Deadly Prospects (11 page)

Jake alternated between buds, pressing her breasts together to make it easier. After a few moments, he kissed his way down her abdomen, pulling her yoga pants down her thighs as he went.

Ally yanked at his shirt, desperate to feel his skin. Jake let her pull it off of him, remaining still as her hands roamed over his firm chest. She leaned forward, pressing a kiss to his steamy skin. Her hands moved down to his narrow waist, slowly torturing Jake with both her gentleness and desire. She unbuttoned his pants, reaching inside and wrapping her hand around him.

Jake groaned, helping as she tried to push his pants down. He quickly stripped, tossing the jeans across the room and immediately removing his boxer shorts so they could be skin to skin. It took all of his stamina not to enter her right there. Ally had other ideas.

She pushed his chest, directing him to rest on his back so she could climb on top of him. Ally straddled him, kissing her way back up his body, her long hair tickling every nerve ending in his body as she moved upwards.

Jake accepted her kiss, massaging her tongue with his own. His hands rested on her hips, letting her take the initiative as she guided his length inside of her. They fit together, Jake realized. The center of her being was like a glove for his poised strength.

She arched her back, throwing her long hair over her shoulders as she rode him, her hands planted on his chest.

“Oh, angel,” Jake murmured. “You feel so good.”

Ally didn’t speak. For the first time since he’d met her, she had no words. The sounds she made as his fingers found her sensitive nerve bundle were more than enough to make up for it.

Ally cried out as pleasure overtook her, Jake following suit seconds later. He pulled her still shaking body down to his, pressing a kiss to her forehead as the tremors continued to wrack them.

They still had dinner to eat, but the night had a lot more to offer than food. Neither one of them would sleep much that night, and yet peace managed to find and placate them both.

“What have you got?” James asked, walking into his office and finding Jake sitting in the chair behind his desk.

Jake looked up from the computer screen and shook his head. “Nothing yet. I had to start all over.”

“Why?”

“Because I started the last one and it never finished,” Jake said. “I forgot to check it, and I’m guessing you did the same. I had to start fresh.”

James sighed. “Well, we don’t have another choice.”

“You’re still convinced the cops are hiding something?”

“You don’t think they are?” James asked. “You were there. They were acting weird.”

“No, I agree they were hiding something,” Jake said. “I’m just not sure we can assume whatever they’re hiding is going to help us – or that we’re going to be able to discover it.”

James shrugged. “It can’t hurt to look.”

“Agreed.

James leaned against the desk, his arms crossed. “So, um, did you and Ally make up?”

Jake smirked. He knew James was trying to play it cool, but the eldest Hardy brother was apparently struggling. “We had a talk,” Jake said. “I think she’s okay now.”

“You think?”

Jake knew Ally was better than okay. They’d been better than okay several times the previous night – and again this morning. There was no way he was sharing that with her brother.

“She’s fine, James,” Jake said. “I took your advice. It took a little convincing, but she forgave me.”

“You groveled, didn’t you?”

“Pretty much.”

“Did the dinner at least help?”

“I think being honest helped,” Jake said. “The dinner definitely didn’t hurt.”

James nodded, relieved. “I’m glad.”

Jake turned his attention back to the computer screen. He expected James to leave, but he didn’t.

“So, um, things are good between the two of you, right?”

“They’re good.”

“And, um, Ally is happy?”

“Ally seemed very happy.”

James scowled. “That’s not what I meant.”

“Then maybe you should stop asking questions,” Jake suggested.

“I can’t seem to help myself.”

“Try.”

“Okay,” James said, moving away from the desk. “So, what have you come up with on Michael Sawyer so far?”

“Not a lot,” Jake said. “He owned Pauly’s Diner for the past three years. He was fifty-three, and the restaurant belonged to his uncle before he took it over. Before that, he had a number of different jobs, none of them stand out, and none of them seem to be careers.”

“Meaning?”

“He worked in at least three different restaurants, most of them in Macomb County,” Jake said. “He also worked retail, including three years at a Best Buy and another four years at Macomb Mall.”

“That’s not a great commentary on him,” James said. “Any idea why he couldn’t keep a job?”

“Do you mean was the high turnover rate voluntary or involuntary?”

James nodded.

“I have no idea,” Jake said. “That’s going to take some more digging.”

“What else?”

“There’s a criminal file,” Jake said.

Now James was interested. “Go on.”

“It’s sealed,” Jake said. “I called Maverick. I’m hoping he can unseal it. I believe his exact words were ‘chill, dude, it will take me less time than it takes you to do your hair.’”

James snorted. “How long ago was that?”

“About an hour ago.”

“We’ll give him another hour, and then I’ll get on him,” James said. “We need to know what’s in that file.” The sound of voices drew James’ attention. He glanced over his shoulder, beckoning for Grady and Finn to join them in the office. “Where have you two been?”

“Some of us work around here,” Grady said, sitting down in one of the chairs and leaning back. “I had to make sure that security was set up at the trade center. The gun show is this weekend. Did you forget?”

James frowned. He had forgotten. “Oh, right. What about you?”

Finn rolled his eyes. “I was working until almost four in the morning playing chauffeur.”

James rubbed his forehead with the heel of his hand. “Sorry. I forgot about that, too.”

“Do you want to tell us what has you so off your game?” Grady asked.

James exchanged a look with Jake.

“What is it?” Finn pressed, reading the look and not liking it in the least.

“We have a few things to update you on,” James said. “Before we do, though, you guys are going to have to promise to keep what we tell you to yourselves.”

“Who else would we tell?” Grady asked, tucking a strand of his shoulder-length brown hair behind his ear.

“You can’t tell Sophie or Emma,” James said. “We’re also keeping it from Ally and Mandy.”

Finn made a face. “What’s going on?”

James told Finn and Grady about Ally’s car breaking down, and what Larry had found underneath. When he was done, both of his brothers were flabbergasted.

“How could you not tell us this?” Grady exploded.

“We just found out yesterday,” James said. “I planned on telling you, but now you see why we can’t tell any of them.”

“Don’t you think Ally should know?” Finn pressed.

“I’m worried she’ll freak out,” James admitted. “She doesn’t have the best track record when it comes to stuff like this.”

“She might surprise you,” Finn said.

“She might,” James agreed. “She also might completely flip her lid. She’s our sister. I want her safe.”

“And how do you plan on keeping her safe?”

“We’re waiting for Maverick to unseal a police record on Michael Sawyer right now,” James said. “That’s going to give us a place to look.”

“And after that?” Finn asked.

“Then we’ll see,” James said. “One step at a time.”

Grady and Finn exchanged dubious looks. “I’m not sure I like this,” Finn said.

“I know I don’t like it,” James said. “I still think it’s our best option.”

The laptop in front of Jake dinged, signifying an incoming email message. Three sets of brown eyes turned, waiting.

“He unsealed the record,” Jake said. “He also says he ate a pizza and took a shower, in case we care.”

“He’s such a tool sometimes,” Finn chortled.

“What does it say?” James asked.

Jake’s forehead was crinkled, his eyes intense. “It seems that our Mr. Sawyer was involved in a robbery twenty years ago.”

“What kind of robbery?”

“An armored truck heist,” Jake said.

“Wait, how did that not show up on his regular record?” Grady asked.

Jake focused on the record more closely. “The truck was ambushed on I-94, just north of Chesterfield Township,” Jake said. “It was an open area then, or at least a lot more open than it is now. The guards on the truck put up a fight, and two of the robbers were injured in an exchange of gunfire.”

“Let me guess, Sawyer was one of the ones injured?” James said.

“Yup. He got a deal,” Finn said. “That’s why it’s not on his record and it’s sealed.”

Jake nodded. “He provided information and testimony against two other men.”

The Hardy brothers waited. Jake obviously wasn’t done.

“The money was never found,” Jake said. “And no one did any time in the robbery.”

“How does that work?” Finn asked.

“I’m not sure,” Jake said, licking his lips. “There’s not a lot of detail in here.”

“Well, that’s our first order of business then,” James said. “We need details.”

“We need court details,” Grady corrected. “And we have only one way of getting those.”

James scowled. “Crap.”

“Don’t look now,” Finn said. “But our way is about to walk through the front door.”

James was already shaking his head. “Don’t say anything. I need to think about this.”

Mandy chose that moment to breeze into the room, pulling up short when she saw all four men standing in the office together. “What’s up?”

“We were just talking about the workload for the week,” James said. “What’s up with you?”

“I just got off work,” Mandy said, her gaze jumping from face to face. “What’s going on?”

“Why do you think something is going on?” James asked.

“Because you all look guilty.”

“We don’t look guilty,” James said, slipping his arm around Mandy’s waist and drawing her close. “We’re just talking about work.”

Mandy accepted James’ welcoming kiss. “I know you guys are lying,” she said. “You can keep your secrets. They really don’t interest me.” She patted James’ rear affectionately. “I’m going out tonight.”

“Where?”

“I don’t know,” Mandy said. “Ally wants to go out. I’m going to call Sophie and Emma, too. You guys can keep doing whatever it is you’re doing without any of us bothering you.”

James exchanged a worried look with Jake. “Why do you have to go out?”

“I don’t
have
to go out,” Mandy said. “Ally wants to go out. I don’t see what the big deal is. We won’t be late. I have to work tomorrow.”

“Why can’t they come over here?” James asked. “I’ll stay down here and work, and you guys can have the apartment to yourselves.”

“Why would we do that when we can go out to the bar and get frilly little drinks and gossip without the possibility of you eavesdropping?”

“No offense, baby,” James said. “But I don’t care what you guys talk about. I promise I won’t eavesdrop.”

“Even if we’re talking about you?” Mandy was feeling playful, and James usually enjoyed it. There was no way James was giving in tonight.

“I encourage you to talk about me,” James said. “I’m very entertaining.”

“You are.”

“That doesn’t mean you can’t do it here,” James prodded.

“What’s your deal?” Mandy asked, her blue eyes narrowing.

“I don’t have a deal.”

“You have a deal,” Mandy said, glancing around the office. “You all have a deal. Do you want to tell me what that deal is?”

“We don’t have a deal,” James said, a nerve ticking in his jaw. “I don’t know why you have to be so suspicious.”

“I don’t know why you treat me like I’m stupid,” Mandy countered, moving toward the stairs. “I’m going to go up and get ready.”

“Mandy … .”

“Hey, I have an idea,” Grady interjected. “Why don’t we all go out?”

“That’s a great idea,” James said, relieved.

“We don’t want to go out with you,” Mandy said. “We can’t gossip about you if you’re there.”

“How about we go to the new house?” James suggested. “It’s big enough for you guys to be on your own. We can hang out at the guesthouse.”

“I don’t understand,” Mandy said. “What aren’t you telling me?”

James pursed his lips. “Fine.”

“I thought you said you weren’t going to do this,” Finn said.

“I’m not going to lie to her,” James said. “I am, however, going to trust her to keep her mouth shut.”

Grady snorted. “She’s not going to be able to keep her mouth shut.”

“You don’t know that,” Mandy challenged. “I can keep my mouth shut.”

“Your history seems to suggest otherwise,” Grady said.

Mandy crossed her arms over her chest, pouting.

James made an exasperated sound in the back of his throat. “I need you to promise me you’re not going to tell Ally what I’m about to tell you.”

Mandy looked unsure.

“Mandy, I can’t tell you if you don’t promise,” James said.

“Fine.”

“No, say it,” James said.

“I promise,” Mandy said, her eyes fiery. “What is going on?”

“You’d better sit down,” James said. “You’re about to be really angry, and maybe a little worked up.”

“I don’t like this at all,” Mandy said, settling into the chair next to Grady. “You better tell me right now.”

James did as she asked, keeping his voice calm. When he was finished, Mandy’s face was ashen. “So, you don’t want us to go out because you’re worried about Ally?”

“I am.”

“We’ll go to the house,” Mandy said finally. “It might be fun.”

James arched an eyebrow. “That’s it? You’re not going to put up a fight?”

“I want Ally safe, just like you,” Mandy said.

“And you’re not going to tell her, right?” James pressed.

“No, I’m not going to tell her.”

“See, this is why I’m doubtful,” James said. “You’re never this easy.”

“I’m not going to pretend that I don’t think Ally has a right to know,” Mandy said. “I understand what you’re trying to do. So, for now, I’ll keep my mouth shut.”

James still wasn’t sure he believed her. “I’m trusting you, baby.”

“Have I given you any reason not to trust me?”