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

  “WHERE do you think you four are going?”

  James looked up from his spot behind the desk. He’d been staring at the computer screen so long his eyes were starting to cross. He still wasn’t out of it enough to miss Mandy, Ally, Sophie, and Emma trying to sneak out of the building.

  “You look tired,” Ally offered. “You should take a nap.”

  “It’s just a lot of files,” James said.

  “Are you getting anywhere?”

  “The list of people who hold a grudge against me is long and storied.”

  “You always were popular.”

  James frowned. “You’re trying to distract me.”

  “That’s a horrible thing to say about your sister,” Ally said, sashaying into the room and dropping a kiss on the top of Jake’s head. He was sitting on the couch watching the interaction between his girlfriend and her brother with overt interest. “Hi, sweetie.”

  “Hi, angel,” Jake said. “What are you doing?”

  “What makes you think I’m doing anything?”

  “I know you,” Jake said. “You’re up to something.”

  “That’s a mean thing to say.”

  “Now you’re trying to deflect with faux outrage,” Jake said. “Don’t bother. Just tell us what you’re up to.”

  “I’m really hurt,” Ally said, jutting her lower lip out in a pronounced pout.

  Jake’s heart melted, even though he was still suspicious. He leaned forward, capturing her bottom lip between his. Ally met his kiss enthusiastically, causing James to look away and focus on the other three women in the lobby.

  “Where are you going, baby?”

  “What makes you think we’re going anywhere?” Mandy asked, taking a step forward.

  “You’re all dressed up and heading toward the door,” James said. “Even if I didn’t do this for a living, I would know you guys were up to something.”

  Mandy sighed, the gesture dramatic and overly played. “You’re so smart.”

  James rolled his eyes. “Tell me where you think you’re going.”

  “I know I’m going for the final fitting of my wedding dress,” Mandy said, brushing James’ hair away from his face. “You need a haircut.”

  “I know,” James said, buying time as he considered the problem in front of him. “I promise to get it cut before the wedding.”

  “You don’t have to,” Mandy said. “I like it when you look all rough and tumble. It makes me want to have sex with you in nature.”

  James smirked. “That was an outstanding distraction, baby.”

  “I try.”

  “I’m still not sure.”

  Mandy’s shoulders slumped.

  “I don’t want to fight,” James said. “I really don’t want to fight.”

  “So, we won’t fight.”

  “I also don’t know how comfortable I am with you guys running all over the county,” James said.

  “We’re not running all over the county,” Mandy said. “We’re going to a wedding shop. We’re not going to be out in the open. I just have to make sure the dress fits, and these guys need to make sure their dresses are done.”

  “What if I come with you?” James offered.

  “You can’t see her in her dress,” Ally protested. “It’s bad luck.”

  “We’ve had all the bad luck we’re going to have,” James said.

  “You’re testing the fates,” Ally warned.

  James growled. “Ally.”

  “James,” she shot back.

  “Okay,” James said. “If I can’t see the dress, why can’t Jake go with you?”

  Ally faltered, her face awash with concentration as she tried to come up with an acceptable response. James turned to Mandy. “Is there a reason?”

  “We can’t gossip if Jake is there,” Mandy replied.

  “I don’t think Jake cares about your gossip,” James said.

  “He’ll still inhibit it.”

  James cleared his throat, exchanging a glance with Jake. “What do you think?”

  Jake shrugged. “I don’t know. I would feel better if they weren’t alone.”

  “Join the club.”

  “They’re going to pout if we don’t let them go off on their own, though,” Jake added.

  “I’m well aware.”

  “What if Jake stays outside of the shop?” James pressed.

  “Then we’ll feel guilty,” Ally admitted.

  “Why would you feel guilty?”

  “Okay, a dress fitting isn’t what you guys are picturing,” Ally said. “We don’t go into the shop, try on dresses, and then just leave.”

  “Then what do you do?”

  “There’s champagne and shopping,” Ally said. “There’s a lot of talk about hopes and dreams. It’s very girly.”

  James rolled his eyes.

  “If Jake is standing outside, he’s going to be bored,” Ally said.

  “I won’t be bored,” Jake argued. “I’ll take a stack of files. I’ll be fine.”

  Ally was exasperated. “It will make us rush if we know he’s outside.”

  James searched Mandy’s face. She was trying to be stoic, but he could read the truth behind her heavy-lidded eyes. “Okay,” he said. “Go.”

  Mandy took an involuntary step back. “Really?”

  “Just … please … text me every twenty minutes or so,” James said. “I’ll be a bundle of nerves if you don’t.”

  Mandy smiled, shuffling forward and dropping a kiss on his cheek. “Thank you.”

  James grabbed the front of her shirt, pulling her in close for a proper kiss. “Be really careful, baby.”

  “I will.”

  “I mean really careful.”

  “I will.”

  James let go of her shirt. “Have fun.”

  “We will,” Ally said, getting to her feet. She gave Jake a smoldering kiss.

  “If you get too drunk, call us for a ride,” James ordered. “The dress should be covered for the ride home, right?”

  “Right,” Ally said, snapping her heels together and saluting.

  James rolled his eyes. “You drive me crazy.”

  Ally dropped a quick kiss on the top of James’ head before moving through the open doorway. “You did the right thing.”

  “If something happens to her, I’m blaming you,” James replied.

  “Nothing will happen to her.”

  “It had better not.”

  “She’s going to look beautiful,” Ally said, her face beaming and her eyes dreamy.

  James sighed. “That’s why I’m letting you all go. Have a good time.”

  “We definitely will.”

  Twelve

  “I’ve never seen a more beautiful bride,” Ally said, wiping a tear from the corner of her eye.

  Mandy was standing on the raised step in front of the mirrors, staring at her reflection with uncertain eyes. “I don’t know.”

  “Oh, don’t,” Emma said. “You look amazing.”

  Mandy glanced at Sophie for confirmation. If anyone was going to keep their feet firmly planted on the floor, it was the pragmatic reporter.

  “You look amazing,” Sophie confirmed, placing her glass of champagne on the small table next to the couch and moving up next to Mandy. “This dress is … you.”

  Mandy smoothed down the front of the dress. It was simple. Classic. Some might even call it plain. The minute she’d seen it, Mandy had been drawn in. It called to her from the mannequin. Every dress Ally had tried to point her toward had felt wrong. She kept returning to this dress, finally causing Ally to acquiesce and let her try it on. The second Ally saw her in it, she’d surrendered.

  The skirt was long and flared at the hips. The slit in the leg was high, but not too high to be immodest. The bodice was tight and fitted, small flowers were embroidered in a wide pattern across the blush-colored fabric, and the straps were thin but not distracting.

  “It’s not white,” Emma said. “The color is just amazing. It fits your
complexion.”

  Ally got to her feet, moving behind Mandy and lifting her blonde tresses off her shoulders. “What are we going to do with your hair?”

  “I think the dress is incomplete without a veil,” the sales clerk said.

  Ally narrowed her eyes, regarding the dress as if she was a designer and not a customer. “No,” she said, shaking her head. “A veil will distract from her face.”

  “A veil will add to the ensemble.”

  “She doesn’t want a veil,” Ally said. “Stop with the veil.”

  The clerk shot Ally a disapproving look. “I’ve been doing this for twenty years.”

  “This is a unique wedding,” Ally countered. “It calls for a unique look.”

  “Well, if she doesn’t want a veil, what about a tiara?” The clerk wasn’t giving up.

  Ally made a face. “Are you trying to piss me off?”

  “Who doesn’t like a tiara?”

  Mandy raised her hand.

  “She doesn’t want a tiara,” Ally said. “If a veil is too much, a tiara is definitely too much.”

  “This is a wedding,” the clerk said. “Everything is supposed to be too much.”

  “You’re starting to bug me,” Ally warned.

  Sophie stepped between the clerk and Ally worriedly. “You know what? We could use some more champagne.”

  The clerk sent Ally a snide look but disappeared behind the curtain that separated the lobby of the shop with the back room. Once she was gone, Ally let loose with an exaggerated sigh. “I don’t like her.”

  “I didn’t notice,” Mandy said, swiveling in front of the mirror. “You’re sure I look okay, right?”

  Ally reached over, hugging Mandy from behind. “You look just how I always imagined you would.”

  “Is that good or bad?”

  “You’re beautiful,” Ally said. “James is going to lose his mind when he sees you.”

  “Are you sure?”

  Mandy’s insecurities made their presence known at the worst of times – and this was one of those times. “I’m absolutely sure,” Ally promised. “You look like an angel.”

  “I’m nervous,” Mandy admitted. “I wasn’t until I was in the dress and standing in front of you guys. Now my palms are all sweaty and I think I might pass out.”

  Ally smiled. “You’re just excited.”

  “I’m … freaking out.”

  “It’s going to be perfect.”

  “As long as someone doesn’t try to shoot one of us,” Mandy said, twirling again.

  “This problem will be solved before the wedding,” Ally said.

  “How can you possibly know that?”

  “I have faith.”

  “That’s not proof,” Mandy said.

  “Do you think James will marry you with this hanging over your heads?” Ally pressed.

  Mandy blanched. “Do you think he’s going to call off the wedding?”

  “Of course not,” Ally said. “He’d cut off his own hand first.”

  “Then why did you say that?”

  “Because James is going to solve this case, and you’re going to have the best wedding ever,” Ally said. “I can’t say I know everything about my brother, but I do know that.”

  “I hope so,” Mandy said. “God, I hope so.”

  “You’re going to get your day,” Ally said, squeezing Mandy’s shoulders. “You’re going to get your happily ever after.”

  Mandy met Ally’s eyes in the mirror. “I’m ready.”

  “I THINK we should call for a ride,” Emma said, shifting so she could rest her head against the cold, brick exterior of the wedding shop.

  “I’m fine,” Ally protested.

  Sophie shook her head emphatically. “You’re not fine. We drank like six bottles of champagne. We’re drunk.”

  “I don’t feel drunk.”

  “And that’s what every drunk driver from here to eternity uses as a defense in front of the judge,” Mandy said. “They’re right, we’re drunk.”

  “I’m totally fine,” Ally said, straightening her frame and extending her arms. She touched her nose with her fingertip as proof. Unfortunately, the display was marred when she fell off the curb and tumbled to the ground.

  Mandy leaned over, guffawing hysterically. “You’re so coordinated.”

  “Sophie pushed me,” Ally said.

  “I’m like eight feet away from you,” Sophie protested.

  “Maybe you have magic arms,” Ally said, rubbing her sore rear ruefully. “They grow or something.”

  “You’re so drunk,” Emma said, laughing. She tilted so far to her right side she fell against one of the cars parked in front of the store.

  “Look who’s talking,” Ally said. “You’re drunker than I am.”

  “I am not.”

  “You are so.”

  “I am not.”

  “Mandy, who is drunker?” Ally asked.

  Mandy snapped her head around, focusing on the tableau in front of her. “What did you say?”

  Ally started giggling. “You’re drunk.”

  “I am not.”

  “You are, too.”

  “I am not.”

  “Oh, whatever,” Ally grumbled, reaching her hand up. “Are you going to help me or not?”

  Mandy grabbed Ally’s hand, heaving hard. Since her equilibrium was off, she pulled too hard and Ally not only regained her footing, but toppled over in the opposite direction, taking Mandy down with her.

  “Oh,” Mandy complained, rolling to her side and snatching her covered dress to her chest worriedly. “You landed on my dress.”

  “You pulled me on your dress,” Ally countered.

  “I did not.”

  “You did, too.”

  “I did not.”

  “What are we even arguing about?” Sophie asked.

  Mandy’s face was a blank. “I forgot.”

  “We definitely have to call for a ride,” Emma said. “We could kill someone.”

  Ally pushed her wild hair out of her face. “I hate to admit it, but Emma is right.” She reached into her purse, rummaging around for what seemed like hours, and then pulled her cellphone out. She pressed a few buttons and then pushed the phone to her face. “Hi. We’re drunk. We need a ride.”

  Mandy watched Ally curiously.

  “No, we’re all drunk,” Ally said. “I’ve fallen down twice, and I’m the most sober one.”

  “You are not,” Mandy said. “You’re on the ground.”

  “You’re on the ground, too,” Ally said. “Wait. What?” Ally listened for a second. “Oh, just come and get us. We need to pass out.”

  She disconnected. “He’ll be here soon.”

  “I can’t wait,” Mandy said, running her hand over the pavement. “Do you know what we need? Chalk?”

  Ally’s eyes brightened. “Oh, I used to love drawing with chalk.”

  Sophie leaned over, staring at a few rocks on the ground near the sidewalk. After a few seconds, she straightened, tossing a white stone in Ally’s direction. “Draw with that.”

  Ally picked up the stone and tried to do as instructed. After a few tries, she accomplished her task. “It’s working.”

  “Of course it’s working,” Sophie scoffed. “I’m very intelligent.”

  “You’re very drunk,” Ally countered.

  “I’m not the one on the ground.”

  “I’m just resting.”

  Mandy lifted her head when she caught a hint of movement out of the corner of her eye, and she struggled to regain her footing. She had no idea how long they’d been waiting there – time playing tricks on her memory – but she wouldn’t have been surprised to find Jake and James riding to the rescue at any moment. Instead, the man standing there was a mystery.

  “I’m sorry,” Mandy said. “Are we in your way?”

  The man eyed the four women curiously. “Is something going on?”

  “We’re just waiting for a ride,” Ally said, slurring her words. “It’s
not a big deal.”

  Emma straightened. “Is this your car?”

  The man shook his head. “No. I was just … are you guys okay?”

  “We’re drunk,” Ally said. “Our ride is coming. Everything will be fine. Don’t worry.”

  The man shuffled uncomfortably. “Do you mind if I wait with you? I just want to make sure you guys find a ride.”

  “It’s fine,” Ally said, tilting to her side. “We’re totally fine.”

  The man glanced at the wedding shop. “Is someone getting married?”

  Mandy raised her hand. “I am.”

  “When?”

  “Soon.”

  “You don’t have a date?”

  “I do,” Mandy said. “I just can’t seem to remember it.”

  Ally chortled. “You’re so drunk.”

  “Shut up,” Mandy shot back.

  “Where is your fiancé?”

  Mandy glanced at the man, looking him up and down. “He’s at home.”

  “Why?”

  “Because he lives there.”

  The man wrinkled his nose. “Is he the one picking you up?”

  Mandy shook her head. “No. He can’t see my dress. A friend is picking us up.”

  “Not a friend,” Ally scoffed. “Jake is my love bunny.”

  Mandy laughed hysterically. “Do you call him that?”

  “He likes it. What do you call my brother?”

  “James.”

  “Why?”

  “That’s his name.”

  “No,” Ally said. “You have a nickname for him. I bet you call him nail polish.”

  “Why would I call him nail polish?”

  “Because he likes painting your toenails,” Ally said.

  “That’s supposed to be a secret,” Mandy said, pressing her index finger to her lips. “You have a big mouth.”

  “You have a big mouth,” Ally shot back. “You never should have told me.”

  “You’re right,” Mandy said. “I do have a big mouth. I can’t believe he’s even marrying me.”

  “He loves you,” Ally replied. “You’re his soul mate.”

  “I love him,” Mandy said. “He’s so sweet.”

  “You two are like really horny bunnies,” Ally said. “It’s sick.”

  “Are you talking about James Hardy?”

  Mandy shifted her attention, focusing on the man still standing at her side. Suddenly, his close proximity was bothering her. “What?”

  “That’s who you’re talking about, right? James Hardy?”