Page 44 of Deadly Forever

Thirteen

James widenedhis eyes when he saw the bustling activity in his office upon returning to Hardy Brothers Security. Mandy, Emma, and Ally stood next to his desk – all of them fussing over Darcy as they played with her hair and makeup – and none of them so much as looked in his direction as he entered.

Maverick sat behind the desk working on a computer. James figured he was supposed to be figuring out who tried to hack their system. His eyes never left the women, though, and even when James cleared his throat to get everyone’s attention, he remained the most ignored man in the room.

Only Grady appeared to notice his arrival.

“It’s been like this for an hour,” Grady groused, reclining on the office couch and extending his legs. “It’s like being trapped in a hair salon or something. Er, well, this is how I always imagined a hair salon sounding when all the hens get to clucking.”

“I heard that,” Ally snapped, never shifting her attention from Darcy’s hair. “If you’re not careful, I’m going to cut your hair before the wedding. Then your photos will be you and short hair for all of eternity.”

Grady made a disgusted face. “I’ll kill you if you try.”

“Don’t threaten me,” Ally warned. “Jake will kill you if don’t stop doing that, won’t you, my little love muffin?”

Jake barely acknowledged the nickname. That was another game he played with his beloved – even though he would never admit it – and he’d grown rather accustomed to Ally’s girly names. He was secretly fond of them.

“I’ll definitely kill him if he threatens you, angel,” Jake said, bobbing his head as he sat next to Grady. “Leave your sister alone. She’s being … good.” Jake said the word, but it wasn’t clear whether he believed it or not.

“Ladies, not that I’m not happy to see you, but … what are you doing?” James asked.

As if noticing he was in the room for the first time, Mandy lifted her chin and beamed in his direction. “There you are. I missed you.”

James merely shook his head. “I saw you two hours ago.”

“That doesn’t mean I didn’t miss you.”

“I missed you, too,” James said, dropping a quick kiss on her cheek before moving behind the desk. “Why are you guys here, though?”

“We’re spending time with Darcy,” Emma answered. “You said … .”

James held up his hand in a placating manner and cut her off. “I meant what I said. You guys can do whatever you want here at the office.”

“Then why did you ask?”

“Because … I was surprised to find everyone in my office,” James answered. “This is still a place of business. If you want to fuss over Darcy, why not take her upstairs to your apartment?”

“Because Avery is napping and Finn is watching him. We can’t wake a sleeping baby.”

James licked his lips. “Okay, I understand that,” he said. “Why not go into the back room then? You guys can spread out there.”

Mandy shifted, her eyes conflicted. “We’re in your way.”

James hated the expression on her beautiful face. “No, baby, I … .”

“Oh, now you stepped in it,” Grady said. “Your hen is about to cluck your head off.”

“And I’m going to tell your hen to cluck your head off if you’re not careful,” Ally challenged. “No one is talking to you.”

“This is all my fault,” Darcy said, chewing on her bottom lip as she shrank away from James. “I’m sorry. I’ll go. I just thought … .”

James’ stomach twisted when he saw the girl’s reaction. “No, don’t you dare leave,” James said, working overtime to keep his voice calm and welcoming. “I didn’t mean that. I’m sorry.”

“No, it’s fine,” Darcy said, avoiding eye contact. “I should’ve realized you were just offering out of politeness. It’s fine. I was looking for a reason to be out of the house, but … .”

“Good job,” Ally muttered, shaking her head.

When James risked a look at Mandy he was certain she was about to cry … or maybe murder him when he wasn’t looking. Her expression was hard to peg down. “Darcy, please don’t leave,” James pleaded. “I was just surprised by the number of people here. I don’t want anyone to go.”