Deadly Conflicts (Hardy Brothers Security Book 21) Read Free Page B

surprise. He hadn’t considered the dangers associated with letting her brothers in on his plan. “I … yes.”
    Instead of laughing, James smiled. The expression lit up his already handsome face as he clapped Jake on the shoulder. “I’m glad.”
    “You are?”
    “You’re already my brother in my heart, Jake,” James said. “Now you will be by marriage. Plus, it’s going to make all the filthy things you do with my sister less gross in my head if you marry her.”
    Jake rolled his eyes. “How does that work?”
    James shrugged. “I don’t know,” he said, opting for honesty. “I just want you to be my brother.”
    Jake wanted to be irritated because of the other man’s snooping, but his words were so warm he couldn’t muster the energy. “Thank you.”
    “Don’t mention it.”
    Jake licked his lips a moment and then flipped open the catalog. “What do you think of this ring?”
    James glanced at the huge bauble in question and shrugged. He wasn’t good at judging jewelry, which was only one of the reasons he was glad he had a sister. “It looks like a big ring.”
    “I know that,” Jake said. “Do you think Ally will like it?”
    “I don’t know,” James answered. “The thing is … rings are important to women. They pick one out when they’re teenagers and then they dream about it for the rest of their lives. I don’t know what Ally’s dream is.”
    James’ answer didn’t seem to placate Jake. “How did you know what Mandy’s dream was? How did you get her the right ring?”
    James shrugged. “Ally knew what Mandy’s dream was and she took me shopping.”
    “What about Finn and Emma?” Jake asked, referring to the youngest Hardy brother and his fiancée. “How did he get the right ring?”
    “Mandy took him shopping.”
    “Oh, that’s right,” Jake muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. “I want to get Ally the ring she’s been dreaming about forever. I don’t want to screw this up.”
    “Take Mandy shopping with you,” James suggested. “She’ll know exactly what ring Ally wants.”
    “I can’t take Mandy,” Jake protested. “She’ll tell Ally what I’m planning.”
    James shook his head. “No, she won’t.”
    “You’re always going on and on about how she has a big mouth,” Jake countered.
    “She has a huge mouth,” James said. “She won’t spill the beans on this, though. She loves Ally too much to ruin her big day.”
    Jake didn’t look convinced. “Are you sure?”
    “I am sure that my wife cannot keep a little secret from Ally,” James replied. “She can, however, keep a big one because she knows this will be the happiest day of Ally’s life up until now.”
    “I don’t know … . I need to think about it.”
    James held up his hands. “It’s up to you,” he said. “I won’t tell her. Take a few days to think about it. I promise she can keep this a secret, though.”
    Jake nodded as he rubbed the back of his neck. “Thanks. I just need a few days to think things over. We should get back downstairs before Grady goes nuts and paints the windows.”
    James chuckled at the thought of his bored middle brother going overboard a floor below. It only took him a few moments to sober. “When are you going to propose?”
    Jake groaned. “You’re like a woman. I swear. I don’t know yet. I have to get the ring first … and ask your father for permission to marry Ally … and plan the perfect date … it’s a lot.”
    “See, you call me a woman, but only a woman would be worrying about stuff like that,” James said. “I think you’re a woman.”
    “This day really bites,” Jake muttered. “Just … bites the big one.”
    “Welcome to the family,” James shot back, chuckling as he evaded Jake’s punch. “Oh, this is going to be so great. I’ve always wanted another brother to pick on. My life is complete.”
    “You’re such a tool.”

    “ W ELL , I’m officially broke,” Ally announced, her hands busy as she tried to organize