Deadly Intentions (Hardy Brothers Security Book 1) (18 page)

Mandy just stood there, trying to find her voice so she could call James back. He was already gone, swallowed up by a fantastic storm and a terrifying night. The lightning flashed again, the thunder rolled, and Mandy just stood there. She still hadn’t locked the door. A voice in her head – one that sounded suspiciously like James – urged her forward. Finally, the spell broke, and she took two steps forward, and slammed the door shut, flicking the lock the minute metal met metal. She gave the door a tug to make sure but, when it didn’t open, she moved away.

At a loss for something else to do, she absentmindedly found her discarded shirt on the floor and pulled it over her head. She knew she shouldn’t go back to the door, but she couldn’t stop herself. She had to see. She had to be sure. She kept her body hidden by the adjacent wall as she tipped her head and peered out. The rain was coming down in a sheet, and the lightning was constantly flashing. There was no sign of anyone outside. No movement. No furtive figures in the dark. Nothing.

No James, Mandy’s mind screamed.
Where was he?

Mandy shut the television off, plunging the apartment into near silence – occasional flashes of sound coming from the storm outside. She remained rooted to her spot in the living room, the only thoughts going through her mind consisting of worrisome ones.
What if James didn’t catch him? Or, worse, what if he did and the man somehow got the upper hand and hurt him?
James had run out into the storm without a shirt. His shoes were still on the floor next to the coffee table, his gun on the kitchen table. He was unarmed and he’d chased a maniac into the night.

“I’m going to kill him,” she muttered.

Mandy finally remembered James’ last words and, despite how antsy she was, she followed his orders. She sank down onto the floor in the dark hallway – the only room in the apartment without a window – and wrapped her arms around her knees as she pulled them in close to her chest.

Then she waited.

She could see the lightning still flashing from the other room, but she didn’t move to the door again. She couldn’t. He said he would come to this door when he came back, she reminded herself.
He would be here soon. He had to be.

Every time the thunder clapped, she jumped. Every time the lightning flashed, she whipped her head around like someone was going to jump from the shadows to kill her. Nothing happened. She just continued to wait.

Finally, when she didn’t think she could take it one second more, there was a loud bang on the front door of the apartment. She jolted when she heard it, jumping to her feet, and reaching for the door handle – only thoughts of being reunited with James running through her mind. Suddenly she stilled.
What if it wasn’t him?
What should she do? If she opened it and it wasn’t him, she could find herself in some serious danger – and that was before James found out how stupid she’d been. If she called out to ask who was at the door, she would give away her position, which didn’t sound like a wise idea either.

“It’s me,” James said, his voice muffled.

Mandy exhaled heavily when she recognized his voice. She unlocked the door, but James was already pushing inside before she could open it. She took an inadvertent step back when she caught sight of him. His body was slick from the rain, his jeans soaked through, and his eyes were full of fire. James shut the door, locking it behind him, and then fixed his eyes on Mandy.

“I lost him,” he said. “He ran into some industrial yard over on the other side of the property. I have no idea where he went. I looked for a little while, but then I figured I better come back here and make sure you were all right.”

Mandy bit her lower lip, mentally cursing herself for all the trouble she was causing him. “Should we call the police?”

“I didn’t get a good look at him,” James replied, shrugging. “What are we going to report? There was a strange guy outside during a storm? He didn’t try to get into the apartment. We have no idea what his real intentions were. We really don’t have anything to report.”

Mandy nodded, lowering her gaze to the floor. She had no idea why she was suddenly so unsure of herself. James moved to her, drawing her into his arms. She sank into him, ignoring his dampness, and clasped her hands around his waist as she burrowed her face into his chest.

James ran his hands up and down her back. “I’m sorry I scared you,” he whispered, rubbing his face against the side of her head.

“I wasn’t scared,” Mandy lied. “I was just surprised.”

“It’s okay to be scared,” James said. “All I could think about, while I was out there, was that I had left you alone here. I was scared, too.”

“You ran out into a storm in the middle of the night with no shoes or shirt and chased a crazy person,” Mandy countered. “You didn’t seem scared.”

James brushed his lips against her temple, trying desperately to console her. “Where you’re concerned, I’m always scared. I just want you safe.”

“Maybe I just want you safe.”

“Well, then I guess we’re both working toward the same goal,” James said, pulling away so he could see her eyes. He pressed his lips to hers gently.

After a few more seconds, James pulled away. “I need to take a shower,” he said. “Why don’t you get in bed and I’ll be there in a second. I’ve got mud all over my feet.”

“Is it safe to stay here?”

“I doubt he’d be stupid enough to come back tonight,” James said. “Tomorrow, though, you’re moving over to my place. I can damned well be sure he’s not going to be stupid enough to come after you there.”

Mandy was surprised by the offer, but she didn’t argue. She mutely moved into the bedroom, stripping out of her clothes as she walked.

James felt the urge to go after her, to pull her in his arms and hold her until she felt safe enough to fall asleep. He didn’t like the flat look on her face. Instead, he slid out of his jeans, hanging them over the open bathroom door so they could dry, and turned on the shower. He would be quick. Just a five-minute shower to clean the mud off and then he would go to her. He had a feeling he needed to hold her as much as she needed to be held.

James stepped under the hot water, letting it sluice over his skin as the adrenaline slowly fled. He needed to get his emotions in check. He couldn’t even be sure that the guy outside had been a danger. He might have just been outside looking for a lost pet or something.
Then why did he run?
James was sure that he made quite the sight tearing out into the night like a madman, but that still didn’t explain why the stranger had run away like he had. Or how he’d known just where to run to lose James. That showed forethought. That showed planning.

James was so lost in thought he nearly jumped out of his skin when he felt her move into the shower behind him. He turned to her, not saying a word, and drew her into his arms. Her body was small but strong, not shaky. She was brave. Even in fear she was brave. He knew she needed comfort, and he also knew he needed to give it to her.

James pulled her under the showerhead, letting the water wash over them both. He moved his hands across her back, pressing his forehead to hers. He simply held her, loving the way her body melded so easily to his. They fit.

After a few minutes, her mouth met his. There wasn’t need there, just desire. James lifted her body up, sighing when he felt her legs tighten around his waist. He kept his hands on her rounded ass and slid inside of her effortlessly, her insides tightening around him as he began to stroke in and out of her. He’d hardened the minute he felt her climb into the shower, his body in tune with her every movement.

James didn’t let his lips travel as he pumped between her parted thighs. He needed that contact. His orgasm was near, but he fought it off until he felt her clench around him, digging her hands into his back as she cried out. James moved three more times and then emptied himself inside of her, moaning her name as he came.

When he was done, he continued to hold her there, their lips fused, until he slowly softened and fell out of her. He kissed her one more time and then lowered her to the shower floor. He shut off the water, pushing the curtain open. They both dried off wordlessly.

James laced his fingers with hers, shutting off the bathroom light as he followed her into the bedroom. They climbed into the bed, the far off lightning still flashing outside, and pulled the comforter up to cover themselves. James pulled Mandy to him, wrapping her in his arms and letting her settle with her thigh between his legs. He pressed his lips to her forehead.

“Sleep, baby. We’ll figure this all out tomorrow.”

“I’m not sure I can sleep,” she admitted. “I’m kind of mad at you.”

James couldn’t hide his surprise. “You’re mad at me?”

“You ran out into the middle of the night like an idiot,” she said. “You could’ve been killed.”

James felt helpless. “I didn’t really think about what I was doing,” he said finally. “I just reacted.”

“I know.”

“Then why are you mad?”

“Because I don’t want anything to happen to you.”

“I don’t want anything to happen to you either. That’s why I chased him,” James said. “I won’t let anyone hurt you. I hope you know that.”

“I know.”

“You’re still mad.” James didn’t like the admission but, somehow, he understood it.

“I am.”

“Are you going to be mad tomorrow?”

“Probably not,” Mandy said. “You look too good in the morning for me to be mad.”

“Then you should definitely go to sleep,” James said, rubbing lazy circles over the back of her neck. “The faster you go to sleep the faster you’ll wake up and not be mad at me.”

“Good point.” Mandy closed her eyes, nestling closer to him – if that was possible. In the dark, it was impossible to ascertain where his body began and hers ended.

James finally felt her body relax against him, sleep stalking her tired body. Sleep was almost upon him when he heard her murmur something else, something that caused his heart to miss a beat and his lungs to forget how to work.

“I love you.”

“I still don’t think you should go to work.”

They were standing in front of the courthouse the next morning and James was trying to convince her to call in sick. He couldn’t understand why she wasn’t more nerved up about what had happened the night before. Instead, she’d woken up with a bright smile and a few sultry kisses – not that he was complaining.

“I took a personal day yesterday.”

“You don’t have more than one? This doesn’t sound like a very good job.”

“I do,” Mandy countered. “I’m a professional, though.”

“You’re a pain in the ass is what you are,” James grumbled.

“I’ll be perfectly safe here,” Mandy said, ignoring his muttered jab. “It’s daylight. There are thousands of people that go through this building every day. No one is going to come after me here.”

“I would feel better if I could stay here with you today,” James admitted. “I have got to go and check in with Finn and Grady, so I can’t stick with you. Why don’t you compromise and stick with me?”

“You also have a job,” Mandy said, ignoring his question. “I have a hard time believing you’ve gotten a lot done in the last week.”

James smiled slyly. “It depends on who you ask.”

Mandy rolled her eyes. “I’ll be fine.”

“You better be,” James growled, pulling her to him so he could drop a kiss on her pouty lips. “I’ll be back here before five. You don’t leave your office until I come up and get you. Clear?”

Mandy clipped her heels together as she mock saluted him. “Yes, sir!”

James couldn’t fight the smile. “You’re going to be saying that tonight, too.”

He didn’t miss the blush creeping up her neck as she turned and entered the courthouse. He enjoyed the fact that he could still make her uncomfortable.

Once he got back to Hardy Brothers Security, he found Grady and Finn sitting in his office talking. “What’s up?”

Grady looked James up and down contemplatively. “I’m surprised you can still walk.”

“What? Did Mandy call you? It wasn’t a big deal. I told her not to freak out.”

Grady made a face as he regarded his brother. “I was talking about the nonstop sex you’ve apparently been having. I was being an ass, which shouldn’t come as a surprise to you. What were you talking about?”

James told his brothers what had transpired the night before. Neither one of them looked thrilled with his admission when he was done.

“Why didn’t you call us for backup?” Finn asked.

“I didn’t have time,” James said. “I just reacted.”

“You reacted like a dumbass,” Grady said.

“So I’ve been told,” James replied wryly.

“Mandy was pissed, huh?” Finn asked.

“Yeah,” James said, sinking down in the chair behind his desk. “It was weird. She was more worried about me than herself.”

“That sounds about right,” Finn said.

“How? I wasn’t the one in danger.”

“You were the one that ran out into the night after someone that has tried to run her over twice,” Grady supplied. “This guy could be a real psychopath.”

“We can’t be sure it’s the same guy.”

“What are the odds that it’s a different guy?” Grady pressed.

“Not good.”

“Where is Mandy now?” Finn asked.

James scowled. “She insisted on going to work. I told her to call in sick, but she refused. She’s pigheaded. It’s a character flaw. It drives me crazy.”

Grady and Finn exchanged a knowing look, which wasn’t lost on James.

“Yes, I know I’m pigheaded, too.”

“You just want her to agree with everything you say and do it, right?” Finn said, biting the inside of his lip to keep from laughing out loud.

“Is that so wrong?”

“Please,” Finn shook his head. “If she did everything you wanted, like the myriad of other women you’ve tried dating over the years, you would be bored within ten minutes and out the nearest door within twenty.”

James rolled his eyes. “That’s not true.”

“Admit it,” Grady teased. “You like her because she’s sassy.”

“He likes her because she’s hot,” Finn argued.

“I like her because she’s … .” James broke off. The truth was, he liked her because she was all of those things and more. “What do you two know anyway? When was the last time either of you even had a girlfriend?”

“Whoa,” Grady sucked in a breath. “You’re calling her your girlfriend now? Where is my brother and what have you done with him?”

James shot him a dark look. “Excuse me?”

“He has a point,” Finn said, laughing. “A week ago you couldn’t run and hide fast enough. Now you’re dropping the G-word and you have little hearts floating over your head when you talk about her. It’s kind of … cute.”

“And sickening,” Grady added.

“Little hearts?” James asked dubiously.

“They’re pink and red and they’re dancing to a Bon Jovi song,” Grady said.

“I thought it was Shania Twain,” Finn teased.

James’ memory moved to the previous evening, landing on the proclamation of love she’d whispered when she’d thought he was asleep. His brothers, though teasing, had a point. The old James would’ve started distancing himself from any woman that uttered those words the very next morning. Strangely enough, distance was the last thing he wanted. He shook off the thought.

“Whatever,” he said. “What have you two found out?”

“Not much,” Finn admitted. “We’ve been tracking the stepmother’s financials, but she’s had no big payouts to suggest that she’s hired someone to go after Mandy.”

“What about the people at the courthouse? What about Clint?”

“I followed him home the night before last, just to see what he did,” Grady said. “I figured, if he was watching her, he might go to her apartment or something and I could catch him in the act.”

“And?”

“And? And the dude sat on his couch and watched porn all night. He didn’t even make a move to leave,” Grady replied.

“How do you know he was watching porn?” Finn asked.

“I looked in his window.”

“So you were peeping on a guy as he was watching porn?” Finn raised his eyebrows. “Is there something you want to admit to us?”

Grady scowled.

“We’ll love you no matter what,” James offered, enjoying the fact that the brotherly spotlight had shifted to Grady.

“I hate you both.”

“So, we have nothing,” James said, rubbing his hand up and down his face. “There has to be something. We’re missing something. How can we not have anything?”

“Because sometimes people fixate on other people for no obvious reason,” Finn replied. “The bigger thing we have to worry about is keeping Mandy safe. She can’t stay at that apartment any longer.”

“She’s staying at my place,” James replied. “I had her pack stuff this morning. Her bag is out in the truck.”

“She’s moving in?” Grady asked, his tone pleasant but teasing.

James ignored the taunt. “She’s staying here until I can be sure that we’ve got a handle on this,” he countered. “I’m not leaving her at that apartment. It’s a death trap anyway. It’s on the main floor, and anyone who really wants to get in is going to be able to get in.”

“So she’s moving in,” Grady said.

James pretended he hadn’t heard the question.

Grady glanced over at Finn, raising his eyebrows in surprise. “She’s moving in.”

“You’re such a dumbass,” James growled.

IT WAS
almost five and Mandy still had one file to clear from her desk. She had no doubt that James would be annoyingly on time, probably even early, so she was trying to finish up before he arrived. Judge MacIntosh had already left, and most of the floor had cleared. She caught sight of the occasional figure moving through the hall from time to time, so she wasn’t nervous.

After the events of the previous evening, she’d expected to be a bundle of nerves for the foreseeable future. Instead, a wave of calmness washed over her. James was on his way and she felt safe. He made her feel safe. Of course, when all of this was over, there was still the possibility that he would walk away – and that thought was enough to elicit physical pain in her chest.

She ignored her worries and focused on the file in front of her. That was a concern for another day. She arranged the pages, stamped an acknowledgement on the final judgment, and slipped everything back into the file before putting it in her outgoing box. She was done.

“Well, it looks like I stopped by at the exact right time.”

Mandy froze when she heard the voice. She reluctantly raised her head and met Chad Cooper’s predatory dark eyes with a fixed stare. “Can I help you?”

“I was just leaving,” Chad said, stepping into the office. For a second, Mandy was worried he would try to the shut the door but, instead, he just moved closer to her desk. “I thought everyone was already gone. Then I saw the light on in here and thought I would stop by.”

“Why?”

“Maybe I just wanted to stop by,” Chad said, resting his arm on her desk, and striking what she was sure in his head reflected his best GQ pose, as he smiled down at her. “I know you’ve had some … difficulties lately. I figured you might need someone to walk you out to your car.”

“I’m fine.”

“Maybe I could even take you to dinner,” Chad suggested. “You know, we could get to know each other better.”

“I know all I need to know.”

Chad’s smile tipped down into a frown. “What is that supposed to mean?”

“It means I have no inclination to get to know you any better,” Mandy shot back. “In fact, I’m fairly certain I know you better than I want to.”

“I think you’re just playing hard to get.”

“Or maybe I’m just not interested.”

“Why wouldn’t you be interested?” Chad pressed. “Does this have something to do with your little boyfriend from the other day? It seems to me you could do a lot better.”

Mandy crossed her arms over her chest, pushing her chair back to increase the space between the two of them. His ego was starting to suck all of the air out of the room. “Chad, I don’t know how many different ways I can say this to you, so I’m just going to say it. I’ve been nice. I’ve been cold. I’ve been pleasant. I’ve been fairly obvious without being rude. Now? Now I’m just going for rude. I wouldn’t go to dinner with you if you were the last guy on Earth.”

Chad took an involuntary step back. “You don’t have to be a bitch about it.”

“Obviously I do,” Mandy replied. “And, while I’m being a bitch, that guy you keep casting aspersions on is ten times the man you will ever be. And, if you ever say something negative about him again, I will claw your eyes out.”

Chad narrowed his eyes. “I don’t think I like your tone.”

The temperature in the room dropped suddenly. Mandy realized she hadn’t seen anyone pass through the open hallway in a long time. She suddenly felt exposed. She refused to back down, though. “I don’t care about what you like,” she said. “Get out of my office.”

“And what if I don’t want to get out?” Chad challenged.

“Then I’ll throw you out.”

Mandy let loose a shaky breath when she saw James. Chad turned around, visibly shrinking when he caught sight of James’ furious face. Chad’s ego wouldn’t allow him to tuck his tail between his legs and just slink away.

“Oh, your boyfriend is here,” he said. “I figured it had to be something like that.”

From all outward appearances, James seemed calm – if slightly miffed. Mandy could feel the anger rolling off of him.

“Well, you figured right,” James said.

“Well then,” Chad clucked. “I guess I’ll leave you two to your night.” He tried to slip around James and exit the office, but James blocked his way.

“While you’re here,” James said. “I think you and I should have a little talk.”

“I’m fairly certain we don’t operate on the same intellectual level,” Chad shot back. “Any conversation we have will go right over your head.”

“Then I’ll do the talking,” James said, his voice cool. “I don’t want you bugging her anymore. I don’t want you looking at her. I don’t want you talking to her. I don’t want you even acknowledging her presence.” James held up his hand when Chad opened his mouth to argue. “I’m not done. If she tells me that you’re bugging her, I will hunt you down and let my uneducated fists do the talking. It’s what I do best. I’m good at it.”

Chad visibly gulped. “I’m not afraid of you.”

“Then you’re dumber than you look,” James said, finally moving out of the doorway so Chad could get by him. “And, just in case you don’t think I’m serious, you should know that I have two brothers who I’ll bring with me if you really piss me off – and they’re meaner than I am.”

Chad disappeared from the office without a backwards glance. When he was gone, James shifted his gaze over to Mandy. “What?”

She wanted to yell at him. She wanted to tell him that bodily threat was never the way to deal with an asshole. Instead, she shot him a wry grin. “Beating someone up is not what you do best.”