Deadly Secrets (Hardy Brothers Security Book 11) Read Free

“What have you two been doing? I see Mandy has already been shopping.”
    “We took a photo with Emma because she’s dressed up like a hot smurf,” Ally said. “We haven’t been shopping yet. James bought those for him and Mandy.”
    “I’m almost afraid to ask,” Jake said. “What did he buy? Is it something weird and kinky? If it is, I don’t want to know.”
    “He bought adult Underoos so he and Mandy can play Justice League later tonight,” Ally said.
    “That’s weird and kinky,” Jake said. “I didn’t need to know it.”
    “I didn’t mention the whip he wants her to get,” Ally said.
    “And we’re done with this conversation,” Jake said, shooting an uncomfortable look in Cara’s direction. For her part, she was looking Ally up and down in a manner that worried him. “Oh, I’m sorry for being rude. Ally, Mandy, this is Cara Campbell. We’re old … friends.”
    Ally narrowed her eyes. “Friends?”
    “We know each other from our military days,” Jake said evasively. “We did some security work together while I was in the Army.”
    “And we also dated,” Cara said, smiling in a sickly sweet manner. “We worked together and played together.”
    Jake frowned. What was going on here? If he didn’t know better, he would think Cara was baiting Ally. That wasn’t going to go over well. “I … .”
    “Well, we’re playing together now,” Ally said.
    “And we’re working together again,” Cara replied, not missing a beat. “I guess we both get to play this time.”
    Mandy put a hand on Ally’s arm to still her, worry clouding her sea-blue eyes. “Are you running security at the convention, too?”
    Cara plastered a fake smile on her face and turned to Mandy. “I am,” she said. “I’m watching over the cast from Vampire Garden .”
    “Oh, that sounds fun,” Mandy said, not meaning it.
    “Oh, do you watch the show? If you want to meet any of them, I’m sure I could arrange it.” Cara was trying to be friendly, but her tone was grating.
    “I hate that show,” Mandy said. “It’s stupid.”
    “Isn’t everything here stupid?” Cara asked, wrinkling her nose disdainfully.
    “No,” Mandy said.
    Jake sensed things starting to slip out of his control. “How is Emma holding up?”
    “Who is Emma?” Cara asked, slipping her fingers onto Jake’s forearm to make sure his attention was planted squarely on her.
    Mandy could hear Ally’s teeth grinding together from a foot away.
    “She’s Finn’s fiancée,” Jake said.
    “And Finn is the Hardy brother with the short hair?” Cara asked.
    Jake nodded.
    “Why would she be here?” Cara asked.
    “She’s a model,” Jake explained. “She gets hired for these things all the time.”
    “She’s a model? That’s just … a huge waste of time.”
    Ally didn’t like Cara’s dismissive attitude. “She works really hard.”
    “Standing there and taking photographs with horny teenage boys?” Cara replied. “How hard can that be?”
    “Now, wait just a second,” Mandy said.
    “I think Cara was making a joke,” Jake interrupted. “It was a bad joke.”
    “You can’t think being a model is a good way to spend your time,” Cara challenged.
    “I think Emma has been through more than any one person should have to go through,” Jake replied, serious. “She had to support herself, and she’s managed to do it. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with what she does, and I’m impressed with how she’s managed to take care of herself given her past.”
    “Oh, what, she was runner-up for prom queen instead of actual queen?”
    “It’s none of your business,” Jake said. “Emma’s past is her own. You don’t need to be … you.”
    Cara rolled her eyes. “You were always such a killjoy. I was just having a little fun.”
    “No one else thinks it’s fun,” Jake said. He turned his attention back to Mandy and Ally. “I apologize for Cara’s … attitude. She’s always had a problem with other