Deadly Rivalry (Hardy Brothers Security Book 17) Read Free Page A

explanation.
    “Is she pregnant?” Madeline asked, causing Ally to make a disgusted sound in the back of her throat as Mandy successfully dislodged James’ arm.
    “I am not pregnant,” Mandy replied, standing. “I’m going to let you catch up with your friend while I talk to Judge MacIntosh. This is an important night for him.”
    Mandy didn’t want to make a scene at her boss’s big event. She was secure in her marriage and refused to let some fling from James’ past derail it. She also wasn’t deluded enough to believe she could put up with Madeline’s aggressive nature without starting a fight. Distancing herself from Madeline was the only thing she could do to save face.
    “I’ll come with you,” James offered, moving to follow his blonde. “I want to talk to him, too.”
    “You should stay here,” Mandy replied, her tone firm. “I’ll be fine.”
    “I’ll go with you,” Ally said, shooting Madeline a dirty look. “Hopefully our table will be a lot less toxic when we get back.”
    “I’m coming, too,” Jake said, his eyes briefly connecting with James’ unreadable orbs. “Someone needs to watch you in that dress, Ally.”

    O NCE it was just the two of them, James embraced his irritation with Madeline’s arrival. He pursed his lips as he watched Ally stalk off in Mandy’s direction, Jake close on her heels, and then turned his full attention to Madeline.
    “It seems you’ve chased off my entire family,” James said. “I’m sure that was your intention, though.”
    Madeline didn’t seem bothered by James’ sarcastic remark as she sat next to him. “Your family? Other than Ally, who here is a member of your family?”
    James scowled. “My wife, for one. Jake is my family even though he’s not officially part of it yet. Grady is running around with his girlfriend, too.”
    “Oh, well, I’m excited to see Grady,” Madeline said, brightening. “As for this wife business … .”
    “Don’t even think of saying anything bad about Mandy,” James warned, leaning forward and extending a finger. “You don’t know her. You don’t know anything about our relationship. I wouldn’t push this situation if I were you.”
    “You’re awfully crabby for a guy who is supposedly living his dream,” Madeline replied, unruffled. “Let me guess: She pretended to be pregnant to rope you in and then suffered a tragic miscarriage. I can’t believe you fell for that.”
    “You’re unbelievable,” James said, rolling his neck until it cracked. He watched Mandy approach Judge MacIntosh at the front of the room, exchanging a warm hug with him as Ally said something funny enough to make the entire group break out in enthusiastic guffaws. Anyone who didn’t know his wife as well as he did would think Mandy was happy. She was far from it, which annoyed James to no end. “I married Mandy because I love her. If you don’t like that, well, I don’t really care.”
    “There’s no need to be petulant, baby,” Madeline said, knitting her eyebrows together. “I was just making conversation.”
    “Don’t call me that,” James snapped.
    “You’re in a mood,” Madeline said. “I would think you’d be happy to see me after three years apart. We used to have a pretty good time when we were together. You don’t look like you’ve seen a good time since then, quite frankly.”
    “Madeline, you don’t know anything about me,” James said. “You never did. I’m not going to sit back and watch you upset my wife. This is a charity event, for crying out loud. You’re supposed to be here donating money for a good cause, not trying to bolster yourself.”
    “I’m here to catch up with an old friend,” Madeline said, putting her best “I’m innocent” face on display. “I don’t know how you can’t see that.”
    “Because I know you,” James said. “I don’t know if you just happened to show up at the same party – or if you somehow planned it – but I’m not in the mood for