Deadly Rivalry (Hardy Brothers Security Book 17) (8 page)

“I don’t think I like what you’re insinuating,” Madeline sniffed, jutting out her lower lip.

“I don’t think I care,” James shot back. “You’re a client. Jake is in charge of your case. If you don’t like that, find someone else to handle your security. It’s pretty simple.”

Madeline didn’t get a chance to respond because the sound of Mandy and Grady chatting interrupted whatever argument she was about to launch. James grinned a few seconds later when Mandy slapped the pancake molds into his hand.

“I found them,” Mandy said. “I also thanked Grady for what he did in the guesthouse. I’m still starving, though.”

“I’m on it, wife,” James said. “I can’t wait to see what that dirty mind of yours comes up with when I’m done making pancakes.”

“Here’s a hint,” Mandy said. “I need two roosters and one hen.”

James made a face. “You’re lucky I already love you because that’s never going to happen, baby.”

“And I’m scarred for life,” Grady said, moving toward the front of the house. “Come on, Madeline. I’ll show you out.”

“I’m not done here,” Madeline argued.

“You’re done,” James said. “Trust me.”

“
B
aby
, I will give you a thousand bucks if you call in sick and stay in bed with me all day,” James said the next morning, tracing a lazy pattern across Mandy’s bare back as he stared at the ceiling in the bedroom apartment above the Orca. “I’ll give you two thousand if you do that thing you showed me with the dirty chickens again.”

“You realize you just offered me money for sex, right?” Mandy asked dryly.

“That’s probably not a good thing when I’m married, huh?”

“No.”

“Don’t tell my wife,” James whispered, kissing Mandy’s cheek.

“Good grief you’re cute,” Mandy muttered, shifting her head to stare at the clock on the nightstand. “We need to get over to the main house and shower. I’m going to be late for work.”

“No, you need to stay in bed with me,” James said, rubbing his morning stubble against Mandy’s soft shoulder. He hadn’t shaved in two days so he was sporting a decent amount of hair for a guy who manscaped.

“In less than five months we won’t have to worry about this,” Mandy said. “As for today, though, I can’t be late. It’s not fair to the judge.”

“But, baby, I think I’ll die if I’m separated from you today,” James whined.

Mandy arched a challenging eyebrow. “Die?”

“I’m addicted, baby,” James said. “I officially cannot be without you. You’re going to have to quit your job early and spend the rest of your life in bed with me.”

“I see you’re trying to charm me out of my virtue this morning.”

James squeezed Mandy’s bare butt and smiled. “I charmed you out of that a long time ago,” he said. “I’m never giving it back.”

“Cute, cute, cute.” Mandy kissed his chin. “I have to go to work today. I promise to leave early so we can have a romantic dinner and watch the sharks again.”

“I’m going to have to put a timer on that thing or I’ll never see you again,” James muttered. “I thought we could spend the night in the hot tub tonight.”

“The sharks aren’t in the hot tub.”

“I’ll be the shark.”

The sigh Mandy released was long and dramatic. “Fine. Is it okay if I pick up Thai food for dinner on the way home?”

“Yes. I want that beef stuff with the tomatoes and the tiny noodles and spring rolls.”

“I know,” Mandy said, moving to climb out of bed. “Come on. If you’re good I’ll play the shark in the shower.”

“Sold,” James said, rolling his legs off the side of the bed and groaning when he realized how sore he was. “We cannot do it on top of the new bar like we did on the old one. It’s taller. I didn’t realize it until it was too late. My back is killing me.”

“That’s because you’re old.”

“That cute thing you’ve got going for you most days is absent today, wife,” James growled. “Do you have anything big going on at the courthouse this week?”

“As a matter of fact we do,” Mandy answered. “We have that big murder trial for that money launderer who made all of the local news stations and newspapers going on. Jury selection starts after lunch.”

“Oh, Toby Keats was his name, right?” James asked, racking his memory.

“Yup.”

“How dangerous is that, baby?” James asked, shifting so he could watch Mandy climb into her sleep shorts. “Money launderers who kill are dangerous.”

“There’s security in the courthouse, James. I’ll be fine.”

“See, now I really think we should spend the day in bed.” James snagged Mandy’s waist and pulled her down on his lap. “Quit. Do it today.”

“James, we talked about this,” Mandy said, exasperated. “I need to finish what I’m working on and train my replacement. Since I haven’t told the judge I’m leaving yet, that’s going to be pretty difficult.”

“I know, baby,” James said, nuzzling her cheek. “I don’t like you around all those losers.”

“I could say the same thing about you – only your losers are slutbags.”

James made a sound akin to a cat in heat. “That was bitchy, wife.”

“It wasn’t bitchy,” Mandy clarified. “I don’t like Madeline. You’re mine. I’m not going to share you, so she needs to move along.”

James snickered. “You’re starting to sound like me,” he said, tickling her ribs. “You don’t have to worry about Madeline. I stuck Jake with her and he should be finishing up over the next few days.”

“That means she’s going to get more and more dangerous.”

James stilled. “What do you mean?”

“James, I know women,” Mandy explained. “Madeline has been playing a game from the start. She might not have known you were married – although I find that hard to believe because I’m positive she Googled you – but she knew what she was doing when she approached us that first night at the benefit.

“I made the mistake that night, though,” she continued. “I was feeling … exposed … and I decided to take a step back because I was afraid I would overreact and smack the crap out of her. That gave her an opening and she used it.”

“I don’t understand.”

“You were distracted because you were worried about me,” Mandy answered. “You needed something easy and a day spa fit the bill. You could shove it off on Jake and your brothers and clear your schedule to continue worrying about me.”

“You’re pretty smart, wife. I shouldn’t have done it, though.”

“It’s done,” Mandy said, her pragmatic side taking over. “Now we have to deal with the fallout. If her job really is going to be finished this week, that means she’s going to put the full-court press on you.”

“Nice sports analogy.”

“I know,” Mandy said, resting her head against his. “She’s going to do something a whole lot worse than stalking us at an art fair or interrupting a lunch. She’s going to do something ten times worse than interrupting us during sex.”

“How did you know she was following us at the art fair?” James asked, his heart dropping.

“I know you better than you think and I noticed you were tense,” Mandy replied. “I saw her and the show she was putting on. I didn’t want to say anything and ruin our day.”

“That’s why I didn’t want to say anything either.”

“I know,” Mandy said. “I need you to promise me that you won’t put yourself in a situation where she can manipulate either one of us. I know you would never cheat on me, but she’s going to attempt to set up another scenario like that first lunch.

“She’s going to figure out a way to get you alone and then make sure I find out about it,” she continued. “Please, I know you can’t make any guarantees, but I don’t want to see it even if I know it isn’t real. It’s going to hurt no matter what.”

James gripped the back of Mandy’s neck and rubbed his thumb against her cheek. “It’s going to be okay.”

“I hope so.” Mandy started to pull away, but James stopped her.

“Nothing is more important to me than you, Mandy. It’s going to be okay.”

“I trust you.”

“I love you,” James said. “Now get moving. You’re going to be late if you’re not careful, and I still have one rooster move to do. It needs water, so I was saving it for this morning.”

Mandy giggled. “Cluck, cluck.”

“No, wife. Cock-a-doodle-doo.”

“
S
ON OF A
… .”

James stared at his phone and willed the text message to change three hours later. To absolutely no one’s surprise, it didn’t.

“What’s going on?” Jake asked, sauntering into the office.

“Oh, I’m so relieved you’re here,” James said, grabbing Jake’s arm and giving it a good shake. “Thank you.”

“I’m confused what you’re thanking me for,” Jake said.

“Madeline just texted and has an ‘emergency spa security issue.’” James used exaggerated air quotes so Jake would realize how irritated he was. “She demanded that I show up for lunch in downtown Mount Clemens and said she wouldn’t be able to accept any cancelations because her phone was going to be off because it needs to recharge.”

“What do you think she’s planning?”

“I think she’s about to make her move,” James said. “You have to come to lunch with me.”

“You don’t think Madeline wants to do with us what Mandy wanted to do with those dirty chickens yesterday, do you?” Jake asked, his eyes wide.

James scowled. “How do you know about the chickens?”

“Mandy called Ally when you were paying the pizza guy,” Jake replied. “They giggled for five minutes and then Ally was revved up so I had to … .”

James narrowed his eyes. He knew Ally and Jake were hardly celibate, but since she was still his baby sister he didn’t want to hear the dirty details of their relationship.

“She was revved up to play Monopoly,” Jake finished.

“Good man,” James said, patting Jake’s arm. “You still have to come with me. Madeline is going to do something sly … or outright disgusting … and I need you there to make sure there’s absolutely no way anyone can misconstrue anything.”

“Are you worried about Mandy thinking you’re cheating on her?” Jake asked, furrowing his eyebrows. “I know she’s been going through some stuff, but she has to know you would never cheat on her.”

“She does,” James confirmed. “She also knows that Madeline is going to make a move and she made me promise to be careful. She doesn’t want to see it – even if she knows it’s fake.”

“I get it,” Jake said. “I’ll go with you. Where are we meeting her?”

“Some Middle Eastern place on the main drag,” James answered. “I found out after the fact that the Italian restaurant Madeline picked for our first lunch was a well-known place lawyers meet their mistresses. That was one of the reasons Mandy was so upset.”

“Couldn’t you have been angry with Mandy for eating at the restaurant?” Jake prodded. “After all, she could’ve been a mistress.”

James made a face. “Get real,” he said. “My wife is not a cheater, and unless she’s Heidi’s mistress, that doesn’t really work. I’m not turning something around on my wife just because I made a mistake.”

“Oh, see, when you live with Ally you have to be on your toes and ready to do things like that,” Jake said. “Ally tricks me all the time. You’re lucky Mandy is more even-tempered.”

“Mandy is only even tempered about some things,” James clarified. “I won’t hurt her, though. I don’t think Madeline knew Mandy would show up at the restaurant that day, but Mandy had a good point. She said most of the lawyers in that courthouse know me and all that had to happen is for one of them to see me on a date with another woman.”

“You weren’t on a date, though.”

“Those lawyers wouldn’t know that, and Madeline would play it up if asked,” James said. “Mandy would’ve been hurt by that and she doesn’t deserve anything but happiness, especially right now. I won’t have it. I need you with me.”

“Do you think Mandy will show up at the Middle Eastern place for lunch?”

“I have no idea,” James answered, his eyes briefly clouding over. “I hope not.”

“Maybe you should call her,” Jake prodded. “That way she’ll know to avoid the restaurant.”

“I can’t do that,” James said. “I don’t want her to worry. I don’t want her to change her lunch plans and show up at the restaurant because she feels insecure. She doesn’t want to admit it, but there are still times when she thinks I’m going to walk away. It all stems from that first night we spent together when I snuck out like a jackass. I have no one to blame but myself, but I will not give her a reason to worry about this.”

“Okay,” Jake said. “Why don’t you go upstairs and tell Emma that we’re going out to lunch and offer to pick up takeout for her. That way she can take a nap and not worry about cooking for herself. She loves Middle Eastern food.”

“That’s a good idea,” James said, heading for the stairs.

“I’m going to run to the bathroom and wash my hands and then I’ll be ready to go.”

“Cool.” James was already halfway up to the second-floor landing.

Jake watched him go with conflicted eyes and then pulled his cell phone out of his pocket. Ally picked up on the second ring.

“Hello, hot stuff.”

Jake grinned. He couldn’t help himself. “Hello, angel,” he said.

“Did you call for lunchtime phone sex?”

“I wish,” Jake replied. “I called because I need you to do something really manipulative and I can’t do it myself – or talk about it in front of your brother.”

Ally was silent on the other end of the phone for a few moments. “Is this going to upset one of my brothers?”

“I hope not,” Jake said. “I need you to do this to protect Mandy and possibly James. If that’s not enough, you’ll also be able to stick it to Madeline Stokes in the process.”

“Oh, you had me at ‘protect Mandy’,” Ally said. “You really had me at ‘stick it to Madeline Stokes,’ though. Tell me what you need.”

“I love you, Ally.”

“Right back at you.”

M
adeline’s smile
broadened when she glanced up from the table in the corner of the Middle Eastern restaurant shortly before noon and saw James heading in her direction. It all but disappeared when she realized Jake was with him.

“I … well … this is a surprise,” Madeline said, forcing a smile for Jake’s benefit. “Are you having car trouble?”

James shook his head as he sat across from Madeline, making sure Jake was the one who would have to sit next to her. He knew what Madeline was trying to do and he refused to let her get under his skin. “Nope.”

“But … I thought it was just going to be the two of us,” Madeline said.

“I guess you were wrong,” James shot back, grabbing a menu from the center of the table. “What’s good here?”

“Ally and I have eaten here before,” Jake said. “Everything they have is good.”

“Mandy loves Middle Eastern food,” James said. “We had some the other day, but I should get two entrees to take home. She’s bringing Thai for dinner, but I plan on putting her through a workout and she might need a midnight snack.”

“She likes that spicy vegetable and rice dish,” Jake said. He knew James was playing a game, and while he often thought it was gauche to talk about sex in public, he didn’t blame James for making things clear and taking the conversation to an uncomfortable place right off the bat.

“She does like that dish,” James said, focusing on the menu. “You should get something for Ally, too.”

“I promised Ally Olive Garden tonight,” Jake replied. “That always puts her in a good mood, which puts me in a good mood.”

“Don’t make me thump you.”

“Am I missing something?” Madeline asked, tapping her perfectly manicured fingernails on the tabletop. “Why are both of you here?”

James plastered a confused look on his face. “You said you had something important to talk with me about regarding the computer system at the spa. Jake is the one in charge of the job, so I thought it fitting he be here for the meeting. Is there something wrong with that?”

“Of course not,” Madeline said. “I … um … was under the impression it would be just the two of us today. I guess I was mistaken.”

“It wouldn’t be the first time,” James said, his tone purposely breezy. “I’m getting the beef kebab.”

“Me, too,” Jake said. “I love beef.”

“Don’t say that in front of Ally,” James warned. “I said it in front of Mandy and now she won’t let me forget it. I think that’s why she made the suggestion with the chickens.”

“I think she made that suggestion to mess with you,” Jake clarified. “She enjoys messing with you.”

“I enjoy it, too,” James said.

“Is that what this is about?” Madeline asked, her patience wearing thin. “Are you afraid to be alone with me because your wife wouldn’t like it?”

“Why would my wife care?” James asked, feigning innocence.

“Well, she’s obviously insecure,” Madeline said. “That has to be the explanation.”

“Mandy has nothing to be insecure about,” James argued. “She knows I love her more than anything so I’m not sure why she would be upset about the three of us having lunch together.”

“It was supposed to be the two of us until you invited Jake in an effort to protect your wife’s delicate feelings,” Madeline snapped.

“I don’t think that’s true,” James said. “You sent me a text that you needed to talk about security and Jake is the head of your security team so I brought him. There was never any mention about it being the two of us. I wouldn’t have agreed to come if that was the case.”

Madeline pursed her lips as she scanned the restaurant. “I know what you’re doing.”

“That’s good,” James said. “I know what you’re doing, too. Now we’re on even footing.”

Jake ran his tongue over his teeth as he leaned back in his chair and enjoyed the show. It was only going to get better once Ally put her part of the plan in motion. Of course, James was in the dark about that. What he didn’t know couldn’t hurt him.

“Jake, do you mind if James and I have a moment alone?” Madeline asked, her voice positively dripping with sugary sweetness.

“I’m good here,” Jake said, rolling his neck until it cracked.

“But … .” Madeline was frustrated.

“Hey, Madeline, there’s no way Jake is leaving this table without me,” James said. “I know you’re hoping to get a photo of us having lunch together – and you’re hoping it looks cozy enough to use as ammunition – but it’s not going to happen.”

Madeline balked. “What are you talking about?”

James pointed toward the strange man skulking in the shadows by the bar. “He’s been watching us since we walked in,” he said. “You exchanged a look and shrug when you realized Jake was with me. Whatever your plan was, it went up in smoke because you can’t get a photo to use against my wife.”

“I am insulted by the insinuation!”

“No, you’re not,” James countered. “Madeline, you seem to forget that I’m used to your machinations. I had to get a restraining order because you lost it when I broke up with you. I’m not an idiot.”

“Apparently you are an idiot if you had a restraining order against her and still took a job from her knowing she was crazy,” Jake pointed out, causing James to scowl. “I’m just saying … you’re stupid sometimes.”

“Thank you, Jake.”

“Don’t mention it.”

“This isn’t going to work,” Madeline said, her voice growing shrill. “I know exactly what you’re doing and I’m not going to stand for it. You know darned well you still have feelings for me. You might want to pretend you don’t so that … horrible thing … you married doesn’t get upset. I know you still have feelings for me, though.”

“The only feeling I have for you is pity,” James shot back. “Actually, that’s not true. I also feel regret.”

Madeline’s expression was murderous. “Do you think you’re going to be happy with … that woman … for the rest of your life?”

“As a matter of fact, I do.” James was unperturbed by Madeline’s obvious unraveling. In truth, he was hopeful she would storm out and relieve him of his security duty at her spa.

“What happened to you?” Madeline asked. “You used to be larger than life. You used to be strong. You used to be sexy. Now you’re … whipped.”

“I can live with that,” James said. “As long as my wife is the one doing the whipping, I’m perfectly fine with it.”

“Oh, you say the sweetest things, baby,” Mandy said, popping up from the shadows and placing a hand on James’ shoulder.

James cringed at her appearance. He was convinced Madeline arranged it so she would show up and misunderstand and now he was left grasping for an explanation that wouldn’t set her off. “Baby, I have it under control. I promise.”

“I know,” Mandy said, squeezing his shoulder. “Jake called Ally and told her what was going on.”

“And I called Mandy,” Ally said, grinning as she leaned over Madeline’s shoulder. “And we decided to take care of this problem on our own.”

James shot a dark look in Jake’s direction. “You called my wife?”

“Technically I called your sister,” Jake clarified. “She called Mandy.”

“Why?”

“Because you’re too nice of a guy and you were worried about hurting Mandy,” Jake answered. “I knew Mandy wouldn’t want that. I thought you were underestimating Madeline’s plan, and I wanted to make sure every angle was covered.”

“And you did that by inviting my wife and sister to claw Madeline’s eyes out?”

Jake shrugged. “I wanted your bases covered. Fire me if you don’t like it.”

“Don’t you even think about firing him,” Ally threatened, extending a finger in James’ direction. “He did the right thing. You were way out of your depth on this one.”

James shifted a helpless look in Mandy’s direction. “I brought Jake. I saw the photographer in the corner. I had it under control. I wouldn’t have let her hurt you.”

“I know,” Mandy said. “Jake is right, though. You’re too nice of a guy sometimes. Madeline was going to get what she wanted no matter what. Jake did the right thing. I don’t want you hurt in this, and I worry I put too much pressure on you this morning.”

“No. The pressure you put on me in the shower was nice.”

Mandy smirked. “It’s going to be okay.”

James shook his head as she repeated his own words back to him. “I’m supposed to take care of you.”

“I thought the deal with marriage is that we were supposed to take care of each other,” Mandy countered. “Those are the vows I remember exchanging.”

“Oh, this is so sweet I want to puke,” Madeline said.

“Well, there’s a filthy toilet in the bathroom that I would love to dunk your head in, so maybe we can both get what we want,” Ally suggested, causing Jake to snicker.

“I know why you’re here,” Madeline said, crossing her arms over her chest and locking gazes with Mandy. “You’re worried that I’m going to steal your husband.”

“You can’t steal someone from someone else,” Mandy argued. “James is mine, but he’s not a possession that can be stolen. We belong to each other. I’m not particularly worried about you because I know that James loves me and would never leave me.”

James’ heart swelled at the words. “I think we should go home and have sex.”

Mandy rolled her eyes. “I have to go back to work.”

“Come on, wife! That was the one thing I’ve been waiting to hear from you since I did the terrible thing.”

“What terrible thing?” Madeline asked, leaning forward.

“Don’t worry about it,” James snapped. “Come on, Mandy. You can’t deny me this.”

Mandy opened her mouth to argue, and then snapped it shut. “Why don’t you come to work with me this afternoon? There’s going to be a lot of breaks because the lawyers are going to be jockeying with motions. I don’t even have to be in the courtroom for some of it.”

“Sold,” James said, hopping up from the table and tossing his keys in Jake’s direction. “You can take my Explorer back to the office. I’ll ride home with Mandy.”

Jake rolled his eyes. “You two are really sick.”

“Wait a second!” Madeline slapped her hand down on the table. “You can’t just walk away. We have a business relationship.”

“Our business relationship is done,” Jake said. “I finished installing everything this morning and then I contracted with another local security team to take over monitoring. If you have a problem with them, it’s on you. Our business is finished and I will send out an invoice this afternoon.”

Madeline was flabbergasted. “But you said it would take a few more days.”

“I was highly motivated,” Jake said. “I worked hard and got a little help from a Hardy brother.”

James smirked as he slung his arm over Mandy’s shoulders. “Grady?”

“He went out of his way to get the equipment after leaving your house yesterday,” Jake confirmed. “He was in a good mood, even though he said he was horrified because he saw Mandy’s butt.”

“Grady saw your butt?” Ally asked, making a face. “You didn’t tell me that.”

“I wasn’t sure,” Mandy said. “It was dark.”

“Well, we’ll pay him back,” Ally said. “I’ve been thinking about sneaking in his house and putting a bald cap on him so when he wakes up he’ll think all of his gorgeous hair is gone.”

“I’m not doing that after he did so much for me,” Mandy said. “Have you seen the new guesthouse?”

“I have,” Ally said. “I’m glad you finally have, too.”

“Let’s go, wife,” James said, tugging on Mandy’s hand. “If we hurry we can get hot dogs at the stand in front of the courthouse and lock ourselves in your office for a half-hour before you have to go in for the afternoon session.”

“Fine,” Mandy said. “At least they’re real beef hot dogs. I know how you love your beef.”

“See,” James said, exchanging an amused look with Jake.

“Wait … this isn’t over,” Madeline said.

“It
is
over,” Mandy shot back, leaning over the table and fixing Madeline with a harsh look. “With your background, you can’t afford for the cops to be called when you’re trespassing. If you show up at our house, we’re calling the cops. If you show up at my place of business, I’m calling the cops.”

“If you show up at my place of business, I’m calling the cops,” James added. “You can’t afford a second restraining order, and we happen to know a few judges if it becomes an issue.”

“You’re going to be sorry you did this,” Madeline threatened. “You do not want to mess with me.”

“No, I definitely don’t want to mess with you,” James agreed. “Come on, baby. Let’s celebrate.”

“Don’t go near my husband,” Mandy said, wagging a warning finger. “I’m not going to put up with it. You caught me at a bad time and I was off my game, but I will not sit back and watch you play games with my family. This is over.”

“This is pretty far from over,” Madeline seethed.

“I still want to dunk your head in the toilet,” Ally said. “We can do that before it’s officially over if you want.”

“Oh, I love you, angel,” Jake said, his shoulders shaking. “Sit down and I’ll buy you lunch.”