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

games.”
    “Who says I’m playing a game?”
    “You’re always playing a game,” James said, grabbing his beer and draining it as he locked eyes with Mandy across the room. “I need a refill … and to collect my wife. Don’t be here when I get back.”
    “Wait,” Madeline protested, reaching for James’ hand. He yanked it back before she could touch him. “I wasn’t lying about wanting to catch up with you. I’m sorry your wife is insecure, but that’s not my fault.”
    “My wife is not insecure,” James countered. “My wife is the best person I know. Don’t play any of your tricks tonight. We’ve been through enough over the past couple of weeks to last a lifetime. I’m not in the mood to deal with you, too.”
    “What does that mean?” Madeline was intrigued. “Is your marriage on the rocks? It doesn’t surprise me. You told me you were never going to settle down when we were together. That’s why I left.
    “Now I see you three years later and find out you’re married to some … blonde,” she continued. “How does that even work?”
    “I fell in love,” James replied, not missing a beat. “I meant what I said to you when we were dating. I had no intention of getting married or settling down. That wasn’t a lie. My opinion and plans changed when I met Mandy.”
    “Why?” Madeline turned her attention to the woman in question as she whispered something to Ally. Whatever the two women were talking about had them both laughing. “Is it because she gets along with your sister? If that’s the case, I’m sure Ally and I can find common ground.”
    James rolled his eyes, frustrated. “Mandy is my heart, Madeline,” he said. “I don’t just love her. She’s everything to me. Her friendship with Ally is something else. I’ve never cared if Ally approved of my dates.”
    “So why are you settling for that woman instead of making it work with me?” Madeline seemed legitimately confused. “What does she have that I don’t?”
    “My heart,” James answered, pushing himself to his feet. “Stay away from my wife, Madeline. I’m not joking. You can’t get between us – and yes, I know how your mind works and that’s exactly what you’re trying to figure out if you can do. No one can get between us.”
    “Are you sure?” Madeline asked, her expression smug. “She doesn’t look too happy with you now.”
    James didn’t miss the dark look Mandy shot in his direction before turning her eyes to an approaching Sophie.
    “I’m sure that Mandy is my forever,” James replied. “I’ll never love anyone but her. If you’re thinking that you can somehow change that, don’t bother. I didn’t love you when we were together. I most certainly couldn’t love you now that I know what real love is.”
    Madeline didn’t bother hiding her anger. “You didn’t love me?”
    “Did I ever say that I loved you?”
    “No, but … I always thought that was because you were a tough guy,” Madeline said, her voice cracking. James realized she was hurt by his words and icy reaction, but he didn’t care. “I always knew deep down that you loved me.”
    “You were lying to yourself if you believed that,” James said. “I don’t want to hurt you, but I’m not messing around here. I love my wife. I tell her I love her every chance I get. I’m going to tell her I love her now, in fact.
    “The thing you need to remember is that I will die to protect the people I love,” he continued. “I would die a thousand times over to protect my wife because she’s the one thing in this world I love more than anything else.”
    “Well … how great for you,” Madeline said, narrowing her eyes as she glanced at Mandy. “How did she get so lucky?”
    “She was born and grew into the best woman I know,” James replied, not missing a beat. “She doesn’t have to do anything to earn my love. I give it because I can’t live without her. She’s my everything, Madeline. Don’t ever forget