Free Deadly Adventure (Hardy Brothers Security Book 19) by Lily Harper Hart Page B

why I love you more,” James said, sighing when he heard his cell phone ring. “I guess the real world beckons, huh?”
    “It’s okay,” Mandy said. “Our real world is better than most people’s fantasy worlds. I’ll see you tonight, my love god.”
    “There you go! You finally found a nickname for me.”

    “ Y OU look unhappy ,” Grady said an hour later, glancing up from the computer screen and fixing James with a surprised look when his brother stomped through the office door. “I expected you an hour ago, by the way. Did your vacation celebration drag into this morning?”
    “Yes,” James said, narrowing his eyes as he regarded his brother. “Get out of my seat.”
    Grady made a face but pushed himself up from the chair. “For a man who just spent ten days having nonstop sex with his wife, you’re in a terrible mood,” he said. “What gives?”
    “I was in a great mood this morning,” James said, tossing himself in his desk chair. “I flirted with my wife. I made dinner plans. She’s so happy that I feel as if my chest is going to burst.”
    “That’s good,” Grady said. “You were worried about her after what happened with Lance Pritchard. I understand that. Mandy has a remarkable capacity to bounce back, though. She needed the vacation and things are hunky-dory again.”
    “Hunky-dory? You’re such a dweeb,” James muttered, shaking his head. “Things are good, though. My mood has nothing to do with Mandy. She’s … perfect. She’s always perfect.”
    “Yes, you’re a sap for love,” Grady said, rolling his eyes as he settled in the chair across from his brother’s desk. “If you’re not upset about Mandy, what has your panties in a twist?”
    “You’re lucky I’m too distracted to beat you,” James warned, extending a finger.
    “Ah, I’ve missed this,” Jake said, chuckling as he strode into the office and sat on the couch. “What are you guys talking about?”
    “James had a lot of sex last night and yet he’s in an awful mood,” Grady said. “I think he’s being dramatic since he still hasn’t told me what’s wrong, but he’s threatening to pound me just for being a good brother and asking him about his pathetic face.”
    Jake lifted an eyebrow. “Is this true?”
    “He used the word hunky-dory,” James replied.
    “Oh, you’re on your own, Grady,” Jake said, his eyes twinkling. “By the way, Finn is running late upstairs. Apparently Avery has some sort of diaper rash thing and Emma is convinced his leg is going to fall off so he’s talking her off the cliff.”
    “She’s just nervous because the kid is shiny and new,” Grady offered. “She’ll get over it. We only have a driving job this afternoon and Jake is taking it. I can catch you up on the work stuff as soon as you tell me what has you frowning, big brother.”
    “I’m definitely going to beat you,” James muttered, tugging a restless hand through his hair. “It’s really not something big as much as it is annoying.”
    “Okay.” Jake was always pragmatic and collected. “So … what’s annoying you?”
    “I got a call that someone got a hold of our credit card information and they had to cancel our cards,” James replied. “It’s some sort of weird identity theft. That means I’ve got to get all new debit cards, too. It’s just … frustrating.”
    Jake knit his eyebrows together. “How did that happen? You didn’t use any cards at a gas station, did you? I know there’s a new scam where thieves put their own scanner over the real ones to steal information.”
    “I don’t think that’s it,” James said. “I’m not sure how it happened and the bank seemed kind of blasé about it. I’m sure they deal with it day in and day out. It’s disconcerting because it’s the first time it happened to me. I shouldn’t let it get to me, but … .”
    “What?”
    “Mandy’s purse,” James said. “I’m bothered because that guy tried to steal Mandy’s purse. She was