Page 43 of Deadly Waves

Mandy opened her mouth to argue but the worry in his eyes caused her to change course. “I don’t need to get in the cage. It’s okay.”

James was relieved. “Thank you.”

“Now wait just a minute,” Grady said, refusing to hold his tongue for another second. “You cannot dangle that cage in front of her and then take it away, James. That’s not fair.”

“I’m not taking it away,” James argued. “You heard her. She doesn’t want to get in the cage.”

“No, I heard you guilt her into staying out of the cage,” Grady said. “She’ll do anything to make you feel safe because she’s worried about how you’ve been clinging to her since she was kidnapped. Don’t ruin this for her.”

“He’s not ruining it for me,” Mandy said hurriedly. “I’m happy to see the sharks from the boat.”

“This is something she’ll never forget,” Grady said, ignoring Mandy’s words. “James, you planned this for her because you knew she would love it. Don’t let fear get the better of you now.”

James balked. “I’m afraid she’s going to get hurt,” he admitted. “She’s a trouble magnet. Everything that could possibly go wrong when she’s in a room always manages to happen.”

“And that’s a total bummer,” Grady said. “She’s also a survivor. She’s never died yet. Look at that thing.” Grady pointed toward the cage. “It’s big and sturdy. We’re all going to be in there with her. Do you really want her to have to watch Finn, Jake, and I in her cage?”

“I was kind of thinking that you would stay out, too,” James answered.

“Yeah, that’s not going to happen,” Grady said. Instead of keeping his focus on his brother, he turned to Mandy and grabbed her hand. “You can’t spare his feelings on this one. This is your surprise, kid. You need to tell him the truth.”

Mandy bit her lip as she slid her eyes in James’ direction. “I … .”

James read the hesitation and heartbreak in her expression before she could finish the statement. “We’re going in the cage, baby,” he said, making up his mind on the spot. “You need to promise me that you’re going to stay in between all of us, though. Don’t find a way to wander out in the ocean with Great White sharks hanging around.”

Mandy looked so relieved she almost crushed James’ heart. “Thank you.” She threw her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek. “Thank you so much.”

“No, thank you, baby,” James murmured. “You’ve made my life so much better since you came into it. Let’s do this, huh?”

Mandy nodded. “You’re going to get photos, right?”

James chuckled. “I’m going to get hundreds of them.”

“Then bring on the sharks.”

“LET ME go first,” James said, glancing at the floating cage in the water and squeezing Mandy’s hand before releasing it. The jump between the boat and cage was short, but he wasn’t taking any chances. “Once I get in, I want Jake to follow. Then you can join us, baby.”

“Why do I have to follow Jake?” Mandy asked, furrowing her brow. “This is my surprise.”

“Because I want to make sure it’s safe.”

Mandy couldn’t take much more of James’ mother hen impression. “That’s a very nice sentiment.” She patted his cheek before taking him by surprise and plunging into the middle of the cage before he could stop her. She surfaced with her blond bangs plastered to her forehead and a huge smile on her face. “Come on!”

“You’re in big trouble,” James snapped, glancing around to see if he saw a shark before following her into the cage. He stroked twice to get to her, pulling her coiled body close as he shook his head. “That was not the plan.”

“I don’t care,” Mandy said. “I need to see.”

“I know.” James kissed her before turning to his brothers and Jake. “Well, come on. They’re not going to throw the chum in until we’re all in here. My wife is demanding sharks.”

“We’re coming,” Grady said, making a big splash as he landed next to James. “I’m demanding to see sharks, too.”

Once they were all in the water, Eduardo’s son acting as a guard of sorts with a shark stick should things get out of hand, it didn’t take long for Eduardo’s chumming efforts to draw a huge predator. Mandy saw the shark sluicing through the water before anyone else, and her heart caught in her throat.

She dug her fingernails into James’ arm hard enough that he yelped, and when he slid a look in her direction he was certain he would never forget the wonderment etched on her face. She was simply beautiful, and her excitement was palpable.

“Holy crap,” Grady enthused, profound delight getting the better of him. “Can you believe that thing?”

“I’m suddenly feeling very small,” Jake said, treading water beside him as he turned to watch the huge monster skirt the edge of the cage. “My … wow.”