Deadly Questions (Hardy Brothers Security Book 8) (11 page)

“You know about her foster father?” Heather asked, surprised. “Oh, is that the type of security you do? Well, that’s disappointing.”

“Don’t take your problems with me out on him,” Sophie said. “I know what you’re doing. Don’t think I don’t.”

“What problems?” Mandy asked.

“I wrote a story about her brother about a year ago,” Sophie said. “He was picked up for drunken driving – after going the wrong way on the freeway and hitting an elderly couple. Ms. Harrington didn’t think it was news and went to the publisher to try and have the story buried. He refused, and she’s been after me ever since.”

“That is completely untrue,” Heather said. “I did no such thing.”

“Oh, please,” Sophie scoffed. “The publisher called me into his office the second you left. You’ve been trying to cut me out of trials ever since.”

“You should be very careful about what you accuse people of,” Heather warned, wagging her finger in Sophie’s face. “I could have you brought up on slander charges.”

“Don’t you threaten me,” Sophie shot back, reaching for the woman’s finger.

“Okay,” Grady said, grabbing Sophie around the waist and pulling her away. “I think we’re going to get going.”

James snagged Mandy’s hand with his and followed. “We’re all going.”

“It was so nice to meet the two of you,” Heather said, her voice dripping with faux sweetness. “You have horrible taste in women, but you’ll learn that on your own in time.”

“Thanks for the tip,” James said, grimacing as he fought to keep Mandy in check. “Have a nice … life.”

“Well, that was interesting,” Grady said, focusing on the road as he navigated through the busy Gratiot traffic.

“That’s not the word I would use,” Sophie shot back.

“What word would you use?”

“Insulting.”

Grady sucked his bottom lip into his mouth, considering. “She’s not a very nice woman. I’m surprised she’s risen so far in the county system with her attitude.”

“Her father is Bill Harrington,” Sophie replied.

“The Michigan Supreme Court justice?”

“Yup.”

“Ah, well, that explains it,” Grady said. “She’s riding her father’s name, and everyone is too scared to take her on because that will mean taking him on.”

“Pretty much.” Sophie’s face was blank as she stared out the window.

“Are you okay?”

“Do you mean am I okay with you flirting with the woman who has sworn to end my career? Yeah, I’m just peachy.”

“I wasn’t flirting,” Grady protested. “She was talking to me.”

“And she had her hands all over you.”

“She had her hand on my arm,” Grady said. “It’s not like her hand was in my pants.”

“Oh, well, I suppose you wouldn’t care if I let everyone in the free world put their hand on my arm while they were flirting with me,” Sophie countered.

Grady had never seen Sophie so worked up. He didn’t know what to think – or say. “Sugar, you know I would never cheat on you, right?”

“You’d better not,” Sophie muttered.

“Of course I wouldn’t,” Grady said, irritated. “And, quite frankly, I’m a little disappointed that you think I would.”

“I didn’t say that,” Sophie seethed.

“You kind of did.”

“Oh, Grady, stop it,” Sophie said. “You’re being a baby.”

“I’m being a baby? You’re the one flipping out because some woman touched my arm.”

“Not some woman,” Sophie said. “Heather Harrington. She hates me.”

“I think you’re taking this too personally,” Grady said. “She just seemed like she was being a typical woman.”

“What does that mean?”

“She was just flirting to get a rise out of you,” Grady said. “It’s not a big deal.”

“It’s a big deal to me.”

Grady sighed, pulling into the driveway of the house they shared. “I have never seen you act like this.”

“And how am I acting? Like an emotional woman who likes to play games to get a rise out of people?”

“Yeah.”

Sophie’s mouth dropped open, hurt swimming through her eyes. Grady immediately wanted to take it back. “Sugar, I’m sorry,” he said. “I … that was uncalled for.”

“I can’t deal with this right now,” Sophie said. “I’m feeling ridiculously stupid – and angry. I know it’s not your fault, and yet I’m just … I’m going to take a bath.”

Grady nodded, remaining mute.

“I just need a little time alone,” Sophie said, refusing to meet Grady’s eyes.

Grady watched her go, his heart sinking. He wanted to call out to her. He wanted to stop her. He didn’t. The only thing he could say to make her feel better was the one thing he couldn’t find the courage to say. Again.

SOPHIE’S
skin was starting to prune. She’d been in the tub so long she’d had to drain it and refill it twice to keep the water warm. Ever since Grady had purchased the hot tub, she’d grown accustomed to long soaks – and that was precisely what she needed to clear her mind.

She knew she was being unreasonable where Heather was concerned. Grady had never shown the slightest inkling that he would cheat on her. Still, watching another woman put her hands on the man she’d given her heart to had jolted her.

The problem was, while Sophie knew that Grady cared about her, he’d never said the one thing she longed to hear. Of course, Sophie had never said it either. She was terrified he wouldn’t say it back. And, if she put the words out there, she could never erase them. How could she knowingly live with a man who didn’t love her?

So, Sophie kept putting off the inevitable. She kept hoping he would say it to her. She kept praying that he would take her in his arms, brush her hair away from her face like he so often did when they were being intimate, and say those three little words. Everything would be okay then. She would be able to relax. The longer she waited, the harder it got to deal with.

Something had to give.

Sophie sighed and pushed herself to a standing position, grabbing a towel from the nearby rack to dry off. She caught sight of her reflection in the steamed mirror, her bedraggled hair curling around her angular features. She looked … unhappy. Sophie knew there was only one way to fix her predicament. She had to apologize.

She found Grady on the couch, his gaze fixed on the television – even though his eyes had a faraway look in them. He glanced up when he saw her come into the room, the towel tied tight around her breasts.

“Hey, sugar,” he said. “How was your bath?”

Sophie opened her mouth to speak, but the only thing that escaped was a strangled cry as she burst into tears. Grady reached for her, pulling her into his lap so he could hold her close. Sophie wasn’t a crier. In the year they’d been together, Grady could count on one hand the number of times he’d seen her cry. He didn’t like it. She didn’t like it. Now, every tear spilling down her cheek was like a hot dagger to his heart.

“Don’t cry, sugar,” he said, pressing his lips to her forehead. “I’ll never let another woman touch my arm again.”

Sophie giggled through the tears, snuggling closer to him. “I’m sorry for flying off the handle. It wasn’t called for. It wasn’t fair.”

“Well, I guess I’ll let it slide this time,” Grady said, his tone teasing. “I know that I’m so handsome I drive women to distraction. I can’t help it. I was just born this way.”

Sophie leaned over, wrapping her arms around Grady’s shoulders and pressing her face against his. “You’re very good looking.”

“And you’re beautiful,” Grady said, kissing her cheek. “You’re beautiful, and you’re smart, and you’re sweet and … you’re all mine.”

Sophie nodded, struggling to stem the tears that were still cascading down her face.

“Please stop crying,” Grady said. “I can’t take it.”

“I’m trying.”

“Try harder,” Grady said. “I can’t bear to see you unhappy.”

“I’m such a mess right now,” Sophie said. “I can’t believe you can even look at me.”

“I always want to look at you,” Grady said. “I … you’re my peace, Sophie.” He pressed his lips to her mouth.

Sophie sank into him, accepting his kiss and returning it with a needy hunger she didn’t know she possessed. The towel, which had fallen while she clung to him, was tossed to the side as Grady swept out his arm and turned her so she was settled on the couch.

He knelt in front of her, cupping her chin so he could rub her soft skin as he devoured her mouth with his. He moved his lips to her cheek, kissing away the remnants of her salty tears.

Sophie reached for Grady’s pants, unbuttoning them and slipping her hand inside so she could rub his erection. Grady groaned, leaning forward so Sophie could slide the pants down his body. He kicked them off his ankles, pulling away from Sophie long enough to yank his shirt over his head.

Sophie ran her fingers down Grady’s cut chest, marveling in his strength and beauty. Grady captured her mouth with his again, slipping his arm beneath her rear and sliding her farther down the couch.

Grady palmed Sophie’s breasts, rubbing sensuous circles over them and causing her nipples to pebble. He moved down her, lowering his mouth so he could suck in a pebbled mound and roll his tongue over it. Sophie arched her back, moaning as the sensation overtook her.

Grady rubbed his hands down Sophie’s lithe midriff, trailing a series of kisses down her stomach as he shifted lower. He rubbed the sensitive flesh on the inside of her thighs, gracing each with a kiss before settling between them.

Grady loved her with his tongue, holding her tight as she writhed in conjunction with his ministrations. Her hips bucked suddenly, her body convulsing as the orgasm overtook her. Sophie was gasping when Grady moved back up her body, lowering himself onto her and sliding inside with one long, sensual movement.

They groaned in unison as their bodies joined.

Sophie dug her fingernails into Grady’s back, lifting her thighs and wrapping them around his narrow waist as he moved in and out of her.

Grady kissed her jaw lovingly, pushing her hair back so he could see her face. Her eyes were closed, her mouth slightly open, her body warm and inviting. He was overcome as he looked down at her, love grabbing his heart and squeezing it. He knew in that moment that he would never want anyone else.

He opened his mouth, finally ready to say the words he’d needed to utter for months.

Sophie’s body jerking beneath him broke the spell, the convulsions of her warm core sending him over an unseen edge with her. Grady cried out, the orgasm taking him completely by surprise. He’d been so caught up in what he wanted to say, he’d lost track of the moment.

He collapsed on top of her, resting his head on her heaving chest.

“Hmm,” Sophie murmured, running her fingers through Grady’s hair. “That was amazing.”

“You’re always amazing, sugar,” Grady said, pressing a kiss to the side of her breast. “You’re my amazing miracle.” And you always will be, he added silently.

“Hey, new guy, do you want to grab some lunch with us?”

Jake glanced up at the four guys standing next to the warehouse door. He’d started his new “job” today, and he’d mostly kept his nose to the grindstone – loading and unloading extremely heavy boxes – in an effort not to draw attention to himself. He was surprised by the offer. Turning it down wasn’t an option. He had to ingratiate himself with these guys.

“Sure.”

The men – they’d introduced themselves as Joey, Ben, and Wayne – took Jake to a nearby diner, one that boasted about having the “best burgers” in all of Detroit. One look at the establishment told Jake that was probably a lie, but he wasn’t going to turn up his nose at a meal. He’d forgotten how hungry an honest day’s work could leave you.

“So, where do you live?” Wayne asked.

Jake was prepared for the question. “I’m staying at the Remington down on Woodward.”

“Is that one of those weekly places?”

“Yeah,” Jake said. “I can’t afford a regular place now. I’m just trying to save up some money. The wife cleaned me out in the divorce.”

Jake and James had come up with a believable backstory for Jake to tell people – and despite the necessity of it, he felt guilty.

“Women are bitches,” Joey said around a mouthful of food. “They’re only good for fucking – and most of them aren’t even good for that.”

Wayne and Ben exchanged hearty laughs at the joke. “It’s too bad they can talk,” Ben agreed. “Life would be so much better if they couldn’t talk.”

Jake raised an eyebrow, nodding like he agreed while his stomach turned.

“So, where is your wife now?”

“Ohio,” Jake said. “She moved there with her new boyfriend.”

“Kids?”

Jake shook his head. He drew the line at manufacturing a fake family. “Nope. Thankfully.”

“Yeah, there’s nothing worse than child support,” Ben said. “I’m paying on two of the little beasts. I’m convinced my ex got pregnant just to trap me.”

Jake fought the urge to explain about condoms, instead stuffing his hamburger into his mouth. He’d been right. The hamburgers were pretty far from being good, let alone the best. He wasn’t even sure they were made from real beef.

“So, what about you?” Jake asked Joey. “Any kids? A wife?”

“No and no,” Joey said. “Women are only good for twenty minutes, and then they’re completely useless after that.”

Jake arched an eyebrow in Wayne’s direction.

“No glove, no love for me,” Wayne said. “The last thing I want is kids.”

“Me, too,” Jake said. “I was relieved we never had any.”

“So, do you have a new girlfriend yet?” Ben asked.

“Nope. I’m staying away from women for a good, long while.”

“That’s wise,” Ben said. “They’re nothing but trouble.”

“Word,” Jake said, internally rolling his eyes at his own cheesiness. “So, what do you guys do for fun around here?”

“There’s not much to do,” Wayne said. “If you’re adventurous, it only costs ten bucks to get a hand job from one of those corner wenches. They’re pretty good at what they do.”

Jake swallowed hard. “Like I said, I’m staying away from women for a while.”

“Yeah, but you need to get your rocks off somehow,” Wayne said. “It’s better than being forced to do it yourself.”

“I’m fine with myself,” Jake said. “For now.”

“To each his own.”

“What about bars? You guys ever go out for drinks?”

“Sometimes,” Ben said. “There’s an okay pool hall just around the corner from the warehouse. We go there twice a week.”

“That sounds cool,” Jake said. “I like pool.”

“We’re going to go tonight, if you’re interested?”

“Absolutely,” Jake said, immediately wishing he hadn’t pushed the issue. He’d planned on surprising Ally with some Olive Garden takeout – and little something extra after dinner. Well, he hadn’t told her about it. She wouldn’t be disappointed, even though he was. “It sounds good.”

“THIS
place is … nice,” Jake said, his eyes roaming the dingy pool hall worriedly.

“It’s a hole,” Ben said, lining up his shot. “The beer is cheap, though, and you never have to worry about the cops coming in.”

“Yeah, what is it with the cops down here?” Jake asked. “I never see them around. You would think, with all the drugs and prostitution, they would be living down here.”

“Haven’t you heard? The city is in dire straits when it comes to money,” Wayne said. “They keep laying off cops. The patrols are staggered as it is, and the cops can pretty much pick and choose where they want to go.”

“Would you want to come down here?” Joey asked, arching an eyebrow.

“No,” Jake replied. “I just figured they could make a lot of money writing citations down here.”

“Not when people can’t afford to pay them,” Joey countered. “Arresting people down here is just a waste of time. People plead poverty in front of the judge. The cops can’t afford to keep them in jail, so the judge lets them out and then they just bounce. Tracking people on the street is impossible.”

“I guess I never thought about it that way,” Jake said.

“Yeah, this place sucks,” Joey said. “It does have some merits, though, and the lack of police presence is one of them.”

“So, I’m guessing there are opportunities for … freelancing,” Jake said, taking a swig from his beer.

“It depends on what you’re talking about,” Wayne said. “If you’re into dealing drugs, I’d be careful. There’s a guy named Teeny who doesn’t look kindly on that.”

“No, I wasn’t talking about drugs,” Jake said.

“Well, if you’re interested in building a harem, look out for Frankie,” Ben said. “He’ll kneecap you. He’s got the monopoly on the whores.”

James swallowed the rising bile in his throat. “Yeah, that’s the last thing I want.”

Ben barked out a laugh. “I forgot you were off women.”

“I heard about something else,” Jake said, wrapping his hands around his pool cue and leaning forward. “I heard there was a train moving across the bridge.”

“What kind of train?” Wayne asked, narrowing his eyes.

Jake sensed danger and immediately decided to take a step back. “I heard they were moving stolen goods and needed drivers.”

Jake couldn’t be sure, but he thought he detected a loosening in Wayne’s frame.

“I haven’t heard anything like that,” Wayne said. “If you catch a whiff of something, be sure and share the wealth.”

“Absolutely,” Jake said, turning his attention back to the game. “This is the last one for me. I need to get some rest. I forgot how much manual labor hurts.”

ALLY
was asleep on the couch when Jake let himself into her house a little before eleven. She was on her side, her wild hair covering her face, and a blanket slipping dangerously low on her hips. She was dressed in a pair of tiny shorts and a tank top, and Jake was loathe to wake her. She looked like an angel.

James hung his coat on the rack by the door and slipped out of his shoes. He stripped out of his shirt, hating the smell of smoke that clung to it, and lowered his pants to the ground. He left his clothes in a heap by the door, and moved around the couch.

He bent over and carefully lifted Ally into his arms, curling her against his chest, and then headed toward the bedroom. She stirred in his arms.

“Jake?”

“Is someone else coming in here after you’re asleep and carrying you to the bedroom on a regular basis? Because, if so, we need to have a talk.”

“I just … what time is it?” Her voice was muddled with sleep.

“It’s late, angel,” Jake said. “I’m taking you to bed.”

“I was waiting up for you,” Ally said. “I didn’t mean to fall asleep.”

“I’m sorry I’m late,” Jake said. “I planned on being here a lot earlier. I just got held up.”

“Where were you?”

“Out on a job for your brothers.”

“Hmm.” She inhaled deeply. “Ugh, you smell like smoke.”

Jake frowned. “Yeah, I had to watch a guy in a bar.”

“I didn’t think you could still smoke in bars.”

“You can in some bars,” Jake said. “I’ll take a shower. Let me just get you to bed.”

“No, don’t take a shower,” Ally said. “I just want to snuggle up with you.”

“I won’t be long,” Jake said. “I want to wash this day away. I promise I won’t be gone for more than a few minutes. You won’t even miss me.”

“I always miss you,” Ally sighed, resting her head against Jake’s shoulder as he shuffled her in his arms so he could pull the comforter down on the bed.

“I always miss you, too,” Jake said, lowering her to the mattress. He pulled the covers up and kissed her forehead. “I won’t be gone long. Go back to sleep, angel. I promise to hold you all night when I come back.”

“Okay,” Ally mumbled, already slipping back into sleep. “Don’t forget me.”

“That’s impossible,” Jake said.

Ten minutes later, his hair still damp, Jake crawled into bed next to the one thing that anchored him to what used to be a rootless existence. He curled up behind Ally, burying his face into the back of her neck and spooning her close.

“Night, my angel.”

Ally didn’t respond, flirty and fun dreams already flying through her mind.

Jake didn’t dwell on his unhappiness for long. He was exhausted, and the feeling of Ally’s warm body next to his lulled him into his own fantasyland. It wouldn’t be for long, he told himself. It was for a good cause. Ally would understand.

He was almost sure of it.