Deadly Secrets (Hardy Brothers Security Book 11) Read Free Page B

taken the next step in the relationship, the one where they said the big “L-word” and made things official. That hadn’t bothered Ally … until now. “I … .”
    “Ally, I’m not going to let you make this a thing,” Jake said. “I had no idea Cara was even going to be here. When I saw her I took the opportunity to catch up. It’s not a big deal.”
    Ally couldn’t help but wonder if she was being irrational. “How long has it been since you saw her?”
    Jake cocked his head to the side, considering. “About five years.”
    “And you haven’t, I don’t know, kept in touch on Facebook or anything?”
    Jake smiled. “I’m not on Facebook. You know that. You keep sending me invitations and trying to get me to sign up.”
    “I just want you to see all the cute photos I’m posting.”
    “James shows them to me,” Jake said. “Right before he threatens to beat me to death.”
    Ally pressed her lips together. “I think they’re sweet.”
    “I don’t care what you post,” Jake said. “Well, that’s not entirely true. If anything shows me naked, you’re going to be in some serious trouble, missy.”
    “I … I didn’t mean to get all territorial over there,” Ally said. “She’s just so … dismissive.”
    “Why do you think I’m dating you and not her?” Jake asked, causing Ally’s heart to warm with pleasure. “Besides, I like it when you get territorial.” He pulled Ally into his arms and smoothed her hair as he rested his chin against the side of her head. “I don’t need a reminder of where I belong, though. This is the happiest place on Earth.”
    Ally pulled back slightly, confused. “Detcon is the happiest place on Earth?”
    Jake grinned. “No. Here … with your arms around me and your face pressed tight … that’s the happiest place on Earth.”
    “Oh.”
    “Oh,” Jake said, nodding. He leaned down and gave her a soft kiss. “You’re such a girl sometimes.”
    “I should hope so,” Ally said. “If I was a boy that would mean you were fishing in the wrong pond.”
    “There’s only one pond, angel,” Jake said. “There’s only one fish in it, too.”
    Ally sighed and rested her head back against his chest. “Okay.”
    Jake rocked her slightly, loving the way her body melded against his. He kept one eye on the convention as he held her, and when his gaze fell on Cara, he couldn’t help but frown. She was staring at the two of them, and the look on her face was troubling. She was looking at Ally like she was the enemy, and Jake as if he was the prize.
    That couldn’t be good.

Three
    “What’s in the bag?” Jake asked, glancing over from the driver’s seat of Ally’s car and focusing on the plastic Detcon tote in the backseat. After the convention ended for the day, Ally and Mandy split up so they could go home with their respective loves. Since Jake traveled to the venue with James, things worked out.
    Now the group was stopping in Greektown for a nice dinner before separating for the evening. Jake and Ally were the first to arrive and were waiting in the parking lot.
    “It’s a surprise,” Ally said, pulling the sunshade down so she could check her face in the mirror.
    “For me?”
    “For both of us,” Ally said.
    Jake watched her for a moment. “Stop fussing. You’re perfect.”
    “Oh, you’re just trying to get lucky tonight,” Ally teased, pressing her thumb to his chin.
    Jake snagged her finger. “I’m definitely getting lucky tonight. To be fair, though, I got lucky the second I met you.”
    “Oh, you’re getting lucky twice.” Ally’s eyes were sparkling, and Jake loved the mischief flitting through them.
    “At least,” Jake agreed. “Now, tell me what’s in the bag.”
    “Can’t you just wait until we get home to see for yourself?”
    “No.”
    Ally made a face. “Why?”
    “Because it’s going to drive me nuts,” Jake admitted. “Mandy bought a ton of stuff, which fits her personality. I almost fell over I was laughing