Deadly Payback (Hardy Brothers Security Book 22) Read online

  Jake Harrison, his face unreadable as he watched the exchange, focused on his fiancée as he tried to control the frayed situation. “We don’t know exactly what happened today, angel,” he said, drawing Ally’s attention to him. “Don’t piss off your brother right out of the gate. He might be agitated.”

  “Why would he be agitated?” Louis asked, confused. “Ally is trying to help.”

  “Yeah, well, when Mandy is in danger, James tends to lose his head,” Jake said, rubbing the back of his head as he leaned forward at the counter. “I’m betting he’s not going to be thrilled at the family invasion, no matter how good your intentions are.”

  “Well, he’s just going to have to get over it,” Rose said, wrinkling her nose. “We’re family.”

  “Family only goes so far sometimes,” Jake said, offering Rose a rueful smile. “And then there are the times when it goes too far.”

  “You don’t say a lot, but what you do say is profound,” Louis said, clapping Jake’s shoulder. “I’m growing to like you more and more with each passing day.”

  “That’s because he’s marrying me,” Ally teased, grinning as she kissed Jake’s cheek. “Don’t worry about James. I’ll have him eating out of my hand.”

  As if on cue, James picked that moment to kick open the garage door. Rose sucked in a breath when she saw her son’s grave face – and the woman he clutched in his arms. Instead of reacting to his family, James pretended they weren’t there as he breezed through the room and headed for the staircase.

  Ally was having none of that. “What happened?”

  “Stay away,” Grady ordered, heading his sister off and pushing her out of his brother’s path so she didn’t make a mistake and get too close to Mandy. “Give him room.”

  “But … I don’t understand,” Ally argued, her eyes narrowing. “I want to see her.”

  “You can’t see her so mind your own business,” Grady shot back, keeping his arm outstretched as he watched James climb the circular staircase that led to the second floor. “I’m not joking. Stay away from him.”

  “You’re not the boss of me.” Ally was beyond annoyed. “I’m making Mandy’s favorite wings.”

  “She’s not going to eat anything,” Grady said. “Trust me.”

  JAMES was gentle as he settled Mandy on the toilet, turning on the shower water and making sure it was hot (but not so hot it would scald her) before stripping out of his clothes and doing the same with Mandy. Then he proceeded to scoop her up and carry her tiny body into the shower.

  James’ heart rolled when she sucked in a breath as the water hit her, but other than that she seemed disinterested in what was happening. That was fine with James. Well, it was fine with him for the most part. He would prefer some spark of recognition from his wife, but he didn’t want her feeling the full brunt of Heidi’s death when her emotions were so raw.

  He reached for the bottle of shower gel on the shower ledge and poured it into the sponge thing she used when taking a shower and then started washing her up and down. Generally a shared shower was a playful time for them. Tonight was different, and James had a feeling it would be for the foreseeable future.

  “Just relax, baby,” James instructed. “I’m going to get you cleaned up and then you can go to bed. Everything is going to be … .” What? Fine? James knew that wasn’t true. “You’ll feel better when you sleep.”

  Mandy didn’t respond and James could do nothing but continue the task. He decided to focus on one thing at a time. There was nothing more he could do.

  “WHAT IS going on?”

  Ally was livid as she swiveled, her hands on her hips as she glared at Grady. Of all the Hardy siblings, they had the most tempestuous relationship. Unfortunately for her, Grady was in no mood to play games.

  “Don’t worry about it,” Grady mumbled, running a hand through his shoulder-length hair as he headed toward the refrigerator. “I don’t suppose Sophie called, did she? I had to mute my phone.”

  “She did,” Finn Hardy confirmed as he joined the rest of his family in the kitchen. He looked concerned. “She said she was going to be late and … to tell Mandy she was sorry. She didn’t expand on it and hung up really quickly. She sounded harried.”

  “I don’t doubt it,” Grady said, his mind briefly wandering to his live-in love, Sophie Lane. She was a reporter for The Daily Tribune, a local newspaper. He knew she would be busy covering the courthouse shooting for hours. “This will be a huge story. It’s all anyone is going to be talking about on the evening news.”

  “It’s that big?” Rose was surprised. “The afternoon news just called it an incident.”

  “Yes, well, it was definitely an incident,” Grady said. “It’s going to be huge. They probably didn’t realize how huge when they first started covering it.”

  “You’re starting to worry me,” Louis said, his expressive eyes conflicted when they locked with his son’s more somber orbs. “What happened?”

  “And why did Mandy look like a zombie?” Rose added.

  Grady pressed the heel of his hand against his forehead. He didn’t want to deal with the questions, but he knew if he didn’t, Ally would make a scene and rush upstairs. James was at his wit’s end and would lose it – and probably all over Ally – if she did that. “It happened at lunchtime. Mandy and Heidi were leaving the courthouse to get something to eat and … someone fired a gun. They got off two rounds.”

  “Do they know who?” Jake asked, furrowing his brow. “Was anyone hit?”

  “Someone was definitely hit,” Grady said, chuckling hollowly as he popped the top off a beer and took a long swig. “Someone died.”

  “Oh, no,” Rose said, her hand flying to her mouth. “Do you know who it was?”

  Grady nodded as he swallowed his beer.

  “Who was it?”

  “It was Heidi.” Grady had to force the words out. He didn’t know the enthusiastic court stenographer very well, but he’d interacted with her a time or two. She was always happy – and talking about how attractive he was, so it fed his ego. The reality that she was gone still hadn’t set in.”

  “Heidi?” Ally made a face. “That can’t be right. She’s getting married.”

  “Oh, well, I’m sure that will make her grieving fiancé feel better,” Grady said dryly, fixing his sister with a dark look. “We saw him when we were leaving. He tried to crawl on top of her body. Should I tell him it’s not right because she’s getting married?”

  “But … no.” Ally’s eyes filled with tears. “That’s not how it’s supposed to be.”

  “It’s definitely not how it’s supposed to be, Ally, but that’s where we’re at,” Grady said. “Mandy saw it happen and she’s … in shock or something. She’s not talking.”

  “I’ll go upstairs,” Ally said, a determined look on her face as she surreptitiously wiped her falling tears from her cheeks. “She’ll talk to me.”

  “That’s probably a good idea,” Rose said. “You two have always gotten along and been there for each other in times of emotional upheaval.”

  “No, that’s not a good idea,” Grady said, grabbing Ally’s arm and whipping her back around. “Don’t go up there.”

  “But … Mandy needs me,” Ally argued. “I have to go up there.”

  “No, Mandy needs James and sleep right now,” Grady countered. “The last thing she needs is you sticking your nose where it doesn’t belong. Leave them alone.”

  “Don’t tell me what to do, Grady!” Ally snapped, her temper getting the best of her. “Mandy is my best friend. This is my job.”

  Grady was out of patience and when he slammed his beer on the counter and roughly grabbed Ally’s wrist he took everyone by surprise. “Don’t go up there!”

  Ally widened her brown eyes as she clawed at Grady’s hand. “Don’t tell me what to do,” she shot back. “You’re … hurting me.”

  “Grady, that’s enough,” Jake said, grabbing his future brother-in-law’s hand and wrenching it away from his b
eloved’s arm. “Don’t take this out on her. She doesn’t understand.”

  “She doesn’t understand?” Grady’s voice was hollow. “Well, let me explain it to her. Heidi and Mandy were standing together when the shot came. It blew half of Heidi’s face off.”

  Ally made a sound like a wounded animal as Jake slipped his arm around her waist.

  “Grady, that will be enough of that,” Rose said, her voice cracking. She’d only met Heidi once, but she understood the toll her death would take on Mandy.

  “It’s not nearly enough,” Grady argued. “Heidi’s face blew off, and that blood … and brains … and other bone and material had to go somewhere. A lot of it landed on Mandy. She’s in shock … and covered in her friend’s tissue and body matter. She doesn’t need you, Ally. She needs a shower and then James got some medication from the paramedic to knock her out. That’s what she needs.”

  “I … didn’t know,” Ally said helplessly. “How was I supposed to know that?”

  “You weren’t,” Jake said, pulling her in for a hug as he shot Grady a challenging look. “It’s okay. You weren’t supposed to know. Grady is just upset and needs someone to take it out on.”

  “Yes, Grady is just upset,” Grady deadpanned. “Grady is horrified for his sister-in-law and that sweet woman who never hurt anyone. Grady can’t be bothered to coddle Ally during this difficult time.”

  “You’re done, Grady,” Louis snapped, drawing his son’s attention across the counter. “You’re … freaking done.”

  “You’re right, Dad. I am done,” Grady said, reaching for his beer. “I am so done they need to come up with another word for it.”

  JAMES tugged a pair of his boxer shorts onto Mandy, making sure they were in place before pulling a T-shirt over her head. Her hair was damp from the shower and he briefly considered braiding it. In the end, it seemed like too much work when she needed to pass out and forget this day – at least for the next ten hours or so.

  “Take this, baby,” James prodded, handing her two capsules and opening a bottle of water. “Take it and sleep.”

  Mandy did as instructed, her generally bright eyes dull and lifeless as James settled her under the covers. He flipped the lights off and then climbed in with her. He wasn’t tired in the least, but he couldn’t leave her.

  He slipped an arm under Mandy’s waist and drew her to him, resting her head on his chest as he stared at the ceiling. It was still early, so the setting sun was bright as it filled the far end of the room. He barely noticed, though.

  “I know you’re upset, baby, and the last thing I want to do is press you,” James said. “If you would just say one word to me, though, I will leave you alone for the rest of the night. I promise.”

  James didn’t really expect a response. When Mandy did speak, he was taken aback.

  “I don’t want to talk right now.”

  James almost cried out as relief washed over him. Instead he smoothed the back of her hair and pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Thank you, baby. You don’t have to talk. Go to sleep. I’ll be here when you wake up.”

  Mandy wasn’t certain about a lot of things, the bulk of the day meshing together to form a nightmare she’d rather forget. She never doubted James would be there for her, though. Instead of responding, she buried her face into the nook between his neck and chest and let the medicine do its job and claim her.

  Sleep was the best thing for her right now. Sleep was definitely better than the alternative. Heidi was dead … and there wasn’t anything she could do about it.

  4

  Four

  James was awake the next morning long before he felt Mandy stirring on his chest. He kept his breathing even as she lifted her head, watching carefully as she rubbed her cheeks and got her bearings. When she shifted her face up to his, the sorrow residing there was enough to bring him to his knees should he attempt to stand. Instead, he wrapped his arms around her back and tugged her up a bit so he could kiss her forehead.

  “Hello, my baby,” he whispered. “How are you?”

  “I was hoping it was a dream.” Mandy’s voice was soft and forlorn as James petted the back of her head.

  “I know you were,” James said. “I was hoping it was a dream, too. It wasn’t, though. Now we have to deal with it.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  The words took James by surprise. “What are you sorry for?”

  “I didn’t mean to go silent. I’m not sure how it happened. I just couldn’t … .”

  “Oh, baby, don’t worry about that.” James kept his hands moving over Mandy’s body, the need to touch her overwhelming. “I don’t blame you for taking a few hours downtime. It was probably for the best.”

  “Heidi is dead.” Mandy stated the words in a simple and matter-of-fact manner.

  “She is,” James confirmed.

  “I think I’m going to cry for a little bit.” Mandy’s voice cracked as James hugged her as tight as humanly possible without crawling inside of her.

  “Cry, baby,” James instructed. “You need to get it out. I’ll be here. It’s okay.”

  So Mandy did just that and let the sobs wrack her small body.

  BY THE time James made his way to the main floor an hour and a half later, his hair was wet from the shower and his eyes hurt from crying along with his wife. He left Mandy to take a long shower by herself, knowing she wanted to collect her thoughts and have a few moments of privacy, and made his way into the kitchen. He had every intention of trying to slap together a breakfast she would eat – or at least nibble at. Instead he found a feast … along with his mother and sister.

  “What are you doing here?” James asked, his irritation bubbling up. “Grady said he was going to get rid of you last night.”

  “Don’t talk to your mother that way,” Louis intoned from the kitchen table, where he sat reading the morning newspaper.

  “What about me?” Ally asked, annoyed. “Is he allowed to talk that way to me?”

  “Take that up with Jake,” Louis replied, not looking up.

  Ally shifted her contemplative eyes to the normally taciturn man she pledged to live her life with and shot him an expectant look. “Well?”

  “Leave it alone, Ally,” Jake said, taking everyone by surprise with his fortitude as he focused on his boss. “He’s clearly got enough on his plate. He doesn’t need to deal with you right now.”

  Instead of being angry, Louis chuckled, which only seemed to irritate Ally even more.

  “How can you take his side?” Ally complained.

  “I’m not taking his side, Ally,” Louis said. “I just admire his ability to read a situation. I happen to agree with him. Leave your brother alone.”

  “Ugh.” Ally made a disgusted sound, but her expression was troubled as she turned in James’ direction. For his part, the eldest Hardy brother made a big show of pretending he didn’t feel her eyes on him as he poured himself a mug of coffee. “How is Mandy?”

  James licked his lips as he reined in his fraying temper and met Ally’s gaze head-on. When he saw the sadness reflected there he couldn’t stop himself from sighing. “She’s sad, Ally. She slept ten hours with wet hair and she’s … upset. She’s in the shower. I thought I would try to make breakfast for her, although I doubt very much she’s going to eat.”

  “We made breakfast for her,” Ally said. “I made all of her favorites, including hash browns and corned beef hash.”

  “Thank you,” James said. “She’s not going to eat, though. Maybe she’ll nibble at some toast if I’m lucky.”

  “She has to eat,” Rose protested, annoyed. “She needs to keep up her strength.”

  “Thank you, Mother,” James deadpanned, his eyes flashing. “I never would’ve thought of that.”

  “Don’t talk to your mother that way, James,” Louis said, rustling the newspaper as he dropped it on the table. “What is wrong with you?”

  “What is wrong with me?” James made a disgusted sound in the back of his throat. He w
as taught to respect his father, but he was so agitated right now he couldn’t do anything but pick a fight. “I’ll tell you what’s wrong with me, Dad. It’s really quite simple. I had a feeling yesterday.

  “Yeah, I had a feeling,” he continued. “I didn’t want to be away from her. It was as if I knew something bad was going to happen. I felt it or something. She begged off because she was having lunch with Heidi, but I didn’t like it.

  “When we saw the news coverage, I was almost certain it was her,” he said. “I don’t know why I felt that way. I can’t explain the feeling. I honestly can’t explain any of it. I don’t know how to explain it.

  “When I found out it wasn’t her, I was so relieved,” James said. “I thought everything was going to be fine. I thought that right up until I found out Heidi was dead and realized my baby is going to have a broken heart for the foreseeable future … and that perhaps Heidi wasn’t the intended target.”

  James let the last part slip and immediately wished he could take it back. The look on his father’s face was enough to send a chill through his chest.

  “You think someone meant to take out Mandy and accidentally got Heidi instead,” Louis mused, dumbfounded. “I never even considered that.”

  “But … why?” Ally’s lower lip trembled. “Mandy never did anything to anyone.”

  “I shouldn’t have said anything,” James muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. “Listen to me, people. I mean listen hard. If anyone mentions this to Mandy, I will kill you. I don’t care if I’m related to you or not.” His gaze was pointed when it landed on Ally. “Do you understand?”

  “I would never say anything,” Ally said, making an exaggerated face. “Quite frankly, I’m disappointed you think I would say anything to her.”

  “Yes, well, I’m just going on history,” James said. “You and Mandy have a tendency to tell each other everything.”

  “I won’t say anything,” Ally said, miming crossing her heart as she locked gazes with her brother. “I love her, too.”

  James’ expression softened. “I know you do. She’s really fragile right now, though. You have to be careful. She can’t take much more. She’ll retreat to bed if we don’t keep a lid on things.”