Deadly Payback (Hardy Brothers Security Book 22) Read online

  Deadly Payback

  Hardy Brothers Security Book Twenty-Two

  Lily Harper Hart

  HarperHart Publications

  Contents

  Copyright

  1. One

  2. Two

  3. Three

  4. Four

  5. Five

  6. Six

  7. Seven

  8. Eight

  9. Nine

  10. Ten

  11. Eleven

  12. Twelve

  13. Thirteen

  14. Fourteen

  15. Fifteen

  16. Sixteen

  17. Seventeen

  18. Eighteen

  19. Nineteen

  20. Twenty

  21. Twenty-One

  22. Twenty-Two

  23. Twenty-Three

  24. Twenty-Four

  25. Twenty-Five

  Mail List

  Acknowledgments

  Books by Lily Harper Hart

  Copyright © 2016 by Lily Harper Hart

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Created with Vellum

  1

  One

  “When will you be home?”

  James Hardy knew he sounded needy, but he was beyond caring. It was summer in Southeastern Michigan – one of the most glorious times of the year – and the pool was heated and ready. He wanted to strip naked and swim with his wife. He didn’t care who knew it.

  “It’s not even lunch yet,” Mandy Avery-Hardy, her voice sparking with mirth, replied. “I’m afraid you’re going to have to suffer through a few more hours without me.”

  That didn’t sound remotely doable for James, who found his impatience getting the better of him. “I thought you were going to quit.” He’d vowed not to push his wife into making a decision she wasn’t ready to accept, but she’d already promised to leave her job at the circuit courthouse in September. That was only a few months away. He thought if he pushed just a little – making himself adorable instead of bossy during the process – Mandy just might give in and quit early. He was forever hopeful that would be the case.

  “I told you I was thinking about it,” Mandy clarified, the happiness in her voice slipping. “Thinking about it is not the same thing as letting you bully me into doing what you want me to do.”

  “Oh, whatever,” James muttered. “Wanting what’s best for you is not the same thing as bullying you.”

  “James, we’ve talked about this,” Mandy prodded, adopting a pragmatic tone. “As soon as I’m ready to leave, you’ll be the first to know.”

  “Well, just out of curiosity’s sake, are you leaning toward that being in the next few hours?” James wasn’t about to be deterred. “If so, I’ll splurge on Red Lobster and feed it to you naked in the hot tub to make this the best day ever.”

  Despite herself, Mandy giggled. “You’re incorrigible.”

  “I do my best,” James said. “You still haven’t answered my question, though. When will you be home?”

  “I should be there as soon as I’m done here,” Mandy replied. “There’s nothing on the docket going late and Judge MacIntosh has a tee time for fifteen minutes after the courthouse closes. What does that tell you?”

  James grinned. James hated Mandy’s job in the circuit courthouse but he was particularly fond of his wife’s boss. Judge MacIntosh treated Mandy like his own child and was more than willing to let her quit early if her heart told her that was the right answer. Unfortunately for James, Mandy was a stickler for decorum and rules, and she didn’t want to leave the judge in the lurch when she ultimately walked away from a job she already disliked. “It tells me he’s a smart man and you should quit now.”

  Mandy sighed. “James … .”

  “I’m sorry, baby.” James could practically see the annoyed look on her face through the phone. “I’m not trying to pressure you.”

  “That’s exactly what you’re trying to do.”

  “Fine, I’m not trying to make you miserable while I pressure you,” James clarified. “I just want you to quit. I hate you being at the courthouse. It’s dangerous. There are criminals in every corridor. I also hate the smarmy lawyers hitting on you.”

  “You’ve made your dislike of my workplace well known,” Mandy said. “I’m not exactly thrilled with the danger associated with your job either.”

  James owned and operated Hardy Brothers Security with his brothers, Finn and Grady. His sister Ally’s fiancé, Jake, was also an employee, and together the men formed a fearsome foursome. Despite the nature of his work, James found himself in less danger than Mandy on a regular basis.

  “Don’t get me started about who is in more danger,” James chided. “I can list the imminent peril you’ve found yourself in while visiting that building … and I need more than two hands to do it.”

  Mandy made a disgusted sound in the back of her throat.

  “I need my feet, too,” James added. “Speaking of feet, if you quit right now I’ll give you a foot and back massage tonight. I won’t quit until my fingers fall off.”

  Despite herself, Mandy couldn’t refrain from giggling. “I’ll be home as soon as I can. I swear, I won’t be one second later than necessary.”

  “And I shall be naked and holding your pizza on my lap when you return.”

  “That sounds dangerous.”

  “I like living on the edge, baby,” James said, fondness for his wife momentarily overwhelming him. He had no idea why he felt so desperate to be near her today, but for some reason he didn’t want to disconnect the call. “What are you doing for lunch?”

  “Oh, geez,” Mandy intoned. “You’re not coming here for lunch. That’s code for ‘convincing me to get out of my panties when no one is looking’ in my office. I’m not falling for that.”

  James smirked at her tone. “I wasn’t even thinking that.”

  Mandy snorted.

  “Okay, I was only thinking that in the back of my mind,” James conceded. “I honestly was just picturing a romantic lunch for two at that little Italian place around the corner from the courthouse. How does that sound?”

  “Nice.”

  “Great.” James glanced at the clock on his office wall. “I’ll be there in twenty minutes.”

  “It sounds great, but I’m having lunch with Heidi,” Mandy clarified.

  “I like Heidi. I’ll eat with both of you.” James cringed when he realized he sounded like a needy chick. “I … um … .”

  “I don’t know what’s going on with you, but I’m torn about whether it’s cute or something to worry about,” Mandy said. “I’m pretty sure you don’t want to have lunch with Heidi and me, though. We’re going to be talking about wedding plans all day.”

  “Yes, well, I understand that I’m annoying you and I can’t figure out why I’m doing it either,” James admitted, opting for honesty. “I just feel this incredible urge to be close to you. I can’t explain it.”

  “It’s because I’m cute.”

  James barked out a laugh. “You’re definitely cute, wife. I’m just antsy today. I’m sure I’ll feel better when you’re home.”

  “I will get home as soon as humanly possible.”

  “Good.” James was silent for a beat. “Just for the record, I would’ve been fine talking about wedding stuff. My wedding happened to be the happiest day of my life. I’m an expert at making women’s dreams come true.”

 
; Now it was Mandy’s turn to chuckle uncontrollably. “That was either incredibly adorable or a little creepy. You’re only supposed to be making my dreams come true.”

  “Oh, wife, I’m going to make all of your dreams come true the second I see you,” James said.

  “You already did that when you fell in love with me,” Mandy said, not caring in the least that she sounded schmaltzy. “I’ll see you in a few hours. Have my pizza ready.”

  “I’ll be there,” James said. “Oh, baby? I love you.”

  “I love you more.”

  “That’s not possible.”

  “I CAN’T decide if I want to go traditional or shake things up.”

  Heidi, the court stenographer and one of Mandy’s closest friends, was a bundle of unfiltered excitement when she walked through Mandy’s office door at noon. Ever since announcing her engagement two weeks before, that’s all she could talk about. Mandy didn’t begrudge the bubbly brunette any happiness, but she missed the times when Heidi preferred gossiping about their co-workers rather than discussing flowers and table settings. Mandy didn’t even enjoy chatting about those things when she was the one planning for a wedding.

  “I’m not sure what you mean by that,” Mandy said, making a notation in a file before closing it and adding it to the stack on her desk. “I just have to get one more file ready for the afternoon session and then we can go.”

  “Take your time,” Heidi said, waving off Mandy’s concern. “I have bridal magazines for us to look through over lunch.”

  Mandy’s face remained impassive even as she internally cringed. “Great.”

  “As for the traditional thing, I’m talking about the dress,” Heidi said. “I always envisioned myself walking down the aisle in a white dress, but I’ve put on a few pounds lately and I’m afraid that I’ll look like a beached whale if I do that.”

  Mandy frowned as she made a notation in the file. Heidi was self-conscious about her body. She was round and pleasing to look at, and Mandy hated it when she put herself down. “You will not,” she chided. “You’ll be beautiful no matter which dress you choose.”

  “You have to say that because you’re my friend,” Heidi countered. “You’re the matron of honor so it’s your job to pump up my ego.”

  Mandy stilled. “I’m your matron of honor?” That was news to her. “Since when?”

  “Oh, since I made a mental note to ask you a week ago and forgot,” Heidi replied, her cheeks coloring. “Whoops. I didn’t mean to just spring it on you like that.”

  “Uh-huh.” Mandy was confused. “Don’t you have a sister?”

  “Yes, but I don’t really like her,” Heidi answered. “You’re my best friend. You’re like a sister to me – and definitely a better one than the real deal I grew up with. I was hoping you would want the job.”

  “I … .”

  Heidi cut Mandy off. “Of course, if you don’t want the job, I can make my sister do it. It’s no big deal. You probably don’t want the job because it’s so much work and now that Ally is getting married you’re going to be her matron of honor.”

  In addition to being James Hardy’s younger sister, Ally Hardy was also Mandy’s lifelong best friend. The youngest Hardy sibling was frothing at the mouth over marriage since getting engaged a few weeks before – mere days after Heidi announced her engagement, in fact – so Mandy was on wedding overload. That didn’t mean she would disappoint Heidi. Ally was her best friend for life. There was still room in Mandy’s heart – and life – for Heidi to be a cherished part of it, too.

  “I would love to be your matron of honor,” Mandy said, her heart flipping when she saw the look of relief flit across Heidi’s face. “You don’t have to worry about asking me things like that. I’m looking forward to your wedding. I set you up with your future husband, if you remember the timeline correctly.”

  “Oh, I remember,” Heidi said, giggling as Mandy finished writing in the file and closed it. “Clint had a huge crush on you and yet you only had eyes for James. I thought Clint was delving into stalker territory there for a little bit, and when you suggested I give him a shot I thought you were crazy.

  “Do you remember that disastrous first date I made you and James double with us on?” Heidi continued, not waiting for Mandy to answer. “I thought we were dead before we even got started. Now we’re preparing to spend our lives together and … I owe it all to you.”

  Mandy tilted her head to the side, her long blond hair falling past her shoulders as she considered the statement. She didn’t see things quite the same way. “I gave you guys a push,” she said. “You did the rest on your own.”

  “Still, this is the most exciting thing that’s ever happened to me,” Heidi said. “I’m getting married and I’m going to be a wife. I’m going to be a wife! Can you believe that?”

  Mandy snickered as she grabbed her purse. “I can believe it,” she said. “I think you’re going to be a great wife. I’m not sure Clint deserves you.”

  Heidi balked. “Clint is the most wonderful man I know.”

  “Yes, but you’re the most wonderful woman I know and I’m not sure he’s up to your standards,” Mandy teased, flicking the light switch on the wall and ushering Heidi into the hallway. “Still, he’s a pretty good catch and you’ve totally caught him.”

  “I have, haven’t I?” Heidi’s smile was infectious as she patted her stomach. “Where do you want to get lunch? I’m starving?”

  “Well, if you have magazines, we’re going to need a table where we can spread out,” Mandy replied. “Let’s go to that Italian place. We never go there and I kind of forgot about it until James brought it up on the phone earlier.”

  “That sounds good,” Heidi said. “I love their shrimp dish with the tomatoes.”

  “I could go for that,” Mandy said, falling in step next to Heidi as they headed for the elevator. “I’m hungry, too. I only had a Pop Tart for breakfast.”

  “You and James should hire a cook,” Heidi suggested. “You need better nutrition than that.”

  “That’s what lunch and dinner are for,” Mandy teased, grinning as they got on the elevator. “Tell me about your dress dilemma. If you don’t go with white – which I totally think you should – what color are you going with?”

  “I was thinking pink,” Heidi answered, ignoring the odd looks from other court workers as they stared at her from the back of the elevator. “I’ve always loved that color and there’s no need to go traditional in this day and age. People love a crazy wedding.”

  Mandy wasn’t sure that was true, but she would never dampen her friend’s enthusiasm. “I can see you in pink. Maybe we should look at dresses in person before you make a decision, though. We can make a big day of it. Ally wants to look at dresses, too.”

  “We should totally do that,” Heidi enthused. “We can get a whole group together and treat it like a party and stuff.”

  “Yes, well, Ally is going to make an entire year out of it at the rate she is going,” Mandy said, moving to allow the other people in the elevator to walk around her as they hit the main floor. “She’s got so many ideas I think she’s going to bankrupt her poor parents when it comes time to pay for the wedding.”

  “They don’t care,” Heidi scoffed, making a face. “Ally is their only daughter. They have three sons and her. I’ll bet they’ve been saving to pay for her wedding for a long time.”

  “They probably have,” Mandy confirmed.

  “Are they still at your house, or did they finally close on their new house?”

  Louis and Rose Hardy recently left the town they called home and bought a house in Macomb County a few weeks before. They were bouncing between their children’s homes until the house was ready. Mandy loved her in-laws a great deal, but she was excited to reclaim her house.

  “They officially moved in yesterday,” Mandy said, grinning. “They’re extremely busy unpacking. That should keep them out of James’ hair for a few days. He’s ready to blow because his mother keeps s
howing up at the security office with food and decorating suggestions.”

  Heidi snorted as she held open the glass door that led to the front courtyard. “I think you’re lucky. You’ll enjoy having them around when they’re not always underfoot.”

  “I agree,” Mandy said, bobbing her head. “That hasn’t happened yet, though. We just need a break. James is tense … and kind of a little needy.”

  Heidi made an odd face as she wrinkled her nose. “How is he needy?”

  Mandy shrugged. “He’s just clingy. He’ll get over it. He was weird today. I’ll make him feel better when I get home.”

  “You always do,” Heidi said, opening her arms as she twirled underneath the bright sunlight. “What a beautiful day! I’m getting married and it’s sunny. This is the perfect start to my week.”

  Mandy couldn’t help but smile as she tried to avoid Heidi’s flailing arms. “It is definitely a great day.”

  “It’s going to be a great life,” Heidi said. “It’s going to be a great … everything. It’s going to be … .”

  Heidi didn’t finish her sentence, and for a moment Mandy couldn’t figure out why. The first thing she registered – other than a deafening roar – was the sound of utter silence in the usually bustling courtyard. Something warm splashed the side of her face as sound and motion took a far-off quality and her equilibrium tilted and slowed.

  Mandy kept her eyes on Heidi even as half of the woman’s face disappeared and the other woman dropped to the pavement. Mandy was in her own little world, confusion washing over her as she tried to decide what happened. She felt as if she was lost in a dream … and it wasn’t a good one.

  Then the silence broke and someone screamed.

  “Someone is shooting! Run!”

  2

  Two

  James was a mess when he hit the front door of the courthouse. The lobby, which was generally busy with people heading toward a destination, was flooded with excited and terrified workers as he made his way inside. He ignored all of them as he searched for the one face that would make him feel better.