“No, she asked me if I let her go when she was missing,” James corrected. “Like my heart somehow ceded defeat after only thirty-six hours apart. That led into the discussion of me marrying someone else should she die.”
“Ah.” Grady rubbed his cheek as he tilted his head. “I’m guessing that suggestion went over like a lead balloon.”
“That suggestion is ludicrous and I don’t ever want to hear it again,” James said. “She’s it for me. I’m done.”
“She wasn’t doing it to be a pain,” Grady pointed out. “She was doing it because your happiness is the most important thing in the world to her.”
“There is no happiness without her,” James said. “I’m not going to lie about something like that just to avoid a fight. Quite frankly, if she pushes me too far, I’m ready to throw down.”
“I think that might be a good thing.”
James stilled, surprised. “I thought you guys already talked about this,” he said, his mind busy as he ran over their shared conversation after studying the blood. Almost as an afterthought they sent the security team to collect a sample before the janitorial staff cleaned the location in question and tainted the evidence. If something terrible did happen, James figured they might want a DNA sample on file. “That’s what you said.”
“That’s what she said,” Grady clarified. “She didn’t want to cause a scene.”
“Okay, what were you really talking about?”
“How clingy you two are.” Grady refused to lie to his brother. “I’m worried.”
“I know you are.” James wasn’t angered by the admission. “We’re doing the best we can.”
“And I don’t want to push you,” Grady said. “You’re my brother. Heck, you’re my best friend. The last thing I want to do is upset you. You’ve got to give her a little bit of breathing room, though.”
“She wants to be close to me as much as I want to be close to her.”
“I see that,” Grady said. “I also see that she’s ready to take two or three steps without you shadowing her every move. I’m not saying that you should change what you’re doing all at once. Just ease up on the reins a little bit. You might be surprised because it will probably be a relief to both of you.”
“I’ll consider it,” James said, averting his gaze. “Let’s talk to the teenagers with Tabitha. We won’t look out of place if we’re talking to them since we met her last night.”
Grady opted against pushing further given James’ expression. He didn’t want to risk shoving James over the edge and earning a big argument for his efforts. “That sounds like a plan.”
“THERE ARE so many hot guys here I would be in Heaven if I wasn’t already engaged,” Ally mused, nursing her fruity drink as she reclined on a chair next to Mandy. “Of course, Jake is so perfect that I’m in Heaven every night.”
“Oh, and you think I’m schmaltzy,” Mandy said, rolling her eyes. “You’re the schmaltzy one today, missy.”
“You’re both schmaltzy,” Sophie lamented from beneath the umbrella she shared with Emma. “Why does it have to be competition when you’ve both already lost?”
“Someone is in a mood,” Ally teased, her eyes lighting up as she lowered her sunglasses and focused on the feisty reporter. “What’s your problem? Did Grady steal too much time in front of the mirror this morning? Those bathrooms are small when you have to share it with a vain person.”
“Then I pity Jake.”
Mandy widened her eyes at Sophie’s snarky response. “Wow.”
“I’m sorry,” Sophie said, realizing how bitchy she sounded when it was too late to drag the words back into her mouth. “I’m just feeling … weird.”
“Define weird,” Mandy prodded. She was happy to be talking about someone else’s issues rather than her own for a change. Since quitting her job and spending almost every waking moment with James for three weeks straight, she was in the mood for some conversation that didn’t revolve around her foot or how dedicated James was to her safety.
“If I tell you, you’ll think I’m being ridiculous,” Sophie said.
“No, we won’t,” Emma said, patting the woman’s arm in a reassuring manner. “We love you. We want to know what you’re feeling.”
“I’m feeling … jealous. There. I said it.”
Mandy furrowed her brow. “Of who? Are you jealous of Ally and me because we’re so schmaltzy? If so, we can probably give lessons.”
“It’s not that,” Sophie countered. “Er, wait. It kind of is that. How messed up am I that I can admit that? I think I might need another drink.”
Ally snickered as she regarded the woman’s conflicted features. Sophie was generally the most composed of their little group. Seeing her struggle wasn’t exactly fun, but it was a relief whenever she veered out of robot land. “You can have as many drinks as you want,” she said. “You just need to tell us what’s bothering you, too.”
“Do you promise not to laugh?”
Ally nodded, her expression earnest. “I promise.”
“Okay, here it goes … um … I’m jealous because you’re engaged and I’m not,” Sophie admitted. “I said it. I can’t believe I said it. Wow. I’m such a girl.”
It wasn’t meant as a humorous statement, but Mandy couldn’t stop herself from laughing. “Oh, you poor thing,” she said. “I wondered when this would come up. It has to be hard on you.”
“Why is it hard?” Emma asked. “I thought Grady had a ring and he was just waiting for Sophie to be ready.”
“That was meant as a short thing,” Sophie clarified. “After everything that happened with my old belongings and all of those memories resurfacing, I wanted a little bit of time to come to grips with it before moving forward.”
“That’s completely understandable,” Mandy said. “Why are you panicking now?”
“That was months ago,” Sophie said. “I’m over what happened. I was over it within a few days. I’m ready to get engaged.”
“So … what’s the problem?” Ally asked.
“The problem is that now I’m starting to wonder if Grady changed his mind,” Sophie said. “Maybe he doesn’t want to get married any longer. Maybe he took back the ring. Maybe everything that happened made him realize I’m not the one for him. Maybe he only invited me on this trip to break up with me.”
Mandy and Ally exchanged a serious look and then burst into hysterical gales of laughter. Their response didn’t sit well with Sophie.
“It’s not funny!”
“We’re not laughing at you,” Mandy chided, shaking her head. “We’re just laughing at the situation. We’ve all been there.”
“I haven’t,” Emma said. “Finn proposed before I had a chance to worry about it.”
“That is not true at all,” Mandy countered. “You got pregnant and accelerated your timetable with Finn. There were a few days in there where you panicked and thought he was only staying with you because of the baby. Don’t deny that.”
Emma looked appropriately abashed. “I kind of forgot about that.”
“Oh, that’s convenient, but we remember,” Ally said. “You were a crying mess and Mandy had to talk you down.”
“Now that you’ve reminded me of it, I’m not sure how I could forget,” Emma admitted. “I’m sorry, Sophie. Your stomach must be tied in knots.”
“My stomach is a mess because I’m angry at myself for being jealous of Ally,” Sophie said. “It’s so … unreasonable.”
“You’re jealous of me?” Ally looked pleased at the admission. “How come?”
“Because you and Jake were together less time than Grady and me when he proposed,” Sophie answered, opting for honesty. “It was one thing when Finn and Emma got engaged. Everyone knew they were heading in that direction from the beginning. The baby didn’t change that. He merely sped things up.
“You and Jake, though,” she continued. “I thought Jake was going to drag his feet because he’s so shy sometimes. Then, out of nowhere, you’re engaged and
Grady and I are the only ones floundering in the middle of the ocean while the sharks close in.”
“You’ve been spending too much time with Mandy,” Ally said dryly.
“That was a great analogy,” Mandy enthused. “As for the rest, I think you’re overreacting. Grady is going to propose. He’s been ready for a long time. Heck, he’s been ready since before Jake was ready. He just doesn’t want to push you.”
“Well, I want to be pushed,” Sophie said. “I’m totally ready to … walk down the aisle. Ugh. There’s that girly thing again.”
Ally giggled. “Are you ready to be Mrs. Grady Hardy?”
“Screw that,” Sophie replied. “I’m ready for him to be Mr. Sophie Lane.”
The women dissolved into guffaws, not stopping until a shadow moved across their seats and caused Mandy to shift in that direction. She expected to find a hovering James. Instead she caught sight of a ridiculously attractive man with dark hair and flashing eyes.
“You all look as if you’re having a good time.”
Mandy returned the man’s smile. “We are. Are you with the ship’s crew?”
“I’m head of customer relations,” the man replied. “My name is Jon Peterson.”
“Oh, it’s nice to meet you,” Mandy said, extending her hand. “My husband is James Hardy. He’s running the security check on the boat for this trip.”
“I know,” Peterson said. “I met him this morning when he was questioning hospital personnel. He seems very … intense.”
Mandy bit her lip to keep from laughing. “He certainly has a way about him,” she agreed. “Did you guys find out anything about the blood?”
“I believe they’re looking at it as an accident at this point,” Peterson replied. “If someone was hurt, we would’ve heard about it.”
“Not if they were murdered and tossed over the side of the boat,” Sophie pointed out, earning a surprised look from Peterson. “I’m just saying.”
“Wouldn’t someone report an individual missing if that happened?” Peterson questioned.
Sophie shrugged. “I think it depends on whether or not anyone knows that this individual is missing.”
Peterson was intrigued. “How does that work?”
“Well, look around,” Sophie replied, warming to her topic. She was always happy when a mystery presented itself because she was curious by nature. As far as she was concerned, anything was better than owning up to her insecurity regarding Grady. “Most of these people are traveling in groups.”
“I think that’s normal for a cruise,” Peterson said.
“Yes, but if you have a group of ten people and you’re constantly running off in groups of two or three, it would be relatively easy to gloss over the fact that one of the ten is missing because you’re not seeing everyone at the same time,” Sophie said. “Someone could be long gone and it might take hours for anyone to notice.”
“That’s an … interesting way of looking at it,” Peterson said after a beat. “Are you married to one of the Hardy Brothers Security workers?”
“Not yet,” Ally answered for Sophie. “It’s only a matter of time, though.”
Peterson’s eyes drifted from one ring finger to the next. He didn’t miss Ally and Emma’s engagement rings, or Mandy’s wedding band set. Sophie was the only one with a bare finger. “It seems to me she’s still open for offers,” he said.
Sophie balked. “Trust me. I’m not.”
“Oh, well, that’s disappointing,” Peterson said, his eyes twinkling. “I was hoping to buy you a drink later. I guess that’s my loss, huh?”
“Totally,” Ally said. “No one is open for offers, but if you’re buying, we’re all open for drinks.”
Peterson grinned at her forward nature. “Consider it done.”
“I HAVEN’T noticed anyone missing,” Tabitha said. “I heard my dad talking and know some blood was found on the deck. If I hear anything, I’ll let you know.”
She preened under James and Grady’s attention as her friends looked on with obvious envy.
“Remind everyone to count all of the members of their group several times a day,” James prodded. “It’s important.”
“It sounds boring, but I’ll do as you ask because you’re hot,” Tabitha said, grinning. “It’s too bad you’re married. I would love to take you for a spin.”
James was uncomfortable under the teenager’s heated stare. “I’m definitely married.”
“For now,” Tabitha said. “Won’t you get tired of her eventually and move on, though? That’s what my father did. Heck, he’s done it twice.”
“I’ll never do that,” James replied, swallowing his distaste. “I married for love and I’m only doing it once.”
“Yeah, you really don’t want to press him on the issue,” Grady said. “He doesn’t like questions about his future to revolve around anyone but Mandy.”
“That’s why he’s so … hot,” Tabitha said, her expression wistful. “Every woman wants a man to look at her the way he looks at that blonde. It’s … freaking amazing.”
James fought the urge to smile … and lost. “I am freaking amazing,” he agreed. “Just warn your friends about losing count of everyone in their group. Can you do that for us?”
“For a dance later.” Tabitha looked like the cat that swallowed a mouse after hours of stalking.
“I only dance with my wife,” James said, not missing a beat. “I’m sorry.”
“Ugh. You’re so boring for a hot guy.” Tabitha turned her attention to Grady. “What about you? You’re the only one not pledging yourself to one of those women for life. I noticed your girlfriend doesn’t have a ring. Does that mean you’ll dance with me?”
Grady was uncomfortable with the question. “That means I’ll wave at you over dinner,” he said. “As for the rest … looks can be deceiving.”
“Oh, whatever,” Tabitha said, waving them off. “If I can’t entice you two, well, you need to go. I’m going to have to settle for one of these morons to amuse me this afternoon. You’re going to scare them away with your muscles if you’re not careful.”
James chuckled as Grady scowled. “Just be careful,” he said. “Keep your eyes open.”
Tabitha mock saluted. “Yes, sir.”
James led Grady a few feet away so they could watch the crowd. “What do you think?” he asked after a beat. “Do you think someone was really hurt or are we overreacting?”
“I honestly have no idea,” Grady said, his mind busy as he glanced over his shoulder. “We should check on the girls.”
James snorted. “You’re the one who told me I was hovering,” he pointed out. “Why do you want to check on Sophie?”
“I just miss her.” Grady was defensive. “Is there something wrong with that?”
“No.” James looked his brother over with a thoughtful expression. “You brought the ring, didn’t you?”
“How did you know that?”
“It’s written all over your face,” James replied. “You’re clearly a man panicking about making a big proposal. I remember seeing your face in my mirror before I proposed to Mandy. I practiced like twenty times before I did it.”
“Did that make you feel better?”
“Worse.”
“So what good are you?”
James barked out a coarse laugh. “You’re a trip,” he said, shaking his head. “I’m here if you need bolstering, though. I can’t wait until Sophie is officially part of the family. As a reward, I will allow you to check on her.”
“Oh, puh-leez,” Grady scoffed. “You’re allowing me to check on Sophie because that means you can see Mandy without looking like a stalker.”
James’ demeanor shifted from happy to annoyed. “Don’t make me thump you.”
“Well, at least you’re getting back to normal,” Grady said. “The old James would’ve threatened to thump me hours ago, though. You need to work on your timing.”
“I’m pacing myself.”
9
Ni
ne
Grady was annoyed as he approached the women. Some guy with dark hair and one of those smiles you only see on toothpaste commercials stood next to them, chatting away aimlessly as if the deck was a singles bar and the women were open for offers. Whatever he said had Sophie and Ally laughing. Grady found it agitating.
“What’s up?” Ally asked when she caught sight of her brothers. “Did you find anything?”
“It looks like an accident right now,” James replied. “We have no concrete evidence to point the other way.”
“I told you,” Peterson said, his smile smug when it landed on Sophie. “What do you have to say to that?”
“I think you’re pretty full of yourself for a guy who doesn’t do security work,” Sophie shot back, turning her attention to Grady. “Do you have more work to do?”
“I don’t know yet,” Grady replied. “Finn and Jake are doing the first walkthrough and they’re moving faster than we expected. We might knockoff early and look at the initial data before approaching it from a different direction tomorrow.”
“That gets my vote,” Ally said, reclining in her chair. “I miss my cuddle bug.”
“Oh, I think we should get Jake a shirt that says that,” Grady teased. “He can wear it when Mandy paints her next portrait of Whipped Jake.”
Ally scowled. “I’m going to unleash my wrath on you when you least expect it.”
“I’m terrified.”
James glanced at Mandy’s empty lounger for a moment, reminding himself that she was an adult and could take care of herself, before focusing on the stranger. “I’m James Hardy.”
“I know.” The man didn’t extend his hand, instead offering James a smarmy smile. “I’ve heard all about you. I saw you in the infirmary this morning but didn’t introduce myself.”
James had no idea what that meant. “Who are you?”
“This is Jon Peterson,” Sophie announced. It was as if she sensed the tension rolling off James. “He’s head of customer relations.”
“I think that means he fetches drinks and plays volleyball,” Grady said.
“I figured that out myself.” James licked his lips. “Are you here entertaining everyone?”
Deadly Waves (Hardy Brothers Security Book 23) Page 7
