Deadly Reunion (Hardy Brothers Security Book 20) Read Online Free Page A

trailed his girlfriend with an affectionate smile on his face. “Did my wife tell you not to knock, too? That doesn’t seem safe given all of the crap that’s happened to her, does it?”
    Jake shrugged as he hopped up on a counter stool and reached for one of the beers James had in an ice bucket on the counter. “I told Ally to knock, but she said it was unnecessary,” he explained. “I figured it’s your problem, not mine. I don’t care if she knocks when she walks into my house.”
    “That’s because you live together,” James pointed out.
    “That might have a little something to do with it,” Jake conceded. “However, even if we didn’t live together – and that would truly be a cold, dark world – I wouldn’t have a problem if she didn’t knock. She’s just that amazing.”
    “Oh, I love you so much,” Ally cooed, kissing Jake’s cheek and causing James to scowl.
    “You’re the world’s biggest suck-up. You know that, right?”
    Jake didn’t appear bothered by the assertion. “I only suck up to the best.”
    “Oh, he’s my favorite cuddle bear,” Ally said, wrapping her arms around his neck and giving him a fierce hug.
    “I’m going to throw up,” James muttered, wrinkling his nose. “You’re totally ruining my appetite.”
    “And Mandy hasn’t even cooked yet,” Ally teased, referring to her best friend’s penchant for being a menace in the kitchen. “Then you’ll really be sick.”
    “Hey! I’m standing right here,” Mandy said, waving an empty skewer in her best friend’s face.
    James snagged the sharp metal stick and carefully placed it back on the counter. “Don’t point things with sharp edges when you’re upset, baby,” James chided. “You could poke someone’s eye out.”
    “I’m going to poke you someplace else,” Mandy said, her voice barely audible.
    “What’s with you two?” Ally asked, her gaze bouncing between her brother and best friend. “You two have been all lovey-dovey for two weeks. You haven’t fought in that entire time. Now you’re fighting. What gives?”
    “We’re not fighting,” James lied. “We had a … misunderstanding.”
    “Is this like when you slept with her that first time and then accidentally snuck out of her apartment while she was sleeping?” Ally asked, ducking under Jake’s arm for protection when James took a swipe at her.
    “Thank you so much for bringing that up,” James snapped. “I haven’t heard about that in three months … and it was glorious.”
    “It’s not like that,” Mandy said. “You really should stop bringing that up. It’s not fair and James has more than paid for what he did.”
    “It wasn’t fair to do it to you in the first place,” Ally challenged.
    “James knows that,” Mandy said. “He’s sorry and he deserves to move on. He doesn’t bring up the time I freaked out and ran away because I thought he didn’t love me.”
    “Yes, but you were on pain medication when that happened and hadn’t been sleeping,” Ally said. “You were certifiably nuts. He knew what he was doing when he let you wake up alone, with nothing but your tears to console you.”
    “Okay, I’m going to kill you,” James said, reaching for Ally’s arm as she squealed.
    “Jake, make him leave me alone,” Ally ordered.
    “I told you a long time ago that I’m not getting involved in your petty squabbles with your brothers,” Jake said. “I meant it. Besides, I happen to be on James’ side this time. You need to stop bringing that up. It’s annoying.”
    Ally frowned, her earlier adoration for Jake evaporating. “Perhaps I should focus on the time you lied about letting your former girlfriend stay at your house and she kissed you. How does that sound?”
    Jake opened his mouth and then snapped it shut, pursing his lips as he considered how to respond. “You’re on your own, James,” he said finally. “I tried and I’m out. I’m back to being on Ally’s side.”
    “And there you go,” Ally