Deadly Honeymoon (Hardy Brothers Security Book 7)
Page 18
“As long as it’s not stupid,” Ally said. “And sharks are stupid.”
“You’re stupid,” Mandy said.
“You’re stupid.”
James sighed. “How about The Avengers?”
“What’s The Avengers?” Emma asked.
“How can you not know what The Avengers is?” Ally asked, turning her attention to Emma. “It was like the biggest movie of the year two years ago.”
“I don’t watch a lot of movies.”
“You model at the Detroit Comicon, though,” Ally said. “There must be hundreds of geeks who fancy themselves Thor at Comicon.”
“Is he the super hero with the golden hair and the hammer?”
“Yes.”
“Oh. I’m not sure I like him,” Emma said.
“You’ll like him in the movie,” Mandy said. “He’s flipping hot.”
“And buff,” Ally added.
“Totally buff,” Sophie agreed.
“So, is everyone agreed on The Avengers?” James asked.
“Can we have popcorn?” Ally asked.
“Yes.”
“I have Red Vines in the cupboard, too,” Mandy offered.
“I love Red Vines,” Ally said.
“They’re awesome,” Mandy agreed.
“So, wait, are you two done fighting?” James asked.
“We were never fighting,” Ally said.
“You just called each other stupid,” Jake pointed out.
“So?”
“So, that usually indicates people are fighting,” James supplied.
“Mandy and I don’t fight,” Ally said. “We spar.”
“Exactly,” Mandy said.
“I remember a fight or two,” Grady interjected.
“You do not,” Ally scoffed. “We’ve never fought.”
“Oh, really?”
“Really,” Ally sneered.
“How about your freshman year when you both bought the same dress for the homecoming dance?” Grady asked.
Finn guffawed. “Holy crap! I forgot all about that. Mom was pissed when she saw the mess in the kitchen when they were done. Dad, per usual, thought it was cute.”
James smiled. He’d already enlisted in the Marines by the time Mandy and Ally hit high school. He enjoyed hearing the stories. They made him feel closer to his wife – even if she was mortified by some of her actions. “What did the dress look like?”
“It was white,” Grady said. “The only reason I remember is because the two of them threw drinks on each other and ruined the dresses before they got out the door.”
“I picked that dress out first,” Ally said.
“You did not,” Mandy said. “That dress was all wrong for your coloring.”
“You can’t wear white with your hair,” Ally countered. “It washes you out.”
“White looks great on me.”
“It does not. You couldn’t even have a white wedding dress because it washed you out.”
James poked Mandy in the side. “How long did you two fight about the dress?”
“I don’t know,” Mandy said. “I just know we never made it to the dance. We yelled and screamed at each other, and when our dates showed up they got in a fight because we were fighting. I just know that we ended up in our pajamas in front of the television.”
“Because even a dress couldn’t come between you,” James said. “Just like a movie can’t now.”
Mandy nodded. “I know.”
“Listen,” James said. “This is going to be a really long couple of days. We’re all going to have to do our best to get along. If you feel the need to fight? Walk it off. Take a bath. Lock yourself in a bedroom. We can’t figure this thing out and solve it if we’re all trying to kill each other.”
“Captain Bossypants is back,” Ally said.
James wrinkled his nose. “Ally?”
“What?”
“Go to your room.” James pointed to the back of the house.
“Excuse me?”
“Go to your room,” James repeated. “You’re the one causing problems now. I knew you would be. That’s why we put you and Jake in the guesthouse.”
“I also thought Jake could use the quiet and more privacy,” Mandy offered.
“Thanks,” Jake said.
“I am not going to my room,” Ally said. “I’m hungry.”
“We’ll send one of the pizzas out there when they arrive,” James said. “For tonight, though? You’re on timeout.”
Ally jumped to her feet, hands on hips. “Fine!”
“Great.”
“You’re going to miss me when I’m gone,” she said, flouncing out the back door. “Come on, Jake.”
Jake moved to follow, pausing when he approached the door. “This is going to be a really long weekend, isn’t it?”
Mandy nodded sympathetically. “And the boys haven’t even started fighting yet.”
Jake shot a thumbs-up in Mandy’s direction. “I can’t wait.”
“Have fun watching The Notebook,” Finn called to Jake’s retreating back. “So, who wants to watch Predator?”
Twenty-Three
“I never thought a house this big could feel so small,” James said, lowering his weary body into one of the chairs around the small table in the saloon. “When Mandy picked out this house, I told her it was too big.”
“The only thing too big right now is Ally’s personality,” Grady grumbled from the chair next to James.
“Don’t do that,” Jake warned. “She’s having a hard time, too. I can’t listen to you say bad things about my girl.”
“She’s making it harder on the rest of us,” Grady argued. “It’s not ideal for any of us, but she’s the one constantly pushing everyone’s buttons.”
“That’s what she does,” Jake said.
“How can you stand spending so much time with her?” Grady asked.
“She makes me laugh,” Jake replied. “She’s got a good heart, and she’s very sweet and giving.”
“Good answer,” Grady said. “If you’d said something else, I would’ve had to beat your ass. She is my sister, after all. She’s still driving me crazy.”
“Why do you think we’ve been exiled out here for the day and they’re all in there painting toenails and braiding hair?” Finn asked.
“Do you think that’s what they’re really doing?” Grady asked.
“Ally was asking Mandy if she had ribbons,” Finn replied.
James couldn’t help the laugh that bubbled up, but his face sobered moments later. “I’m worried about Mandy and Ally the most. Emma and Sophie just seem to be going with the flow. Those two keep snapping at each other, though. I’m not sure it’s good that they’re spending so much time together.”
“You think that they’ll somehow have a rift that can’t be repaired?” Grady asked.
James shrugged. “It worries me. They keep calling each other names.”
“I keep forgetting that you missed their tempestuous teenage years,” Grady replied. “They fought all the time. They always made up the next day.”
“I don’t ever remember them fighting,” James said. “I remember them fighting for each other, but never with each other.”
“They’re girls,” Finn said. “They fight. They also love each other, and they’ll be fine.”
“I remember this one time,” Grady said. “They’d spent the day out at Long Lake getting tans, and when they came back, they were positively screaming at each other.”
“Why?”
“Some guys hit on them, and Mandy didn’t like the looks of them or something,” Grady said. “She said one of them was wearing a leather coat on the beach, like he was Fonzie or something, and that naturally meant he was a tool.”
“My baby has always been smart when it comes to men,” James said, grinning.
“Ally, on the other hand, was excited by the jacket, and the hair, and I guess the guy had a convertible, and Ally thought that sounded great,” Grady said.
“So Ally wanted to go for a ride with this guy, and Mandy refused,” Grady said. “When Ally tried to go anyway, Mandy started screaming some nonsense about how Ally shouldn’t go with the guy because it wouldn’t be good for the baby. She wanted to scare him off, and she thought pretending Ally was pregnant was the best way to go.
“Ally was mortified,” Grady said. “She was spitting mad, and they spent the next five hours yelling at each other and calling each other every name in the book. I was home on leave, and I just remember thinking that I couldn’t wait to get back to the gunfights because it had to be quieter than listening to those two.
“So, I ended up yelling at both of them, and I took Ally’s side because I thought it would make her happy,” Grady continued. “The minute I started arguing with Mandy, Ally just completely lost it and started jumping all over me. She told me she was going to shave me bald in my sleep if I ever said anything bad about her best friend again.”
“Why did she suddenly switch gears?” Jake asked.
“Because Mandy and Ally can fight with each other all they want,” Finn explained. “If anyone else tries to fight with one of them, then they’re always going to take up for each other. They’re family. They were family before James and Mandy got married, and if something were to ever happen between Mandy and James, they would still be family.”
“Nothing is ever going to happen between us,” James said.
“I know,” Finn replied, instantly contrite. “I’m just saying that nothing is going to ever happen between Mandy and Ally either. You don’t have to worry about that. They’ll be fine.”
“I don’t like them arguing,” James admitted. “There are few constants in my life, but those two sitting on the couch and giggling is one of them. It soothes me. They need each other.”
“They have each other,” Grady said, patting James’ arm. “Stop being a mother hen.”
James sighed. “I know. I just want this over. This was not how I envisioned the first month of our married life.”
Before Grady could respond, James’ cellphone rang, and he dug into his pocket to retrieve it. The number on the phone wasn’t familiar, and when he pressed it to his ear, things in his life shifted. Again.
“I THINK you should put highlights in your hair,” Ally said, lifting Sophie’s brown tresses off her neck and regarding them thoughtfully. “Have you ever considered putting a rinse in?”
“No,” Sophie said. “I like my hair the way it is.”
“I’m not saying to change it,” Ally said. “And never cut it. Your face is too angular for short hair. I’m just thinking it might be fun to enhance it. I can make Jake take me to the pharmacy to get a rinse.”
“You’re just bored,” Mandy said. “Sophie’s hair is fine.”
“We could put highlights in your hair,” Ally suggested.
“Mandy’s hair is already one big highlight,” Emma said. “You can’t go lighter with her. You might be able to put some lowlights in, but I think it would offset her features too much.”
Ally tilted her head, considering. “We could cut it.”
“No, you can’t,” James said, striding into the room. “Don’t you dare cut your hair, baby. I don’t care how bored Ally is. I love your hair the way it is.”
“So, you’re saying you’d stop loving her if she got a haircut?” Ally pressed. “That’s so shallow.”
James scowled.
“How about we cut your hair, Ally,” Mandy said. “I’ve always thought you would look cute with a pixie cut.”
“No one is cutting anyone’s hair,” Jake said forcefully. “No one is especially cutting Ally’s hair. I like it long and wild.”
“Listen, I have some good news. I just call a call from the sheriff’s department,” James said. “They know about the flash drive. The police in Bermuda made them aware during their dialogue about all the problems here. They want to talk.”
“How is that good news?” Emma asked.
“Because they either have a plan or a lead,” Sophie said. “This is good. If the sheriff’s department has the flash drive, and that information becomes public knowledge, that takes Mandy and James out of the crosshairs.”
“Oh, then it is good.” Emma brightened considerably.
“We’re going over there now,” James said. “They want to see Finn, Grady, and I. We’re leaving Jake here with you.”
“And I’m really happy about it,” Jake quipped.
“That means Jake is in charge, ladies,” James said.
“I don’t have a problem with that,” Emma said.
“I’m not worried about you and Sophie,” James said pointedly.
Ally and Mandy exchanged a look.
“Oh, so you’re only worried about me and your wife, that’s what you’re saying, isn’t it?” Ally asked, pushing her lips out into a pout.
“I’m always worried about my sister and my wife,” James replied. “Just please do as Jake says while we’re gone. I’m sure things will be fine, but if something happens, no matter what, I need you two to promise me you’ll do what Jake says.”
Mandy got to her feet and gave James a quick hug, knowing he needed the reassurance. “I’ll be good.”
James reached up with both hands, clearing Mandy’s hair away from her face so he could meet her blue eyes evenly. “It’s going to be okay.”
“I know.”
“It’s going to be safe again,” James said.
“I know.”
“I love you.”
“I know. I love you, too.”
James gave her a quick kiss, pulling her in tight to his chest and pressing the side of her face to his heart. He shifted his attention to Ally. “Are you going to be good?”
“I’ll be good,” Ally said.
“Do you promise?”
“I promise.”
“Thank you,” James said. “It’s just a matter of time now. This could all be over in twenty-four hours if we’re lucky.”
“I don’t see why you’re being so dramatic,” Ally sniffed. “Everyone has been getting along fine.”
James rolled his eyes. “If you’re good, Ally, we’ll pick up Olive Garden and bring it back for dinner with us.”
“I already told you I was going to be good.”
“Yeah, well … .”
“She’ll be good,” Jake said, stepping forward and placing his hand on Ally’s shoulder. “She’ll be an angel.”
“Your idea of an angel and mine are vastly different,” James said, pressing a kiss to Mandy’s forehead. “I just want this over with.”
“I’ll keep them safe,” Jake said.
“I know you will.”
“MAYBE we can cut Jake’s hair,” Ally said, running her fingers through the soft top of Jake’s dark locks.
“Go nuts,” Jake said. “Shave it bald if it will make you happy.”
Ally made a face. “You can’t be bald,” she said. “Your head is too lumpy.”
Jake’s eyes flashed. “My head is too lumpy?”
“I rub it all the time when you’re sleeping,” Ally said. “You have bumps in your head. I map them like star constellations.”
It was a weird thing to say, and yet Jake couldn’t tamp down the warmth spreading across his chest as the words sank in. “You rub my bumps when I’m sleeping?”
“I … what? I like the way your hair feels in my fingers. Sue me.”
Jake leaned over and gave Ally a sweet kiss, lingering for a moment just because he could. “You take my breath away sometimes, angel.”
“You always take my breath away,” Ally said, smiling.
“When I get you back home, I’m going to take your breath away for two days straight,” Jake promised.
“Oh, you two are so cute I could just puke,” Mandy teased.
Jake had forgotten they weren’t alone. He fixed Mandy w
ith a dubious look. “Thank you.”
Mandy smirked. “I like you.”
“You’re not so bad yourself,” Jake said. “Although, I could do without you and Ally constantly sniping at each other right now.”
“We’re not sniping,” Mandy said. “We’re communicating.”
“Communicate quieter,” Jake said. He gave Ally a quick kiss. “I’m going to go and check the monitors in the office and do a quick lap around the fence out back.”
“We’re fine,” Ally said. “Stay here with us. I want to put a bow in your hair.”
“I said you could shave me, angel,” Jake said. “I didn’t say you could put a bow in my hair. You guys stay here. I won’t be gone long. If you’re lucky, maybe I’ll put a bow in your hair when I get back.”
“I look very cute with a bow in my hair,” Ally said.
“You look cute all the time,” Jake said. He shifted his gaze to the three other women. “Don’t go anywhere.”
“Yes, sir,” Mandy said, saluting.
“Does James think that’s cute?”
“James thinks everything she does is cute,” Ally said. “He even likes it when she throws shoes at him.”
“Ally,” Mandy chided.
“You throw shoes at him?”
“She did the other night,” Ally said. “Then they had some amazing makeup sex. Maybe I should start throwing shoes at you.”
“I’m open for anything,” Jake said. “Just not those big, heavy boots you have. Those things might do some real damage. I’ll be right back.”
Twenty-Four
“I’m not looking forward to this,” Grady said, staring at the front of the sheriff’s department as he waited for James and Finn to join him.
“Have you talked to Sheriff Morgan since the whole Madison incident?” Finn asked.
“We don’t exactly run in the same circles.”
Almost a year before, the Hardy brothers had been embroiled in a corruption case that seemed to indicate that the sheriff, Aaron Morgan, was embezzling funds from the county. As it turned out, it was his aide, John Madison, who was actually behind the theft. After a tense night, one that had almost claimed Sophie’s life, Madison and his son had been taken into custody.
The ensuing political fallout had been tough for Morgan to bear. He was up for reelection in November, and he was facing stiff competition in the upcoming August primary. Grady was under no illusions that the sheriff had warm and fuzzy feelings where the Hardys were concerned. He still had a job to do, though, and so did the Hardys.