“You’re a man so you don’t understand these things,” Ally countered. “We’re women. We grasp the serious nature of going to a cruise ship and standing by our men as they work to impress a new client.”
James narrowed his eyes. As the oldest member of the Hardy family, it was his job to protect his siblings while growing up. As the youngest member of the Hardy family, it was Ally’s job to annoy him whenever possible. She was good at her job. “I don’t need you to impress anyone. We’ve already got the job.”
Mandy licked her lips as she turned her attention to the new items. In hindsight, she realized she had gone a bit overboard. “I can take it back.”
James instantly regretted making fun of her. She hadn’t been shopping in weeks thanks to his overzealous need to keep her close. He hated shopping, so she picked outings he would enjoy to placate him. She’d gone above and beyond in her attempts to make him feel comfortable since her kidnapping. “No, baby,” James said, dropping the pizza and files on the console table by the front door before wading into the mess. “That’s not what I meant. I was teasing you.”
Mandy didn’t look convinced. “Are you sure?”
“I’m absolutely sure,” James said, running his hand over the back of her head and locking gazes with her. “I want you to have whatever you want.”
“See,” Ally said, puffing out her chest. “I told you. I’m always right. You should never doubt me.”
“No one is talking to you,” James said as he grabbed the two scraps of material from Mandy’s hand. “Is this dental floss?”
“It’s a bathing suit,” Mandy said, jutting out her lower lip. “Do you think it’s too small? I got a blue one that covers more, too.”
“Well, you know I prefer my women nude, but I don’t think this is too bad,” James said, lifting it up. “As long as it covers all of your important bits so no one else besides me can see them, I’m fine with it.”
“It does,” Ally confirmed. “I got the same bikini in pink.”
“Yes, but you have more on top than I do,” Mandy said, gesturing toward her breasts. “Mine covers more than yours.”
“You say that like it’s a good thing,” Ally said. “Show him the dress you got. I love it. I wish you hadn’t found the last one.”
“He doesn’t care about that,” Mandy scoffed.
“On the contrary,” James said, settling in the overstuffed chair at the edge of the room. “Show me what you got, baby.”
Mandy was only too happy to oblige, and even though James couldn’t care less about clothing and bathing suits, the smile on her face was more than enough to entertain him for the rest of the night if she wanted to put on a fashion show.
“I’M STILL not sure.”
Emma Pritchard stared at the open suitcase on the bed as her fiancé Finn Hardy shoved various items of clothing into it. She was excited when he climbed the stairs that led to their apartment – which just happened to be located above the Hardy Brothers Security main office – a few hours before and informed her they were going on a family cruise. No, excited wasn’t the right word. She was giddy.
Then reality set in. She couldn’t take a baby on a cruise. Finn explained that his parents would be taking Avery for the length of their trip – and they’d promised to Skype every night so she could see her only son as often as she wished – and that placated her for a bit. Now her heart rolled at the thought of leaving the baby. She hadn’t been away from him for more than a few hours since his birth.
“Emma, he’s going to be fine,” Finn said, resting his hands on her shoulders and forcing her to meet his steady gaze. He understood that she was nervous about leaving the infant, but he couldn’t help but be excited by the prospect of having her all to himself for almost a week. He loved his son beyond reason, but he’d barely had any alone time with Emma since the birth. “My mother and father raised four children. They know how to take care of a baby.”
“That’s not what I’m saying,” Emma said, sliding a strand of her auburn hair behind her ear as she fixed him with a dark look. “Don’t ever tell them I said anything like that because I’ll be angry if you do.”
“Duly noted.”
“It’s just … I’m going to miss him.” Emma looked momentarily lost. “What if he forgets me?”
Finn’s expression softened. “Oh, sweetie, that’s not possible,” he said. “He knows you’re his mother. He’s going to see you on the computer. He’s going to stay at James and Mandy’s house since Mom and Dad are having their new place painted and don’t want to risk him being around the fumes.
“They’re going to spoil him rotten,” he continued. “They’ve been dying to have extended time with him since they moved down here. Jeff is going to be here, too, and he will talk about you nonstop. I promise everything is going to be fine.”
Emma smiled at the mention of her brother. He helped raise her after their father went to prison and their mother abandoned them. He had troubles of his own over the years, although most of them sprang from a need to take care of Emma when he had no money. Since being released from prison, the siblings formed a bond that was stronger than ever before. She honestly was going to miss her brother, too.
“I want to thank you for putting Jeff in charge of the office while we’re gone,” Emma said, her expression earnest. “He was more excited about you guys trusting him to do that than you were about the cruise.”
“It’s no big deal,” Finn said. “He’s been working hard. He’s mostly going to be answering phones and filling out intake questionnaires. It’s not exactly a power position.”
“It is to him,” Emma countered. “He’s so happy … and I’m proud of him. I know this wouldn’t be possible if you didn’t have faith in him. I … thank you.”
“You don’t have to thank me,” Finn said, pulling her in for a hug. “You just need to pack a skimpy bikini.”
Emma snorted as she wrapped her arms around his neck. “I’m going to thank you as soon as that suitcase is packed and off the bed,” she whispered, kissing the ridge of his ear and sending an excited shudder up his spine. “I’m going to thank you until you beg me to stop.”
Finn sighed, happiness washing over him. “Does that mean you’re going on the cruise?”
“Oh, we’re going,” Emma said. “You just need to put up with three more meltdowns before we actually leave. That’s a mother’s prerogative. I can’t help myself.”
“Ah, the things I do for love.”
“I CAN’T believe I let you talk me into this.”
Sophie Lane wasn’t much for organization, so Grady Hardy didn’t bat an eye when he watched her toss a pile of clothing into their suitcase without folding it first. He bit the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing as she strolled to the dresser to gather panties and bras. His heart jolted at the sight of her fierce expression, love momentarily overwhelming him. He never believed there was one person in the world for everyone … until he met her, that is. Now he knew she was his one person and there would never be another. Now he just had to tell her with a big proposal and the ring he’d been hiding for months. He figured the cruise would be the perfect time for that, even though the added pressure weighed him down.
“Sophie, you haven’t taken a vacation since I’ve known you,” Grady pointed out. “In case you’re keeping track, that’s a year and a half. We’ve been together for eighteen months. You haven’t taken a vacation in all of that time.”
“Vacations are for pansies,” Sophie shot back. “I don’t need a vacation because I have you. You’re my relaxation and that’s all vacations are good for.”
Grady licked his lips. She was the only woman he knew who could make a compliment sound like torture. “If you don’t want to go, you don’t have to,” he said finally, opting to change tactics. He had every intention of making her go on the cruise if it came to it. He would knock her over the head and shove her in a suitcase if he had to. He figured guilt would probably work and be less strenuous tha
n knocking her out, though. “I thought a little bit of rest and fun in the sun would be good for us.
“If you would rather be away from me for the week and send me to a ship full of women in nothing but bikinis, though, more power to you,” he continued. “I asked you because I couldn’t bear the thought of being away from you. Apparently you don’t feel the same way.”
Sophie balked. “Don’t say that,” she chided. “Don’t even think that. You know that’s not true.”
Grady cocked a challenging eyebrow. “Do I?”
“Of course you do,” Sophie said, wringing her hands. “It’s just … I’ve never been on vacation. I’ve also never been on a cruise. I don’t know what to do. I don’t know what to pack. I just … don’t know.”
Grady’s heart went out to her as he took a step closer. She was a workaholic. He didn’t mind most days because she went in spurts. She would work so much during any given week he would barely see her. Then she would take it easy the following week so he could get his fill of her wonderful smile. It was a balancing act, but they made it work.
“Then let me help you,” Grady said, striding toward the closet. “Cruise ships are laid back atmospheres, so you’ll need a bathing suit and plenty of shorts and T-shirts. You’ll also need some dresses and skirts for nightly dinners. They’re fancier affairs.”
“I have to get dressed up on a cruise ship?” Sophie didn’t look thrilled at the suggestion. “Can’t we just get naked and order room service?”
Grady barked out a laugh. “That’s definitely a possibility,” he said. “I will have to attend some of the formal meals because I’ll be working, though.”
“I guess I didn’t think of that.” Sophie rubbed her cheek, her expression earnest. “Did I mention I’m really excited?”
“No.”
“Well, I am,” Sophie said. “Sometimes my excitement comes out in the worst possible way, though. I don’t mean to be difficult.”
“You’re not difficult,” Grady said. “You’re work, don’t get me wrong. I think you’re worth the effort, though.” And I’m going to put in the work for the rest of our lives, he added silently. She knew about the ring. She knew about the pending proposal. What she didn’t know was that he had every intention of making things official within the next week. He was done waiting.
“I love you, Grady.” Sophie’s brown eyes sparkled. “I can’t wait to get naked and order room service with you.”
Grady grabbed her arm and tugged her forward so he could plant a smoldering kiss on her lips. “I don’t suppose you want to practice now, do you?”
Sophie grinned. “What did you have in mind?”
“I’m glad you asked, sugar,” he said. “I think we’re going to run into choppy waters for a bit. Don’t worry, though, I’ll be on top of you when it happens. I’ll protect you with my manhood.”
Sophie giggled. “Be still my heart.”
“WHAT DO you think?”
Jake Harrison stared at Ally’s suitcases with a dubious look. “I think there’s no way I’m carrying those, angel,” he replied after a beat. “I told you that you could take one suitcase.”
“I know.”
“That’s three suitcases.”
“Not really,” Ally said, shaking her dark head. “That’s one suitcase, one garment bag, and one carry-on bag for toiletries.”
She had such an innocent look on her face, Jake almost gave in. Then he remembered he would be the one carrying the luggage. “No.” He shook his head. “You can have one suitcase … and we’re both putting our stuff together in one suitcase. This is three bags of your stuff. I haven’t even packed my stuff.”
Ally feigned outrage. “You can’t expect me to put all of my stuff in one suitcase. It’s cruel and inhumane.”
“It’s also practical,” Jake countered. “You can get as worked up as you want, but everything is going in one suitcase.”
Jake rarely put his foot down with Ally, so she was understandably surprised by his vehemence. “We need to make a compromise,” she said, licking her lips. “I promise to make room for you in the suitcase if you let me take the garment bag, too.”
“No.”
“But … .” Ally adopted a whiny tone that Jake almost always capitulated to. “I have dresses and I want to look pretty for you.”
“You look pretty for me no matter what you wear,” Jake said, refusing to fall for the ploy. “One suitcase.”
Ally narrowed her eyes. She was done playing nice. “Do you want me to go on the cruise with you?”
Jake was surprised by the question. “Of course.”
“Then we’re taking the garment bag, too,” Ally said, crossing her arms over her chest to show she meant business. “I’m not ruining my dresses and you’re going to need a suit in case there’s a big dinner. A suit will get wrinkled in the suitcase.”
Jake honestly hadn’t thought about that. “I … .”
“I’ll let you see my new bathing suit before we hit the ship if you agree to the garment bag,” Ally offered. “It’s pink.”
Jake pursed his lips to keep from laughing. He had no idea why he bothered arguing with her. She always got her way. He almost never minded when she did. “Okay,” he said after a few moments of quiet contemplation. “You have to agree to carry the garment bag, though.”
“Done.” Ally extended her hand and Jake shook it, jerking her to him so he could grace her with a smoking kiss. “The suitcase is going to be heavier anyway,” she said. “That’s where I’m packing all of my shoes.”
“I can’t wait.” Jake said the words in a dry manner, but he was being honest. Several days on a cruise ship with his future wife sounded like a heavenly experience. He couldn’t wait. “Aren’t you going to show me the bathing suit? I want to see what I’m in for.”
“I thought you’d never ask.”
3
Three
“Holy crap!”
Mandy’s mouth dropped open when she saw the size of the ocean liner. The King Theodore (all of the ships in the fleet were named after men, which was essentially breaking with tradition) was truly breathtaking. She gripped James’ hand tighter as she slung their garment bag over her shoulder and James rolled the suitcase behind him.
They flew out of Detroit the previous evening, landing in Miami and enjoying a night at the hotel bar before retiring early. The ship was due to set sail by ten and James wanted everyone settled so he could converse with the owner before starting his duties. He also had another surprise for his wife, and it was one he’d kept from everyone because he didn’t want it ruined before she got a chance to see it for herself.
“Impressive, huh?” James grinned as he led her up the walkway. He could hear the excited utterances behind him as his family followed, but all he cared about in the present moment was Mandy. “I thought you would like it.”
“You see them on television and everything, but the commercials don’t do them justice,” Mandy said. “It’s … beautiful.”
“You’re beautiful, wife,” James said, swooping his head down so he could kiss her cheek before glancing over his shoulder. Emma’s eyes were even wider than Mandy’s as Finn whispered something in her ear, and even the stalwart Sophie looked round-eyed and excited. “I think everyone is going to have a good time.”
As if reading his mood, Mandy graced him with a reassuring smile. “You don’t have to worry about us,” she said. “I know you have work to do. We’ll be fine.”
“I have work to do, but I plan on spending as much time with you as possible,” James said. “Don’t worry about that.”
“I’m not worried.”
James wasn’t convinced, but he decided against pressing the issue. “I’m going to romance your socks off this trip. I promise you that.”
“I’m not wearing socks. I only packed sandals.”
“You know what I mean.”
“Oh, yeah?” Mandy’s smile was teasing. “How do you plan on doing that?”
; “Well, for starters, our room has a private balcony,” James answered. “We’re going to spend some quality time on that. I thought we could take moonlit strolls every night … and I got you some motion sickness medication to make sure you sleep well.”
Mandy stilled, surprised. “You got me motion sickness medication?”
James realized his mistake too late, but he refused to backtrack. “I did,” he confirmed. “Before you have some sort of fake fit and pick a minor fight so we can make up later, we both know why I did it. You have a stomach like an infant and this place is going to be packed with seafood, something you can’t stay away from even though it has historically made you sick a time or two.”
“Don’t mention infants,” Finn warned from behind them. “Emma can only take so much.” His grin was mischievous as Emma rolled her eyes and James shot him a dirty look.
“I’m fine,” Emma said. “The baby talked to me over the computer last night.”
“He talked?” James was impressed. “What words is he saying? I didn’t realize he was already speaking.”
“He doesn’t talk yet,” Finn said. “He babbles. He mimics talking. In fact, he kind of bobs his head like Mandy does when she gets really excited. To him he’s talking. To us he’s just making noise.”
“That shows what you know,” Emma sniffed. “I understand what he’s saying perfectly.”
“Oh, yeah? What did he say last night?” James asked.
“He said he loves me and will miss his mommy.”
James’ eyes softened. “You didn’t need him to say that to you, did you? I think that’s pretty obvious if you ever spend time around the kid. He loves you.”
“Of course he does,” Finn said, shifting his eyes to the huge ship. “This thing is even bigger than I realized. When you showed us the photos, it looked huge, but this is like a floating city.”
“It is,” James agreed, nodding his head. “It has six different restaurants aside from the main dining room. It has a club for dancing. It has quite a few stores in case anyone forgot anything. I think there are three pools and a bunch of games and deck bars, too.”
Deadly Waves (Hardy Brothers Security Book 23) Page 2
