Free Deadly Christmas by Lily Harper Hart

drinks to be delivered.
    James and Jake talked to the police but were refusing to talk to the women in their lives once they departed the mall. Mandy had the grace to be abashed. Ally? Not so much.
    “I can’t believe you two are being such babies,” Ally muttered. “I didn’t do anything wrong and I would do it the same way again.”
    “Why do you think we’re angry with you?” James asked, speaking for the first time since he’d given his dinner order to the waitress.
    “I think you like it,” Ally shot back.
    “Excuse me?”
    “I think you both get off being big, strong protectors of your weak females and you don’t like that we took care of ourselves,” Ally said. “Admit it.”
    “What I don’t like is my wife putting herself in danger for jewelry that can be replaced,” James snapped.
    “It can’t be replaced, though,” Mandy said, her voice small.
    James glanced down at her. They were sitting close – although not touching – on one side of the booth while Jake and Ally mirrored them across the table. “What do you mean it couldn’t be replaced? All jewelry can be replaced. You, wife, cannot.”
    “He wanted my necklace and wedding rings,” Mandy said, her voice gaining a little strength. “I … he can’t have those.”
    James sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Baby, your engagement ring is insured. We can buy a new one if something happens. Even if it wasn’t insured, though, I would rather drop the money for a new ring than try to find a new wife.”
    “But … .”
    James cut her off. “The wedding band itself is simple white gold. And as for the necklace, I know you love it and I’m thankful you do, but it wasn’t really all that expensive,” he said. “I saw the shark and knew you had to have it. That can be replaced, too.”
    “It would never be the same,” Mandy shot back. “You had the necklace engraved and gave it to me on our wedding day. You had the ring engraved, too.”
    “Do you think I can’t get them engraved again?”
    “But they’re … .”
    “They’re what?” James was irritated.
    “They’re symbols of your love, idiot,” Ally answered for her friend. “Mandy loves that ring. She especially loves that necklace because you picked it out and put a heartfelt message on it. You know her well enough to give her something she was going to treasure forever. People don’t want to lose that stuff.”
    James blew out a heavy sigh, frustrated. “I know you love the ring and necklace, baby. I bought them for you because I love you more than anything, though. They’re still just things. They don’t bleed and they don’t die. As sad as you would be to lose either, I can guarantee I would be a whole lot sadder to lose you.”
    Mandy licked her lips, unsure. “I’m sorry. I am. It’s just … it would be like giving up you to give away those two things. I had no problem handing my purse over. I just … I can’t give away my wedding ring.”
    James grabbed the back of his wife’s neck and pulled her closer on the booth, leaning over so only she could hear him. “I understand you love the ring and necklace,” he said. “I love you more. I would hope you love me more than the jewelry.”
    Mandy’s eyes widened. “How can you even say that?”
    “Because if something happens to you because you’re trying to protect that jewelry I will never forgive myself,” James said. “If I lose you, I lose everything. I don’t care about that jewelry. I need you to love me enough to give it up instead of your life. I don’t think that’s too much to ask.”
    “I guess I never thought about it that way,” Mandy mused.
    James rested his forehead against the side of Mandy’s head. “I am not angry with you,” he said. “I love you. The idea of losing you terrifies me. Please, don’t do anything like this again.”
    Mandy chewed on her bottom lip and wordlessly nodded. James kissed her forehead. “I’m sorry you’re upset,” he said.