“You will not,” Grady scoffed. “That’s a total chick drink.”
“I’m going to wait until you get drunk on your manly drinks and cut your hair when you’re not looking,” Ally warned.
Instead of being turned off by the family dynamic, Will grinned. “I love that you’re all so close,” he said. “I brought my daughter and some of her friends here, and it makes me feel better knowing you’re on the job. It’s easier to trust people who love freely.”
Despite his agitation with the man’s lecherous eyes, James couldn’t help but like him a little better after the admission. “I only like people who love freely,” he said, darting a pointed gaze at Mandy. “They’re my favorite type of people.”
“Mine, too,” Will said, snapping himself out of his reverie. “So, who wants a tour?”
“As long as it passes by a bar, I’m in,” Ally said. “In fact, if you could move us past bars at regular intervals, that would be even better.”
Will snorted. “Simply delightful.”
“NOW, THIS is the aft area,” Will said an hour later, opening a private gate that locked off a small part of the deck from the rest of the boat. “On a normal cruise, we would have guards here. Since your family and my family are the only ones in the VIP section, though, I didn’t see fit to staff guards for this trip.”
“What does that mean?” Ally asked, slipping through the gate and widening her eyes when she saw the pool. It looked like a small lagoon more than anything else. “Wow!”
“Wow indeed,” Will said, smiling indulgently as Ally’s head whipped around. “This is for the VIP guests. It’s saltwater instead of chlorine, and you need a card – which you all should’ve received upon checkin – to enter. You can either access the area from the hallway on your floor or the deck.”
“And this is private?” Emma asked, moving forward. “We can hang out here by ourselves if we want?”
“Yes,” Will confirmed. “The captain also has a card so he can relax away from others, but he’s usually in bed by eight so you can have the run of the place if you want to swim at night.”
That was a tempting offer – especially because James and Mandy enjoyed swimming naked – but James wanted to make sure the area was really private before committing an opinion to the record. “You said your daughter was here,” he reminded their host. “Will she be hanging around by the pool?”
“She’d better not be,” Will replied. “This is a child-free zone. No one under the age of eighteen is allowed back here. Even though she’s my daughter, I made the rules very clear. If you see her sneaking around, make sure to tell me.”
“She sounds fun,” Grady quipped, grinning.
“She’s a good girl,” Will said. “I don’t want you to think otherwise. It’s just … she’s at a certain age.”
“I think we all remember what it was like to be a teenager,” James said, pursing his lips as he glanced at Mandy. “Emotions run deep. I just wanted to check in case … .” He broke off, unsure how to finish the sentence.
“In case you want to spend quality time with your wife without children staring at you while it’s happening,” Will finished, his eyes sparkling. “I understand. “No one will be around this area. I wouldn’t encourage any … shenanigans … during a normal cruise. This seems to be a special occasion, though.”
“I call dibs on tonight,” Grady said, raising his hand.
James slapped it down and shook his head. “Do you ever think before you speak?”
“I’m pretty sure that’s your job since you’re the boss,” Grady replied. “How close is the nearest bar to here?”
“That’s exactly what I was thinking,” Ally said, grinning. “I love this pool.”
“Isn’t the whole point of going on a cruise so that you can meet new people?” Jake asked. “I don’t think it’s bad if you guys want to hang around the pool alone for some of the time, but it might do you good to mingle, too.”
“I think Jake is exactly right,” Ally said, patting his cheek. “I didn’t spend all of that money on a new bikini so no one but Mandy can see me in it. What a waste. I look good in that thing.”
Jake realized his error when it was too late to correct it. “I … um … is that the bikini you showed me the other night?”
“Yup.”
“You brought that?”
“Yup.”
“It barely covers anything,” Jake pointed out, risking a glance at James. “I thought that was a joke bikini.”
“Mandy has the same thing in black,” Ally said. “It will be fine. Don’t worry about it.”
Jake couldn’t help but be worried. “I … um … .”
“When did you turn into such a prude?” Grady asked, legitimately curious. “I never knew you were such a downer.”
“I am not a downer,” Jake clarified. “That happens to be my fiancée, though. I like her to remain covered up except for me.”
“Yes, well, we all want that,” Grady said. “If we see too much of Ally, we’ll cry.”
“I heard that,” Ally said, wagging a finger.
James tamped down his irritation as he forced a smile for Will’s benefit. On a normal day Grady and Ally’s antics wouldn’t bother him. Being loud in front of a client was another story, though. “I apologize … .”
“Don’t worry about it,” Will said, waving him off. “I knew when I hired you that this would be a family occasion. It’s fine. As long as you do your work while you play, I don’t care how you get the job done.”
“Thank you.”
“No, thank you,” Will said. “It’s very important to me that this launch goes well. I have every faith you’ll do exactly what I hired you to do. Your name is revered in certain circles. That’s why I wanted you.”
Mandy smirked as James’ cheeks colored. “He lives up to the hype,” she offered, squeezing his hand. “Trust me. He’s … amazing.”
“And only a woman truly in love could say that with such joy in her eyes,” Will said. “As for the rest, take a look around and enjoy yourselves. If you see a white-haired man down here, his name is Richard Archibald. He’s the captain. He mostly keeps to himself and my daughter thinks he’s crabby and avoids him whenever possible, but he has some fun stories if you get him in a drinking mood.”
“We just might do that,” James said. “We’ll start taking a look around this afternoon.”
“Why don’t you spend this first day relaxing and getting the lay of the land,” Will suggested. “You have several days to work out all of the security snafus. Enjoy your first night on the ship. I think you’ve all earned it.”
“I … well … thank you.”
“Don’t mention it,” Will said. “I hope you have a wonderful night. In fact, I hope you enjoy the trip. It should be one for the ages.”
“That’s what I’m counting on,” James said. “Thank you.”
5
Five
“Are you ready?”
Mandy stepped out of the bathroom, her new black bikini hugging every curve and a towel wrapped around her waist, and lifted her head as James glanced in her direction. He was dressed in simple swim shorts and sandals, and when he looked her over his heart flipped thanks to her unadulterated beauty.
“Come here.”
Mandy couldn’t identify the odd look on James’ face, but she happily did as he asked, stopping when she was close enough to touch him. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing is wrong,” James replied, running his hands over her shoulders. “It’s just … you don’t have the same body you did when we got married.”
Mandy stilled, unsure how to respond. “I don’t know what that means.”
“You look a little different,” James said, tracing the slim lines of her waist.
“Is that a good or bad thing?” Mandy asked, nervously licking her lips.
“Oh, I’m not falling into that trap,” James said, chuckling as he shook his head. “I love you either way.”
“I don’t know what you’re getting at,” Mandy said, opting for honesty. “Now I feel a little self-conscious.”
“Don’t do that,” James chided, wagging a finger. “It wasn’t meant as a bad thing. It’s just … you’ve spent so much time in that pool you’re all sculpted muscle now. You used to be … softer.”
Mandy widened her eyes. “Is that code for fat?”
“Absolutely not,” James answered. “You’ve always been the hottest woman in the world as far as I’m concerned. I love your body however it is. I just realized it was different, though. It’s not a bad thing. In fact, I’m incredibly turned on. We could forego hanging around the pool and get naked here if you would prefer.”
Mandy snorted as she kissed his chin. “Very cute, but I promised Ally we would have piña coladas. She’s waiting for me.”
“Does that mean you don’t love me?” James’ expression was teasing. “Have you grown bored with my body?”
“Ha, ha,” Mandy intoned, making a face. “That will never happen. You’re too … pretty.”
“No, you’re pretty, my baby,” James said, drawing her in for a hug. For some reason, ever since he reclaimed his wife from Clint’s evil clutches, he couldn’t get enough of her. He wanted to hold her every minute of the day. “You’re my beautiful wife.”
“Oh, so cute,” Mandy said, rubbing her nose against his cheek. “You know I’m going to have to tell Ally what you said about my body, though, right? We’ll be dissecting it for hours to see if it’s really a good or bad thing. She’s probably going to have questions and comments at some point.”
James’ smile slipped. “You sure know how to suck the fun out of a mood, wife. You know that, don’t you?”
“Something tells me you’ll live.”
“Something tells me you’re right as long as I have you,” James said, grabbing her hand. “Now, come on. The pool and piña coladas await.”
“Ah, the best words to start a vacation with ever.”
“MAN, THE sun is really beating down on us,” Sophie complained an hour later, making sure the nearby umbrella completely covered her seat so her fair skin wasn’t subjected to any of the sun’s damaging rays. “You two are going to look like old purses if you’re not careful.”
Mandy and Ally ignored Sophie as they reclined on their loungers, mixed drinks in their hands and their chins tilted up for maximum tanning effort. James sat in the chair next to Mandy’s and smirked when he glanced in his wife’s direction.
“It’s not as if we’re doing it all of the time,” Ally argued. “This is a special occasion. I can’t go home white.”
“Just be careful,” Jake warned. “If you get a sunburn, you’re going to put a crimp in my plans … and no one wants that.”
James scowled as he slapped his friend’s arm. “That’s still my sister, man,” he said. “You can’t talk like that in front of me.”
“No, that’s the woman who is going to be my wife,” Jake corrected. “Wife trumps sister.”
James narrowed his eyes, dubious. “I don’t think that’s true.”
“Oh, it’s totally true,” Grady said. “Luckily for me, though, Sophie doesn’t have brothers.”
“She just has armed uncles,” Mandy said, causing Grady to scowl. “Sven and Rodrigo will always be around to protect her virtue.”
“You really know how to brighten my mood, kid,” Grady said, flicking her ear. “You’re a real wet blanket when you want to be.” He’d been friends with Mandy almost as long as his sister so he could tease her and get away with it. Even though his relationship with Mandy was one of jabs and boasts, when the chips were down, she often found herself running to him for comfort.
“I’m sorry,” Mandy said, holding up her hands. “That was uncalled for.”
“Don’t worry,” Grady said. “I have every intention of making you pay with a strategically placed armpit. I’m going to shove your head in it the second we get in the pool.”
Mandy made a disgusted face as Ally snorted.
“Leave her alone,” James said, shaking his head. “She’s being good. You’re the one being a pain.”
“You always take her side,” Grady groused, shifting Sophie’s legs so he could settle beside her on the lounger. “It stopped being fun about two years ago.”
James grinned as he sipped his beer. “Well, wife trumps sister, after all.”
Now it was Jake’s turn to smile as Grady scorched everyone with dark looks.
“He said that because your hair makes you look like a girl,” Ally said, making sure Grady understood the dig.
“I’m going to make all of you pay,” Grady said. “Mark my words. Be prepared for payback.”
“Yes, we’re all quaking in our flip-flops,” Ally said, shifting her eyes to a group of nearby chairs where a small gathering of teenagers kept staring in their direction. It was an even split of boys and girls, and she couldn’t help but giggle because a multitude of eyes kept slipping in their direction. “Look, we have fans.”
“It’s because you’re wearing that tiny bikini,” Jake complained. “Teenage boys cannot be expected to ignore that bikini. It’s unfair and impossible.”
“No one cares about this bikini but you,” Ally said, tapping his chin. “Let it go.”
“Oh, I’m not going to let it go until you put on a muumuu or something,” Jake said, resting his hand on top of her head. “You’re giving those poor boys ideas.”
Mandy smiled as Ally rolled her eyes.
“The only one I’m giving ideas to is you,” Ally countered. “I promise to make all of those ideas into reality if you get me another drink.”
Jake licked his lips as six sets of curious eyes landed on him. He didn’t want to appear weak in front of his boss and co-workers, but everyone knew he was prone to doting on Ally at least seventy-five percent of the time. “Why can’t you get your own drink?”
“I can,” Ally said. “If you would prefer I do it, I will. I will be leaving the swimsuit cover-up behind if I do it, though.”
Jake scowled when he realized the meaning of her words. She was essentially saying she would flaunt herself in front of everyone if it meant getting a free drink. It was an interesting threat. “Do you really want to play that game?”
“What game?” Ally asked, faux innocence flitting across her features. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Oh, she’s totally messing with you,” James said, snickering. “I wouldn’t put up with that. Put your foot down. Men should never capitulate needlessly to their women.”
“Oh, yeah?” Mandy arched a challenging eyebrow. “Those are bold words, husband.”
“Come over here and I’ll show you how bold,” James suggested, opening his arms.
Mandy didn’t care in the least that they were pretending to have a war of the sexes. She stood from the chair and shifted so she was on top of James and could rest her head against his chest. He petted the back of her head as she sipped her piña colada through a straw. The ice felt good thanks to the beating sun. Her head resting on the spot above his heart felt even better.
When James shifted his eyes to see where Ally and Jake’s fight landed, he found everyone staring at him. “What?”
“You two are something else,” Grady answered, shaking his head. “We’re trying to start a perfectly nice fake argument and instead of playing along you two are going to paw each other in public. How is that supposed to work?”
James shrugged. “You guys are free to fight all you want,” he said, shifting lower on the chair so he could get comfortable. “My wife and I are going to nap while you do it.”
“You’re so … whipped.”
James moved his eyes to his blonde as he rubbed his thumb over her cheek. “I can totally live with that.”
“WE HAVE to do something.” Grady was serious as he stood next to the bar. Jake, Ally, and Sophie stood next to him, but they didn’t seem thrilled with his suggestion. “They’re going to totally
ruin each other if we don’t pull them back.”
“They are not,” Ally argued, her eyes contemplative as they landed on a slumbering James and Mandy. Her blonde friend was stretched out on top of her brother’s chest, his arms wrapped around her. They’d erected an umbrella to make sure the duo didn’t burn in their sleep, but otherwise left them alone for the bulk of the afternoon. “They’re just … finding their way.”
“Ally, I’m not suggesting that they’re going to fall apart or anything,” Grady said. “It’s just … they’re far too wrapped up in each other right now. It’s not healthy.”
“Can you blame them?” Jake asked, adopting a pragmatic tone. “I mean, be honest, Grady. After everything they’ve been through, if they want to stick close to one another, I don’t see the problem.”
“She was taken, Grady,” Sophie added. “She was snatched from him and something truly awful could’ve happened. They got lucky and she’s okay, but I think James is being extra careful to make sure there’s no way someone can steal her from him again. It’s not a bad thing.”
“That’s all well and good, sugar, but look at them,” Grady said. “They’re on a cruise ship with hundreds of people and they’re acting as if they’re the only living souls in a five-hundred-mile radius.”
“So what?” Sophie refused to let Grady bully her into an opinion she didn’t share. “His heart broke when she was gone. We all know he wouldn’t have made it back if we never found her. I mean, think about it. Where would he be now if you didn’t get her back that day?”
“I understand what you’re saying, and believe me, I’ve had those same thoughts,” Grady said. “I would like to believe that he would’ve gotten himself together and mustered some strength to find her on his own. In the end, it doesn’t matter, though.
“We found her and she’s here,” he continued. “She wasn’t … violated … or anything. What happened was terrible, and I know she’s still getting over Heidi’s death as well as her kidnapping, but enough is enough.”
“You’re acting as if they haven’t been co-dependent from the beginning,” Jake countered. “They’ve always been attached to each other. Give them some time. It’s only been a few weeks.”
Deadly Waves (Hardy Brothers Security Book 23) Page 4
