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

was irritated with Jake’s proprietary attitude when he left to make his rounds, but she wasn’t exactly thrilled with Vince’s game playing. When she shifted her brown eyes to him, there was no warmth in her expression. “He’s very nice. I happen to love him a great deal.”
    “I guess that’s good for you,” Vince said. “What about me, though?”
    Ally’s patented “you’re a tool” expression came out to play. “What about you, Vince? Last time I saw you I believe you were pulling your pants on as you left my apartment. You said you had a business meeting out of town and would call me in a few days when you got back. That was a good five years ago.”
    Vince’s smile was rueful. “It was a long meeting, baby.”
    Ally frowned. “Don’t ever call me that.”
    “Oh, you used to like it when I called you that,” Vince said, chuckling. “You got all cuddly when I did.”
    “That was before James started calling his wife that and it became something of a running joke in our family,” Ally said, not missing a beat. “Mandy is the only ‘baby’ in the family now. Well, except for my nephew. He’s a baby so he’s technically a baby. He’s just not James’ baby. Wait … what was I talking about?”
    “How happy you are to see me.” Vince flashed what Ally assumed to be his most charming smile. She remembered it vaguely from years before, but she was immune to it now. “Hold up, though. Did you just say the blonde you were with earlier was married to James?”
    Ally nodded. “They’ve been married for more than a year.”
    “Did he knock her up? She looks pretty good for popping out a kid.”
    Ally’s scowl was murderous. “Why do people assume Mandy trapped James into getting married? He loves her.”
    “Hey, it wasn’t an insult about your friend,” Vince said, holding his hands up in a placating manner. “She’s freaking hot, if that’s what you’re worried about. It was just a commentary on your brother. He didn’t seem to be the marrying type last time our paths crossed.”
    “I wasn’t even sure you remembered him,” Ally said. “As for what type of man he is … well … he’s the best kind. He’s happy and he’s made my best friend practically euphoric. He’s a great husband.”
    “Okay,” Vince said. “I didn’t mean any offense. I’m sure you remember that your brother and I didn’t exactly see eye to eye.”
    Ally remembered the strife well. She was young and dumb when she hooked up with Vince. James recognized him for what he was and stepped in to protect his sister. Ally wasn’t happy with his overbearing attitude – which was normal during that stretch – so she laid into her brother and they didn’t talk for several weeks. By the time they made up Vince was long gone and Ally had learned a valuable lesson about trusting the right sort of men.
    “Yes, but he was right about you,” Ally pointed out. “You did use me and break my heart.”
    “Oh, I didn’t use you, Ally,” Vince argued. “I just … we were so young.”
    “We were young.”
    “And so dumb.”
    “You might’ve been dumb, but I’ve always been a genius,” Ally argued.
    “I did have a business trip and when I got out to California I fell in love with the state and they offered me a position out there,” Vince explained. “I didn’t want to leave you but … I was too young to settle down and I knew you wouldn’t move.”
    “You still could’ve called,” Ally said, crossing her arms over her chest. “Five minutes could’ve saved me a lot of worry and hurt.”
    “I’m sorry for that,” Vince offered. “I really am. I was a coward, though.”
    “Well … I guess it doesn’t matter. We’ve both moved on. It’s not as if we were going to spend the rest of our lives together or anything.”
    “No, I guess not,” Vince said. “Still, I would be lying if I said I didn’t think of you when I moved back to Michigan. I was going to look you up.”
    Ally snorted.