Deadly Rivalry (Hardy Brothers Security Book 17) Read Online Free PDF

huge kiss on her. Mandy returned it, and when they separated she was breathless. “What was that for?”
    “I love you, wife,” James said, pressing a soft kiss to the corner of her mouth. “You have no idea how much I enjoyed yesterday.”
    Mandy smirked. “We have a naked day every week.”
    “Yesterday was perfect, though,” James said, brushing a strand of her flaxen hair away from her face. “I want tonight to be perfect, too, so don’t be late.”
    “I won’t be late,” Mandy promised, giving his butt a firm squeeze before taking a step back. “Be good today.”
    “I’m always good, baby,” James said, tipping an imaginary cowboy hat. “Since you’re not wearing underwear today, I’ll have a reason to get my work done early.”
    James often convinced Mandy to go commando so he had something to fantasize about while doing computer work. She never put up a fight because his enjoyment was often contagious. Only the winter months proved difficult.
    “I’ll send you a dirty photo in a text when I get back to my office after lunch,” Mandy offered, smiling.
    James grabbed her face and studied her for a moment, love washing over him. “Thank you for being the best thing that ever happened to me.”
    Mandy was taken aback by his fortitude. “Thank you for being the best husband in the world.”
    “I’m going to get a cape that says that so when we play superheroes in our Underoos you’re going to have to bow down to my unbreakable power,” James said, gracing her with another sweet kiss before separating. “Now get to work … and don’t forget your McDonald’s breakfast sandwiches. I’m calling Heidi and she’ll tell me if you lie about eating them.”
    Mandy made a face. “I’ll eat one sandwich.”
    “You’ll eat one sandwich and a hash brown,” James said, enjoying the negotiation. “If I hear proof you’ve eaten both, I’ll … make it worth your while when you get home tonight.”
    “A massage in the hot tub?”
    James grinned. “While watching Jaws ,” he added. “Go to work. I’ll be thinking about you all day.”

    J AMES was in a good mood when he got to the security building twenty minutes later, whistling the theme from Jaws under his breath as he maneuvered through the lobby. He pulled up short when Grady stepped in his path, blocking his way to his office.
    “If you’re about to tell me something awful, turn around,” James said, twirling his finger for emphasis. “I don’t want any bad news today.”
    “I’m glad you have the spring in your step back, but you’re not going to like what I’m about to tell you and I have no other option but to tell you,” Grady said.
    “Fine. Tell me.”
    “Madeline Stokes is in your office.”
    James frowned, his stomach twisting. “No.”
    “Yes.”
    “No.”
    “Saying ‘no’ doesn’t make it untrue,” Grady hissed. “She showed up an hour ago and wanted a meeting with you. She demanded that I call you, but I refused. She claims it’s business, but the only business she’s interested in is getting in your pants. That’s written all over your face.”
    “Tell me how you really feel,” James deadpanned.
    “What are you going to do?” Grady challenged. “I was considering pulling the fire alarm and then locking the door behind her when she got outside, but I don’t want Emma to panic.”
    “We also don’t want to wake up the baby in case he’s sleeping,” James added, glancing at the ceiling. Emma and Finn took over his old apartment after he moved. It kept them safe – and offered Emma help with the baby should she need it.
    “You don’t have to worry about the baby sleeping,” Finn replied, appearing at the bottom of the stairs with an alert Avery in his arms. “His mother is sleeping, however, and if you wake her I’m going to beat you both. I think it’s going to be easy because you won’t put up a fight when I’m holding a baby.”
    Grady hunkered down so he was at eye-level with Avery.