Maryn shook her head and walked to Tuck’s side. “Let me talk to him. He’ll listen to me.”
James stormed into the sitting room, literally dragging Braxton behind him. James shook off the elderly man and slammed a fist into Tuck’s face. Tuck hardly flinched from the blow.
“How dare you kidnap her?” James screamed, swinging at Tuck again. Tuck was prepared this time and grabbed James’ arm and held it tight.
“James! You overprotective idiot!” Maryn snapped at James, wishing she felt good enough to smack him. “He didn’t kidnap me.”
“Sorry,” Braxton said to Tucker. “We had the gate open removing the snow and they came through.”
“It’s okay,” Tuck muttered.
James’ gaze swept over Maryn, wearing only Tuck’s over-sized T-shirt and some socks. “Oh. I see how it is.” He wrenched his arm free and backed up several steps. “Always acting like the pure little woman, but all along you’ve been holding out for the billionaire like your stupid friends.”
Maryn flinched like he’d slapped her. James had never spoken to her like that and always reassured her that he respected her desire to wait for marriage.
Tuck took a menacing step forward. “You need to apologize. Maryn has done nothing wrong.”
James sneered at him, but took a large step backward.
Maryn walked to Tuck’s side and took his hand in hers. She felt a fierce sense of protection for Tucker and wanted to show James whose side she was on. “I was attacked by a grizzly, you jerk, and Tuck not only saved me but has been taking care of me the past two days.”
“I’ll bet he has.” James rolled his eyes.
“You had better back up,” Maryn said. “Tuck has been nothing but a gentleman.” She glanced at Tucker. The look in his eyes was one of protection and jealousy. He wanted her and she loved it. Her face flared as she remembered Tucker climbing into bed with her last night. Sosomethinghad happened, but not what James was suggesting. “What are you even doing here James? We sent messages to the magazine that I was fine.”
“Like I’d believe some cryptic message from his crony.” James huffed and folded his arms across his chest. “You haven’t answered a call or text in two days. I’ve been really worried about you.”
Maryn bit at her lip. She should’ve found some time to call him back after she hung up on him and reassure him that the interview was going well, but she was too absorbed with Tuck and then everything happened. It wasn’t her fault that James had assumed the worst and reacted like this, but she did appreciate that James worried about her and was trying in his own way to show it.
“I’ve got a camera crew here and made sure to inform a lot of people that I am here rescuing Maryn from you,” he directed at Tucker, “so you’d better not try anything if you don’t want your stock to plummet.”
Any appreciation flew out the window. “Rescuing? Really James. Tuck is the one who rescued me.” James was just trying to get attention for his beloved magazine. Big surprise.
“I don’t care about my stock,” Tuck growled. “You’re going to apologize to Maryn for your insinuations then you’re going to get off my property.”
“Not without Maryn.”
“She’s not leaving with you.” Tuck stood so strong and bold, but James wasn’t backing down. There was going to be a battle if she didn’t do something about it. Obviously, Tuck would win that battle, but James would resort to ugly tactics. He’d use that camera crew to exploit Tuck and his friends and she couldn’t allow that. She glanced up at this tough man who had been through so much and knew she’d do anything to protect him, even if that meant leaving him.
“I’ll go,” Maryn interrupted.
Tuck swung to face her and the pain in his eyes about buckled her knees.
James spread his hands wide and grinned. “That’s my girl.”
Maryn ignored James’ comment, watching Tucker’s fists clench.
“I need to get back to work, to my real life,” she tried to explain to Tucker. “Being here with you has been…” She looked over his shoulder at James. “Can you please wait for me outside? I need to change my clothes and say goodbye.”
“As long as he doesn’t help you change your clothes,” James muttered.
“Go!” Tuck commanded.
James brushed a lock of blond hair from his face and slowly turned and walked down the stairs. Braxton gave him an imperious glare and followed. Maryn couldn’t believe the way James was acting. He obviously thought he was coming to her rescue, but to bring a camera crew? That was slimy.
Tuck stood with the muscles in his shoulders bunched into knots, not looking at her.
“Thank you,” Maryn said.