Deadly Reunion (Hardy Brothers Security Book 20) (3 page)

“
W
hat are you cooking
?”

Ally appeared in Mandy and James’ kitchen shortly before Finn and Emma were due to return with Jeff, causing Mandy to jolt as she shoved metal skewers in steak and chicken chunks.

“What the … ?”

“Do you knock?” James asked, irritated as he playfully pinched Ally’s arm and earned a murderous look for his effort. “This is my house. You don’t live here. You’re supposed to knock.”

“This is my best friend’s house and she said I don’t have to knock,” Ally huffed.

James glanced at Mandy. “Is that true?”

“I can’t hear you through all of the drool,” Mandy replied, returning to her skewers and causing James to make a disgusted sound in the back of his throat.

James shifted his gaze to Jake, who trailed his girlfriend with an affectionate smile on his face. “Did my wife tell you not to knock, too? That doesn’t seem safe given all of the crap that’s happened to her, does it?”

Jake shrugged as he hopped up on a counter stool and reached for one of the beers James had in an ice bucket on the counter. “I told Ally to knock, but she said it was unnecessary,” he explained. “I figured it’s your problem, not mine. I don’t care if she knocks when she walks into my house.”

“That’s because you live together,” James pointed out.

“That might have a little something to do with it,” Jake conceded. “However, even if we didn’t live together – and that would truly be a cold, dark world – I wouldn’t have a problem if she didn’t knock. She’s just that amazing.”

“Oh, I love you so much,” Ally cooed, kissing Jake’s cheek and causing James to scowl.

“You’re the world’s biggest suck-up. You know that, right?”

Jake didn’t appear bothered by the assertion. “I only suck up to the best.”

“Oh, he’s my favorite cuddle bear,” Ally said, wrapping her arms around his neck and giving him a fierce hug.

“I’m going to throw up,” James muttered, wrinkling his nose. “You’re totally ruining my appetite.”

“And Mandy hasn’t even cooked yet,” Ally teased, referring to her best friend’s penchant for being a menace in the kitchen. “Then you’ll really be sick.”

“Hey! I’m standing right here,” Mandy said, waving an empty skewer in her best friend’s face.

James snagged the sharp metal stick and carefully placed it back on the counter. “Don’t point things with sharp edges when you’re upset, baby,” James chided. “You could poke someone’s eye out.”

“I’m going to poke you someplace else,” Mandy said, her voice barely audible.

“What’s with you two?” Ally asked, her gaze bouncing between her brother and best friend. “You two have been all lovey-dovey for two weeks. You haven’t fought in that entire time. Now you’re fighting. What gives?”

“We’re not fighting,” James lied. “We had a … misunderstanding.”

“Is this like when you slept with her that first time and then accidentally snuck out of her apartment while she was sleeping?” Ally asked, ducking under Jake’s arm for protection when James took a swipe at her.

“Thank you so much for bringing that up,” James snapped. “I haven’t heard about that in three months … and it was glorious.”

“It’s not like that,” Mandy said. “You really should stop bringing that up. It’s not fair and James has more than paid for what he did.”

“It wasn’t fair to do it to you in the first place,” Ally challenged.

“James knows that,” Mandy said. “He’s sorry and he deserves to move on. He doesn’t bring up the time I freaked out and ran away because I thought he didn’t love me.”

“Yes, but you were on pain medication when that happened and hadn’t been sleeping,” Ally said. “You were certifiably nuts. He knew what he was doing when he let you wake up alone, with nothing but your tears to console you.”

“Okay, I’m going to kill you,” James said, reaching for Ally’s arm as she squealed.

“Jake, make him leave me alone,” Ally ordered.

“I told you a long time ago that I’m not getting involved in your petty squabbles with your brothers,” Jake said. “I meant it. Besides, I happen to be on James’ side this time. You need to stop bringing that up. It’s annoying.”

Ally frowned, her earlier adoration for Jake evaporating. “Perhaps I should focus on the time you lied about letting your former girlfriend stay at your house and she kissed you. How does that sound?”

Jake opened his mouth and then snapped it shut, pursing his lips as he considered how to respond. “You’re on your own, James,” he said finally. “I tried and I’m out. I’m back to being on Ally’s side.”

“And there you go,” Ally said, puffing her chest out in victory as Jake kissed her cheek.

“I am curious why you guys are fighting,” Jake admitted. “You’ve been pawing each other every chance you get since you made up after the last fight. Why are you fighting now?”

“We’re not fighting,” James answered. “We got our wires crossed and now she’s just digging her heels in to be a pain. She’ll get over it when I kiss her senseless in the hot tub later. I haven’t been able to do that all afternoon because we’ve got the kid.”

“Ooh! Avery!” Ally abandoned Jake and moved toward the living room. “Where is he? I want to hold him.”

“He’s asleep and you’d better not wake him up,” James warned, slipping his hand down Mandy’s slim back. “Baby, I’m sorry for what I said about the snoring. I love the fact that you snore. It’s very cute.”

“Oh, is that all?” Ally was on the prowl for her nephew, but she kept half an ear on the conversation in the kitchen as she searched. “You can’t be mad at him for talking about your snoring. He finds everything you do cute.”

“That’s not all he said,” Mandy argued. “He also mentioned he’s woken up on more than one occasion afraid we sprung a leak because I drool so much.”

“Oh, well, that’s rude and mean,” Ally said, returning to the kitchen with a petulant frown on her face. “Avery is out cold. What did you do to him?”

“Nothing,” James said. “I bounced him around and talked to him because Mandy spent the entire afternoon ignoring me.”

“I couldn’t hear him through all of the drool,” Mandy explained.

“You guys are just fighting because you’re bored,” Ally said, “You want to fight over something little so you can make up once everyone is gone. This is like foreplay to you guys.”

James tried to hide his smirk … and failed. “That’s completely untrue.”

“Then why are you smiling?” Jake asked, amused.

“By the way – and don’t take this as me forgiving you because I don’t – but I have to ask you a question,” Mandy said.

“Oh, baby, I can’t answer any of your philosophical questions if you’re not going to let me cop a feel under the table during dinner,” James said. “You have to forgive me if you want to ask a question.”

Mandy was caught. They were embroiled in a game they both enjoyed playing, but she had no interest in ceding the win quite yet. “But … it’s an important question. Please?”

Now James was the one caught. He liked the game as much as Mandy, but he would never deny his wife anything. “Okay,” he said, giving in. “You can ask one question and then we’ll return to the fight.”

“Should we ask Jeff about being in prison or completely avoid the topic?”

“Seriously?” James was used to Mandy asking random annoying questions about their life together, usually right before they went to bed. “That’s what’s on your mind?”

“I’m a little worried,” Mandy admitted. “I’m not worried about him being here or anything, but I am worried about sticking my foot in my mouth. I’m not known for being tactful sometimes.”

“You? Not my baby,” James said, grabbing her cheeks and planting a wet kiss on her mouth even as she struggled. “We’re still in our ceasefire so that didn’t count as you forgiving me. Don’t worry.”

“Mandy has a point,” Ally said. “I mean … I don’t think ‘were you someone’s prison bitch’ is going to be a happy conversation topic for a guy who was already raped by his father and stole to keep his sister alive.”

“Yeah, if you say anything like that you’re sleeping alone tonight,” Jake said, tweaking the end of Ally’s nose. “Don’t bring up anything like that. In fact, maybe you shouldn’t bring up prison at all.”

“I’m fine with that,” Ally said. “I just don’t want to come off as rude. If we don’t mention his time in prison is he going to think we don’t care?”

“Huh.” James rubbed his chin as he considered the question. “Just don’t bring up prison,” he said. “I don’t think there’s any graceful way to do it. If he brings it up, then we’ll listen and be sympathetic.”

“Okay,” Ally said, jumping up and clapping when she heard Avery stir in the next room. “Yay! He’s up.”

Mandy cast a sidelong look in James’ direction as Ally skipped toward the living room. “I’m still mad at you, but I’m going to save us both with this one,” she said.

James was confused. “What one?”

“Hey, Ally,” Mandy called out, causing her friend to turn back around. “We have a rule in this house. The one closest to the baby has to change him. That’s you.”

James snorted. “Oh, baby, I love you more than life itself.”

“That’s nice,” Mandy said. “The ceasefire is over, by the way.”

James didn’t care about their purported war, instead kissing her neck and causing her to yelp. “I’ll bomb the heck out of you later, wife.”

“
T
HIS IS
a beautiful home
,” Jeff said, nervously sitting at the outdoor table as Emma took the seat next to him and Ally took the one on his left. “I love the pool and everything.”

“We’re pretty fond of it when it’s not under construction,” James said, standing next to the grill and gesturing toward the ongoing arboretum project behind the garage. “That is supposed to be done in five days. I don’t think it’s going to happen.”

“Still, it’s very peaceful here,” Jeff said. “You guys probably come out here every night just to enjoy the tranquility.”

Grady snorted as he sat in a chair on the other side of the table, a beer clutched in his hand as he pulled out a second chair for his live-in love, Sophie Lane. “There’s no tranquility in this yard,” he said. “That hot tub is a literal sex pool.”

“Thank you, Grady,” James deadpanned. “No one needed to know that.”

“I was just saying what was on everyone else’s mind,” Grady said, swigging his beer and leaning back in his chair as the group lapsed into uncomfortable silence. No one wanted to bring up prison and yet finding a topic of conversation that didn’t touch on the past five years of Jeff’s life proved problematic.

“How do you like your steak, Jeff?” James asked. “I usually do medium for everyone.”

“That’s fine,” Jeff said. “We didn’t get a lot of steak in prison. I’m sure however you cook it will be fine.”

“Oh, what did you eat in the joint?” Ally asked. “Did they make you eat gruel and mush?”

“Ally!” James shot her a warning look.

“You said we shouldn’t mention the word ‘prison’ unless he brought it up,” Ally shot back. “He brought it up. I thought we were good to go. You need to focus more on your wife’s drool and less on me.”

“Ally!” Mandy scorched her best friend with a death glare.

“This is so not going to be my night,” James lamented. “That hot tub isn’t going to be a sex pool tonight, that’s for sure.”

Emma was mortified as she dropped her head in her hands. “Oh, my … .”

“I’m really sorry, Jeff,” Finn offered. “I would say they’re never like this, but this is actually a tame evening for this family.”

To everyone’s surprise, Jeff let out a low chuckle. “I can see why Emma loves you guys so much,” he said after a beat. “You can ask whatever questions you want about prison. I understand you’re curious.”

“I don’t think it’s that we’re curious,” Jake clarified. “It’s more that we don’t know how to ask what you like or what you want to do without bringing it up.”

“Speak for yourself,” Ally said, pushing Jake’s arm out of the way so she could sit on his lap. “I’m curious. Tell me what it was like in the yard. Did people try to shiv you all of the time because you wouldn’t be a drug mule?”

Jeff’s mouth dropped open. “I’m sorry, but … what?”

“Ignore her,” Jake said, shaking his head. “She’s been watching
Oz
on Hulu. She thinks it’s real.”

“It
is
real,” Ally said. “I know things.”

“Yes, you’re a genius, angel,” Jake said, pushing her hair away from her face so he could kiss her cheek. “Speaking of being a genius, don’t you want to get Avery so you can shower him with attention?”

“I do, but I don’t like Mandy and James’ rule about the person closest to him having to change him.”

Emma made an incredulous face as she swiveled in her chair. “Seriously?”

“It’s a dirty job, but someone has to do it,” James deadpanned.

“And we don’t like it,” Mandy added. “It would be so much more fun if he didn’t poop in his pants. When does he stop doing that again?”

“Oh, you guys are great,” Jeff said, barking out a hoarse laugh as he leaned back in his chair. He was relaxed for the first time in … well … forever. “I’m so thankful you found Emma and made her a part of your family.”

“Emma made us a part of her family,” Mandy corrected. “That means we’re a part of your family, too.”

“Yeah, you’re stuck with us,” Ally said. “With that in mind … what can you tell me about the showers? What happens if you drop a bar of soap?”

“And on that note … .” Jake clamped his hand over Ally’s mouth. “Who wants to see how long Ally can go without talking?”

A bevy of hands shot in the air.

“See, all of that talk about your drooling habit doesn’t seem so bad now, does it?” James asked, hunkering close to Mandy’s ear as Ally glared at Jake.

“Cook the kebabs,” Mandy said, refusing to back down. “We’ll talk about your punishment for the drooling comment in the sex pool later.”

“Finally, something I want to do.”

“
O
kay
, we’re working on getting you a place of your own that’s close but still gives you privacy, but your release came a little quicker than we were expecting,” Finn said a few hours later, flipping on the light that led to the extra room behind James’ office at Hardy Brothers Security. “We should have something for you in about a week. We have a family friend helping us. Until then, you have a few options.”

Jeff glanced around the room, taking in the pool table, which took up the largest portion of it, and then resting his attention on the couch along the back wall. “This is fine,” he said. “This is better than anything I’ve had recently.”

The admission hurt Finn’s heart, but he didn’t dwell on it. “We have a couch upstairs, too, and Emma wants you to stay there, but I wasn’t sure if you’d want to do that with the baby and all.”

“I don’t want to upset Emma,” Jeff said, shifting from one foot to the other. “I like the idea of having a little space, though. After so much time living on top of other people … .”

“I get it,” Finn said, double-checking the main office foyer to make sure Emma was still upstairs with Avery before continuing. “You have to understand, you’re all Emma has been able to think about all week. When you were up for parole earlier in the year, she was certain you would come home then and when it didn’t happen she was kind of … crushed.”

“When my father escaped from prison they put me on lockdown,” Jeff explained. “They were worried I would try to escape … or I somehow knew about what he had planned ahead of time. They tore apart my cell. It took them weeks to decide I had no prior knowledge of what he did.”

“For the record, we never suspected you so you don’t have to worry about that,” Finn said. “Emma was a mess for a little bit there. She was terrified he would come and take her … or hurt the baby. It turns out he merely wanted to hurt her and take Avery instead.”

“She hasn’t talked much about that,” Jeff said. “I tried to get her to tell me what happened, but all she would say is that Dad got what he deserved.”

“He got what he deserved,” Finn confirmed. “I wish he would’ve gotten it in a different way, but he definitely got what he deserved. In short, Mandy and Emma were at James’ house when Pritchard attacked. They were alone.

“Emma went into labor and your father told them he planned on killing both of them and stealing the baby,” he continued. “Mandy kept Emma together and delivered the baby and then … then she fought your father.”

Jeff’s eyes widened. “I didn’t realize. The news reports were sketchy. I knew a woman killed him. It’s hard to reconcile that tiny blonde being able to take out Lance Pritchard when just the mere thought of ever seeing him again terrified me.”

“Mandy didn’t have a choice in the matter,” Finn said. “She knew what would happen if she didn’t put up a fight. She was hoping Emma would somehow be able to take Avery and hide until we got back. She didn’t expect to survive.”

“She’s funny,” Jeff said, dragging a hand through his hair as he leaned against the pool table. “She seems upbeat for a woman who had to fight an animal to the death.”

“She’s been through a lot and your father was only one thing on a long list,” Finn said. “She’s been struggling a little, but she and James have made it out the other side. They always do.”

“They seem happy.”

“Even when they’re pretending to fight – like tonight – they’re happy,” Finn said. “If you want to talk to Mandy about what happened with your father, though, she’ll probably be open to it. Just check with James first. He can read her moods better than anyone.”

“I’ll think about it,” Jeff said, forcing a smile for Finn’s benefit. “I’m not sure I ever want to think about that man again.”

“I get that,” Finn said, clapping Jeff’s shoulder in a sign of brotherly affection. “Talking about it might help, though. Emma didn’t want to talk about it either and she shut down for a little bit. She only got better when she finally opened up and expressed her feelings.”

“You’re good for her.”

“I wish I could take credit, but she didn’t talk to me at first,” Finn clarified. “She opened up to Jake. Sometimes … sometimes I think it’s easier to open up to someone you’re not close with to get the anger and fear out of your system. Emma didn’t feel as if she had to put on a brave face for Jake and that helped. That’s why I’m thinking it might help you to talk to Mandy. I’m sure Emma will talk to you, too, but it might be harder for the two of you to relive that together.”

“Let me give it some thought,” Jeff said. “In truth, I’m exhausted. Today has been one of the best days of my life and yet … .”

“You’re emotionally overwhelmed,” Finn finished. “I wouldn’t plan on going to sleep just yet. Emma made it pretty clear that she was going to give Avery his bath and then hand him over to me so she could spend some time alone with you while I put him to bed.”

“She’s a wonderful mother,” Jeff said, his eyes lighting up at the mention of Avery. “The baby is beautiful.”

“He’s a cute little thing,” Finn agreed. “I knew Emma would be a wonderful mother before she ever got pregnant. If you’re wondering, though, he wasn’t planned. He’s still a gift.”

“I wasn’t sure what to think when Emma told me she was pregnant,” Jeff said. “I didn’t like the idea of a guy knocking her up. She said you proposed, but when the wedding didn’t happen … I’m not going to lie … I was pissed.”

Finn snickered. “I don’t blame you,” he said. “If the same thing happened to Ally, I would be completely hacked off. The wedding is going to happen. Emma didn’t want to get married while pregnant because she didn’t want to be big in her wedding dress.

“I thought it was a ridiculous argument, but Mandy and Ally set me straight on a few things,” he continued. “After Avery was born Emma was recovering … and so was Mandy … and it didn’t seem like the right time. Now that you’re here, though, I’m hoping that means we can move forward with wedding plans.”

“I’m glad I’ll get to see her on her big day.”

“Oh, Jeff, you’ll do more than see her,” Finn said. “You’re her brother. She’ll want you to walk her down the aisle.”

“That’s a big responsibility.”

“Something tells me you’re up for it,” Finn said. “I’ll leave you to get comfortable. Be prepared for Emma to come down. She’s not going to rest until she spends a little time alone with you.”

“Hey, Finn … thank you,” Jeff said, smiling as his future brother-in-law paused near the door. “You’ve given Emma the life I could only dream of giving her.”

“We’re not done yet, Jeff,” Finn said. “We’ll help you get the life you deserve, too. I promise.”

E
MMA
silently watched
Jeff unpack his meager belongings, pressing her body close to the doorframe so she wouldn’t startle him and draw attention to herself. She took the moment to simply enjoy his presence, love washing over her.

“You don’t have to stare at me, Emma. I’m not going anywhere.”

Emma jolted when she realized Jeff knew she was there. “How … ?”

“When you spend time in prison you learn to read your environment,” Jeff replied, a playful grin tipping up the corners of his mouth as he turned. “Plus, no matter how quiet you think you are, I heard you coming down the stairs. You’ve always had heavy feet.”

“Oh,” Emma said, giggling as she walked into the room. “I didn’t want to disturb you if you were sleeping.”

“Finn told me you would be down once you got Avery settled,” Jeff said, sitting on the couch and patting the open spot so Emma would join him. He waited until she got comfortable to continue. “He said you’re excited to have me here and want me upstairs.”

“I
do
want you upstairs,” Emma said. “Finn thought you would be more comfortable down here. It’s a storage room with a couch, though.”

“This is more than I’ve had in five years, Emma,” Jeff said. “This is … great. Don’t worry about me being comfortable. I’m out of prison. Everything from here on out is comfortable.”

“Just because you had to suffer through prison, that doesn’t mean this room is suitable for my brother,” Emma said. “You can come upstairs with us. We would love it if you did.”

“Emma, this storage room is more than we grew up with,” Jeff reminded her. “I know you’re desperate to make me comfortable, but I’m fine here.”

“Finn thought you would prefer it down here because you would be able to have some privacy and not be woken up when the baby cries in the middle of the night,” Emma said, chewing on her lip. “Maybe I can get you earphones or something. There’s a store about two miles away. I could leave right now and be back in a half hour.”

Jeff grabbed Emma’s hand and squeezed it, refusing to let her rush out on an unnecessary errand. “Emma, Finn is right about the privacy,” he said. “I just need a little room to breathe. This room might not seem like much, but it’s positively heavenly to me.

“The baby crying wouldn’t bother me,” he continued. “You guys need your privacy, though, too. This is the best thing for everyone. Finn says he has a line on a place for me that will probably be ready in about a week. This is great.”

“But … I want you close to me,” Emma said, her voice cracking. “I haven’t been able to touch you in five years. Having you so far away feels like torture.”

Jeff chuckled, the sound catching Emma off guard. “You always had a dramatic streak,” he said. “We’re going to see a lot of each other. I’m going to be working for the Hardys and I will be around. I promise you’ll be tired of me before you even realize what’s happening.”

“I’ll never be tired of you,” Emma said, resting her head on Jeff’s shoulder. “I love Finn and his brothers and sister, but watching them cavort as a family made me miss you even more. I love the way James tortures Ally – and vice versa – but I’ve been missing you since long before they entered my life.”

“They seem like good people, Emma. I think you hit the jackpot when you found Finn.”

“I did hit the jackpot,” Emma agreed. “I technically knew Mandy before him, though. She’s the reason I risked opening my heart and trusting Finn. After what happened … after what
he
did … .” Emma cleared her throat and forced the tears from her eyes. “Mandy made me wish for something more. She made me look beyond what our father did to us.”

“How did you know Mandy?” Jeff asked, genuinely curious.

“She was the clerk at Dad’s trial. She was the one I told you about, the one who always gave me food for lunch because she was worried I wasn’t eating enough.”

Jeff was surprised. “That was her?”

Emma nodded. “She’s always looked out for me it seems.”

“Finn told me what happened,” Jeff said, choosing his words carefully. “I know you don’t want to talk about it … .”

“It’s not that I don’t want to talk about it,” Emma argued. “I just don’t know what to say. Dad was my problem and yet he haunts Mandy’s dreams now because of me. I don’t know how to make up for that.”

“I saw her tonight,” Jeff said. “She doesn’t appear to be holding a grudge.”

“She’s not the type to hold a grudge,” Emma said. “Still, after killing Dad, she wouldn’t hold Avery for weeks. It hurt my feelings and I didn’t understand it. I was kind of a baby myself and James exploded. He said that Mandy wouldn’t hold Avery because every time she looked at her own hands she saw nothing but Dad’s blood on them.”

“It sounds as if she was a real hero that night,” Jeff said, brushing a stray tear from Emma’s cheek. “She saved two families.”

“She also avenged us,” Emma said. “She did what you and I could never do.”

Jeff swallowed the lump in his throat as he slipped his arm around his sister’s slight shoulders. “I want to thank her, but I’m not sure I should bring it up.”

“I wouldn’t just yet,” Emma cautioned. “She’s so much better than she was, but every once in awhile she jumps at a noise and I see the fear on her face. James sees it, too. It kills him every time.”

“They love each other. They’ll make it.”

“Oh, I don’t worry about that,” Emma said, shaking herself out of her doldrums. “Everyone in this family loves each other. We’re all survivors.”

“That’s good to hear,” Jeff said, kicking his shoes off. “I think I’m going to need a little of the Hardy luck going forward. I want to be a survivor, too.”

“You’ll get the luck,” Emma said, tugging on his arm. “Now, get up. We need to make this at least look like a proper bed or I’ll never sleep tonight.”

“Yes, sis,” Jeff said, blowing out an exaggerated sigh. “I don’t know how I made it five years without my mother hen.”

Emma pinched his cheek and gave it a good jiggle. “You’ll never have to worry about that again.”