Deadly Secrets (Hardy Brothers Security Book 11) (4 page)

“I’m sorry about dinner last night,” Finn said the next morning, searching James’ face for signs of hostility. “I had no idea there was so much … conflict … between Cara and Mandy.”

James rolled his neck as he surveyed the empty convention room. People would start filing in within the next fifteen minutes, and the security was in place. There was nothing to worry about, and his superhero theme night with Mandy had left him relaxed. “The conflict isn’t between Mandy and Cara,” he said. “It’s between Ally and Cara. Mandy is just fighting Ally’s battles for her.”

“From where I was sitting, it looked like Cara was going after Mandy,” Finn countered.

“Mandy says Cara was doing it because she has a thing for Jake,” James explained. “She thinks Cara wants Jake, and her way of going after him was to try and show Jake that he didn’t want what we have.”

“Do you believe that?”

James shrugged. “It’s as good of an explanation as anything else,” he said. “Cara was … friendly … when I met her. She didn’t seem interested in me, though. Once she ran into Jake, she kept finding reasons to talk to him.

“Once Mandy and Ally showed up, her demeanor kind of shifted,” he continued. “I’m not sure she realized Jake was involved until Ally was right in front of her.”

“Shouldn’t we be offended on Ally’s behalf over that?” Finn asked. “He was flirting with another woman while dating our sister.”

“He wasn’t flirting,” James argued. “He was just talking to her. That’s not something you volunteer unless you have a reason. If you do it too soon, I’ve noticed that women take offense. They don’t like being accused of flirting with you if they’re not doing it.

“Besides, do you really think Jake would ever cheat on Ally?” James asked.

Finn immediately started shaking his head. “No. He’s totally infatuated with her.”

James stilled, shifting his face so he could eye his younger brother. “Do you think they’re going to get married?”

“Who? Ally and Jake? Yeah, I think they’re going to get married.”

“Soon?”

“Soon-ish,” Finn hedged. “I think they’re still feeling each other out. I think they have to say that they love each other before they can start talking about marriage.”

“Mandy says they’re
it
for each other.”

“Do you see it differently?”

“I didn’t see it at all until she pointed it out,” James said. “I can’t decide if I’m oblivious or if I just didn’t want to see it.”

“Listen, your relationship with Ally is different than my relationship with Ally,” Finn said. “We were closer in age. While I feel protective of her, we’re also friends. You’re the one who goes into grizzly bear mode where Ally is concerned.”

“I just want her to be happy.”

“She is happy,” Finn said. “Jake makes her happy, and she makes him happy. He’s not our brother, but he’s already our family. They’re going to be together. You just need to accept that and get out of their way.”

“I thought I was out of their way.”

“You’re close,” Finn conceded. “You’re not quite there yet. You’re still waiting for everything to fall apart between them. You think you’re going to have to swoop in and pick up the pieces, but he’s not going to leave her in pieces. I don’t believe that.”

“He’s a good guy,” James said. “He’s … good … for Ally. She flies off the handle and he pulls her back down to the ground. He keeps her safe.”

“She’s good for him, too,” Finn said. “When he gets lost in his own head – and let’s face it, he has a tendency to do that – she pulls him out. She’s fun, and he smiles when he’s with her. They’re good for each other.”

“You’re telling me to suck it up and let them live their own lives, aren’t you?” James’ smile was rueful.

“Yes.”

“Then that’s what I’m going to do,” James said. “Ally deserves to be happy. Jake deserves to be happy, too. If they’re one-tenth as happy as I am with Mandy, then I want them to have it forever.”

“And that’s why you’re a good brother.”

“HOW
come you’re not blue today?”

Finn watched Emma from a few feet away, biting the inside of his cheek as he tried to swallow his laugh.

“I’m not with the
Avatar
group today,” Emma said, keeping her eyes averted from Finn. She was mortified that he was watching her, and mildly irritated he seemed to be having so much fun doing it. She loved the man with her whole heart, but she’d hoped he’d never see her looking like … this.

“You’re with the Xena group then?”

Emma pressed her lips together and adjusted the bodice on her costume primly. “Who else would I be?”

“An extra from a bad SyFy movie?”

“You’re so funny,” Emma said.

“You’re crabby,” Finn said. “Are your hormones swinging?” Emma’s hormones had been a roller-coaster ride since she found out she was pregnant. Most of the time when the switch flipped she was sad, sappy commercials sending her over the edge and into tears. Sometimes, though, she went the other way and glommed onto false anger. It seemed this was one of those times. Finn was learning to roll with the punches. He figured things would only get better once she was done modeling and could give in to her nesting urges.

“I’m not crabby,” Emma said, glancing around the convention worriedly. “I’m … fat.”

Finn balked. “You are not. Every man in this place is staring at you.”

“Because I’m fat.”

“Hey!” Finn moved closer to her. “You’re not fat. Stop saying that. You’re beautiful.”

“Do you know they had to give me a bigger-sized costume than when I was measured for it?” Emma asked. “I was measured two weeks ago. That means I’ve gone up a size in two weeks.”

“So?”

“So I’m fat.”

“Oh, good grief, sweetie.” Finn was annoyed. “You’re not fat. You’re pregnant.”

“Shh.”

“No one can hear me,” Finn snapped. “They’re keeping them on the other side of that rope for five minutes until everyone is ready. Besides, you
are
pregnant. You’re going to get bigger. You know that, right?”

Emma’s face twisted. “I know that.”

“I thought you were excited about the baby?” Emma’s newfound reticence was like a kick in the gut.

“Of course I’m excited about the baby,” Emma said. “It’s just … modeling is the only thing I’ve known for years. What if … what if you leave me and I have no way of supporting the baby?”

“First off, I’m never going to leave you,” Finn said, giving in to his urges and pulling Emma close. “Never. That’s why I proposed. That’s why I gave you a really expensive ring. That’s why we’re planning a wedding.”

“I know. What if … ?”

“Knock that off,” Finn said. “I will never leave you. I know that your hormones are going crazy, and you think you’re fat even though you’re the most beautiful woman in the world, but I’m never going to leave you.”

Emma lowered her eyes, sheepish. “Okay.”

“Emma,” Finn growled, pressing his lips to the side of her face. “I love you. We’re a family. We’re going to be together forever. I promise.”

Emma relaxed into his embrace. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry,” Finn said. “Just … I’m going to be happy when you’re done with this.”

“Me, too.”

“I don’t suppose you could keep this outfit, could you?”

Emma pulled away and fixed him with a dark look. “Xena? Really?”

“I forgot how hot she was. When I was a kid, I loved that show.”

“You realize they were lesbians, right?”

“That’s what was hot.”

Emma pinched his side. “You’re just so … .”

“Cute?”

“You are cute,” Emma conceded.

“You’re beautiful,” Finn whispered, brushing his lips against her ear. “I love you more than anything.”

“I love you, too.”

“Good.” Finn pinched her rear quickly and then turned to the front of the room. “They’re letting them in. I guess I should step away from their dream woman.”

“I’ll bring the outfit home tonight,” Emma said.

“And that’s why you’re the best woman ever.”

“CAN
you jump in the air and flip backward and land on a horse?”

Emma looked the middle-aged man up and down, uncertain how to answer. The truth was, she’d never watched the show. All of her Xena knowledge came from Wikipedia. “Sure.”

“Can we get a horse so we can watch you do it?”

“Um … .”

“The room isn’t zoned for livestock,” James said, shooting a wink to Emma as he loitered behind her.

“Who are you?” The man was suspicious.

“I’m with security,” James said.

“You’re not with Xena?”

James smiled and held up his left hand. “I’m married, and not to Xena.” He didn’t mention that Xena would be his sister-in-law in a few months. “Don’t worry. Your fantasy is still intact.”

“Only if we can get a horse,” the man said.

“Then you’re fresh out of luck.”

The man sighed. “Let’s just take the photo. Everything is ruined now.”

Emma patted his shoulder sympathetically. “I’m sorry everything is ruined.”

Once he was gone, Emma took her fifteen-minute break while James retrieved a bottle of water for her. When he returned, he was surprised to find her hunched over and flushed. “Are you okay?”

Emma was rubbing her stomach ruefully. “I’m not sure.”

“It’s not the baby, is it?” James was alarmed, and he straightened his shoulders as he searched the room for Finn. He was not equipped for this.

“If you’re asking if I’m losing the baby, that’s not it,” Emma said. “I think … I think my morning sickness is back.”

“I thought you shook that in New Orleans?”

“It doesn’t appear so,” Emma snapped.

James took an involuntary step back. He was used to feisty women, but Emma was usually the even-tempered one in his life. “Do you want me to get Finn?”

“What is he going to do?”

“Um … .” James didn’t think “allow me to escape” was the answer she was looking for. “Will water help?”

“If you want me to puke it up on the floor in front of everyone.”

Seriously, where is Finn?
“What do you want me to do?”

“Help me get to the bathroom.”

“You don’t want me to go in there with you, right?” James was starting to panic.

Emma shot him a disdainful look. “No.”

AFTER
twenty minutes of throwing up, Emma didn’t have the strength to stand. She was still shaky. Instead, she settled on the cold tile, resting her back on the stall wall as she tried to collect herself. It was good this was her last weekend. Not only was she getting too big to model, but she was also too much of an emotional wreck to be around the general populace.

Despite her melancholy, Emma couldn’t help but smile at the memory of James’ face when he asked if she wanted him to go into the bathroom with her. She couldn’t wait to tell Mandy about it. The blonde would get a kick out of her squeamish husband.

The bathroom door opened, and Emma stilled. She didn’t want anyone to know she was in here. She couldn’t face the humiliation. Whoever it was apparently didn’t realize she wasn’t alone.

“I told you, I’m working on it.”

Emma tilted her head to the side. She recognized the voice. It was Cara.

“I don’t know what you want me to do,” Cara said. “I can’t just force Jake Harrison into doing what I want him to do. I have to entice him.”

Emma froze.

“It’s not going to take much to get him on my side,” Cara said. “I just have to work my way around his insipid girlfriend.”

Emma covered her mouth and tried to control her breathing as she listened.

“The girlfriend is like a human doll,” Cara said. “I have no idea what he sees in her. She won’t be an obstacle. I know Jake. He couldn’t possibly choose her over me. Don’t worry about that.”

Cara paused to listen to whoever was on the other end of the phone call.

“Trust me,” she said after a moment. “Jake is going to do what I want. He’s bored now. He’s going to love the idea of getting some real action. I can guarantee it. The girlfriend will be history within the week.”

“Were you really dressed up like Xena?” Ally’s eyes sparkled as she fixed them on Emma.

The convention doors had closed two hours before, and now everyone was relaxing with a barbecue and a few drinks at James and Mandy’s house. It was one of their favorite weekend activities, and even though they had an ongoing job, the Hardys had no intention of skipping it. Winters in Michigan were brutal, and summer was quickly ticking away. In two months barbecues wouldn’t be an option until spring hit.

“I was dressed up like Xena,” Emma confirmed.

“Did anyone take photos?”

“Ally.” Emma rested her head on her arm and glared at her future sister-in-law.

“What did I say?” Ally asked, confused.

Finn shook his head as he rubbed Emma’s back. “Nothing. Her morning sickness reared its ugly head again and she got sick at the convention center.”

“Oh, no,” Ally said, sympathetic. “Did you throw up?”

“For what felt like forever.”

Ally smiled, despite herself.

“I don’t think it’s funny, Ally,” Finn chided her.

“It’s not funny that way,” Ally said. “I’m sorry. I was just picturing her sitting on a public bathroom floor dressed up like Xena. I couldn’t help myself.”

“Oh,” Finn said. “Yeah. I pictured that a few times myself.”

Emma scowled.

“I’m sorry, sweetie,” Finn said, rubbing soothing circles on her back. “It’s just … you were dressed up like Xena. You were so hot.”

“She’s still hot,” Mandy said, bringing a glass of ginger ale over to the table and sliding it in front of Emma. “Leave her alone.”

“We’re trying to help her,” Ally said.

“By asking if anyone took photos of her?”

“The photos help me,” Ally said.

“How?”

“They make me happy.”

Mandy cuffed her friend playfully. “Is that why you uploaded the video of James carrying the
Jaws
model – complete with the theme music – to Facebook this afternoon?”

“Yes.”

“She did what?” James, standing by the grill and flipping burgers, glanced up.

“Don’t worry about it,” Mandy said, waving off his concerns. “You looked strong and manly while you were doing it.”

“A lot of women commented just that,” Ally said, smiling at him sweetly.

James shot her a look. “You and I are having a talk later.”

“I can’t wait.”

“I’m sorry I’ve missed all of the fun at Detcon,” Sophie Lane said, settling at the table and sipping from her wine glass. “It sounds like you guys have been having a blast.”

“How does throwing up in a bathroom stall while dressed as Xena constitute ‘having a blast’?” Emma asked.

“Not that part,” Sophie said. “I’m sorry for that, by the way. I know you were excited when your stomach settled in New Orleans. That had to be a bummer today.”

“It was … something,” Emma said. She hadn’t told anyone what she overheard in the bathroom, unsure who to confide in. She was more troubled by Cara’s words than her own ailment, but she didn’t want to tell anyone what was really bothering her. At least not yet.

“I heard you and James bought matching superhero Underoos,” Sophie said, turning to Mandy. “How did that go?”

“We stopped the super villains and saved Gotham last night,” Mandy said, guileless.

“I’m sure you did.”

Sophie’s boyfriend, Grady Hardy, chortled heartily from his spot beside James as he brushed his shoulder-length hair out of his face. “Were you Superman?”

“You know very well I’m Batman,” James said. “I could never be Superman. He wears a frou-frou outfit.”

“And Batman Underoos are the height of sophisticated haberdashery?”

“Nice word,” James said.

“I was watching a western the other day,” Grady admitted. “They used it. It stuck in my head for some reason. I’ve been dying to whip it out.”

“You’re not whipping anything out until later,” Sophie warned.

Grady blew her a kiss. “I’m kind of sad I’m missing Detcon,” he said. “I hear all these fun stories, and I feel left out.”

“I offered you the chance to go,” James said. “Someone had to stay at the office, and I had Jake in mind, but you insisted on being the one to stay behind.”

“That’s because it sounded like a geekfest,” Grady said.

“Oh, it’s a total geekfest,” James said. “Why do you think I got Mandy MVP tickets?”

“Oh, thanks, husband,” Mandy deadpanned.

“Hey, I bought you that
Jaws
model and superhero Underoos. What more do you want from me?”

“A little respect would be nice,” Mandy challenged.

“I didn’t say there was anything wrong with being a geek,” James said. “In fact, that’s one of the things I love most about you.”

“Whatever.”

James rolled his eyes. “I blame you,” he said to Grady. “We were perfectly happy until you opened your big mouth. Now we’re going to have a fake fight so we can make up later.”

“Hey, I missed seeing Emma dressed up like a smurf … and Xena, too.”

“I have photos of her when she was a smurf,” Ally said, beaming.

“I was not a smurf!”

“WHAT’S
really wrong with you?”

Emma disappeared inside the house when she thought no one was looking, and now she was sitting at the counter as she rolled a few Tums tablets across the smooth surface. She was lost in thought, and she hadn’t heard Mandy enter the house.

Emma straightened her shoulders. “I … nothing. What makes you think anything is wrong?”

“Your face.”

“Thanks.”

Mandy strolled up to her friend and climbed onto the adjacent stool. “You know what I mean. You’re really … sad tonight. I don’t think it’s just your stomach, although I don’t think that’s helping.”

“I … something happened,” Emma admitted. “I wasn’t going to tell anyone, at least until I figured out who would be the best person to tell, but it’s killing me to keep it inside.”

“Tell me.”

“When I was in the bathroom, a woman came in,” Emma said. “She didn’t know I was in there, and she was having a conversation on her phone.”

“Was she planning a robbery or something?” Mandy was at a loss. She had no idea what was bothering Emma, but something was definitely gnawing at the beautiful model.

“It was Cara.”

Mandy stilled. “Who was she talking to?”

“I have no idea,” Emma said. “She was … talking about Jake.”

Mandy’s heart clenched. “What did she say?”

Emma repeated the conversation to the best of her ability and then waited.

“I knew that bitch was going to be trouble,” Mandy grumbled. “I told James. I told him that she had her eye on Jake and was going to try and cause problems.”

“Yes, you’re a master at figuring out people,” Emma said, her tone snarky.

“Okay, crabby,” Mandy said, shoving the Tums wafers in Emma’s direction. “Take those and find your sense of humor.”

“I’m sorry,” Emma said, rubbing the spot between her eyebrows. “I’m just twisted into knots.”

“You’re worried about Ally,” Mandy supplied.

“Aren’t you?”

Mandy shrugged. “I’m always worried about Ally, but probably not the same way you are,” she said. “Ally is one of the strongest people I know. I’m not worried about Cara trying to take her on. Ally would never lose out to a snake like Cara.”

“It sounds like she has something else in mind for Jake, though,” Emma said.

“It does,” Mandy agreed. “The problem is, we don’t know what that is. If we fly off the handle, it’s almost as if we’re assuming Jake would do something to hurt Ally.”

“Don’t you think we should warn him?”

“I’m not sure it’s our business,” Mandy said.

“Ally is our business.”

“She is,” Mandy said. “I just … I don’t know if I want her to be excitable where Cara is concerned. She’s already on edge. If she thinks Cara is openly working against her … .”

“But she is.”

“We both know Jake is going to shut Cara down when she approaches him,” Mandy said. “Do you want to get Ally all riled up when there’s no need? Jake is in love with Ally. He would never hurt her.”

“I know that,” Emma said. “It still makes me nervous. What if something does happen and Jake decides to choose Cara over Ally?”

“Then he never deserved Ally to begin with.”

“Don’t you want to talk to James about this?”

Mandy considered the question. “I’m not sure. I need to think about it.”

“What do you think James will do?”

“Pitch a righteous fit and push Jake into a corner.”

“And you think that might backfire on Ally,” Emma said.

“I do.”

“So … we just sit on this?”

“For now,” Mandy said. “Don’t worry. If things look like they’re swinging in the wrong direction, I’ll approach Jake myself.”

Emma was relieved. “Really?”

“Don’t worry about it,” Mandy said, rubbing Emma’s arm. “Everything is going to be okay.”

“COME
and sit on my lap, angel,” Jake said, patting his thighs and gesturing toward Ally.

Ally gladly acquiesced, snuggling close as he wrapped his arms around her. “I missed you today.”

“You saw me this morning,” Jake said, kissing her cheek.

“I know, but I’m used to having you to myself on the weekends.”

“We’ll be done soon,” Jake said. “You can have me to yourself tonight. You can finally put your little outfit on.”

“What outfit?” Grady asked, curious.

“None of your business, nosy,” Ally said, shooting her brother a dark look. “We were in the middle of a private conversation.”

“You didn’t have a problem telling everyone about James and Mandy’s outfits,” Grady pointed out.

“That’s because they were funny.”

Grady narrowed his eyes. “Is this some disgusting sex thing?”

“No,” Jake said hurriedly.

“Yes,” Ally replied.

“You two are just as sick as Mandy and James.”

“We’re not sick,” Mandy said, popping into view next to Grady. “We’re adventurous.”

“I heard you got a whip,” Grady said.

“Lasso. Wonder Woman has a lasso, not a whip.”

“It’s all the same in a man’s head,” Grady said.

“I told you,” James said.

“Cook your burgers,” Mandy ordered.

“Yes, wife.”

“Do you know what outfit Jake is talking about?” Grady asked.

“Why do you want to know?”

“I’m trying to decide if I should beat him to death.”

“Nice,” Mandy said.

“Tell me what the outfit is,” Grady said.

“No.” Mandy shifted her attention to Ally and Jake. “Do you guys want something to drink?”

“I’m good,” Ally said.

“I have everything I want,” Jake said, tightening his arms around Ally’s waist. “I have my angel. Alcohol is unnecessary.”

“Oh, gag me,” Grady said.

“We tried that when you were a kid, but you kept crying like a little girl,” Ally teased.

“You’re
so
not funny,” Grady said. “Tell me.”

“What is he complaining about?” Sophie asked.

“Nothing, sugar,” Grady replied. “Don’t worry about it.”

“He heard that Ally bought an outfit at Detcon and it’s driving him nuts because we won’t tell him what it is,” Mandy said.

James stilled near the grill. “What kind of a sicko wants to know that about his own sister?”

“I don’t want to know what she’s going to do in the outfit,” Grady clarified. “I’m just curious what her sick little mind found to like at Detcon. That’s never been her scene.”

“That’s true,” James mused. “I’m still happy being oblivious.”

“This is going to bug me,” Grady said.

“That’s because you’re a sick individual,” Mandy said.

“You dressed up like Wonder Woman and whipped Batman last night,” Grady reminded her.

“I didn’t whip him. It’s a lasso!”

“We’ve got it, baby,” James said. “It’s a lasso. Calm down. Have a drink or something.” He turned his attention to Grady. “And you, stop asking about what Ally bought at Detcon. If she tells you, I’m going to find out, and that’s a visual I’m never going to be able to shake.”

Jake smirked. “Yes, Grady, leave your sister alone. Her … fetishes … are between us.”

Ally grinned widely. “He’s so cute.”

“You’ve been a bad influence on him,” Grady said.

“You’ve been a good influence on me, angel,” Jake said. “Don’t listen to him.”

“He’s just jealous,” Ally said.

“Of what?” Grady was annoyed.