Page 24 of Deadly Conflicts

7

Seven

“I bought you something.”

Mandy sat between James’ legs, the sun setting close to the shoreline, and snuggled closer to his chest.

“I heard,” James said, smirking at Ally. “Lay it on me.” He extended his wrist, pulling back slightly when he saw Mandy’s frown. “What?”

“How did you hear?”

“I … um … .”

“Way to go, big mouth,” Ally intoned, making a face. “It’s a wonder you’ve been able to hold on to her at all given how clueless you are sometimes.”

Grady Hardy, his girlfriend Sophie Lane tucked in at his side, barked out a laugh. “Oh, the joys of living with women. You never know what’s going to set them off. They’re all sweetness and light one second and then they turn on you the next.”

“Don’t add to this insanity,” James warned, extending a finger in his brother’s direction before turning his contemplative eyes back to his wife. “Baby, I’m not sure what you want me to say and do here.”

“It doesn’t matter,” Mandy replied, tucking a small baggie back amongst her bigger loot. The bags were located at the edge of the blanket they set up close to the shoreline to enjoy the fireworks. “How long after the fireworks are finished do you think we’ll have to stay?”

She was changing the subject, which greatly bothered James. “Let me have the bracelet.”

“Don’t worry about it,” Mandy said, shooting Ally a dark look. “It doesn’t matter.”

“I want it,” James pressed.

Mandy ignored him and focused on Sophie. “What about you? Are you working tonight, or can you just enjoy the fireworks?”

Sophie’s expression was unreadable as she glanced between James and Mandy. “I’m off for the night unless there’s some big scuffle,” she replied. “There’s an intern handling the fireworks story. He should be fine unless there’s a murder or shooting.”

“Let’s hope there’s not one of those,” Grady said, brushing Sophie’s long hair away from her face. “I want to cuddle with my woman.”

Sophie made a sour face. “I hate it when you call me that.”

“No, you don’t,” Grady argued. “You love it when I call you that. It makes you feel all tingly … and girly.”

Sophie opened her mouth to argue and then snapped it shut.

“You’re a piece of work sometimes, man,” Jake said, his hands busy as they dug into Ally’s back and kneaded out the kinks. “You’re not happy unless you’re ticking everyone off. It’s kind of like a game to you, isn’t it?”

Grady shrugged. “I like to win even if it’s not a game.”

“You suck sometimes,” Ally said, pinching his elbow.

“Ow!” Grady jerked his arm away from his sister. “What is your deal? Sugar, my sister is abusing me. I need you to fight for my honor.”

Sophie rolled her eyes. “I’m not fighting Ally.”

“That’s because you know I can take you,” Ally said, grinning.

“No, it’s because Grady has to stand up for himself when it comes to his family,” Sophie countered. “I’m not getting involved.”

“I’m wounded,” Grady groused, playing to his audience.

“You’ll live,” Sophie said. “Besides, if you can’t take your sister, I’m not sure this relationship can continue. She weighs fifty pounds less than you.”

“Sixty,” Ally corrected, earning a dark look from Grady. “That big head of his adds more weight that you would expect.”