Deadly Adventure (Hardy Brothers Security Book 19) Read online

  “Once I got home, I lived that life,” he continued. “I slept with so many women I lost count. I didn’t love any of them, though. I didn’t connect with any of them. There’s a difference.”

  “And you connected with Mandy?” Jesse asked.

  “I connected with Mandy the first moment I locked eyes with her again,” James replied. “I didn’t even know who she was. When I left Barker Creek I was eighteen and thought war sounded like a great idea. She was fourteen and hiding in big sweatshirts and books.

  “There was something there from the start when she came back into my life,” he continued. “I could feel it. My skin … hummed. My heart did this flopping thing that made me sick to my stomach.”

  “And so you married her?”

  James frowned. “No. I fought my feelings until they almost tore me apart. Then I gave in and it felt as if I’d been rescued from the brink. I’ve never once looked back.”

  Jesse was conflicted. “And you’re happy?”

  “She completes me,” James replied. “She doesn’t have a piece of my heart. She is my heart.”

  “I just … you’re like a dude from a romance novel now,” Jesse said. “You know that, right.”

  James smirked. “I can live with that,” he said. “All I want is to make her happy. My favorite part of the day is when we first wake up and she’s all warm and snuggly. I could spend an entire lifetime in that five minutes. That’s how happy I am.”

  Jesse shrugged, defeated. “Well, then I guess I’m happy for you,” he said. “I just … it took me by surprise. I didn’t know what to think.”

  “I get that,” James said. “You have to accept she’s part of my life, though. No, that’s wrong. She is my life. You can’t say things to her like you did last night.”

  Jesse was confused. “What did I say?”

  “You suggested she leave the bar on her own,” James replied. “You insinuated she got pregnant so I had to marry her. Both of those things were insults.”

  “Aw, man, that’s not how I meant it,” Jesse said. “I didn’t think you would want to talk about old times in front of her. I thought it would embarrass you.”

  “She knows most of it,” James said. “What she doesn’t know isn’t worth knowing. Don’t embarrass or hurt her again. I don’t like it.”

  “I’ll apologize,” Jesse said, holding his hands up. “I’m really sorry.”

  “It’s okay,” James said, his eyes lighting up as Mandy scampered toward him. “What’s up, wife? Do you need more photos?”

  “No. I have like a hundred photos.”

  “That’s good,” James said, smoothing the back of her flaxen hair. “What’s next? Do you want to walk around the entire thing again?”

  Mandy shook her head. “Did you know there’s a gift shop?”

  James pursed his lips. “No, but that doesn’t surprise me.”

  “We need to go to it.”

  James linked his fingers with Mandy’s. “Lead the way, baby.”

  Mandy shifted her attention to Jesse. “Do you want to come or … I could leave James here with you and go myself.”

  “No, that’s completely unnecessary,” Jesse said, shaking his head. “In fact, I want to apologize if I made you uncomfortable last night. I didn’t realize what I said was rude. I don’t spend a lot of time around women.”

  Mandy made an exaggerated face. “Oh, puh-leez. I can tell you fancy yourself as popular with the ladies.”

  “Yes, but I never take the time to listen to what they have to say,” Jesse clarified. “James explained how that’s important, and I think I did you a disservice. I’m sorry for what I said. I hope we can start with a clean slate.”

  “Sure,” Mandy said, clapping his shoulder hard enough to rock him. “I’m fine with that. Can we go to the gift shop now?”

  James chuckled. “Lead the way, wife. I’m dying to see how many things you buy here.”

  “Me, too!”

  “I’M exhausted just looking at her,” Jesse said, shaking his head as he watched Mandy study each display with a critical eye. “That’s the same stuff she’s looked at twice before. It hasn’t changed.”

  “Leave her be,” James chided. “She’s been talking about seeing this place since before we got married. If she wants every single thing in this shop, she can have it.”

  “Wow, big spender,” Jesse teased. “You must be doing well.”

  “I am doing well,” James confirmed.

  “I’m glad business is so great for you,” Jesse said. “I wish I had the balls to start my own company instead of working for someone else. At least you’re building something. I feel as if I’m treading water.”

  “You could always go back home and get a job there,” James suggested, grinning as Mandy picked out a snow globe and added it to her pile of goodies. “You can build up a good reputation and save money and then branch out and open your own business when the time is right.

  “My first office was tiny,” he continued. “It took more than a year to build up to the big building, but once I did things started snowballing. You know what you’re doing and have a great reputation. You could do the same thing.”

  “Thanks for the pep talk,” Jesse said. “Do you think I can find a wife like yours, too? She’s kind of a nerd, but I finally get what you see in her. I mean, don’t get me wrong, she’s smoking hot. But that smile she just flashed you was something to behold.”

  “She’s my baby,” James said, holding his arm out to collect Mandy’s basket as she headed in his direction. “Do you have everything you want?”

  “I think so,” Mandy replied, biting her lip as she glanced around. “I got charms for Ally, Sophie, and Emma. They go on those Pandora bracelets you guys got.”

  “Hey, I got that bracelet first,” James argued. “Everyone else jumped on it after the fact. I was the first.”

  “Yes, you’re very wise,” Mandy said, patting James’ chest and then leaving her hand on the spot above his heart for a moment. The simple gesture warmed James. “I got a little onesie for Avery, too. I got a book for Grady because he loves nerdy stuff.”

  “Good,” James said. “Did you get a charm for yourself?”

  Mandy nodded.

  “What about the necklace?”

  “I don’t need the necklace,” Mandy said, gesturing toward the silver chain around her neck. “I’ll never take this necklace off.”

  “That’s a shark,” Jesse said, confused.

  “Sharks turn her on,” James said. “I bought that one as a wedding gift and had it engraved.”

  “Oh, what a softie,” Jesse teased, grabbing James’ cheek and giving it a good jiggle.

  James jerked his head away. “I am a softie,” he agreed. “For her. I’ll still beat you.”

  “Duly noted,” Jesse said, fighting to control his smile … and losing.

  “So you got the snow globe and the charm,” James said. “How about that big book you were looking at? That would be nice in the new arboretum.”

  “Ooh, I didn’t think of that,” Mandy said, her eyes lighting up. “I got the same book for Grady but I didn’t know where to put it in our house so I didn’t add it to my basket. I’ll be right back.”

  “We’ll be right here,” Jesse called to her back. “She is something.”

  “She is,” James agreed, chuckling as Mandy inadvertently ran into Becky as they reached for the same book. The two women smiled at each other and Mandy retrieved two books so she could give one to Becky. He couldn’t hear what they said to each other, but they appeared happy. “She really is.”

  “Ugh, you’re kind of gross, dude,” Jesse said. “You get a sappy look all over your face whenever you look at her.”

  “I can’t help myself,” James said. “She makes me smile.”

  “Yes, you’re definitely a goner,” Jesse said. “Let’s get her checked out of here and I’ll drive you guys to the Roman Baths. I know you want to see those, too. Then we can have lunch over the
re.”

  James was intrigued by the idea. “I have to admit I’m not thrilled with riding the bus. Let me ask my wife if it’s okay.”

  “And if it’s not?”

  “Then we’ll ride the bus,” James replied simply. “Marriage is about making decisions together. She has an opinion … and it counts.”

  “Just … weird,” Jesse said, shaking his head as he offered James a mischievous smile. “Ask her. I’m dying to hear how she lays down the law.”

  “You might be surprised,” James said. “Women can be completely rational if you give them the chance to do the right thing.”

  “Yeah, I’ll believe that when I see it.”

  5

  Five

  “Okay, I was wrong,” Jesse conceded three hours later, smirking as Mandy leaned over from a high walkway perch to take photos of one of the cavernous bath areas below. “I just never realized there was such a thing as a reasonable woman.”

  “Oh, she’s not always reasonable,” James said, chuckling at the surprised look on Jesse’s face. “In fact, she’s downright ornery sometimes. She’s reasonable on stuff like this, though. She didn’t like the bus ride either.”

  “How come?”

  “It was cramped and hot.”

  “I thought everything with you two was hot,” Jesse teased, earning a snide look from James.

  “You joke, but everything that woman touches is definitely hot,” James said. “She wears these pencil skirts with garters to work. I have a tough time concentrating every day while she’s away from me.”

  “I’m surprised she works given how well you must be doing,” Jesse said. “What does she do?”

  “She’s a clerk at the county courthouse.”

  “Criminal or family?”

  “Criminal,” James replied, scowling. “I’m sure family court is tough, too, but I hate her working in the criminal justice system.”

  “So make her quit.”

  The simplicity of Jesse’s answer caused James to guffaw. “Make her quit? You know absolutely nothing about women, man. If I tried to make her quit she would dig her heels in and pick a fight until I stopped.”

  “So? Withhold your love until she does what you want.”

  “That’s not how a marriage works,” James scoffed. “Besides, I tried forcing her to quit and she wouldn’t talk to me afterward. I didn’t like it.”

  “Oh, because you’re a big, fluffy bunny where she’s concerned, aren’t you?” Jesse cooed, clearly enjoying himself.

  “I’m more like a domesticated shark,” James clarified. “But, yes. I don’t like it when she’s angry.”

  “How often does that happen?”

  “Not often,” James answered. He understood Jesse’s curiosity regarding his relationship with his wife. It took a bit of time to absorb if you were only acquainted with the old James. “We’ve had some big fights, though.”

  “Did you ever think about divorcing her?”

  “Not for one second,” James replied. “I married for life. She’s it for me.”

  “Okay,” Jesse said, holding his hands up. “I get it. She’s the love of your life. I’m not casting aspersions on your relationship.”

  “That’s good,” James said. “It wouldn’t go over well if you tried.”

  “Yeah, I’ve noticed,” Jesse said dryly, narrowing his eyes as he watched James scan the room. “What are you looking for?”

  “A bathroom,” James replied. “Do you see one?”

  “There are facilities up one floor,” Jesse replied. “I saw them when we were coming down the stairs.”

  “Okay, I’ll collect Mandy and make her go back up,” James said, moving in his wife’s direction.

  “Why do that?” Jesse asked. “Go to the bathroom. She’ll be fine.”

  “I wasn’t joking about her being a trouble magnet,” James said. “If I leave her something horrible is bound to happen.”

  “Then I’ll watch her,” Jesse said. “I’m perfectly capable of keeping her safe for five minutes. I have the same training as you do, after all.”

  James didn’t look convinced. “I … .”

  Jesse’s eyebrows flew up his forehead. “Seriously? How co-dependent are you two?”

  “Very,” James replied, not missing a beat. “I don’t like leaving her alone in a strange place. That last time I did that she was drugged and almost died.”

  “See, now I can’t decide if you’re telling the truth or making things up.”

  “I’m telling the truth,” James said. “She has this uncanny ability to find trouble. Or, to be more precise, trouble has an uncanny ability to find her. Either way, I don’t want to risk it.”

  “She’s happy with her camera,” Jessie pointed out, gesturing with his hand. “You could’ve already gone and been back by now and she wouldn’t even have noticed. I swear I won’t take my eyes off her while you’re gone.”

  James sighed as he tugged a restless hand through his hair. “Watch her. I mean it.”

  Jesse saluted. “I’ll protect her with my life.”

  “You’d better,” James muttered. “If something happens on your watch you’re not going to like the outcome.”

  MANDY studied the colorful water and lifted her nose to inhale the heady scent. The aroma was a mixture of history, salt, and closed-in spaces. She liked it.

  “Isn’t this amazing?” the man next to her asked. “Centuries ago people came to this very place to utilize the healing properties of the water … and it worked.”

  Mandy didn’t particularly consider herself a history buff, but she liked odd historical tidbits. “It’s definitely cool,” she said. “I would hate to fall down there, though. It looks as if that crack goes on forever.” She pointed to a gaping crevice in the floor of the room. “It’s probably good they have it closed off so we can’t walk right over to it.”

  “I think they’re probably overreacting,” the man said. “It still looks cool from a distance.”

  “Definitely.”

  Mandy moved farther down the stone pathway, her eyes locking on the ancient walls and their odd texture patterns. She snapped a quick photo and almost jumped out of her skin when she realized the man was back at her side. He was so close he risked invading her personal space.

  “Um … do you need to get around me?” Mandy asked, shuffling closer to the rock wall. “There’s room over there.”

  “Oh, no. I’m fine.” The man’s smile was friendly, but the expression didn’t make it all the way to his eyes.

  “Well, I’m not,” Mandy said, glancing over her shoulder and finding the spot Jesse and James shared only moments ago empty. “I feel a little crowded. Can you move back a little bit?”

  “Sure.” The man nodded his head but otherwise remained still.

  Mandy licked her lips as her heartbeat ratcheted up a notch. “Can you move now?”

  “Uh-huh.” The man never moved his gaze from Mandy’s face.

  “Okay, I’ve had about enough of this,” Mandy said, taking a step away from the pesky stranger. “I’m going to go and leave this part of the pathway to you. How does that sound?”

  “Incredibly boring,” the man said, taking a step forward and erasing the distance between them again.

  “Seriously?” Mandy didn’t enjoy being petulant, but she couldn’t help herself. James was going to have a fit if this turned into a thing. “I’m here on vacation. I don’t know what your deal is, but I’m not in the mood to mess around. Can you please just … move along?”

  Mandy made small shooing motions with her hands. She realized a split-second too late that it was a mistake because the man used her movement as an opportunity to step forward and grab the strap of her purse.

  “Hey!”

  “Shut up,” the man hissed, attempting to cover Mandy’s mouth with his hand. “I will snap your neck if you’re not careful.”

  Mandy shifted her head as she fought to move away from the man. He could have her purse. There was nothing
more than some cash and traveler’s checks inside. Her passport was back at the hotel and she could buy a new purse. Unfortunately for her, the purse strap was lodged around her neck and she couldn’t remove it without making herself vulnerable.

  “Stop that,” Mandy ordered.

  “Shut up.” The man grabbed Mandy’s arm and twisted it, causing her to cry out as he shoved her toward the railing. The gap between bars was big enough to toss her over the side and into the crevice she’d been commenting about a few moments before. “Give me your purse!”

  “I can’t unless you let me go,” Mandy said. “I … .”

  She didn’t get a chance to finish because a figure moved in from her left and grabbed the back of the man’s neck. Mandy was convinced it was James until she saw the furious face swimming into view. It was Jesse.

  “What do you think you’re doing?” Jesse hissed.

  “Let me go!” The man wrenched himself away from Jesse, releasing Mandy’s purse in the process. His gaze busily bounced between the duo before he turned in the other direction and hurried toward the adjacent room.

  “Should I go after him?” Jesse asked, genuinely confused.

  “Probably not,” Mandy answered. “He was just a purse snatcher. He didn’t get anything.”

  “He could’ve hurt you.”

  “He could’ve, but he didn’t,” Mandy said, brushing her hair away from her face. “I just … James is going to be ticked.”

  “Why? It wasn’t your fault.”

  “Just … wait for it.”

  “THAT’S IT,” James said an hour later, shaking his head as he prodded Mandy into a restaurant booth. “I’m officially tying you to me for the rest of our lives. I think it’s my only option.”

  “I considered chasing him, but then I figured you probably wouldn’t want Mandy left alone,” Jesse offered, settling across the table. “I didn’t know which was the better option.”

  “You did the right thing,” James said, rubbing his thumb over Mandy’s cheek before lowering it to the red spot on her neck. “That purse strap must’ve hurt when he was trying to yank it off you.”