Deadly Adventure (Hardy Brothers Security Book 19) Read online

  “That’s a problem,” Grady finished. “You have bigger problems, though. You’re ruining your marriage.”

  “Don’t ever say anything like that,” James hissed, extending a warning finger. “I may have been … less attentive … than Mandy deserves over the past few days, but my marriage is fine.”

  “Oh, is all that drinking making you blind, too?”

  “Get out,” James muttered, shaking his head. “I’ll track Mandy down at the courthouse and talk to her.”

  “Mandy isn’t at the courthouse.”

  James hated the fact that Grady knew more about his wife’s current frame of mind and whereabouts than he did, but he tried not to show it. “I see. Where is she?”

  “She called Ally to pick her up because she needed a friendly shoulder to cry on,” Grady replied. “The judge let her out early today … you know, because of her big gallery show and all.”

  Grady knew it was petty to feel triumphant given his brother’s muddled mind, but the confusion flitting across James’ face made him happy. He hoped it felt like a punch in the gut.

  “Gallery show?” James asked, furrowing his brow. “I … what gallery show?”

  Grady blew out a sigh and sank into the chair across from the couch. “James, I have never once doubted your love for Mandy, but you’ve really screwed things up for her this week,” he said. “She has a gallery show at that ritzy place in Grosse Pointe tonight. Judge MacIntosh knows the owner and he had an opening and it was given to Mandy.”

  “But … no,” James said, shaking his head. “She would’ve told me.”

  “She tried to tell you,” Grady supplied. “She was so excited and nervous she could barely contain herself. She raced home to find you. I believe you were supposed to take her to a nice dinner that night.

  “Instead she found you in the guesthouse with Jesse,” he continued. “She didn’t want to ruin your night so she waited up for you. She thought you would take the time to listen to her then, maybe soothe her nerves. You never came to bed, though.”

  “But … .” James was convinced his heart would tear in two at any moment. “I don’t understand. She should’ve made a point to tell me.”

  “Are you really going to blame this on her?” Grady challenged. “She’s been pretty patient from what I can see. She encouraged you to go out with Jesse the first night. She patiently waited for you the second night even though you broke a promise to take her out to dinner.

  “Then last night you went to the bar even though you were in the doghouse,” he continued. “Part of that is my fault. I had no idea how seriously bad things were between you two. Instead of going home when we did, though, you stayed at the bar drinking with Jesse. You got so drunk, in fact, you didn’t even notice your wife wasn’t in your bed before passing out.

  “Let me ask you a question, James,” he said. “What if someone took her? What if someone hurt her? She could’ve died in your home and you wouldn’t even have noticed.”

  “Don’t say that,” James ordered, tears stinging the back of his eyes. “I … dammit!”

  “Yeah, dammit,” Grady said, keeping his tone even. “Your wife is broken hearted because she couldn’t share a really important milestone with you. You didn’t care.”

  “I do care!” James exploded, slapping his hands against his knees. “Part of this is her fault. She should’ve told me.”

  “When? She didn’t feel comfortable doing it in front of Jesse,” Grady said. “He’s made his feelings about marriage and what she supposedly means to you abundantly clear.”

  “Don’t say ‘supposedly’ like that,” James snapped. “I love my wife more than anything.”

  “Well, amongst the other things she dropped on me at lunch today, your wife also mentioned that you haven’t held her in three days,” Grady said. “She almost seemed more upset about that than she was about the fact that you won’t be at her showing tonight.”

  “I have held her,” James argued, racking his brain. “I … .” He hadn’t. He knew it. His brother had to point it out to him, but now that he had James was well aware that he’d barely paid any attention to his wife since Jesse’s arrival. “Oh, my baby.”

  “You’ve let Jesse mess with your mind,” Grady said. “He’s stuck in the past and you’re trying to build your future. You’ve hurt your wife terribly, and that’s on top of the airbag burns on her arm.”

  “Is she okay?”

  “She didn’t let me see them and took off after lunch,” Grady replied. “She needed someone to make her feel better, and since she didn’t have you she headed straight for our sister. I would wear a cup next time you see Ally, by the way. She’s not going to take it well.”

  “I don’t know how I let this happen,” James muttered, dropping his head in his hands as he rested his elbows on his knees. “I hurt my wife. I didn’t mean it. I … lost track of things.”

  “You got caught in the past and let Jesse cloud your judgment,” Grady supplied. “I didn’t think I would ever see the day when you would put someone ahead of Mandy. I’m sorry I didn’t realize what you were doing until it was too late to stop it.”

  “I didn’t put Jesse ahead of Mandy,” James argued. “I just … made a mistake.”

  Grady refused to let James off the hook no matter how morose he appeared. “Didn’t you? You promised your wife dinner two nights in a row and she gladly let you out of the first and then you dismissed her the second. You couldn’t be bothered to go to bed with her one night and then didn’t realize she wasn’t there the second.

  “Now, what strikes me as funny is that you’re usually the guy who can’t sleep unless his wife is sprawled on top of him,” he continued. “That hasn’t happened in three nights, and I’m pretty sure it’s not happening tonight, and you appear to be sleeping fine. You told me you never wanted to spend another night away from Mandy and now you’ve done it twice in one week.

  “Congratulations, you’re a jackass,” Grady said, pushing himself to his feet. “I’ll handle the car and insurance. I want to look at it up close anyway. You’re lucky she’s alive. The entire driver’s side was caved in. She’s going to be unbelievably sore tomorrow.”

  “I’ll take care of her.”

  “I doubt it,” Grady said. “You need to do some soul-searching, brother, because you’ve crushed Mandy’s spirit on what should be one of the happiest days of her life. You do know what tomorrow is, right?”

  James scowled. “Yes. It’s Saturday.”

  Grady rolled his eyes. “It’s also your anniversary.”

  James stilled, his mind busy as he did the math. “Oh, my … .”

  “Yeah, you might want to consider what’s important to you,” Grady said. “I thought it was Mandy, but if it’s not, she deserves better.”

  “Of course it’s Mandy,” James countered, his voice cracking. “I just … screwed up. I’ll get it together and do something special for her at the gallery tonight. I’ll fix it.”

  “She told me it’s already ruined,” Grady said. “You’re not invited, by the way. She doesn’t want you there.”

  “She doesn’t mean that.”

  “I think she does,” Grady said. “If you go in there and push her when there’s an audience she’s going to snap. Then she’s going to be embarrassed in front of people she respects and admires. You might want to consider staying away.”

  “I can’t stay away,” James said. “This is too big. I’m her husband. I should be there.”

  “You should,” Grady agreed. “You’ve already ruined it, though. If you implode the entire night, she’ll never forgive you. You might want to take that into consideration.”

  “I’ll take it under advisement,” James said, scowling as Grady moved toward the door. “Are you going?”

  “All the people who love Mandy the most are going to be there,” Grady replied. “That’s all of her family, Peter, Judge MacIntosh, and Heidi.”

  “I notice you’re leaving me out of that equation
.”

  “You haven’t loved your wife in three days,” Grady said. “I don’t blame her for cutting you out of this. You deserve it.”

  James opened his mouth to argue and then snapped it shut. He did deserve it. He was never going to be able to make this up to her.

  15

  Fifteen

  James smoothed his suit jacket as he stared through the front window of the Calypso Gallery. He felt like an outsider looking in on his family, but he was torn. He wanted to be part of Mandy’s big night more than anything, but ruining things even more than he had was out of the question.

  Mandy looked beautiful, as she always did. She wore a simple black dress with a plunging back. James loved the dress and how she looked in it, but he was frustrated by her sad expression and angry at the bandage on her wrist. She went out of her way to smile at people who approached her to ask questions or carry on a simple conversation, but otherwise she stood close to Ally and James knew it was because of him.

  “What are you doing?”

  James jumped at the new voice, turning a rueful smile in the direction of Judge MacIntosh as the man approached on the sidewalk. “I’m … just checking things out. How are you?”

  “I’m good,” the judge replied, his eyes thoughtful as they roamed James’ face. “My wife was supposed to come, but she’s feeling a little under the weather. I didn’t want to miss Mandy’s big debut, though, so I came alone.”

  “Thank you for what you did for her,” James said. “I’m sure it means more than you can possibly imagine.”

  “She’s been extremely excited,” MacIntosh confirmed. “I’m sure you know that, though. She was bouncing off the walls the day I told her. She couldn’t get home to you fast enough.”

  James’ stomach twisted. “She … .”

  MacIntosh decided to put James out of his misery. “I know you two are fighting,” he said. “I saw Grady pick her up after the accident. I knew something was wrong the second you weren’t the one barreling through the door.”

  “She’s a little angry with me,” James admitted. “I guess I don’t blame her.”

  MacIntosh arched an eyebrow. “You guess? Either you did something that warrants anger or you didn’t.”

  “I’ve been neglecting her the past few days,” James said. “I didn’t realize I was doing it. She didn’t say anything.”

  “That’s probably because she didn’t realize what was happening because you rarely do anything of the sort.” MacIntosh had a pragmatic nature James usually enjoyed, but now the man’s matter-of-fact attitude grated him. “She probably didn’t recognize it as neglect. She only knew how it made her feel.”

  “She didn’t tell me about this,” James said, gesturing toward the window. “She didn’t invite me.”

  “Well, I guess that means she didn’t tell you that we had a long talk the other day either,” MacIntosh surmised. “I told her I’m aware she plans on leaving in September and I’m fine with it. I want that girl happy, James. That’s why I helped secure the show spot for her. Although … she doesn’t appear to be enjoying it, does she?”

  James rolled his neck until it cracked. “That’s because of me. It’s not because of you. Thank you for everything you’ve done for her … for both of us really. You’ve been a patient man even though a lot of absurd situations pop up.”

  “Mandy is a good girl and you’re a wonderful husband,” MacIntosh said. “You might’ve had a lapse in judgment and ignored her at a time when she really needed your support, but she’ll get over it. She always does.”

  James pinched the bridge of his nose and groaned. “Did you have to put it like that?”

  “James, I’m not on your side in this,” MacIntosh said, opting for honesty. “I think you probably had to do something really wrong if she hasn’t been able to tell you about her big news in three days time. You’re aware of the error, though, and something tells me you’ll work overtime to correct it.”

  “Not in time to fix this,” James pointed out. “She looks as if she’s about to cry – or fall over.”

  “Then perhaps you should go inside and lend her some of your strength,” MacIntosh suggested. “I don’t care how angry she is. She will always love and need you. She will get over whatever this is. Well, as long as you’re sincere in your apology and regret your actions, that is.”

  “You have no idea how sorry I am.”

  “Then … come on,” MacIntosh said, clapping James on the shoulder. “You’re not going to fix things staring at her through a window. She does make a lovely piece of artwork herself, though, doesn’t she?”

  “She’s the most beautiful woman in the world,” James said. “I can’t go in there, though. She didn’t invite me and I refuse to make a scene at the front door. They’re asking for invitations.”

  “Ah, I see,” MacIntosh intoned. “I guess it’s good for you that my invitation includes a plus-one, isn’t it?”

  James lifted his eyebrows. “I’m not sure what to do.”

  “Follow your heart,” MacIntosh suggested. “If you do that, it will never lead you astray.”

  MANDY was a ball of nerves as she greeted guests. She’d never put herself on display like this, and she felt exposed. She was proud of her work, but since it was a first showing insecurity plagued her. She expected James to be at her side bolstering her, but that wasn’t the case.

  “The stuffed mushrooms are amazing,” Ally said, sidling up to Mandy’s side and extending a plate. “Try one.”

  “My stomach is too … twisted,” Mandy replied, offering Ally a heartfelt smile. “Thank you for being here, though. You have no idea how much I appreciate it.”

  “You’re my best friend in the world,” Ally replied, carefully pushing a strand of Mandy’s hair back in place so her bun wouldn’t be ruined. “I wouldn’t be anywhere else.”

  “Your stuff looks great,” Jake said, joining the women. “I’ve been listening and people really like it. They’re in love with that new one you just did. Some people have even been checking the price.”

  “That’s nice,” Mandy said, resting her hand against her stomach.

  “Oh, are you going to get sick?” Ally asked, wrinkling her nose. “Please don’t get sick.”

  “I’m just nervous,” Mandy said, pressing her lips together. “I feel … off.”

  “You don’t feel like something hurts, do you?” Jake asked. “You should’ve gone to the hospital after that accident. Are you in physical pain, or just antsy?”

  “I’m just antsy,” Mandy replied, shaking her head. “You’re as bad as … well, I’m fine.”

  “That’s right,” Ally said. “Don’t say his name. He doesn’t exist right now. When he does exist again, though, I’m going to put my foot in his … .”

  Jake grabbed a stuffed mushroom from Ally’s plate and shoved it in her mouth to silence her. The look she shot him was murderous as she chewed the appetizer. “I know you’re upset with your brother, angel, but he’s still a good guy who made an error,” Jake chided. “Don’t say anything nasty here. There are too many people around.”

  Ally wasn’t bothered by Jake’s admonishment. “He’s dead to me after what he’s done.”

  “You’re so dramatic,” Jake said, tweaking Ally’s nose. “It’s a good thing I love you, because otherwise I would have to shake you.”

  “Don’t do that,” Sophie quipped, joining the small group. “She’ll spill right out of the top of that dress.”

  Ally glanced down at her impressive cleavage. It was definitely on display in the low-cut dress she wore tonight. “She has a point.”

  “I wouldn’t shake you anyway,” Jake said, brushing a quick kiss against Ally’s cheek. “Not that way, at least. I might shake you in a different way when we get home.”

  “Oh, how romantic,” Ally deadpanned, although she smiled happily as she snuggled into his side.

  Mandy tamped down her jealousy at the couple’s closeness and turned her full attention on Sophie
. “I heard a rumor you forced Sven and Rodrigo to babysit Avery. Is that true?”

  “Yup. No kid has ever been safer.”

  “I can’t believe Emma is really going to do it,” Ally said. “I know they’re good guys, but I would be nervous.”

  “Peter’s house is one mile away and it’s only for an hour,” Sophie said. “Emma needs to suck it up. Peter’s men babysat me constantly when I was a kid. I turned out fine.”

  “Yes, you’re a modern marvel,” Ally intoned, giggling as Sophie swatted her arm. “I … no way.”

  Mandy shifted her attention to the front door, following Ally’s gaze when her friend made a disgusted face. When she saw James standing there next to Judge MacIntosh, her heart dropped into her stomach. “Oh.”

  “I’ve got this,” Ally said, holding her hand up as she moved to cut off James should he approach. “I’ll kick him in the balls.”

  “Yeah, you’re going to stay here and eat your mushrooms,” Jake ordered, bodily lifting Ally and moving her back to Mandy’s side. “I’m going to handle this.”

  “You don’t have to,” Mandy said, her tone weary. “Please I just … don’t let him make a scene.”

  “He won’t make a scene,” Jake promised. “I’ll take care of it. Trust me.”

  “YOU need to go.”

  James smiled when he saw Jake approaching, convinced the man was going to offer him support. The smile evaporated at Jake’s greeting. “What?”

  “I’m going to leave you two to talk this out,” MacIntosh said, offering James a sympathetic smile. “I’m sure you’ll make the right decision.”

  James watched the judge move in Mandy’s direction, briefly locking gazes with his sad wife. “She’s so upset.”

  “She’s extremely upset,” Jake agreed. “That’s why you need to go.”

  “I can’t go,” James argued. “This is a huge night for her. I’m her husband. I should be here.”

  “I’m almost always on your side, but I had to listen to an earful this afternoon,” Jake said.

  “Did you even bother standing up for me?”