Deadly Honeymoon (Hardy Brothers Security Book 7) (14 page)

“I would like to make another suggestion,” Peter said. “I’m just not sure how open you are going to be to it.”

“Hit me.”

“Even if Cortez was an agent, whoever killed him was not,” Peter said. “Men in this line of work are often thrown off by other men in this line of work.”

“I’m not sure I understand what you’re getting at.”

“I would like to put a detail on Mandy,” Peter said, immediately holding up his hand to stave off the argument on James’ lips. “Just hear me out before you shoot me down, please.”

James snapped his mouth shut, nodding.

“I’m not asking to put men in your home. I’m asking to put men in a car on the street in front of your house. Their mere presence will deter people,” Peter said. “I would also like to put men in front of the courthouse. I would never let them go into the building unless they ascertained your wife was in real danger. If people see them there and recognize what they are, they will be less likely to approach your wife.

“I will never let my men approach her,” Peter continued. “I would not put her in that situation. It merely offers another layer of protection, and until we figure out what’s going on here, I think it would be wise to do everything we can.”

James slid back further on the couch, staring at his hands as he considered Peter’s offer. As much as the idea of utilizing mob enforcers sickened him, he would do anything to keep Mandy safe.

“Let’s do it.”

“Why are you so distracted?”

“Huh?” Mandy glanced up from her sandwich, focusing on Heidi for the first time in what felt like forever.

“You’re distracted,” Heidi said. “Why?”

The two women were sitting on the cement patio that surrounded the courthouse eating lunch. Since Mandy had promised not to leave the building, their lunch options were limited to the cart in front of the building.

The sandwiches were fine – but bland. Mandy was starting to chafe under James’ watchfulness, and she was having trouble hiding that fact.

“I’m just … there’s a lot going on,” Mandy said. There was no way she could explain what was really going on to her friend. Heidi was many things, but levelheaded and low-key wasn’t one of them.

“You keep staring at that guy,” Heidi said, pointing to the blond man standing on the lawn.

“I was not,” Mandy protested, hating that she had to lie to her good friend. She’d recognized Sven – one of Peter’s bodyguards – from her visit to his house six weeks before. Seeing him standing in front of the courthouse was jarring – even though James had reluctantly informed her that Peter’s men were going to be providing rotating security.

“You were,” Heidi said. “You might not have realized you were doing it, but you were doing it.”

“I was just lost in thought,” Mandy said. “I certainly wasn’t staring at that guy.”

“It’s okay to look,” Heidi said. “You’re married, you’re not dead. Still … he’s not as handsome as your husband.”

“I never said he was.” Mandy’s irritation with James was starting to bubble up and scald Heidi. She tried to rein herself in. “I was just thinking.”

“Is something wrong?” Heidi asked. “You’re very taciturn.”

“Taciturn?”

“I have word-of-the-day toilet paper,” Heidi said, shrugging. “That was one of the words last week. It stuck in my head.”

“It’s a good word.”

“It is.”

The duo lapsed into silence for a few moments, but it didn’t last long. Heidi was never comfortable with silence.

“You and James aren’t having problems, are you?” Heidi looked worried.

“No,” Mandy said. “We’re not having problems. We’re still happily married.”

“Good,” Heidi said. “I would hate for my dream couple to ruin all of the fantasies I have for my future.”

Mandy bit into her sandwich as she considered Heidi’s statement, chewing on the saturated tuna and dry bread as she did. “What kind of man are you looking for? I mean, when you see your future, what do you envision?”

“That’s a weird question.”

“I know,” Mandy acknowledged. “I’m just curious. You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to.”

“It’s not that,” Heidi said. “You’ve just never asked me anything like that before. I’m usually the one probing into your personal life. You never ask about mine.”

Mandy frowned. Was that true? Was she so self-absorbed that she never asked about Heidi’s love life? If so, that was terrible. “I ask,” Mandy said, not entirely sure she was telling the truth. “I’m asking now. What kind of man do you want?”

“Well,” Heidi said, her eyes sparkling. “I want a man who understands me. I don’t want to change who I am to please someone.”

“That’s a good thing,” Mandy said. “You should never change who you are. Not only are you fabulous, but if you try to change yourself it always backfires, and you just end up being bitter when you realize you want to go back to the person you really are.”

“James never tries to change you, does he?”

“No,” Mandy said, her belligerent edge softening. “James is happy with who I am. He not only understands who I am, but he encourages it. Do you know another man who would pretend to be both the shark and the shark hunter in a sexual fantasy?”

Heidi pressed her hand to her heart. “That is so romantic. He gets you. He goes out of his way to get you and make you happy at the same time. I want a man like that.”

“Can we not put him on a pedestal?”

Heidi was taken aback. “Okay, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing is wrong,” Mandy said. “I love my husband more than I’ve ever loved anything in this world. Nothing is wrong.”

“He’s romantic,” Heidi said. “He’s head-over-heels in love with you. Every word you say he hangs on. Every look you give him he returns. Every time you cry his heart breaks. Every time you smile he smiles back. He’s perfect.”

“No one is perfect, Heidi,” Mandy said. “James is as close at it comes, but he’s also bossy and irrational. Whenever he decides I’m in danger, I have to agree to absolutely ridiculous rules and babysitters. Whenever he thinks he knows what’s best, it’s time for his wife to bow down and tell him how great he is. Whenever I want to drive, he just refuses to get in the passenger seat.”

Heidi arched an eyebrow. “Wow.”

“Sorry. He’s being all … Jamesish.”

“So, you’re in danger again, huh? How did that happen?”

“What? I’m not in danger,” Mandy lied.

“You obviously are,” Heidi said. “You can’t leave the courthouse at lunch, and we’ve eaten here for three days straight. You hate the sandwiches, and yet you keep saying you want them. You take three bites and then dump them in the garbage.

“You’ve been watching that guy, even though you pretend you’re not,” Heidi continued. “He’s been watching you, and not in a creepy way. He just making sure you’re covered. So, what’s going on?”

Mandy sighed. The jig was up. She told Heidi everything. When she was done, Heidi was flabbergasted.

“How does this keep happening to you?”

“I have no idea,” Mandy replied. “I think I’m cursed.”

“You’re not cursed,” Heidi said. “You have an absolutely beautiful husband who dotes on you and who would die for you. You live in an amazing house with a great view. You have a pool, and a hot tub. You have a studio so you can follow your ultimate dream. You’re not cursed.”

Mandy nodded, guilt washing over her. She was so ungrateful sometimes.

“I just don’t know how this stuff keeps happening to you.”

“Join the club.”

Heidi reached across the table, patting Mandy’s hand. “It’s going to be okay.”

“I know.”

“You have a man who loves you,” Heidi said.

“You could have that, too.”

“No one will ever love me like James loves you.”

“That’s not true!”

“It is,” Heidi said. “You’re thin and beautiful. No, don’t bother arguing. I know I need to lose some weight. I know I’m kind of obnoxious and loud. It takes people time to get to know me. There’s never going to be some romantic love-at-first-sight scene in my future. I just have to adjust my expectations.”

“Never adjust your expectations,” Mandy argued. “If I had adjusted my expectations, I might have married one of those idiots I dated in college even though I always wanted James. Where would I be then?”

“But you’re thin and beautiful,” Heidi said. “I’m not.”

“You’re the most beautiful person I know, Heidi,” Mandy said. “You’re giving, and you have a huge heart. You have a great sense of style, and you’re always fun. You’re going to find your happily ever after. I promise you that.”

Heidi pursed her lips, shrugging. “I wish I would. I’m getting tired of waiting.” Heidi shook off her brief bout of melancholy. “Anyway, I’m going to go back in. I have a few things to do before the afternoon session.”

Mandy watched her go, regret coursing through her. Why would she possibly complain about her life when it was so good?

“Hey, Mandy.”

Mandy glanced up, gracing the familiar security guard who appeared at the edge of the table with a smile. “Hey, Clint. How are things?”

“They’re good,” Clint said. “I got promoted. Did you hear?”

“I did,” Mandy said. “You’re second in command now. That’s got to be pretty exciting.”

“It is.” Clint gestured to Heidi’s recently vacated chair. “Do you care if I sit down?”

“Of course not,” Mandy said. “I still have a half hour before I have to be upstairs.”

Clint settled in the chair. “So, how was your honeymoon? We really haven’t had a chance to chat since you got back.”

“It was good,” Mandy said. “James rented a house with a private beach in Bermuda. It was beautiful.”

“That’s cool,” Clint said. “So you could walk out your back door and swim in the ocean?”

“I don’t really swim in the ocean,” Mandy admitted. “I’m scared of sharks. I sat in the ocean while James swam, though. He took me on this really cool shark tour. It was on a boat, so I didn’t have to get wet, but it was amazing.”

“I thought you were scared of sharks.”

“I am. I’m also obsessed with them. I treat
Shark Week
like a holiday.”

Clint smiled. “It’s nice that he knows you well enough to surprise you with stuff like that.”

“It is,” Mandy agreed.”

“You know,” Clint said, shifting uncomfortably. “I always had a crush on you.”

Of course she knew. Clint had been obsessed with her for a long time, following her around the courthouse like he was a lost puppy dog and her pants were made of bacon. Since Clint had been injured in an effort to protect her, Mandy saw no sense in embarrassing him further. “I had no idea.”

“Yeah, I was scared to tell you,” Clint said. “I played it really cool.”

Mandy fought the mad urge to laugh. “You certainly did.”

“I just … you’re very beautiful.”

“Thank you.”

“You’re always so sweet, too.”

“I’m not sure my husband would agree.”

“Oh, no, he does,” Clint said. “When he first showed up, I was really jealous. Now I know that you guys are soul mates. He always puts your needs in front of his own. That’s what a real man does. You’re his whole life. He would die for you. I want to be a man like him. He’s … well … he’s amazing.”

Mandy’s heart swelled. “He is amazing.”

“I think you guys are going to be happy forever.”

“I hope so.”

“You will.” Clint was guileless. “I want to find someone of my own to be happy with forever.”

An idea nudged at Mandy’s brain. She’d considered it before, but now seemed like the perfect time to embark on her plan. “You know, Clint, I have someone who would be perfect for you.”

“You do?”

“I do.”

“Can I meet her?” Clint wasn’t wasting any time.

“Sure,” Mandy said, thinking on her feet. “What are you doing tonight?”

“Oh, well, tonight,” Clint said, his face flushing. “I don’t know. That’s so fast.”

“What if James and I went on a double-date with you,” Mandy offered. “Then all the pressure wouldn’t be on you. If I see you struggling, I can help.”

Clint beamed. “That sounds great.”

“Good,” Mandy said. “How about we meet at Luigi’s at seven?”

“I’ll be there,” Clint said, getting to his feet. “I’ll totally be there. This is going to be great!”

“I cannot believe I let you talk me into this.”

“You’ll have fun,” Mandy said, sliding a nervous glance in James’ direction. They were parked in the lot behind Luigi’s, and James hadn’t stopped complaining since she’d announced their evening’s activities.

“I will not have fun.”

“You will. I promise.”

“Clint makes me uncomfortable,” James said, trying a different tactic. “He fawns all over you. I can see him undressing you with his eyes. I don’t like it.”

“He also almost died for me,” Mandy said. “If he hadn’t been there the night Troy went after me … .”

James sighed, reaching over and gripping Mandy’s hand. The memory of the night his wife’s stepbrother stalked her through the courthouse and tried to kill her for an inheritance that could never be his was never far from his mind. “I know that. Why do you think he’s still alive?”

“James … .”

“He’s still obsessed with you, baby,” James said. “I keep seeing it every time I’m in that courthouse. He even told me.”

“He’s over it,” Mandy said. “He wants to find someone to love for himself.”

“And you think that’s Heidi?” James didn’t look convinced.

“What’s wrong with Heidi?” Mandy was on the defensive now. She jerked her hand away. “I’ll have you know that Heidi is a wonderful person. She’s warm, and giving. She’s your biggest fan, so you should be bowing down and buying her flowers every week.”

James’ mouth dropped open. “Do you think I don’t like Heidi?”

“You seem to think she’s not good enough for Clint,” Mandy countered. “I’ll have you know that whatever man snags Heidi, well, he is going to be a very lucky man.”

“Thanks for the news flash,” James said, his tone dry. “I like Heidi.”

“So, this is all about Clint?”

“Can you explain to me why we’re fighting about this?” James was on edge, and he was fighting for control of his temper. He knew that if he exploded now, things would only go downhill – and fast. He desperately wanted to refrain from alienating his wife.

“Heidi said something to me at lunch today,” Mandy admitted.

“What?”

“She said … she said she can never find happily ever after because she needs to lose weight and people don’t like her personality,” she replied. “I just need her to know that’s not true. She has a great personality, and she isn’t fat. I hate that she thinks she’s fat.”

James sighed, giving in. “Of course she’s not fat. She’s buxom. Just tell her that she’s buxom.”

“She’s not going to believe me,” Mandy said. “She needs to
feel
something. She’s got to find someone looking for the same thing she is.”

“And you think that’s Clint?”

“I do.” Mandy crossed her arms over her chest, the obstinate tilt of her chin melting James’ heart.

“Okay,” he said. “Let’s go on a double-date with Heidi and Clint. Wow, those are words I never thought I’d say.”

Mandy reached over, gripping James’ arm desperately. “I’m going to give you the night of your life tonight if you’re nice and help him. I’m going to be focused on Heidi, so I need you to do what you can to help Clint.”

“You don’t think he can help himself?”

“Of course not,” Mandy scoffed. “You’ve met him. He’s completely hopeless.”

James smiled, the panic on his wife’s face making him melt. She cared so much about others sometimes he couldn’t help but be touched. “I’ll help Clint. You obviously don’t think this is going to go well, though.”

“Oh, it’s going to be a complete and total clusterfuck,” Mandy admitted. “They’re both going to be thrown when they realize I’ve set them up with each other.”

James stilled. “Wait a second … .”

“Let’s eat,” Mandy said, reaching for the door handle.

James grabbed her hand, snatching it back and pressing it to his chest. “They don’t know they’re dating each other?”

“Have I ever told you how great the Crawfish Creole is here?”

James shook his head, pursing his lips. “You’re going to be my sex slave for a week,” he said. “A whole week of whatever I want. I’m going to make you wear a dog collar, I swear.”

Mandy’s face was contorted with worry. “Just … please help me.”

James couldn’t resist her. He never could. “Get your ass in the restaurant,” he griped. “I’m putting the dog collar on you the minute we get home.”

“SO,
this is great,” Clint said, glancing between Mandy and Heidi with an unreadable expression on his face. “We’re all here … the four of us … in a restaurant … with food … and it’s great.”

“It’s great,” James agreed, swigging from his beer as he slung his arm around Mandy’s shoulders. “The food here is good. I’ve brought Mandy here a few times.”

Heidi’s face was buried in her menu. She hadn’t made eye contact with anyone at the table for almost five minutes – a fact that wasn’t lost on an increasingly uncomfortable Clint.

“So, James, how is your work these days?”

Despite his arguments to the contrary earlier, James was sympathetic to Clint’s plight. “It’s good,” James said. “We’re constantly busy. When you’re in this line of work, you never have the same day. I like how it’s never predictable.”

“Did you have to get a private investigator’s license?”

James shook his head. “We’re not technically private investigators. We’re security specialists.”

For her part, Mandy was desperate for Heidi to make eye contact. “So, what are you going to get? The Crawfish Creole is amazing.”

“I haven’t decided yet,” Heidi replied, her voice firm and cold.

James felt the panic rippling through Mandy’s body and squeezed her shoulder to anchor her. “So, Heidi, how is life?”

Finally, for the first time since she’d approached the table and realized whom her date was going to be, Heidi acknowledged someone’s existence. “Confusing.”

“Life is a roller-coaster,” he agreed. “That’s what makes it fun. You have to take the ups and the downs.”

“And how is life for you?” Heidi asked. “A lot of downs lately? Your wife is a trip.”

Mandy tensed, causing James’ hand to move from her shoulder to her neck so he could try and massage the tension away. “My wife is a gift.”

“Do you ever wish you could return her for store credit?” Heidi’s dig was pointed.

“Not really,” James said, refusing to be ruffled. “I love everything about her, even when she drives me nuts.”

“You’re lucky,” Heidi sneered.

“I am,” James agreed. “I look at my wife and realize she doesn’t have a mean bone in her body. I see that everything she does – even the things that drive me crazy – she does because she means the very best and she wants everyone to be happy.

“Now, is she always successful? No,” James continued. “She still doesn’t do things to hurt people.”

Heidi’s expression softened. “She’s not very bright, is she?”

James fought hard to contain his laughter. “She’s very bright,” he countered. “She just gets tunnel vision sometimes.”

Heidi rolled her eyes, but the stiff slouch of her frame relaxed. “I guess.”

“She always means well,” James repeated.

“She does.”

“Am I missing something?” Clint asked.

“No,” James said. “How about you and I go and look at the seafood tank? I’m considering ordering lobster. I just want to see how they look.”

“Oh, sure,” Clint said. “That sounds cool.”

“It does,” James agreed, kissing Mandy’s temple before sliding out of the booth. “It sounds very cool.”

Once the men were gone, Heidi’s rage took form. “I can’t believe you did this to me!”

“I just thought you needed a little push.”

“With Clint?”

“What’s wrong with Clint?”

“He’s obsessed with you,” Heidi spat back. “You want me to date a guy who is obsessed with you.”

“He’s not obsessed with me.”

Heidi made a hateful face.

“He’s not obsessed with me anymore,” Mandy corrected. “He wants to find someone for himself. He wants love. He wants forever. You two are perfect for each other.”

“I … what makes you say that?”

Mandy sensed an opening. “You’re both romantics,” she said. “I’m not saying it will work out. I’m asking you to give it a try.”

“I am giving it a try.”

“Hiding your face in the menu and pouting is not giving it a try,” Mandy countered.

“I … .” Heidi blew out a sigh. “You’re right. I should at least give him a try.”

“You should.”

Heidi glanced over her shoulder, staring as James engaged Clint in conversation. “You don’t think he’s going to become obsessed with James now, do you?”

Mandy furrowed her brow. “Why would you ask that?”

“Because they look like they’re on a man date.”

Mandy scanned the two men again, smiling when she realized what Heidi was referring to. Instead of the previous look of distrust Clint used to reserve for James, he was now watching her husband with awe. Every time James shifted, Clint did the same. Every time James put his hand on his hip, Clint mimed the action.

“I think Clint is just nervous,” Mandy said. “His date for the evening wouldn’t even make eye contact with him. He has to latch on to someone.”

“I get it,” Heidi said. “I was being obnoxious. Don’t rub it in.”

Mandy held up her hands in mock surrender. “I wasn’t rubbing it in.”

“You were.”

“I wasn’t.”

“You were.”

Mandy sighed. “I have to go to the bathroom.”

“Let’s go together,” Heidi said. “I can collect myself, and we can start all over when we get back.”

“That sounds good,” Mandy said. “Let’s go.”

The two women slid out of the booth. James eyed them curiously as they moved through the restaurant.

“We’re going to the bathroom,” Mandy said, squeezing James’ hand. “Everything is fine. In fact, it’s going to be much better. We’re just going to collect ourselves in the bathroom, and then start the evening over from scratch.”

“Good,” James said. “I think an ego boost is in order.”

“No doubt.”

James leaned down to kiss his wife, frowning when she careened into him. He caught her, saving her from colliding with the lobster tank. The man who had pushed her stopped and swiveled, facing James and Mandy with a derisive look.

It only took James a moment to realize what was going on. The man who had shoved Mandy was pulling a gun, and his target was the blonde James was currently holding in his arms.

“Get down!” James ordered.

Mandy was in the process of moving, the sight of the gun filling her with dread, when Clint stepped in front of her and slammed their assailant in the face with his fist.

Mandy took a step back, surprised.

James, never one to rest on his laurels, pushed his wife behind him and stepped forward.

“Who do you think you are?” Clint asked, punching the man again. The jab hit home, breaking the man’s nose and causing blood to pour out of it. “Who pulls a gun in a restaurant?”

James was on the stranger quickly, wrestling the gun from his hand. The crowd around them panicked, and in the melee, the stranger opted to leave the gun in James’ possession and flee.

James was moving quickly, giving chase. The crowd cut him off, though, and by the time he made it out the door he’d lost sight of him. He had a decision to make, and he opted not to follow the man without an obvious destination. Instead, he returned to Mandy’s side.

“He’s gone.” Mandy’s face was pale and drawn. James pulled her to him and kissed her forehead. “You’re okay.”

“I … wait, where’s Heidi?”

Mandy tilted her chin, catching sight of her friend and letting the relief wash over her. Instead of moving to Mandy and James, though, Heidi was fixated on Clint. “That was really brave,” she said.

Clint shrugged, his face flushing with color. “It was nothing.”

“No,” Heidi argued. “That was definitely something.”

“It’s all part of my training,” Clint said.

Heidi smiled, the first real smile she’d allowed to cross her face since she’d arrived at the restaurant. “Wow, Clint,” she said. “You’re a hero.”

“I … well … yeah,” Clint agreed. “That’s what they pay me for.”