Page 29 of Deadly Conflicts

“Just try not to hit him,” Mandy said.

“No promises, wife.”

ALLY WASnervous when Vince approached. She felt Jake stiffen behind her, which made her tense up, and then Vince took over the conversation before she could wrap her head around what was happening. The fact that James and Mandy were on their way to rejoin the group didn’t help matters.

“Then I told myself that owning twenty dealerships was a lot, but if anyone could do it I was the one,” Vince said, his gaze bouncing between faces. “I think I’ve done pretty well and I proved to that little naysayer in the back of my mind that he was wrong.”

“And you’ve done it with modesty we can only aspire to,” Grady deadpanned, earning a small pinch from Sophie, who had to bite her lip to keep from laughing.

“I’m sorry, I don’t think we’ve been formally introduced,” Vince said, focusing on Grady. “Who are you?”

“He’s my brother,” Ally replied. “He’s the second oldest.”

“Ah, right after James,” Vince intoned, his face unreadable. “Are you and James a lot alike?”

Grady wasn’t sure what the man was getting at, but he was convinced he didn’t like the direction Vince insisted on pointing the conversation. “I’m more like Ally in some ways,” he answered. “We’re both the best looking, of course. I have a lot in common with James, though.”

“That’s too bad,” Vince said, his disappointed expression causing Grady’s blood to boil. “I was hoping James was the anomaly in the family.”

“Who is this guy?” Grady asked, forgetting all pretense of manners. “I don’t like him.”

Sophie couldn’t swallow her laughter as Jake lowered his eyes. Ally, on the other hand, was furious.

“His name is Vince Dawkins,” Ally volunteered. “We were … friends … several years ago.”

“Is that code for sex buddies?” Grady asked. He was never one to employ tact, and given Vince’s attitude regarding his brother he had no intention of starting now. “If so, I hope you got a shot of penicillin when you were done with him because crabs are friends to no one.”

“Grady.” Sophie’s voice was low and full of warning as she slid a look in her boyfriend’s direction. “Don’t start something.”

“Yeah, Grady, don’t start something.” James moved to the edge of the blanket, his eyes nothing but chocolate slits as he regarded Vince. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you would be here. We didn’t get enough to share.”

“Oh, that’s okay,” Vince said. “I’m sure Ally will give me a bite of her … ice cream.”

Jake made a growling sound that caused Ally’s eyes to widen.

“Ally doesn’t share,” Grady supplied. “She’s selfish. That’s why we get along.”

“Since when do we get along?” Ally teased. Out of all the Hardy siblings, Ally and Grady fought most often – although it was mostly about little things. When she got in a big fight with someone, it was almost always with James. They had a lot of the same personality quirks, which was hard on everyone when they butted heads.

“That’s okay,” Vince said, faux happiness practically oozing off of him. “I’m sure if you knew I was here you would’ve brought me a treat, too.”

“Sure,” Mandy said. “We just would’ve spit in it first.” The words were out of her mouth before she had a chance to think about the intelligence associated with uttering them. “I mean … um … .”

James barked out a laugh. “Never change, wife.” He handed a box with four stacked cones to Grady. “I got sprinkles for everyone because I didn’t want to hear Grady complaining if someone stole his sprinkles.”

“That sounds good to me,” Ally said, grabbing her cone. “Where are the elephant ears?”

“Mandy has them.” James sat on the blanket, going out of his way to ignore Vince as he got comfortable. “She’s guarding them with her life.”

“Stop bogarting the elephant ears,” Ally ordered. “Give me some.”

“Fine.” Mandy tossed one of the flat paper bags in her friend’s direction. “Go nuts.”

Ally was suspicious. “That was too easy. You always eat the elephant ear before I can have any.”

“That’s a vicious lie,” Mandy sniffed.

“I bought her one and you one,” James said. “You’re the only two who eat them and I didn’t want to hear any squabbling.”