Deadly Conflicts (Hardy Brothers Security Book 21)

by Lily Harper Hart

  Ally made a face that was downright comical, and it wasn’t simply because of the margaritas. “If we don’t talk about the men in our lives, what are we going to talk about?”

  Mandy shrugged. “We’re adults. We’re not supposed to let our lives revolve around men.”

  “Yes, that’s lovely in theory,” Ally said. “I’m a pathetic person, though. My life does revolve around Jake.”

  “You’re not pathetic,” Mandy countered. “You’re … awesome.”

  “No, you’re awesome,” Ally said, taking another sip. “These are good. We should make them at your house one day.”

  “I like those blueberry ones we made the other day,” Mandy said. “These are good. Those were better, though.”

  Ally snorted. “You just like the blueberry ones because they turn your tongue blue,” she said. “James told Jake that you liked kissing him with your blue tongue, too. He said you reminded him of a horny smurf.”

  Mandy frowned. “That’s not very nice.”

  “The smurf part or the horny reference?”

  Mandy shrugged. “I’m not particularly fond of either of them.”

  “Yeah. I get that. Wait … what were we saying?”

  Mandy giggled, love for her friend washing over her. Ally was the one person who always managed to make her laugh. Sure, it was dangerous getting drunk with a person when you’re hiding something from them, but Mandy needed a break from James – and especially his parents – and Ally was the only person she thought about when the realization that she needed to get away hit.

  “You know I love your mom and dad, right?”

  Ally nodded. “Are they driving you crazy?”

  “Your dad walked into the guesthouse and saw me naked.”

  Ally giggled. “Were you guys in the middle of doing it?”

  “Right before.”

  “Oh, well, things could be worse,” Ally said. “You could’ve been actually in the middle of the act. That’s what happened to Jake and me when James walked in that first time.”

  “Yes, I still hear how traumatized he is by that every once in a while.”

  “I think that’s probably why Jake is still with me even though he doesn’t want to marry me.”

  Mandy froze at the words, uncertain she heard them correctly. “What?”

  “It’s true,” Ally said, taking another huge sip of her drink. She was going to be hammered in twenty minutes at the rate she was going. “Jake is probably only with me because he promised James he wouldn’t hurt me and now he’s caught.”

  “That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard.” Mandy didn’t realize how harsh the words sounded coming out of her mouth until it was too late to drag them back.

  “You’re stupid,” Ally shot back, wrinkling her nose. “It’s true.”

  “That is not true,” Mandy argued. “Jake loves you. He doesn’t care what James thinks. Well, he cares. They’re friends. You’re still the most important thing to him.”

  “I don’t think that’s true,” Ally said, her expression morose. “I brought up the topic of marriage the other day.”

  Mandy was thankful Ally’s eyes were trained on the table because she couldn’t hide her obvious gulp. “I … um … what did he say?”

  “He blew off the question and said he loved me.”

  “Are you sure he didn’t just misunderstand the question and that he really does love you?” Mandy asked.

  “I want to believe he loves me but … maybe he’s never going to marry me.”

  Mandy was flustered. She had a pile of information at her fingertips and she couldn’t use any of it because it would ruin things for both Jake and Ally. She was determined not do that. “Can I ask you a question?”

  Ally’s shoulders hopped up and down. “Is this like one of those questions you ask James where I’m going to have to be philosophical and deep? If so, I don’t think I’m up for that.”

  Mandy shook her head. “No. It’s a regular question.”

  “Shoot.”

  “Where did your sudden desire for marriage come from? I mean, I know you want to get married, but it wasn’t such a dire predicament when we had drinks a week ago.”

  “It’s not a dire predicament,” Ally said. “I always thought that we would get married when the time was right. I thought Jake would somehow know the perfect moment. I stupidly assumed he was planning something big … and, yes, I know how lame that sounds.”

  “It doesn’t sound lame,” Mandy said, hoping her voice reflected neutrality instead of squeaky panic. “Ally, I think you’re going off the rails here. I thought I was the one doing that, but now I think it’s you. Jake loves you. Please don’t doubt that.”

  “I know Jake loves me,” Ally said. “I just don’t understand why he doesn’t want to marry me. I wasn’t even worried about it until Vince brought it up the other day and now it’s all I can think about.”

  “Vince?” Things slipped into place for Mandy. “What does he have to do with this?”

  “Nothing,” Ally replied hurriedly. “He actually followed me out to the office because I had to send a fax and we got to talking and things just kind of spilled out there. He wasn’t hitting on me or anything. He just wanted me to know I had options in case Jake never proposed.”

  “Uh-huh.” Mandy wasn’t even remotely convinced that was true. “He just sort of followed you and accidentally said things that made you feel insecure?”

  “I’m not insecure!”

  “You’re acting insecure,” Mandy argued. “Jake loves you so much and instead of believing that you’re putting faith in a guy who walked out on you without a backward glance five years ago.”

  Ally narrowed her eyes. “I’m not putting faith in Vince. I don’t trust him. That’s not what I was saying.”

  “What were you saying?”

  “That … I need Jake to love me.” Ally’s eyes filled with tears and Mandy’s heart almost broke in two at the traumatized look on her friend’s face.

  Mandy got up from her seat and gave Ally a hug, the friends embracing for a long moment. “Jake does love you,” Mandy whispered. “I swear it. I see it every time he looks at you. Have a little faith, Ally.”

  Ally wiped away an errant tear and nodded. “I’m sorry I’m being such a pill.”

  “Me, too,” Mandy said, offering her friend a rueful smile. “I called you here to buck me up. I didn’t know it was going to be the other way around.”

  “Speaking of bucking up,” Ally said, sucking in a breath and collecting herself. “What did my brother do to tick you off?”

  Mandy opened her mouth to answer, making sure to collect her thoughts before doing so. Before she could utter a word, though, a tall figure moved in at Ally’s left and caused her heart to plummet.

  “Hello! What a nice surprise.”

  Ally widened her eyes when she caught sight of Vince, stunned disbelief flitting across her features before she locked gazes with Mandy. What are the odds? “Um, hi.”

  “It’s nice to see you again,” Vince said, flashing a warm smile in Mandy’s direction. “Both of you. It must be kismet or something. Running into you like this out of the blue … it’s fate.”

  “I don’t really believe in fate,” Ally said, her cheeks flushed with color. “I do believe in grapefruit margaritas. If you want to buy us another round, we’d be happy to drink them. I mean … there’s no harm in old friends having a few drinks, is there?”

  “As long as I can join you, that sounds like a great idea.”

  Mandy forced a smile even though her stomach twisted with worry. “I have to go to the bathroom. I’ll be right back.”

  “Do you want more of the same?” Ally asked, oblivious to her friend’s shifting mood.

  “That sounds lovely,” Mandy said, clutching her small purse closer to her chest. “I’ll be right back.”

  “Take your time,” Vince said, his eyes trained on the vee in Ally’s shirt. “We’ll keep your seat warm.”

&
nbsp; “I’ll be right back,” Mandy repeated. She maintained her cool until she rounded the corner that led to the bathroom and then dug in the purse until she found her cell phone. She wasn’t thrilled with the call she was about to make, but she didn’t have any other options.

  James picked up on the first ring. “Where are you?”

  “Um … .” She didn’t like the tone of his voice. He was her husband, not her keeper.

  As if sensing her anger through the phone, James adjusted his harsh tone. “Baby, where are you? I’m worried. I don’t like going to our bedroom and finding a note when I expect to find you.”

  “I’m sorry. I … .”

  “Where are you, baby?” James repeated. “I know you’re with Ally and Jake is beside himself because he thinks you might tell her what he has planned.”

  “I wouldn’t do that.” Tears flooded Mandy’s eyes. “I didn’t mean to blurt it out like that. I wouldn’t tell Ally.”

  “I know you wouldn’t,” James said. “I have faith in you. I told Jake before you walked into the garage that you wouldn’t say anything. I desperately need to know where you guys are, though. Jake is going to have a meltdown. He’s a calm guy, so it takes a lot to push him over the edge. He’s almost there, though.”

  “We’re at the Shores Inn.”

  James was silent on the other end of the phone for a moment. “That explains why your car is here and Ally’s is at home. You guys took a cab because they have that shuttle service.”

  “Yes.”

  “Okay,” James said, his voice clipped. “I was worried about you, but I am not tracking you down and dragging you back home. I will be here when you’re ready to come back, but if you’re filthy drunk, I’m not taking care of you. This one is on you.”

  “I’ve only had two drinks,” Mandy said, her voice cracking.

  “Baby, why are you crying?” James’ frustration was evident over the phone. “I thought you needed some space. Isn’t that why you took off?”

  “I just wanted to have a few drinks and complain about men with Ally,” Mandy replied. “I was going to pretend I didn’t want to complain about men and then let her draw it out of me. Not Jake’s plan, mind you, just how annoying I find men sometimes.”

  “Uh-huh.” James wasn’t thrilled with the admission. “So what’s wrong?”

  “Ally doesn’t think Jake loves her and is convinced he’s never going to propose.”

  “We both know that’s not the case and you’d better not say a thing to her,” James warned.

  “That’s not why I’m calling!”

  James sucked in a deep breath. “Fine. Why are you calling?”

  “Vince Dawkins showed up here and acted as if it was a coincidence, but I’m not that stupid,” Mandy said. “I think he’s following Ally and she’s kind of drunk and I don’t know what to do because we don’t have a car.”

  “Okay, baby,” James said, his attitude shifting. “We’re on our way. Hold Vince off for fifteen minutes. Do you think you can do that?”

  “Can I dump margaritas on him?”

  “Wife, I don’t care if you dump the entire contents of the bar on him,” James replied. “If he touches you, though, I’ll kill him. Don’t let him convince Ally to do anything stupid.”

  “I’m worried.” Mandy’s voice was small and she hated admitting something like that to her husband. “He makes me nervous.”

  “I am coming for you right now,” James said. “I’m going to beat him senseless when I get there. Just … hold on. I promise I will be right there. Just … hold on. I promise everything is going to be okay.”

  18

  Eighteen

  “Let’s order more drinks.”

  Fifteen minutes later the second pitcher of margaritas was toast and so was Mandy’s patience. She grabbed the empty pitcher from Ally and shook her head. She’d managed to sober up nicely in the time since she called James and she’d been watching the front door for a familiar face ever since.

  “You don’t need another drink,” Mandy admonished. “How about you have a glass of water instead?”

  Ally wrinkled her nose. “I don’t want a glass of water.”

  “Yeah, she doesn’t want a glass of water,” Vince intoned, leaning into Ally. His chair had gotten progressively closer with each passing moment. “She’s a big girl. Leave her alone … killjoy.”

  Mandy already disliked the man when she made the call. She hated him now. “Don’t talk to me like that.”

  “Like what?” Vince feigned innocence. “I’m not talking to you like anything so … chill.”

  “How about you bite me?” Mandy shot back. “I think that sounds like a better plan.”

  Ally was beyond tipsy so she had trouble wrapping her head around Mandy’s attitude. “Am I missing something?”

  “No,” Vince said. “You’re too cute to miss anything.”

  Mandy rolled her eyes so hard she thought she might fall out of her chair. “Yeah, you’re missing something,” she said. “This guy is following you around and he’s a total douche.”

  “Excuse me?” Vince’s eyes flashed with anger. “I see you get your social skills from your husband.”

  “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

  “You shouldn’t,” Vince said, raising his hand to signal the waitress. “Come on, Ally. Let’s get more drinks and move out to the deck. Your friend is raining on my parade and I don’t like it.”

  She might’ve been drunk, but Ally wasn’t so far gone she would get up and abandon Mandy. “No, she’s right. It’s a weekday and I have to work tomorrow. I’ve had more than enough.”

  “Oh, good grief,” Vince lamented. “What happened to you? You used to be so much more fun. This is what happens when you spend your days pining for a carny.”

  “Stop calling Jake that!” Ally exploded.

  “Hey, it’s not my fault he’s not giving you what you want,” Vince said. “He can’t. He’s a limited individual … just like this one.” He jerked his thumb in Mandy’s direction. “She’s only friends with you because she thinks she has to be to make her husband happy. What she doesn’t understand is that her husband is an ass and he’s probably sleeping with every woman in town when she’s not looking.”

  “That did it.” Mandy grabbed a pitcher of beer from a passing waitress’s tray and didn’t hesitate. She threw it in Vince’s face before the waitress had a chance to register what was happening.

  “Hey!”

  “I’m going to kill you,” Vince hissed, wiping the beer from his face. “I just … this is an expensive suit!”

  “That doesn’t make you any less of a douche,” Mandy shot back, flashing a rueful smile at the waitress. “You can put that on his tab. He’s paying.”

  “You stupid bitch,” Vince barked. “I hope you die a long and torturous death and that your husband knocks up some hussy and embarrasses you so much you crawl into a hole and are never heard from again when it finally happens.”

  “Hey!” Ally was on her feet, but she didn’t get a chance to blurt out whatever angry remarks flooded her mind because Vince was being dragged away from her by a hand around his throat before she could form words. “What the … ?”

  James was furious when he slammed Vince into a wall. “Don’t ever talk to my wife that way!”

  “Let me go,” Vince choked out, gasping for breath. “I … she started it.”

  “Yes, I’m sure the tiny woman deserved you threatening her,” James seethed. “Don’t look at her! Look at me.”

  Jake stood between Mandy and James, his face unreadable.

  “Jake?” Ally was confused. “What are you doing here?”

  “I’m going to take you home, angel,” Jake said gently, sliding a glance at Mandy. “James is here for Mandy.”

  “But … how did you know?”

  “I called them,” Mandy replied, taking Jake by surprise with her fortitude. “I was worried when Vince showed up. There’s no way he could just happen upon us h
ere. We never come here. That’s why we picked this place.”

  “But … do you really think he’s following me?” Ally’s mind was muddled from the margaritas. “Is that why you were mean to Vince from the moment he sat down?”

  Mandy shrugged. “I don’t like him.”

  “She threw beer on me,” Vince sputtered, his cheeks crimson. “She’s a bitch!”

  James slammed Vince into the wall again for good measure. Everyone in the bar stared in their direction, but he didn’t care. “Don’t ever say anything about my wife again. Do you understand me?”

  Vince’s eyes were murderous, but he slowly nodded.

  “Don’t come near my sister again either,” James warned. “I will not be happy if that happens.”

  “She’s an adult.” Vince was defiant. “She can make her own decisions.”

  “And I have,” Ally said. “I don’t think you should come near me again. I … have you been following me?”

  “Of course not,” Vince said. “Don’t listen to them, Ally. They’re making things up because they want to control you. Your brother is the ringleader, but his airhead wife is just as guilty.”

  James slammed Vince against the wall a third time, ignoring the nervous-looking waitress approaching from his left. Vince was in no real danger since his shoulders were taking the brunt of the blows, but the bar was completely silent except for their small group now and everything was occurring out in the open.

  “I will not warn you again,” James said, refusing to lower his voice. “Stop following my sister! Stop insulting my wife! Stay away from my family!”

  “James, I think that’s enough,” Jake said, putting his hand on his boss’s forearm. “He gets the picture.”

  James reluctantly released Vince, his glare pointed as he refused to take a step away from the man and give him room to breathe.

  “I see you’re a trained carny,” Vince said, shooting Jake a derisive look.

  To everyone’s surprise, Ally slapped Vince so hard it echoed throughout the room. “Don’t ever talk like that to him,” Ally said. “Don’t come near me again either. I’m not joking.”