Read Deadly Proposal (Hardy Brothers Security Book 4) for Free Online

Mandy was big on compromises – especially when she was trying to get her own way.
    “What compromise?”
    “If you agree to stay here and behave all day – and I mean all day – then I’ll agree to cut you loose at six if things still look good on all your tests,” the doctor said.
    Mandy wrinkled her nose. “Fine.”
    James smiled, rubbing a hand over his stubbly chin. “See, you can get your own way no matter what.”
    “I don’t consider it getting my way,” Mandy argued. “It’s more like the doctor is seeing the light.”
    “You’re such a pain.”
    “I’m the light of your life,” Mandy shot back, grimacing as she shifted on the bed. “I’m also bored. What are you going to do to entertain me?”
    “The entertainment reinforcements are coming,” James said. “Emma and Ally are on their way.”
    “What are you going to do?”
    James leaned to the side, worried about how much he should tell her. Finally, he decided lying wasn’t an option. “I’m going with Finn and Grady to the courthouse. We’re going to watch the video of the explosion.”
    Mandy’s face tightened. “Oh. You don’t think the explosion was an accident. I didn’t even consider that.”
    “You’ve had other things on your mind.”
    “How long will you be gone?” There was a neediness to her tone.
    “Not long,” he said, giving her a quick kiss. “I’m going to go to the courthouse, and then I’m going to go back to the apartment and get you something to wear. I’ll even bring you back whatever food you want.”
    “The doctor is going to cut me loose,” Mandy reminded him. “I won’t need food.”
    “I’ll be back by lunchtime,” James said. “You’re going to want food, and so am I.”
    Mandy closed her eyes briefly, fighting the urge to argue. “How about Lebanese?”
    “That is your favorite,” James said. “You want your regular?”
    “Yes.”
    “Do you want some trashy magazines, too?”
    “Yes.”
    “Do you want anything else?”
    Mandy’s eyes narrowed. “Are you going to give me anything I want?”
    James couldn’t fight the smirk. “Pretty much.”
    “Just bring yourself back when you can.”
    James’ heart pinged at the naked emotion flitting through the depths of her blue eyes. “I wouldn’t be leaving you if I didn’t think it was important.”
    “I know.”
    “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
    “I know.”
    James was still torn, worried, but he gave her another quick kiss. “I’ll bring you a present anyway.”
     
    FINN and Grady were waiting for James in the lobby of the courthouse when he arrived. He was still wearing his tattered suit from the night before, so he was drawing a number of curious stares.
    The courthouse wasn’t normally open on a Saturday, but Judge MacIntosh had pulled some strings. Because of his efforts, the police officers investigating the explosion were using the lobby as a command center – and the handful of court personnel on hand were busily milling about.
    The explosion was big news in the county, Sophie supplying most of the information in a dual byline for the Daily Tribune. James wasn’t surprised to find her in the lobby when he entered.
    “Are you here in an official capacity?”
    Sophie looked tired, the dark rings under her eyes highlighting her fatigue. “Kind of,” she said. “I’ve been here all night. I wanted to be around if they found anything. It’s part of the job and, well, it’s part of being a member of this family.”
    Grady was standing next to her, his shoulder brushing against hers. He didn’t reach for her, though, and James knew it was because Sophie desperately needed to appear professional in front of the assembled police presence.
    “Thank you,” James said.
    “How is Mandy?” Finn asked.
    “She’s better since Emma and Ally got there,” James said. “I’m sure they’ll keep her distracted. The doctor says she can go home tonight if she stays stable.”
    “You don’t like that, do you?”