Deadly Dealings (Hardy Brothers Security Book 13) (21 page)

“If you kill me you’ll go to prison,” Jasper argued. “You love your precious wife too much to go to prison. We wanted her, by the way. We’ve been watching your house. You never left her alone long enough for us to grab her. We were going to rip her apart.”

James ignored the stutter in his heart. Jasper was baiting him in the hopes he would make a mistake. He wouldn’t do that. Not with Heidi’s life on the line. “I don’t doubt you wanted my wife,” he said. “She’s safe, though. She’s with Mr. Marconi. You’re the one whose future is in doubt. You need to hand Heidi over to me now.”

“I won’t!”

“I’m done playing,” Sven snapped. “I’m tired of this. You don’t have a move to make. You’re posturing now. If you try to hurt Heidi I will kill you. If you don’t hand her over in thirty seconds I will kill you. The only way you don’t end up dead in this scenario is if you willingly hand her over to Mr. Hardy now.”

“How are you going to explain my murder?”

“What murder?” Sven asked. “I killed you when you went to murder Heidi. I don’t think anyone here is going to argue with that assessment.”

“But … .” Jasper was anguished. He was out of options and he knew it. That didn’t mean he was going down quietly. “Maybe I’ll just cut her throat and force you to put me down,” he said. “I’ll still win that way.”

The knife moved so fast James only registered a blur as Heidi began to scream. Sven didn’t hesitate to fire. The end was here – and it wasn’t the one James was expecting.

“DID
you hear that gun go off?” Mandy asked, reaching for the door handle.

“Stay here,” Peter warned. “I promised your husband I would keep you safe. I can’t very well do that if you insist on running around without protection.”

“But … someone was shot.” Mandy worried her bottom lip with her teeth.

“We don’t know if it was a good guy or a bad guy,” Sophie said. “I … Grady!” She pushed open the door and climbed out of Peter’s limo even as he tried to pull her back inside.

“Good grief,” Peter muttered.

Sophie raced into Grady’s arms, throwing herself on him and smothering him with kisses. “Are you okay?”

“Not a scratch on me, sugar.” His grin was full of charm and the kiss he graced Sophie with was heated. “I got Winona. She’s in custody. I don’t believe they’ve given the all clear yet, though. Are you supposed to be out of that limo?”

“I’m sorry,” Sophie said. “I got so excited when I saw you.”

“Well, it was for a good cause,” Grady said, pulling Sophie back in for another hug. When he heard the sound of the door opening on the other side of the limo he glanced up, meeting Mandy’s worried gaze over the hood of the limo. “Go ahead. He’s okay. He’s coming down.”

Mandy sighed, relieved. “Are you sure?”

“I’m sure.”

Mandy didn’t have to be told twice. She broke away from an annoyed Peter and started running toward the house, only making it a few feet before she caught sight of James. He was trudging down the road, Sven at his side, and whatever they were talking about had them both laughing.

James lifted his head, almost as if he sensed Mandy watching him, and he quickened his pace as he moved toward his wife. He swept her up in his arms, kissing her hungrily and holding her close before releasing her. “Hello, wife. You were supposed to wait for me in the car.”

“I … did,” Mandy protested. “I … Grady said I could.”

“Way to throw me under the bus, Mandy,” Grady deadpanned.

James wanted to feign anger, but he was too tired to even pretend. “I have a present for you.”

“You do?” Mandy’s eyes flooded with hope.

James moved to the side and cleared the way to Heidi, who was talking Gregario’s ear off as they walked up the street. She caught sight of Mandy and stilled, causing James’ heart to flop as he worried Heidi was going to carry her anger over for a few more days.

Instead, Heidi burst into tears and ran the rest of the way to Mandy. She threw her arms around the smaller woman’s neck and launched into a harrowing story of kidnapping and rescue. Somehow she became the hero when Jasper missed his target and Sven put him down. James didn’t bother correcting her. He figured she’d earned her story.

“A happy ending?” Peter asked, arching an eyebrow.

“They found one woman in the basement,” James said. “She’s still alive, but in bad shape. She’s being transported to the hospital.”

“And the others?” Peter was grim.

“There’s an industrial freezer down there, too,” James replied. “They’re all inside.”

“That’s not the ending I was hoping for,” Peter said.

“It’s not the ending any of us was hoping for,” James said, shifting his eyes to a happy Mandy and Heidi as they caught up on their time apart. “Somehow I’m okay with it, though. We can only do what we can do.”

Peter smiled. “You did well today – for the people of this county and your wife.”

After sex and a shower, James found Mandy in the kitchen Sunday morning, their ordeal of the past week and a half vacant from her excited face.

“Do I even want to know what you’re so giddy about?” James asked, internally bracing himself.

After Jasper and Winona were taken into custody and all the Twilight was confiscated, it was a fight to the finish line to see which one of them would confess first. Not only did they roll over on each other, but they gave up everyone else in their operation – including Tommy and Robert – as well. Sheriff Morgan worked twenty-four hours straight, but he had everyone in custody in less than a day. As far as wrap-ups go, it was a clean and easy one.

James and Mandy spent that twenty-four hours in bed with nothing but takeout and television to amuse themselves. Well, and each other, of course. Now it was a new day and they were facing it together.

Mandy held up an envelope, her face triumphant. “Peter sent me a gift.”

“I see,” James said, moving to the coffee pot so he could pour himself a mug of liquid energy. Something told him he was going to need it today. He had no idea why. “Did Peter buy you a pony?”

Mandy made a face. “You’re confusing me with Ally.”

“Never,” James said. “The mere suggestion of that grosses me out.”

“I don’t want a pony,” Mandy said.

“That’s good,” James said. “I can’t imagine picking up the mess in the yard, and I know it would fall on me because you hate yard work.”

“You’re lucky I’m in too good of a mood to fight with you today,” Mandy said, wiggling her butt excitedly as she did a little dance. “I’m in too good of a mood for anything to ruin it. Go ahead and try.”

“Really? Do you honestly think I’ve been considering ways to rain on your parade? That really sounds just like me, doesn’t it? I’m the type of man who loves an unhappy wife.”

“You’re tempting the boundaries of my love,” Mandy warned, lifting the envelope in her hand higher. “Don’t you want to know what Peter sent me?”

“I’m honestly torn,” James admitted. “I thought we were going to have a quiet day here at home. Tomorrow is Halloween. I was hoping we could watch horror movies and see if I can manage to sneak my hands into your panties before you notice.”

Mandy smirked. “We play that every Sunday.”

“Why mess with a good thing, baby?”

Mandy sighed. “I have tomorrow off,” she said. “We can play that tomorrow.”

James furrowed his brow. “You have tomorrow off, too? Why?”

“Because I took it off so you could play panty games with me,” Mandy said.

James didn’t believe her. “Why really?”

“The judges have a meeting about increasing security at the courthouse,” Mandy conceded, hating that James was ruining her happy day. “After I was attacked and Clint was hurt they think they need to revamp things.”

“I’m all for that,” James said. “I would like it even more if you would quit and be my artistic love bunny around the house twenty-four hours a day.”

“Don’t push me.”

“So much for your giddiness,” James said, grinning. “I don’t want to ruin your happy mood. What’s in the envelope?”

“Peter got us VIP passes to the new aquarium at Great Lakes Crossing,” Mandy announced. “We get to go in the back rooms and everything. I can literally pet a shark if I want to – and it will be in a safe environment.”

Now James could see why she was so happy. “That actually sounds like fun, baby,” he said. “I’m taking it the passes are for today.”

“They are,” Mandy said. “He got me four of them.”

“Who are we taking with us? Oh, wait, you’re going to want to bring Ally, aren’t you? I guess I can put up with her mouth for one afternoon.”

“I considered taking Ally,” Mandy said. “Instead, I wanted to reward someone else.”

“Sophie and Grady?” James was hopeful.

Mandy shook her head, causing James’ heart to plummet.

“I know it’s not Emma and Finn because Emma would rather roll around in dirt than see sharks,” James said. “Who are we taking?”

“Clint and Heidi are on their way.”

James groaned. “No.”

“I know Clint bugs you,” Mandy said, her face softening. “I need time with Heidi, though.”

“I thought you made up.”

“We did,” Mandy said. “It’s just … she really wants to go on a double date when she’ll have the stories to tell and be the center of attention.”

James sighed, resigned. “Fine. I’m picking where we eat, though.”

“If it’s any consolation, I plan on wearing one of my pencil skirts,” Mandy said. “I won’t be typing, but your mind will be able to run away to naughty places if you’re so inclined.”

“You don’t need to wear a skirt to the aquarium,” James argued. “I think I’ll live.”

“I’m not going to be wearing underwear,” Mandy offered.

“Sold.” James moved to his wife and swept her into his arms. “I love you more than life itself, baby. I want you to know that the only reason I’m agreeing to this is because it’s going to get us both in the mood.”

“I know,” Mandy replied, nonplussed. “Why do you think I’m wearing the skirt?”

“Because love is a funny thing, baby,” James said, kissing her softly. “You have to promise not to wander away, though.”

“It’s an aquarium,” Mandy said, raising a dubious eyebrow. “What could possibly happen?”

James released her and headed for the stairs.

“Where are you going?” Mandy called to his back.

“I’m getting those handcuffs you bought in New Orleans from your closet,” James replied, not missing a beat. “You’re not leaving my side no matter what.”

“People are going to think we’re kinky.”

“Good.”

Mandy thought about arguing, but opted against it. Her life was good. Her husband was happy. She was about to spend the afternoon with sharks and a friend who needed some attention.

Life didn’t get much better than that. If James wanted to fasten himself to her for the afternoon she could think of a few games to play.

“Grab that flavored oil, too,” Mandy yelled at the second floor.

“I love the way your mind works, baby.”

Marriage wasn’t perfect, but if anyone else was happier than Mandy Hardy and the husband she loved more than anything – she had a feeling they were a rare find.

Christmas is here and the Hardy family is ready to celebrate in style.

James Hardy has a big gift for his wife for their first Christmas as a married couple, but keeping her from finding out what presents he’s hiding is only one of the things on his to-do list.

After a job takes James out of town for longer than he would like, he expects a happy reunion with his wife, Mandy. He gets it, even though it’s short-lived, and he’s taken by surprise when trouble comes knocking.

Someone is going to be on Santa’s naughty list this year, and that someone has set his sights on the Hardy family – and James and Mandy in particular. James has information someone desperately wants, and Mandy is in the way when danger comes to collect.

James will do anything to protect his wife, and when his own actions threaten her life, he’s determined to make someone pay.

Will the Hardy’s get a merry Christmas? And who will be spreading their love under the mistletoe?

It’s all hands on deck for another Hardy romp, and laughter, love and eggnog are on the menu – as long as everyone survives to enjoy a magical holiday together.

Deadly Christmas is available
here
.

I’m a romantic at heart. A true romantic. I love the idea of a happy ending, so much so I have trouble writing a sad one. The world is sad enough. I like escaping in fiction. That’s just me. I like sarcasm and snark – but I’m not sure a sad ending is in me. If you’re looking for an edge like that, you’re probably looking in the wrong place. Just FYI.

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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

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