Page 18 of Deadly Waves

“There’s nothing wrong,” Ally said, fixing her attention on Will. “It’s just … .” She wasn’t sure how to explain the situation to him without sounding melodramatic.

“Mandy was taken a few weeks ago,” Jake offered, his pragmatic side taking over. “She was almost killed in front of a local courthouse first. Her friend did die in front of her eyes. While she was mourning, she was drugged and kidnapped from the courthouse and James had no idea what happened to her.”

“It was a rough day and a half,” Finn said. “It was a rough week and a half, to be more precise. Those thirty-six hours where we had no idea who had her or what was being done to her were the longest of my brother’s life, though. Since getting her back, he’s been … clingy.”

“They’re clingy with each other,” Ally clarified. “They don’t want to be apart right now and there’s nothing wrong with that.”

“I would never suggest there was anything wrong with that,” Will said, his eyes thoughtful as they landed on the couple.

“I was talking to Grady,” Ally said. “He thinks they’re being too co-dependent.”

“They’re being way too co-dependent,” Grady said. “I’ve given it some thought, though, and I think you guys are right. Forcing them to spend time apart to get over this isn’t going to work. They need to do things at their own pace.”

“That’s good,” Ally said. “You’re seeing reason. Did Sophie smack you around to make you see the light when you were in your room?”

“I didn’t smack him,” Sophie replied. “I just … negotiated with a certain amount of aggression.”

Ally snorted. “That’s a great way of phrasing it.”

“I had no idea about your brother’s troubles,” Will said. “I feel bad for uprooting him for a week when he clearly has other things on his mind. I didn’t mean to add to his burden.”

“You didn’t add to his burden,” Grady said. “He’s good at what he does. You gave him a job where he could bring Mandy along. Trust me. He wouldn’t have left her behind. This worked out well.”

“We’re all here to help, too,” Finn added. “I promise everything will be fine.”

“Oh, I’m not worried about that,” Will said. “I just feel bad for them. They’re so young and in love. Who would want to hurt them?”

“A sick and twisted person,” Ally replied darkly. Jake rubbed the back of her neck to get her to loosen up, and after a moment she shook off her doldrums. “Who wants to get me another drink?”

“THEY’RE always watching us,” Mandy said, resting her head on James’ shoulder as he swept her into his arms as the music changed. Instead of a fast dance beat, she was met with a slow ballad that propelled her to mold herself against James’ body. “They’re worried about all of the time we’ve been spending together.”

“I know that,” James said, following his wife’s gaze to their table. Even though his family looked to be having a good time, he didn’t miss the occasional worried glances that were tossed in their direction. “I can’t live my life to make them comfortable, though.”

“I’m not asking you to do that.”

“I don’t feel safe being away from you for long stretches right now,” James said. “If they can’t understand that … .”

“I don’t want to be away from you either,” Mandy said, licking her lips as she searched for the right words to calm him. “It might not hurt to placate them a little during this trip, though.”

James’ forehead creased. “How do you want to do that?”

Mandy shrugged. “I don’t know,” she answered. “I could have a few drinks with Ally by the pool when it’s just us so we can talk. I’m sure she has a lot of plans for the wedding she wants to go over, and I haven’t been exactly open and available.”

“I don’t have a problem with that,” James said. “Well, I don’t have a problem as long as I can see you.”

Mandy rolled her eyes. “I was thinking you could shoot skeet with your brothers for an outing,” she said. “It’s right down the deck from the pool and we’ll still be close without being on top of each other.”

“I’ve never been someone who enjoys shooting clay discs.”

“Yes, but you love winning and you can turn that into a competition with your brothers and Jake.”

James cupped the back of her head as they continued swaying. “I can see this is important to you,” he said. “I’ll agree to your terms under one condition.”

“What condition is that?”

“We leave this place right now and go back to our room so we can spend some quality time together.”

Mandy’s smile was so wide it practically swallowed her entire face. “Sold.”

James couldn’t help but match her grin. “Prepare yourself, baby. It’s time to play pirate captain and sea wench.”

“Oh, I’ve always wanted to be a sea wench.”

“And that right there is why you’re the love of my life. Prepare yourself, baby. We’re going to set sail for love. What? Too schmaltzy?”

“Just a little.”