Deadly Ever After (Hardy Brothers Security Book 6) Read online

  Mandy jumped to her feet, startling him with her frantic movements. “What’s wrong? What do you need? Are you okay? What’s going on?”

  “Nothing is wrong,” James said.

  “Then why are you awake?”

  “Why are you sleeping on the floor?”

  “I … I guess I just drifted off.”

  “Why were you on the floor? Have you been crying?”

  Mandy raised her fingers to her puffy eyes, wondering briefly how he could even see that in the dark. “No. I … I’m just tired.”

  “Then why aren’t you in bed with me?”

  Mandy rubbed the side of her face. “Why are you awake? Are you in pain? Do you need me to call the doctor?”

  “I woke up because I didn’t feel you next to me,” James said. “Tell me why you were on the floor.”

  “I was just … I was watching you sleep and then I fell asleep.”

  “Well, the watching-me-sleep thing is kind of weird,” James said. “Since I’ve done it myself, though, I’m going to let it slide. Get up in the bed. You can watch me from a more comfortable position.”

  Mandy worried her bottom lip with her teeth. “I don’t want to hurt you. If I climb on that bed, it might jostle your shoulder.”

  James rolled his eyes. “Get your ass in this bed. I’m not joking. I’m not going to be able to stay awake much longer, and I’m going to be really pissed off if you’re not here with me when it happens.”

  Mandy’s exaggeratedly slow movements as she slipped under the covers were enough to make James want to shake her. She was rigid when she rested her head against the pillow, her body tense.

  “Okay, go to sleep,” Mandy said.

  “No.”

  “James, you have to sleep,” Mandy said. “Please.”

  “Not until you’re over here with me,” he said.

  “You can’t keep your eyes open,” Mandy said. “I’m not going to climb on top of you and risk hurting you in my sleep. I won’t do that.”

  “Oh, you’re going to do it,” James said. “I’m the one who was shot. I get what I want tonight, and what I want is you right here.” James extended his arm and pointed to the open spot he’d made. “Right now.”

  “James.”

  “You know, we went through this a few months ago when you were hurt,” James said. “You were hurt a lot worse. A lot worse, baby. You wanted me to touch you even though it really hurt you. It doesn’t hurt me, and I want you in my arms. Now, don’t make me yell.”

  Mandy shuffled closer to him, cautiously resting her head against his shoulder as he secured his arm around her back.

  “If you move after I fall asleep, I’ll know,” James warned. “Then I’m going to yell at you tomorrow morning.”

  “I won’t move,” Mandy said. “I’ll be right here.”

  “You’re going to stay awake all night to make sure you don’t accidentally hit my shoulder, aren’t you?”

  “Yes.”

  James was exasperated. “We’re going to talk about this in the morning,” he said. “We’re going to have a really big fight. Just be prepared.”

  “Go to sleep,” Mandy said, her voice soft as she kissed his strong jaw.

  “A big fight,” James murmured, sleep winning the battle again.

  “I love you,” Mandy whispered.

  “I love you, too,” James said. “We’re still going to fight, and you’re going to lose.”

  Four

  Mandy’s head was still resting on his chest when James woke up a little after nine the next morning. He was purposely still, hoping to give her more time to rest before facing the day. Something told him she’d had a long night. As hard as she fought falling asleep, though, she’d been unable to win the ultimate battle. That gave him a small measure of comfort.

  James reached over, brushing the tousled blonde hair away from her face so he could get a better look at her in the early morning light. Her eyes were still slightly puffy, but he was fairly certain she hadn’t succumbed to tears again while he was out.

  He didn’t want her to cry. He couldn’t take it when she cried. The thought of even a little bit of misery touching her heart was too much for him.

  He felt her shift next to him, her legs extending as she stretched. He watched as consciousness claimed her, internally sighing as she bolted to a sitting position and glanced around guiltily.

  “Don’t bother,” he said, his tone dry. “I’m already awake, and you didn’t accidentally maul me or hurt me in my sleep.”

  Mandy leaned over, resting her weight on her elbow. “Are you okay?”

  “No.”

  Mandy furrowed her brow. “You’re not? What do you need? Do you need me to change your bandage? Do you want more of the pain meds? Do you need help getting into the bathroom? Do you think it’s infected? Do you need me to call the doctor?”

  “I need you to chill,” James said.

  Hurt flashed in the depths of Mandy’s eyes. “Oh.”

  “Don’t look at me like that,” James warned.

  “Like what?”

  “Like that,” James said, forcefully pulling Mandy’s head back down to his chest. “I didn’t mean to snap at you.”

  “You’re allowed,” Mandy said. “I shouldn’t have fallen asleep.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because you might have needed something.”

  “I was dead to the world,” James said. “I have a feeling you were awake for hours after I was already gone. Why is anyone’s guess. Only your busy mind has the answer to that.”

  “You were shot,” Mandy reminded him.

  “Oh, really? I forgot.”

  “You’re not funny.”

  “I’m not trying to be funny,” James said. “I’m trying to get you to relax.”

  Mandy was quiet for a minute, letting James pet the back of her head. The perfect morning moment didn’t last long. “Are you hungry?”

  “No,” James said, grimacing as the sound of his stomach growling betrayed him. “Maybe a little.”

  “I can make you breakfast,” Mandy offered. “You need nourishment. You need fuel to recover.”

  “I need you more,” James said, his voice soft and pointed. “Just … five minutes. Just be with me for five minutes.”

  Mandy eyes were conflicted.

  “Baby,” James growled. “You’re killing me. I am fine. My shoulder is fine. I need you to just let it go.”

  “I can’t,” Mandy said.

  James cupped the back of her head and forced her eyes to his. “Why?”

  “I thought … I thought you were dead,” Mandy admitted. “I thought that’s why they wouldn’t let us back to see you. The minute I heard the words from the nurse on the phone, I just … I couldn’t function.”

  James forced himself to remain calm, even though he desperately wanted to shake her. “I know the feeling,” James said. “You don’t think that I felt the same way when you were hurt?”

  “I … .”

  “It’s hard being the one waiting,” James said, cutting her off. “You know what the worst moment for me was when you were hurt? And, no, you sneaking out of the apartment doesn’t count.”

  Mandy waited for him to continue.

  “I spent twenty minutes yelling for a doctor to come and update me on your condition,” he said. “I was convinced you were dead. I knew that’s why they wouldn’t tell me what was going on with you. The second between when the doctor came out of that back hallway and before he opened his mouth was the most scared I’ve ever been in my whole life. I needed to hear how you were, and I was terrified to hear him say the worst words in the world at the same time.”

  Mandy lifted her chin. “Really?”

  “Really,” James said. “I know a little about being scared when it comes to someone you love.”

  “I guess,” Mandy said. “It’s just … .”

  “You felt helpless,” James finished. “I know. I can’t fix that. As you can see, though, I’m ok
ay. In a week, you won’t even be able to tell this has happened.”

  “I’ll know,” Mandy grumbled.

  James’ chest rumbled with silent laughter. “Yes, you will,” he said. “Just like I still have to force myself to remember that your back is healed.”

  “Of course my back is healed,” Mandy scoffed. “Don’t be ridiculous.”

  “I’m not the one being ridiculous.”

  “Oh, fine,” Mandy conceded. “I’m being ridiculous. I just … is it wrong that I want to take care of you?”

  “I want you to take care of me,” James said. “I just don’t want you to sacrifice yourself to do it.”

  “I’m not,” Mandy protested.

  “You are,” James said. “What we both need here is for you to relax.”

  “Fine.”

  James couldn’t hide his smile as he watched her rest her head against his chest. After five minutes – a stretch of time he was sure was excruciating for her – he let her back up. “So, what are you going to cook me for breakfast?”

  Mandy arched an eyebrow as she leaned over him. “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”

  “I’m enjoying being with you,” James said. “By the time our parents invade next week, alone time is going to be a hot commodity.”

  “You’re right,” Mandy said. “What do you want for breakfast?”

  “An omelet sounds good,” James said, his mind wandering back to the first breakfast she’d ever cooked for him.

  “Okay,” Mandy said. “Breakfast it is. We’ll tackle your bandage afterwards.”

  “I can’t wait.”

  “SOMETHING smells good,” Grady said, breezing into the apartment, his arms laden with groceries. “I was worried you guys didn’t have anything to eat.”

  “I see you brought supplies,” Mandy said.

  Grady looked her up and down. She was dressed in fuzzy Hello Kitty pajama pants and a T-shirt, her blonde hair pulled back in a simple ponytail, and she was standing next to the stove with a spatula in her hand. She looked relaxed – at least more relaxed than the last time he’d seen her. “I did,” Grady said. “I figured you guys would be sticking close to home today.”

  “We are,” Mandy said. “James is grounded.”

  Grady smirked at his brother. “You’re grounded?”

  James shrugged, grimacing slightly at the twinge in his shoulder. “I’m hoping she dresses up as a naughty teacher and spanks me with a ruler later.”

  “Nice,” Grady said, settling on the couch next to him. “How is your shoulder?”

  “It’s fine,” James said. “It’s a little sore.”

  “You were lucky,” Grady said. “By the way, Finn is down getting the footage from the courthouse’s cameras. We’re hoping it shows something – but I don’t think there are cameras on the roof. We’ll have to wait and see. He’s going to bring them over here when he’s done.”

  “Good,” James said. “The sooner we find out who did this, the sooner we can put it behind us.”

  “You’re not working today,” Mandy said from the kitchen, her back to them. “You promised.”

  “Looking at a video isn’t work,” James said.

  “Yes, it is.”

  “No, it isn’t.”

  “James,” Mandy warned.

  “Mandy,” James teased back.

  Grady watched the exchange, amusement flitting across his face. “She seems better,” he said after a moment, lowering his voice.

  “She was up all night,” James replied, matching his brother’s muted tone. “She panicked about three times.”

  “Well, that’s to be expected,” Grady said. “You should have seen her in the lobby. She was convinced she was having a nightmare. I think the thought of you dying on her was almost too much for her to take.”

  “Well, I can’t go back in time and fix it,” James said. “All we can do is move forward. I’m fine. She’ll be fine, too. I’m hoping a whole day together where she can see I’m fine will help.”

  “It can’t hurt,” Grady agreed. “So, do you want me to change your bandage so she doesn’t have to?” James shook his head, a gesture that surprised his brother. “You don’t?”

  “I want her to do it,” James said. “If she sees how small the wound is, I’m hoping it will make her realize that she’s being ridiculous. After seeing her back after the explosion, my shoulder should be a piece of cake. Oh, you didn’t happen to bring any cake, did you?”

  Grady snorted. “I bought a box of Twinkies.”

  “Those will work.”

  Mandy slid three plates onto the dining room table and glanced at the brothers expectantly. “Breakfast is served.”

  “Aw, man, I thought you would serve mine to me in bed wearing nothing but an apron,” James said.

  Mandy rolled her eyes. “Eat your breakfast.”

  “THIS isn’t a very good angle,” James said, leaning over Finn’s shoulder so he could see the laptop screen better.

  “It’s all we have,” Finn said. “I think all we can say with any certainty is that, whoever it was, they knew what they were doing.”

  “And we can’t clean this up at all?” Grady asked.

  “I’m going to send it to Maverick,” Finn said, referring to the computer guy Hardy Brothers Security often utilized for sensitive matters. “I’m not optimistic.”

  “Look here,” Grady said, pointing to the screen and causing Finn to hit the pause button. “Look at the way he crouches.”

  “He’s military trained,” James supplied. “Yeah, I figured that out, too.”

  “I don’t think he chose you at random,” Finn said. “I think you were a specific target.”

  James straightened, shifting his gaze to the closed bathroom door. Mandy had disappeared inside to shower about twenty minutes before. “Keep that to yourself for now.”

  “You don’t want her to worry,” Finn said.

  “She’s already worried,” James said. “I don’t want her to completely fall off the rails.”

  “Do you think that lying to her is the best way to go?”

  “It’s not a lie,” James replied. “We don’t know anything. We have certain ideas, but they’re not facts.”

  “That seems like a semantics argument,” Finn said.

  “It is,” James agreed. “I just … she slept on the floor for half the night last night because she was so worked up. She needs time.”

  “And you don’t want to scare her,” Grady supplied.

  “Not for anything in this world,” James said. “So, for now, this is just between the three of us.”

  “What about Jake?” Grady asked, referring to the fourth security company employee. “He has better military contacts in the area.”

  “He can be briefed,” James conceded. “Make sure he doesn’t tell Ally.”

  “He’s not going to like that,” Finn said. “They’re all about the love and honesty these days.”

  James made a face. “Just … he’ll understand.”

  “He will,” Finn said. “I was just messing with you.”

  “Why?”

  “Because, for a second there yesterday, I was worried I’d never be able to mess with you again,” Finn admitted.

  “Do you want me to clear a spot for you on the bedroom floor so you can sleep next to Mandy tonight?” James asked.

  “If you think that will help,” Finn replied.

  “ARE your brothers gone?”

  Mandy walked out of the bathroom, her hair damp, her face flushed from the hot shower.

  “Yeah.”

  “Did the video show you anything?”

  “Not much,” James said. “It’s a horrible angle. We’re sending it to Maverick.”

  “Are … ?”

  “Don’t ask me if I’m okay,” James said, keeping his focus on the television. “I can’t answer that question one more time.”

  Mandy remained rooted to her spot, uncertainty washing over her for a moment. She sucked in a deep
breath, calming herself. She’d promised him that she wouldn’t hover.

  James tilted his head to the side, his warm brown eyes scanning her. “Do you want to come over here and make me feel better?”

  “I’m going to come over there and change your bandage,” Mandy said. “That should make you feel better.”

  James wrinkled his nose. “That’s not what I had in mind.”

  “I know,” Mandy said, moving toward the counter and gathering the medical supplies. “It’s what we’re doing, though.”

  “Fine,” James grumbled, leaning forward and pulling his shirt over his head.

  Mandy knelt down in front of him, fixing him with an unreadable look. “Didn’t that hurt?”

  “What?”

  “Taking your shirt off,” Mandy said. “It seems to me that should have hurt.”

  James smiled. “I’m a tough guy.”

  “You’re … something.”

  James grabbed Mandy’s chin and pressed his lips against hers. “I’m your something.”

  “You are indeed,” Mandy agreed, giving him another quick kiss and then focusing on his shoulder. “So, I’m going to take this bandage off now.”

  James waited. He knew she was working herself up to the task. He figured letting her move at her own speed was the wisest course of action.

  Mandy’s fingers were unsure as they peeled the tape away from his shoulder. She inhaled deeply through her nose, steadying herself, and then pulled off the gauze. Yesterday, in the hospital, she hadn’t focused on the wound too much out of fear. Now, in the safe environment of their home, she had nothing else to focus on.

  The truth was, she’d expected a lot worse. The wound wasn’t big. It was located high on his shoulder, merely glancing off the top of his collarbone. It had only taken a few stitches to sew it up. The skin around it was angry and red, but it was still small. Mandy exhaled shakily.

  James watched her the entire time. “See, it’s not so bad.”

  “No,” Mandy said. “It’s not as bad as I thought it would be.”

  “That’s why I waited for you to do this instead of letting Grady,” James said.

  “I’m glad you did,” Mandy said, resting her fingertips against James’ collarbone. She leaned forward, kissing the spot next to the stitches softly. James rubbed the back of her head affectionately. “You’re okay.”