Page 84 of Deadly Conflicts

“How come you didn’t bring her?”

“I didn’t want her to be in danger,” James said, shifting his eyes back to Vince. “I had no idea this was going to be the easiest takedown in the history of takedowns. Had I known that I would’ve been the one insisting on hitting Vince. I thought we would both get a turn.”

“Well, hindsight,” Ally said, shrugging. She seemed to be in good spirits for a woman held hostage for part of the afternoon. “Do you know all the ins and outs of what he was doing?”

“My genius blonde figured it out,” James replied. “Our friend here is going away for a long time, and I’m sure he’ll turn on whoever he was working with to get a better deal. That seems to be the way he operates. There’s no way he will get off without prison time this go around, though.”

“Well, it couldn’t have happened to a nicer jerkoff,” Ally said, burrowing her face in the hollow of Jake’s neck. “I’m glad you came to my rescue.”

“I will always be here for that,” Jake said, kissing her cheek and pulling her tight as he sank into one of the chairs at the edge of the room. He was content holding her. Heck, he would be content holding her like this for the rest of his life.

“I’m still sorry I missed hitting him,” James said. “That would’ve made my day.”

“Hey, it looks like you still have a chance,” Grady said, inclining his chin toward the spot behind James and pointing. “I think he was faking being knocked out.”

“Of course he was,” James muttered. “He’s a total wimp.”

Vince was on his feet and moving, aiming his unsteady body toward the front door.

“Don’t make me chase you,” James warned.

Vince didn’t stop running, instead bolting through the open doorframe. He didn’t get very far, though. The unmistakable sound of something metal striking something hard – like Vince’s empty head – filled the room and Vince fell backward when a shovel appeared in the opening. Someone had struck him with the lawn tool, and since he was running at the time, the blow was fairly severe.

James expected to see his father appear in the opening. Instead he saw a familiar blonde. Mandy dipped her head inside and glanced around. “Everyone good?”

“I told you to stay in the truck,” James snapped. “Why didn’t you? I had this under control.”

“I don’t like him and don’t you even think about yelling at me,” Mandy said. “I just did you a favor.”

“You’re in big trouble, wife,” James said, moving around the couch and kicking Vince’s arm with his foot to make sure he was legitimately out before pulling her to him. “You’re in huge trouble!”

“I don’t really care,” Mandy said. “You’re still massaging me for two hours in the hot tub tonight.”

“That’s not going to be nearly as much fun without nudity,” James muttered, smoothing her hair as he kissed her forehead. “You’re still in trouble.”

“Oh, leave the girl alone,” Louis admonished, stepping into the doorway. “You should’ve seen the way she teed up Vince’s head and gave it a good whack. I forgot she was a good softball player when she was younger.”

James made a disgusted sound in the back of his throat. “I told her to stay in the truck!”

“You’ll get over it,” Rose said, appearing behind her husband and smiling when she saw Jake holding Ally as close as humanly possible without their two bodies fusing together. “A happy ending.”

“We all get happy endings,” James said. “We’ve all earned them the hard way, too.”

“I agree.” Rose’s smile was enigmatic. “You’re a secretive lot, though. That much has become obvious over our visit.”

“We’re not secretive to be jerks,” James said. “We just don’t want you worrying.”

“Well, I don’t think you’re going to be able to get away with your crap any longer,” Rose said. “We’re not going to let you be secretive and cut us out of all the excitement. That part of your lives is over.”

James knit his eyebrows together, confused. “What do you mean?”

“Your mother and I put in an offer on a house yesterday,” Louis replied. “The owner accepted. As of now, we officially live close to all of you.”

“Oh, well, good,” Grady said. “I for one am glad to have the best parents in the world close.”

“Shut up, you suck-up,” James said, causing Rodrigo and Sven to snicker. “I can’t believe you’re moving down here. What about your house up north?”

“We already sold it,” Louis replied. “The entire point of our visit was to see what you’ve been hiding and then unveil a little secret of our own. You know, give you a taste of your own medicine.”

“Well, great,” James said. “Does that mean you’ll be living with us until your house is ready?” He was resigned to the possibility.

“Oh, that doesn’t seem fair to everyone else,” Rose said, smirking. “We’re going to jump around from house to house and stay with everybody.”

“Oh, well, that sounds great,” James said, beaming when he locked gazes with Grady. “I think Grady’s house should be first on your tour.”

“I was thinking the same thing,” Rose said.

“Oh, man.” Grady made a dirty face. “This family sucks.”

“No, this family is amazing,” Jake said, pressing his eyes shut as he rocked Ally. “This is the only family I know where it’s okay to be yourself … and love as deeply as you possibly can.”

“Oh, that’s a sweet sentiment,” Rose said. “I happen to agree. Grady, we’ll be at your place tonight. We expect you to have dinner ready when we get there.”

“Yay!” James clapped his hands behind Mandy’s back as he continued to hug her. “Shark Week is back on, baby!”

“And all is right with the world,” Mandy said, giggling.