Deadly Conflicts (Hardy Brothers Security Book 21)

by Lily Harper Hart

  “Oh, why?” Ally adopted a mocking tone. “Are you here to steal my virtue?”

  “You gave that away for free a long time ago,” Vince said. “It wasn’t that good to begin with so don’t let your ego get away from you.”

  Ally made a disgusted face but refrained from slapping him, which was what she really wanted to do. “So, what do you want?”

  “Money.”

  Ally stilled, surprised. “Money?”

  “Yes, and you’re going to get a lot of it for me, Ally,” Vince said. “If you don’t, I’m going to have to start hurting you. You’re the type of woman who won’t do the right thing until she tries every wrong thing in the book first. I don’t have time for that. So, you’re either going to give me money or I’m going to start breaking bones. Which is it going to be?”

  “HE’S inside the living room and Ally is sitting on the couch,” Jake said, greeting James on the street corner before the man could completely vacate his Explorer. She looks okay, a little scared maybe, but she’s alive. I don’t think he’s armed, which is good for us.”

  James rested his hand on Jake’s shoulder, cringing when Jake’s eyes traveled to the back of the Explorer and witnessed Louis and Rose climbing out of the back seat. “We’ll get her back.”

  “What are they doing here?” Jake was flabbergasted.

  “They heard us talking in the garage and insisted on joining us,” Grady said. “We didn’t have time to argue.”

  “That’s my baby,” Louis said, his forehead creasing. “Why aren’t we rushing the house?”

  “Because we don’t want to get Ally killed,” James snapped. He was at his wit’s end. He clearly didn’t want to work in front of an audience but saw no other choice. “You guys get back in that truck and be quiet.”

  “You be quiet,” Rose shot back. “You’re not the boss of me.”

  “Oh, I just … .” James pinched the bridge of his nose. “This is like the worst day ever.”

  “It will be fine,” Rodrigo said, moving to the spot next to James. He and Sven followed the family to Ally’s house, refusing to leave when they knew they could help. “Ally is strong and Vince can’t kill her. She’s the only leverage he’s got.”

  “That doesn’t make me feel any better,” James said.

  “How are we going to do this?” Louis asked, rubbing his hands together. “Should I pretend to be a deliveryman and punch Vince when he comes to the door?”

  “Oh, my … no!” James glanced down the street, his gaze falling on Ally’s house. Everyone was smart enough to park almost a block away to avoid Vince seeing them. He didn’t know they were there. That was an advantage. “We’re going to play this smart.”

  “Oh, well, there’s a first time for everything,” Grady deadpanned.

  James ignored him. He knew his brother was talking out of both sides of his mouth because he was worried. He always did that. Ally being in danger upset everyone, especially the Hardy brother she fought with most often.

  “Rodrigo and Sven are going through the back,” James said. “We want Vince focused on us, which means Jake and I are going through the front. Grady, I want you to go with Sven and Rodrigo. You know that trick to the lock on Ally’s back gate.”

  Grady wordlessly nodded.

  “Why do you want Vince’s attention on you?” Louis asked, legitimately curious. “Wouldn’t it be better if you just jumped through the front window and grabbed him?”

  “In theory,” James replied. “What happens if Vince panics, though? He’s closer to Ally and might be able to get his hands on her before we can stop him. We do not want him using her as a human shield. The police are on the way. We need to focus on him from the front and let the other three go in through the back and get Ally. It’s the safest course.”

  “How do you know he’ll focus on you?” Rose asked.

  James exchanged a smug look with Jake. “I think we can pretty much guarantee it,” he said, shifting his eyes to Jake’s truck. Mandy sat in the passenger seat, her eyes glued to the house. She looked anxious. “Give me twenty seconds.”

  He hurried over to the window and waited for Mandy to roll it down.

  “Go get her,” Mandy instructed. She’d been crying. James recognized the puffy redness surrounding her eyes.

  “I’m going, baby,” James said, cupping the back of her head. “You stay right here. Don’t leave this truck. I’ll bring Ally out to you.”

  Mandy chewed on her bottom lip and nodded.

  “Watch my parents while you’re at it,” James said. “They might panic. They’re not used to tense situations like us.”

  “Like us?” Mandy blew out a sigh. “Be careful.”

  “I will.” James pressed a quick kiss to her mouth. “Don’t worry about anything. This will be over before you know it.”

  “That would be a nice change of pace.”

  “I DON’T have any money,” Ally said, resting her hands on her bare knees. She was dressed in simple cotton sleep shorts and a tank top. She hadn’t been expecting company so didn’t bother to dress after Jake left. “I’m a secretary, for crying out loud.”

  “Yes, but your brother is rich,” Vince said. “You’re going to call and tell him I need fifty grand – in cash – or he’s never going to see you again.”

  “I’m not doing that.” Ally was frightened – Vince’s bone-breaking comments sending a chill through her – but she refused to back down. “I’m not helping you. You can die for all I care.”

  “I will die if you don’t help me, Ally,” Vince said. “There are a lot of people out there who want to hurt me. I have to get out of here. I had a plan for that, but your brother ruined it.”

  Ally was confused. She had no idea what Vince was talking about. “Do you owe the mob money or something? If so, we know someone who might be able to help.”

  “No, I turned on some low-ranking mafia types out in California,” Vince explained. “They’re out to get me. I came home because I had a plan. That car was part of it. Your brothers ruined my plan when they found the car and now I don’t have enough money to run.”

  “Well, that’s not really my fault,” Ally said. “You created your own problems. I think you should have to deal with them.”

  “I was dealing with them until James decided to stick his nose into my business,” Vince snapped. “Now he’s going to fix the problem he made. I need money and he’s going to give it to me.”

  “Oh, I don’t think that’s going to happen.” James appeared in front of the open window, his hands raised. Ally’s eyes widened when she caught sight of her brother and all she could do was gasp. “Are you okay, little sister?”

  Ally bobbed her head up and down.

  “It’s going to be all right,” James said. “We’re here. We got your message with the security system. I won’t let him hurt you.”

  “I hoped you got the message,” Ally said. “I … where’s Jake?”

  “I’m right here.” Jake appeared in the hallway, causing Vince to cast his terrified eyes in that direction.

  “How did you get in this house?” Vince was beside himself.

  “I live here,” Jake replied calmly. “I know how to get in and out. James and I wanted to make sure we approached you from two different directions, so I came through the bedroom window while he went through the front.”

  “Yeah, you really should’ve paid better attention when you forced your way in here,” James said, punching a code into the security system and then opening the front door to test it. He seemed calm – at ease even – but Ally knew better. “Ally did the exact right thing. She pressed the panic alarm and when she didn’t answer her phone the security company called Jake.”

  “Then I called James,” Jake said. “The police are on their way, too.”

  “You’re lying,” Vince hissed, blindly reaching for Ally’s hair. She easily avoided his hand and moved off the couch. Vince was too worried about James and Jake attacking to pay close attention to her.<
br />
  “You’re unarmed,” Jake said. “You still broke into my house and terrorized my … angel. I’m pretty sure that’s going to cost you.”

  “I’m pretty sure he’s right,” James said, internally snickering when he caught a hint of panic wafting off of Vince. The man was outnumbered and overwhelmed, and he didn’t even know about the three men entering through the kitchen door. “You should’ve never touched my sister.”

  “You’ve got that right,” Jake said, taking Vince by surprise as he strode closer and grabbed his arm. Jake cocked his fist back and slammed it into Vince’s face, the sickening crunch of breaking bones filling the air as Vince listed to the side and slid down the side of the sofa. James watched with amusement as Ally closed the distance between herself and Jake, throwing her arms around his neck.

  “I knew you would come for me,” she said. “I was surprised when I saw James, though. I thought for a second you weren’t going to be here.”

  “We wanted to make sure his attention was split,” Jake explained, cupping the back of her head as he rocked her. “Are you okay? Did he hurt you?”

  “Just a little. He threw me into the couch.”

  Jake growled as he glared at Vince, who lay unmoving on the floor.

  “He must have a glass jaw,” James lamented. “He went down like a ton of bricks. I’m kind of sorry I didn’t get to hit him.”

  “Join the club,” Grady said, walking into the living with a bored-looking Sven and Rodrigo flanking him. “I didn’t even get to see the takedown.”

  “It wasn’t much of a takedown,” James said, moving past Vince so he could get a better look at Ally. She had red marks on her arm but otherwise seemed solid. “Are you okay? Mandy is out in Jake’s truck and she’s about to have a meltdown if she doesn’t see you.”

  “How come you didn’t bring her?”

  “I didn’t want her to be in danger,” James said, shifting his eyes back to Vince. “I had no idea this was going to be the easiest takedown in the history of takedowns. Had I known that I would’ve been the one insisting on hitting Vince. I thought we would both get a turn.”

  “Well, hindsight,” Ally said, shrugging. She seemed to be in good spirits for a woman held hostage for part of the afternoon. “Do you know all the ins and outs of what he was doing?”

  “My genius blonde figured it out,” James replied. “Our friend here is going away for a long time, and I’m sure he’ll turn on whoever he was working with to get a better deal. That seems to be the way he operates. There’s no way he will get off without prison time this go around, though.”

  “Well, it couldn’t have happened to a nicer jerkoff,” Ally said, burrowing her face in the hollow of Jake’s neck. “I’m glad you came to my rescue.”

  “I will always be here for that,” Jake said, kissing her cheek and pulling her tight as he sank into one of the chairs at the edge of the room. He was content holding her. Heck, he would be content holding her like this for the rest of his life.

  “I’m still sorry I missed hitting him,” James said. “That would’ve made my day.”

  “Hey, it looks like you still have a chance,” Grady said, inclining his chin toward the spot behind James and pointing. “I think he was faking being knocked out.”

  “Of course he was,” James muttered. “He’s a total wimp.”

  Vince was on his feet and moving, aiming his unsteady body toward the front door.

  “Don’t make me chase you,” James warned.

  Vince didn’t stop running, instead bolting through the open doorframe. He didn’t get very far, though. The unmistakable sound of something metal striking something hard – like Vince’s empty head – filled the room and Vince fell backward when a shovel appeared in the opening. Someone had struck him with the lawn tool, and since he was running at the time, the blow was fairly severe.

  James expected to see his father appear in the opening. Instead he saw a familiar blonde. Mandy dipped her head inside and glanced around. “Everyone good?”

  “I told you to stay in the truck,” James snapped. “Why didn’t you? I had this under control.”

  “I don’t like him and don’t you even think about yelling at me,” Mandy said. “I just did you a favor.”

  “You’re in big trouble, wife,” James said, moving around the couch and kicking Vince’s arm with his foot to make sure he was legitimately out before pulling her to him. “You’re in huge trouble!”

  “I don’t really care,” Mandy said. “You’re still massaging me for two hours in the hot tub tonight.”

  “That’s not going to be nearly as much fun without nudity,” James muttered, smoothing her hair as he kissed her forehead. “You’re still in trouble.”

  “Oh, leave the girl alone,” Louis admonished, stepping into the doorway. “You should’ve seen the way she teed up Vince’s head and gave it a good whack. I forgot she was a good softball player when she was younger.”

  James made a disgusted sound in the back of his throat. “I told her to stay in the truck!”

  “You’ll get over it,” Rose said, appearing behind her husband and smiling when she saw Jake holding Ally as close as humanly possible without their two bodies fusing together. “A happy ending.”

  “We all get happy endings,” James said. “We’ve all earned them the hard way, too.”

  “I agree.” Rose’s smile was enigmatic. “You’re a secretive lot, though. That much has become obvious over our visit.”

  “We’re not secretive to be jerks,” James said. “We just don’t want you worrying.”

  “Well, I don’t think you’re going to be able to get away with your crap any longer,” Rose said. “We’re not going to let you be secretive and cut us out of all the excitement. That part of your lives is over.”

  James knit his eyebrows together, confused. “What do you mean?”

  “Your mother and I put in an offer on a house yesterday,” Louis replied. “The owner accepted. As of now, we officially live close to all of you.”

  “Oh, well, good,” Grady said. “I for one am glad to have the best parents in the world close.”

  “Shut up, you suck-up,” James said, causing Rodrigo and Sven to snicker. “I can’t believe you’re moving down here. What about your house up north?”

  “We already sold it,” Louis replied. “The entire point of our visit was to see what you’ve been hiding and then unveil a little secret of our own. You know, give you a taste of your own medicine.”

  “Well, great,” James said. “Does that mean you’ll be living with us until your house is ready?” He was resigned to the possibility.

  “Oh, that doesn’t seem fair to everyone else,” Rose said, smirking. “We’re going to jump around from house to house and stay with everybody.”

  “Oh, well, that sounds great,” James said, beaming when he locked gazes with Grady. “I think Grady’s house should be first on your tour.”

  “I was thinking the same thing,” Rose said.

  “Oh, man.” Grady made a dirty face. “This family sucks.”

  “No, this family is amazing,” Jake said, pressing his eyes shut as he rocked Ally. “This is the only family I know where it’s okay to be yourself … and love as deeply as you possibly can.”

  “Oh, that’s a sweet sentiment,” Rose said. “I happen to agree. Grady, we’ll be at your place tonight. We expect you to have dinner ready when we get there.”

  “Yay!” James clapped his hands behind Mandy’s back as he continued to hug her. “Shark Week is back on, baby!”

  “And all is right with the world,” Mandy said, giggling.

  23

  Twenty-Three

  “What a beautiful night.”

  Ally pulled the black helmet off, giving no heed to her wild waves as they spilled out, and perched it on the back of Jake’s motorcycle. Two days prior she was held hostage – kind of – but she didn’t even suffer a tiny nightmare when it was all said and done.

  Vince was
behind bars, local police working to coordinate charges with California law enforcement officials. He would probably end up serving time in Michigan, but only because a multitude of people he put behind bars littered California jails and the odds of him surviving their wrath were slim. The Michigan police were looking for a low-level mafia freelancer who helped him steal the car, but they didn’t appear worried that he would eventually turn up.

  Jake and Ally spent the next day in bed – other than fixing the front window, of course – and James gave Jake the rest of the week off so they could spend it together. Louis and Rose were happily settled at Grady’s house – although the middle Hardy brother wasn’t nearly as gleeful as they were – and that allowed Jake and Ally to bask in one another for as long as they wanted. Jake’s suggestion of a sunset picnic at their favorite spot took Ally by surprise, but she gladly accepted.

  Jake took care of everything in the basket and refused to show her what he packed. They linked fingers as they walked toward their favorite bluff. It was just a short jaunt through the trees and then they would have absolute serenity at their fingertips.

  “It is a beautiful night,” Jake agreed, squeezing Ally’s hand as they walked. “I have a beautiful night and a breathtaking woman. From where I’m standing, things are just about perfect.”

  “Ooh, you’re such a smooth talker tonight,” Ally teased. “Just for the record, I’m a sure thing. You don’t have to pull out all of your seduction tricks.”

  “Who said anything about tricks?”

  Jake smiled when he caught sight of the flickering candles, his heart rolling when he heard Ally’s audible gasp. He had help planning his night, Mandy and James agreeing to light as many candles as he needed to make sure the bluff looked exactly how he envisioned.

  The sun was low in the sky and it cast a warm glow over the expansive area. The light wouldn’t last long, but the candles – arranged in the shape of a heart – would be there to light the way once the sun exited. He wanted to see every second from here on out.

  “What’s going on?” Ally swallowed hard, her heart hammering when she caught sight of the display. “I … what … did you do this?”