photograph of her
parents?” James’ heart skipped.
“No.”
“Let me see what I can figure out,” James said. “I’ll ask around. I’ll keep it between Jake and me for right now. He might have some ideas.”
“Thank you.”
“Hey, you have to help, too,” James said. “Ask the judge what would happen in a case like Sophie’s, and then go to that family judge on the fourth floor, what’s her name?”
“Judge Gailbraith.”
“Yeah, just question her and see what you can find out,” James said. “It might give us some leads.”
“Thank you so much for doing this.”
“Thank you for being the kind of woman who wants to do this,” James said, equally sober. “Now, climb up here, little girl,” he said, breaking the serious moment and patting his lap. “I have a present I want to give you.”
“Are you playing like a dirty Santa Claus?”
James frowned. “I guess.”
“Don’t. It’s creepy.”
“Okay, who do you want me to be?”
Mandy opened her mouth, her eyes sparkling. James knew what she was going to say before the words passed her lips.
“Let’s play shark,” she said. “You can be Martin Brody, and I’ll be the damsel in distress from the big, bad shark. You’re going to have to play the shark, too.”
James sighed. “Okay,” he said. “No screaming, though. The neighbors are going to call the police if they hear you screaming. It’s not like at the apartment when no one could hear you.”
“I don’t scream.”
“You scream and thrash around in the water,” James said. “That’s your shtick.”
“I don’t have a shtick.”
James started humming the theme to Jaws. “You’d better start swimming. There’s not a lot of room in here.”
“No,” Mandy agreed. “But there is in the pool.”
“You want to have sex in the pool?”
Mandy was already climbing out of the hot tub. “We haven’t christened it yet.”
James gave chase, knowing the shark-attack game was going to be much more effective in a bigger body of water. “You’re going to need a bigger boat, baby.”
“Oh, you know size doesn’t matter,” Mandy teased.
“You’d better start swimming now,” James said, tackling her into the water. He had no idea if the neighbors heard her screams, but he was pretty sure they heard her giggles. Heck, he was pretty sure they heard his, too.
Thirteen
“Why aren’t you at work?”
James found Mandy waiting for him in the foyer the next morning, her face a mixture of impatience and irritation.
“Seriously?” Now she looked confused.
“Seriously.”
“I thought … oh, okay, never mind,” she said, gripping her purse to her chest and turning toward the door.
James reached his arm out, resting his weight against the door so she couldn’t pull it open. “What did you think?”
Mandy sighed. “This is my own fault for trying to out think you. I have no one to blame but myself.”
“Are you talking to me?”
“I haven’t decided yet.”
“It’s almost eight, baby,” James said. “You’d better tell me what’s going on, or I’m going to haul you back upstairs and make you call in sick to work so I can ravish you. I know which garters you have on under that skirt, and my mind is already playing tricks on me.”
“I’m going commando, too.”
James licked his lips. He had a full day scheduled, but maybe he could move a few things around … . “Wait, are you trying to distract me?”
“Is it working?”
“Kind of.”
“Then I’m doing nothing of the sort.”
James smirked. “Why were you waiting for me? Were we supposed to do something this morning?”
“Nope.” Mandy’s face was lit with faux innocence. “I just wanted to kiss you goodbye before I left.” She leaned forward.
“You’re a terrible liar.” James kissed her anyway. “Tell me what’s going on.”
“Fine,” Mandy grumbled. “I figured you were going to insist on driving me to and from work, so that’s why I was waiting.”
“Why would I … because of the mugger,” James said, running his hand through his hair in frustration. “I forgot about the mugger.”
“You would’ve remembered eventually.”
“Not until I opened my wife up to attack.”
“Oh, good grief,” Mandy said. “Now you’re going to be protective and all self-hating for the afternoon.”
“I am not.”
“I know you.”
“I … .”
“If you hate yourself all afternoon, I’m going to go straight upstairs and put underwear on,” Mandy threatened.
“Fine, I won’t hate myself,” James said. “Now move your ass to the truck. I need to get you to work. If you’re late, the judge won’t be pleased.”
“I think he would understand.”
“He’s had to understand a lot since I came into your life,” James said. “He’s had to understand me sitting in his courtroom. He’s had to understand me calling him to get you out of work after the fire. He’s had to understand you missing an extra week before the wedding. The man is a saint.”
“He is,” Mandy agreed.
“He’s a better man than I am.”
“He is,” Mandy said, forcing her face to remain neutral. “He’s practically perfect. I wonder what he looks like naked?”
James spanked her lightly. “Get moving, missy.”
Mandy smiled and opened the door, stilling when James grabbed her hand.
“I’m sorry I … .”
“I’m totally having sex with the judge today,” Mandy said. “He would never sit around hating himself all day.”
“Okay,” James said, scowling. “I get it. I’m being a baby. I don’t suppose you would lift your skirt up during the drive so I can have something to look at to make me feel better during the commute?”
“No,” Mandy said. “I will call you during lunch and have dirty phone sex, though.”
“You’re the best wife ever.”
“And don’t you forget it.”
“WHY do you look like you’ve been through a wind tunnel?” Grady asked, looking up from the laptop as James ambled into his office. “And why are you thirty minutes late?”
“If you must know, I was spending quality time with my wife.”
“Didn’t you drive her to work?”
“I did.”
“You had sex with your wife in the parking lot of the circuit courthouse?”
“Don’t worry. I parked at the far end,” James said. “No one saw us.”
“You two are sick.”
“I’m fine with that,” James said, motioning for Grady to get out of his chair. “Besides, my wife has been a very good girl, and I wanted to give her a reward.”
“Why do you keep saying ‘my wife’ like that?”
“I just like the way it sounds.”
“Sick,” Grady said.
James shifted his attention to the laptop. “What’s this?”
“I was just trying to match up the locations from the flash drive with a scale map of Bermuda,.”
“Are you planning a trip?”
“No,” Grady scoffed. “I just figured you’d want solid information when you call the Bermuda police today.”
“Actually, that’s a good idea,” James said. “Did you print this out?”
“No, but I did overlap the map we got with it and saved it as a PDF on your desktop.”
“You’re such a good brother,” James teased.
“God, you’re so happy it’s sickening.”
“Says the guy glowing because he just moved in with his girlfriend,” James shot back.
“Hey … I am not … that’s neither here nor there … I … can you really tell I’m happy?”
&n
bsp; Grady’s crooked smile had an odd calming effect on James. “I really can.”
“Because I am.”
“I know. Is Sophie happy?”
“Now that her hangover has worn off, yes,” Grady said. “Although, it took two sandwiches and eight bottles of water for that to happen. She’s still threatening to kill Ally.”
“I’ll hold her down and make it easier.”
“What? Mandy isn’t feeling better?”
“She was better once I fed her.”
“I thought you weren’t feeding her,” Finn chided, stepping into the office.
“I thought better of it,” James said. “I wanted to keep our wedding-sex streak alive. I know it will fall to the wayside eventually, but I’m hoping to keep it alive for a wee bit longer.”
“And what did you christen last night?”
“The hot tub again.”
“Ah.”
“And the pool.”
“Ah.”
“And the lounger next to the pool.”
“Good grief, man, you guys are like animals,” Finn said.
“What? Nothing from Emma?”
“I think she was worse off than the others,” he admitted. “She has absolutely no tolerance. It’s a little sad.”
“Yes, if only you could find a woman who could hold her liquor like a man.”
Finn rolled his eyes, while Grady opted to change the subject.
“How did Mandy take the information about the dealer packs?”
“Oh, she already knew what a dealer pack was,” James replied. “She was actually mad she hadn’t figured it out on her own. It was really quite … amazing.”
“Sick,” Grady said.
“She also knew exactly what the quantity and denominations equaled out to,” James added.
“So she and Sophie are both odd,” Finn said.
“Or really smart,” Grady challenged.
“I didn’t mean … .”
“Don’t ever call my girl odd,” Grady warned.
“You can call my girl odd,” James said. “I like her odd. Mine is so odd she insisted we play shark last night. I’m sure the neighbors got an earful.”
“She is odd,” Grady said.
James shot him a scorching look.
Deadly Honeymoon (Hardy Brothers Security Book 7) Page 10
