“She’s happy,” Sophie warned, climbing the stairs without looking back. “Don’t you dare try to shame him.”
“I would never try to shame him,” Grady said.
Sophie paused, casting a doubtful look in Grady’s direction. “Who do you think you’re talking to?”
“I would never try to shame him,” Grady repeated. “I might make fun of him.”
Sophie sighed, the sound low and exasperated. “Your brother and Mandy have been through hell and a handbag over the past three weeks,” Sophie said. “If you rain on their parade, I’m going to rain on your parade.”
Grady frowned, following her up the stairs. “What does that mean?”
“You know what that means,” Sophie shot back. “Mandy is happy. I’ll make you really unhappy if you ruin that.”
Grady rolled his eyes. “You’re such a killjoy.”
Jake couldn’t help but marvel at the couple’s friendly banter. They were completely comfortable with each other, clearly in love – even if they hadn’t admitted it to themselves yet. The warmth between them was contagious.
Grady raised his hand outside the apartment door, preparing to knock. He stilled suddenly. “What if she’s asleep?”
“It’s barely seven,” Jake said.
“Mandy is still recovering,” Grady said. “She’s kind of nap happy.”
Sophie shrugged, motioning to his key chain. “If they’re having sex, we’ll only be scarred for life. What’s more important?”
Grady tilted his head to the side, considering. Ultimately, he pushed his key into the lock and pushed the door open.
Jake was surprised by what he found inside. The apartment was small, although it felt homey – even from afar. The man on the couch had Grady’s brown hair, although it was shorter. His eyes were closed, his hand hanging off the couch, the remote still clenched between his fingers.
The television was muted, and the blonde woman stretched out on top of James Hardy seemed dead to the world. Her head was settled on James’ chest, his left arm around her waist, his hand resting on her rear.
James opened an eye, the noise stirring him. He glanced at Grady, Sophie, and then Jake in turn. He dropped the remote to the floor and brought his hand to his lips, warning the visitors to be quiet.
“It’s seven,” Grady said, ignoring the silent admonishment. “How are you sleeping?”
James rolled his eyes. “She’s tired,” he whispered. “If you wake her up, I’ll … .”
“I’m awake,” the blonde said, her voice muffled.
James sighed, pressing his lips to her forehead and shooting a dark look in his brother’s direction. “Nice.”
Grady took the Dairy Queen bag from Sophie and rattled it. “I brought her ice cream to soften the blow.”
Mandy cocked an eyebrow. “What is that?”
“A hot fudge sundae,” Grady said. “I knew I’d need a bribe to steal him for a few minutes.”
“Score,” Mandy said, straightening to a sitting position and reaching for the bag. “I think you hit my price.”
James pulled himself up, keeping her body close to his. “You’re selling me out for ice cream?”
Mandy already had the sundae open and was dipping the red, plastic spoon into the whipped goodness. “It’s chocolate.”
James cocked an eyebrow. “Give me a bite of that.”
Mandy did as instructed, shoveling the spoon into his mouth. James swallowed and then brushed a kiss against her mouth. “Eat your treat.” He scooted out from beneath her, watching as Sophie took his place on the couch.
“This is Jake Harrison,” Grady introduced the two men.
“You’re the guy out at the tent city,” James said, motioning for Grady and Jake to follow him into the kitchen. “Do you have something?”
Grady told James what Jake had told him, waiting for Jake to fill in the gaps. When the man remained mute, James fixed him with a hard stare. “I understand that we’ve put you in a hard position,” he said. “I do not want to go after an innocent man. I just need to keep her safe.”
Jake glanced over at the blonde, who was enthusiastically relating some story to the comely brunette on the couch with her. “You love her,” he said finally.
“More than anything in this world,” James affirmed.
Jake blew out a sigh. “Cole Gordon might be an actual threat.”
JAMES listened as Jake laid out the evidence he’d acquired. It didn’t necessarily mean anything, but it was enough to give James chills. He opened his mouth to respond when the door to the apartment flew open.