Deadly Dealings (Hardy Brothers Security Book 13) (13 page)

“Meaning?” Peter’s business dealings often confused Grady. This wasn’t a time for enlightenment, but he needed a little clarification.

“People in the trade in this area know my feelings about prostitution and human trafficking so they would be less likely to point me in the right direction,” Peter said. “Some of my associates keep their opinions better … hidden. They’re the ones who are going to have a better chance of making inroads now.”

“How soon do you think you’ll know something?”

“I have no idea,” Peter said. “I think that whoever is doing this is aware of Hardy Brothers Security’s involvement in this case, though, so there will be no more going undercover to meet with shady individuals. Yes, Sophie, I’m talking to you.”

Sophie lowered her eyes, embarrassed to be called out in front of Grady. “I won’t meet Winona again.”

“It’s not just that,” Peter said. “People are looking for Mandy. That means they know who she is married to. A cursory search on Hardy Brothers Security puts targets on the backs of Grady, Finn, and Jake. Even a tiny search into those three names puts Emma, Ally, and Sophie at risk.”

“Are you saying that you think Winona knew who I was from the beginning?” Sophie asked, worry twisting her stomach.

“Probably not from the beginning,” Peter conceded. “I do think she knew who you were last night, though. She was playing a game. She wanted to see what information she could glean from you. There will be no more undercover games with Winona. Period.”

“I agree,” Grady said.

“I also plan on having Gregario – sorry, Grady – follow you when you go to work,” Peter said, focusing his serious eyes on Sophie. “Don’t bother arguing. It’s happening whether you like it or not. I think you’re a target now, too.”

Grady pursed his lips to keep from laughing. Sophie’s expression was murderous. Even if he was worried about Gregario being a Latin stud, he was also relieved knowing Sophie would have someone watching her every move.

“That’s all I have for now,” Peter said, pushing back from the counter and hopping off the stool. “When I have more, you’ll be the first to know.”

“Thank you,” Grady said, stepping in front of the man and extending his hand. “I’m not sure we could do this without your expertise.”

“Thank you for loving my Sophie,” Peter countered. “I’m sure I could not make it through this life if she wasn’t so well taken care of and happy. I think we’re even.”

Grady wasn’t so sure, but he let it be. For now, they had a new problem facing them and he had no idea how to approach it.

“Hello, love of my life.”

James walked into Mandy’s studio and found her studying a blank canvas, her hair tied into a loose ponytail and her face devoid of makeup. She was dressed down in cotton sleep pants and a tank top, and she looked comfortable – except for the serious tilt of her head.

When Mandy didn’t immediately answer, James moved up behind her and snuggled her close, kissing her neck in the specific spot he knew sent shivers down her spine. He wanted to internally gloat when he saw the goose pimples jump out on her skin.

“Hey, baby?”

Mandy finally acknowledged his presence. “Yes, love of my life.”

James grinned. “What are you doing? You’ve been up here for five hours. I’m feeling the need to touch you.”

“I’m working.”

James arched an eyebrow in the direction of the blank canvas. “Please tell me you haven’t been working on that for five hours,” he said. “I thought we solved your problem with finishing projects.”

Six weeks prior, James finally got a gander at one of his wife’s masterpieces – one she had hidden away because she was convinced it wasn’t very good. He’d been blown away. Before that she’d never finished anything because she got in her own way. After a huge fight – and a great reunion – she’d been happily painting (and finishing) pieces at every turn. He hoped her recent brush with death hadn’t changed things. He liked seeing her stuff.

“Oh, I finished what I was working on earlier,” Mandy said, pointing to the canvas leaning against the wall a few feet away. “Don’t touch it. It’s still wet.”

“I like it when things are … wet,” James said, licking Mandy’s neck for emphasis.

“I see you’re feeling horny.”

“Don’t say it like that,” James said, making a face. “It makes me sound dirty.”

“You
are
dirty.”

“Yes, but I don’t like to be reminded of it.” James kissed Mandy’s neck again and then moved away from her. He knew she was too focused on the new canvas to pay attention to him right now. He was fine with that. He planned on bribing her with food and then stripping her naked in the hot tub so they could have a real round of fun in a few hours. He was just looking for an appetizer now.

James stepped over so he could study the new canvas, smiling when he saw what it was. “You finished Ally’s painting.”

“I did.”

James wanted to laugh. Ever since Ally found out Mandy could take a snapshot and turn it into a work of art she’d been bugging her best friend to make a painting of her and Jake for over her fireplace. The photo she picked was one where Ally looked particularly cute and Jake was staring at her adoringly.

“Has Jake seen the photo Ally picked?” James asked, giving in to the urge to laugh.

“I have no idea,” Mandy admitted, clutching her paintbrush in her hand and moving to James’ side so she could look at the painting again. “He does look kind of goofy.”

“He looks goofy in love,” James corrected. “I don’t think he’ll publicly put up a fight but … Ally looks like she’s his queen in this photo and he’s happy to worship her.”

“Maybe that’s how he feels.”

“Maybe,” James conceded. “I have a dopey look on my face in the one you did, too.”

“You said you loved that photo.” Mandy’s sea-blue eyes widened. “I can paint a different one if you don’t like it.”

“Baby, I love that painting and I love that photo,” James said. “I was worshipping you the day we got married. I don’t care what you say, though, I don’t look half as dopey in our painting as Jake does in this one.”

“If he doesn’t like it I can paint a new one,” Mandy suggested.

“He’ll never say he doesn’t like it,” James argued. “He would never risk hurting your feelings or bruising Ally’s ego. Seriously, though, all she’s missing in this thing is a crown.”

“I could paint one in.”

“Leave it,” James said. “They’re in love and this painting shows it.”

“That’s a nice change from the way you usually react to hearing about how much Jake loves Ally.”

“It is. I want Ally to be happy, though. As much as I don’t want to picture her having sex with a guy, I wouldn’t wipe that stupid smile she has whenever she looks at Jake off her face for anything. I know they’re going to be together forever. I accept it.”

“I’m glad.”

“I’m glad you’re glad,” James said, slipping his arm around Mandy’s waist and tugging her to his side. “When are you going to be done up here?”

“Are you that horny?”

James narrowed his eyes.

“Are you that in love with me?” Mandy corrected, grinning at the sheepish look on his face.

“I’m so in love with you I would let you make a painting of me with that dopey smile on my face and show it off so everyone in the world could see it.”

“You’re in a good mood.”

“And you’re still upset about Heidi,” James said, tempering his enthusiasm for his wife’s benefit. “Have you talked to her?”

“I’ve called three times and left messages,” Mandy replied, averting her gaze. “She doesn’t answer and she doesn’t call me back.”

“Do you know how Clint is doing?”

“He’s out of the hospital and home.”

“And?”

“Apparently he’s fine,” Mandy said. “Judge MacIntosh didn’t have a lot of information. I have a feeling Heidi asked him not to share her private business with me.”

“Mandy, you can’t take this personally,” James said, resting his forehead against hers. “When someone’s mate is hurt people break down. She’s not really angry with you. She only thinks she is.”

“Mate?”

“Fine. Boyfriend. Live-in lover. Sex toy. Whatever you want to call it.”

“Are you my mate?” Mandy asked, a teasing smile on her face as she lowered her hand to James’ hard rear end and gave it a squeeze.

“That depends … do you want to mate with me?”

“I could probably be persuaded,” Mandy said, tilting her head to the side. “Would you feed me first?”

“I was going to order pizza and then mate with you in the hot tub.”

“It’s kind of cold,” Mandy protested.

“It will be hot in the hot tub.” James lowered his mouth to Mandy’s ear so he could lick it. “In more ways than one.”

“Okay, you’ve talked me into it,” Mandy conceded. “We have to play that game with the bubble jets I like so much, though.”

“That’s not a negotiation tactic, baby,” James said, releasing Mandy so she could put her painting supplies away. “I like that game as much as you do.”

“There’s no way you like that game as much as I do.”

“That sounds like a challenge, baby.”

“Why don’t you go and order the pizza,” Mandy suggested. “The sooner we eat the sooner we can find out who is telling the truth.”

“You’re on.”

“ARE YOU
sure they’re awake?” Sophie asked, making a face as Grady led her into James and Mandy’s house without knocking later that night. “Also, given the amount of sex these two have, shouldn’t we knock?”

“It’s barely nine,” Grady said. “They won’t be winding up their sex machine until at least ten.”

“Mandy isn’t working,” Sophie pointed out.

“So?”

“So they don’t have to be in bed – or up, for that matter – on a set schedule,” Sophie replied. “They’re probably doing it twenty-four hours a day.”

“You sound jealous. Am I not giving you enough sex?”

Sophie rolled her eyes. “We’ve done it four times today,” she said. “I think I’m good.”

“Hey, to be fair, those first few times were because we were making up,” Grady said.

“What about after Peter left?”

“I just wanted to see you naked again.”

“And when I got home from work?”

“I missed seeing you naked all day,” Grady replied, unruffled. “I like seeing you naked. Sue me.”

“I love you.”

Sophie’s face was so earnest Grady couldn’t stop himself from kissing her. “I love you, too, sugar.”

The kiss was hot, and when the duo finally separated, Sophie was surprised she was still dressed. “We should find James and Mandy. I want to go home and spend some time with you in the hot tub.”

“That sounds like a perfect evening,” Grady said, linking his fingers with Sophie’s.

“Where do you think they are?”

“I have no idea,” Grady admitted, tilting his head to the side and listening for noise. He called their names – several times – and then started moving toward the back of the house. “Maybe they’re in the guesthouse. James said Mandy was going to focus on her painting while she was off work.”

Sophie followed Grady out the back door. The night was cool, but not crisp. You could definitely tell it was fall, but it didn’t feel like winter was nipping at their heels – not yet, at least.

“The lights are on in the guesthouse,” Grady said. “We can have a drink with them and tell them what Peter said and then get going.”

“Why didn’t you just email him?”

“I did. He didn’t answer.”

“Maybe they’re busy,” Sophie suggested.

“He could still answer,” Grady grumbled. “When Mandy’s life is in danger, an email telling me they’re both still alive should be a common courtesy.”

“That’s why we’re really here,” Sophie said, chuckling. “You’re worried something happened to them.”

“I’m … concerned. Mandy is a walking target. She collects trouble like other women do shoes. I want to make sure she’s okay.”

“You were just as shaken as James was when you saw her on the ground,” Sophie said. “You love her, too.”

“I’ve always loved her,” Grady said. “I don’t think I was as shaken as James. I was … terrified, though. You didn’t hear her breathing stop and then start up a few times in the Explorer like I did. It was … horrible.”

“That’s one of the reasons you were so worked up after those guys tried to dose my drink, too,” Sophie mused. “I should’ve taken your feelings into consideration. I’m so sorry.”

“Stop apologizing, Sophie,” Grady instructed. “You’re okay. We’re okay. You’re not going to do it again.”

“Not with my shadow following me.”

Grady laughed. “How was your day with George?”

“Gregario doesn’t speak. At all. He’s like a really hot mime.”

“He’s not hot,” Grady corrected. “Georges aren’t hot.”

“Get over it,” Sophie shot back. “You’re the hottest man in the world.”

Grady puffed his chest out as they approached the guesthouse.

“Gregario is hot, too.”

“I’m going to have to talk to Peter about hiring some ugly henchmen,” Grady muttered. “I … .”

The rest of his sentence was drowned out by the sound of someone spurting out a mouthful of water and then dissolving into a fit of hysterical giggles. Both Grady and Sophie turned toward the hot tub in unison, their gazes landing on a drenched Mandy as she laughed.

“I told you that jet was more fun for me,” Mandy said. She was laughing so hard she was crying.

“It’s all semantics, baby,” James said, his head popping up from out of nowhere so he could study his wife. “I never said that I got the same … thrill … from that jet as you do. I said it was fun for both of us.”

“It’s more fun for me,” Mandy said. “Admit it.”

“Come here and I’ll show you how it’s fun for both of us,” James said.

“Admit it first.”

“Come here, wife!”

Grady and Sophie exchanged a look, and while Sophie’s cheeks colored with embarrassment, Grady was amused.

“I see you two are alive,” Grady called out.

Mandy jumped at his voice and moved to James quickly, pressing her body against his chest. James did his best to cover her, but as Grady and Sophie approached, it was obvious they were naked.

“Don’t you knock?” James asked, doing his level best to cover Mandy’s butt from prying eyes.

“We knocked. You didn’t answer.”

Sophie opened her mouth to argue with Grady’s revisionist history of their entry into the house and then wisely snapped it shut. “I’m sorry.”

“I don’t care if you see my wife naked,” James said. “I don’t want my brother to see her naked. Turn around.”

“I don’t want to see your wife naked,” Grady replied, nonplussed. “Don’t worry. All her naughty parts are squished against your naughty parts.”

“I don’t care,” James said. “This is our … fun time. Why are you here?”

“Did you get my email?”

“The one about Peter saying Twilight is on college campuses? Yeah, I got it.” James was obviously annoyed.

“Is there a reason you didn’t reply to it?” Grady had no intention of going anywhere. Despite his brother’s feeble attempts to cover up Mandy, Grady was having too much fun messing with James to leave. He knew there was no way his brother would risk letting Grady see Mandy naked – or Sophie see him naked – so Grady was in a position of power. He always liked that.

“I don’t know what you want me to say about it,” James said. “It’s terrible, but until we have more information, I don’t know what to do. These people know who we are. We have to make a plan of attack.”