Deadly Dealings (Hardy Brothers Security Book 13) Read Online Free PDF Page B

iced tea?”
    James nodded. “You’ve got it.” He started to move away from her and then stilled, swiveling back and extending a finger. “You need to stay there all day. I’m not joking.”
    “What if I have to go to the bathroom? I need fluids. That’s what the doctor said. If you keep putting fluids in me, I’m going to have to go to the bathroom eighty times.”
    James licked his lips. She was purposely baiting him. He silently reminded himself that she felt helpless, a feeling no one liked, and inhaled deeply. “The bathroom is right there,” he said, pointing. “I would offer to carry you, but I know that’s going to go over like a lead balloon.”
    “James, I’m okay.” Mandy’s blue eyes searched his brown orbs. “I need you not to go off the rails here.”
    “It’s too late for that, baby. There was moment last night when … .”
    “You thought I was going to die,” Mandy finished for him, hating the tears pooling in his eyes and her inability to make him feel better.
    “You were having trouble breathing on the ride to the hospital,” James confirmed. “I thought you were going to die in that little room in the hospital when they wouldn’t let me back with you and it almost killed me right there.”
    “I’m here, though.”
    “And I need to take care of you.”
    Mandy nodded wordlessly, fighting her own bout of tears. She’d almost lost their future.
    James moved back to her side and knelt in front of her, collecting her hands in his. “Wife, you are my everything. You’re my whole heart. My soul can’t exist without your soul. Now, I know you think I’m going to smother you … and that’s a real possibility … but I need you to really try and let me take care of you right now.
    “I don’t want any misunderstandings like we had after the explosion,” James said, referring to another incident where Mandy almost died. “I love you. I will always love you. You need to rest, though. You need to get back to one hundred percent for me. You need to accept the fact that you’re hurt. That is what I need from you.”
    “Okay.” Mandy’s voice was small as she reached out and ran her finger down James’ cheek. “You need to do something for me, though, too.”
    “What?”
    “You’re going to stop hovering in a few days,” she said. “When that happens, your temper is going to get the best of you and you’re going to go on a rampage after the people who hurt me.
    “I need you to remember that I can’t live without you,” she continued. “I need you to keep in mind that I will die without you. You can’t go off half-cocked. Promise me.”
    James cupped Mandy’s hand against his cheek. “I promise.”
    “I’m going to remind you of this in three days when you’re not as worried about me.”
    “Let’s survive the next three days first, baby,” James said. “All I want to do now is get some fluids into you and cuddle up on the couch. I’m even willing to watch Jaws on a nonstop loop.”
    Mandy grinned. She couldn’t help herself. “Will you massage me as much as I want?”
    James returned the smile, relieved to see a little twinkle returning to her eyes. “See, now you’re thinking. Baby, I will rub you until the end of time if it means you’ll be quiet and let me take care of you.”
    “I do love you, James Hardy.”
    “I love you, my baby.”
     
    “WELL, I thought this is where we would find you,” Grady said, leading a line a concerned Hardy family members and friends into Mandy and James’ living room later that afternoon.
    Despite his best efforts, James was unable to get Mandy to eat. She was nauseated and breaking out in sweating fits. Currently she was lying on her side, a small garbage can on the floor next to her in case of an emergency, and James was sitting close but not crowding her because she was too hot. The doctor told him this might happen, but he felt helpless.
    Grady must have read the desperation on James’ face because he