Maryn shook her head and backed away. “I know what your take home is, and it’s not much more than I make. What are you doing, James?” Maryn’s breath caught at the furious look on his face.
“So now I can’t afford a ring for the woman I love?” He quickly glanced around, but nobody was paying them any attention. He grabbed her arm and his fingers dug into her flesh. “So I’m not the billionaire Tucker Shaffer.” He spit out the name that Maryn drooled over. “And suddenly I’m not good enough for you. I can provide anything he can, Maryn, you have to trust me on this. I’m doing this for you.”
She yanked her arm free. “It’s not about money, James. It’s about my best friend changing and buying things he shouldn’t be able to afford. This isn’t like you. Please, talk to me. I can help you with whatever you’ve gotten into. Is it drugs? Embezzling?”
He laughed harshly. “You have no idea what you’re talking about. If you dare try to insinuate anything, I will ruin your career faster than you can imagine. Good luck with your beastly hermit.” He turned on his heel and marched to the elevator.
Maryn didn’t move. James was doing something illegal. She knew it. The threat to her career would’ve frozen her even a few weeks ago, but knowing Tuck had altered the way she looked at her life. Even though Tuck was insanely wealthy, he didn’t care about climbing career ladders or impressing people. He spent his time helping others and doing something meaningful.
The waiter set a bill on their table and glanced around until he met Maryn’s eye. He was probably realizing he was about to get stiffed. Maryn sighed, walked back to the table, and pulled out her credit card.
The night dragged for Tucker. He tried to work, but couldn’t get anything productive done. Mama Tucker and Braxton had gone out to dinner and who knew where Johnson was. He wished at least Johnson was around to… do something with.
The thought of Maryn with that preppy idiot had him pacing the floor and saying quick prayers that Maryn wouldn’t fall into James’ traps and that if James tried to kiss her she would push him away. He wondered briefly if the Lord thought his prayers were odd or out of line, but he kept offering them anyway.
Finally, he sat on his back patio and just listened to the waves crash. He dropped his head back against the soft cushion of the patio chair and sighed. He had everything that most people thought they wanted in their lives—too much money, good health, trustworthy friends—but he was reduced to a worrywart over this beautiful blonde that he couldn’t get enough of.
He pulled his phone out and studied it. Eleven p.m. Was it too late to call her, too early? What if he interrupted something with James? That thought had him pushing her number on the recent call list as fast as he could.
Maryn wrapped up in a blanket and shivered on the couch. What could she do to help James? She had no proof he was doing something illegal, but he’d changed since she’d come back from Island Park and she didn’t think it was just because of his jealousy over Tucker.
Her phone rang. She saw his picture and sighed, “Tuck.”
“Hey. How’d your night go?”
“Miserable. I told him I wouldn’t marry him and he stuck me with the bill.”
“Ouch. Wish I could’ve been there.”
“Why?” She laughed and stood to pace her small apartment.
“I’d still like to pummel him for you.”
“Be my guest.” She felt guilty as she said it. James was obviously in some trouble and she didn’t want any harm to come to her friend. She pushed thoughts of James away. “So, I was going to call you.”
“Yeah?”
Maryn was surprised that she felt nervous. This was Tucker. Sure, she didn’t know everything about him, but she did know he wanted to be with her. At least he’d given her every indication of that. “Can I take you out tomorrow night?”
“You’re not taking me out.”
Ouch. She grabbed onto the back of the couch and swallowed hard. “Why not?”
“Because I get to take you out. I’m the man.”
Maryn sighed in relief and did a little shimmy, rubbing her palms together. He wanted to go out with her. “Chauvinist.”
“Whatever happened to the word gentleman?”
“Yes, you definitely are that too.”
He chuckled.
Maryn pressed the phone closer to her ear. “I love your laugh.”
“Oh?”
“I could listen to it all night.” She walked into her room and lay down.
“I love your laugh too, it’s like this tinkling bell.” His voice lowered. “And I love a lot more about you than your laugh.”
“Oh?”
“The list is very, very long.”
Maryn smiled and stretched out on her bed. “Maybe you can tell me all about that list on our date tomorrow night.” After you kiss me senseless. She almost giggled at her girlish longings.
“Which I am taking you on.”
She shook her head. “We’ll see about that. If you haven’t noticed I’m a bit opinionated and usually get my way.”
“I hadn’t noticed.”
She smiled. “My friends, Alyssa and Beck, are back from whatever corner of the world they were saving and they want to meet you.”
“Should I be nervous?”
“Definitely. If they don’t give their stamp of approval,” she made a clinching sound with her teeth, “you’re out.”
“Ooh. This is serious. I’ll be on my best behavior.”
“You’d better be. I’ll pick you up at 6:30. Dress nice.”
“No, I’ll pick you up at 6:30.” His voice lowered. “You can wear whatever you want to.”
She tried for an irritated sigh but it came out like a lovesick moan.
“Maybe you could wear my shirt,” he said. “That looked great on you.”
“I wear it to bed almost every night.”
“Oh?” His voice was husky and driving her crazy, in the best way possible. “I like that.”
“I know you do.” She paused and forced herself to change the subject. “Do you even want to know where we’re going?”
“I’ll be with you. The rest is just details.”
She did sigh then. “See you tomorrow.”
“Wish it was already here.”
“Bye,” she whispered.
“Bye,” his voice was deep, throaty, and absolutely inspiring. If it wasn’t past midnight and Mama Porter or Braxton wouldn’t catch them, she’d be driving across town right now. “You have to hang up first,” he said.
Maryn laughed. “I feel like I’m back in junior high.”
“I didn’t have any gorgeous blondes asking me out in junior high.”
“They didn’t know what they were missing.”
He chuckled.
Maryn smiled. “Okay, I’m hanging up now.”
“Thanks. I couldn’t bring myself to do it first.”
“See you tomorrow.” She hit the end call button quickly like ripping off a Band-Aid then held the phone to her chest. Ah, Tucker Shaffer. She’d have sweet dreams tonight.
Maryn loved the way Tucker looked in a gray button down shirt left untucked over jeans and a navy blazer. His kind smile was the perfect contrast to his strong face and body and the flowing hair. She was smitten. He escorted her with an arm around her waist into the Beachfront Restaurant in the Jamaican Bay Inn. Maryn wore a red knee-length lace dress with strappy black and white checked heels. She leaned into Tucker.
Alyssa and Beck were already at the table. Maryn introduced Tuck and watched carefully as he shook her friends’ hands and exchanged greetings. He was bigger than Beck. She never thought she’d fall for a guy who was bigger than Beck as Beck had always seemed like this huge dude, but Tucker felt right to her.
“You’ve been in Honduras doing humanitarian work?” Tucker asked after the waiter took their drink orders and left them to peruse the menu.
“Have you heard of Jordan’s Buds?” Beck asked, his blue eyes focused on Tucker.
“Oh, yeah? The director there is great, but it’s hard to see so many HIV positive children.”
Tuck nodded his agreement. “Do you always work with children?”
“Yes. The foundation is named after my brother. He was only eight when he died, so it fit.”
Maryn had never heard Beck talk about his brother. Alyssa caught her eye and lifted one shoulder.
“I’m sorry about your brother,” Tuck said.
“Thank you.” He cleared his throat and changed the subject. “Maryn has been bragging you up like you’re a superhero. It’s great to finally be able to get to know you a little bit.”
Tuck laughed and squeezed her hand. “I was excited to meet both of you as well. Especially the amazing A.A. I have some of your photos.”
“Thanks, but I want to hear about this bear attack.” Alyssa’s dark eyes sparkled. “I’ve heard Maryn’s rendition, but she was so dreamy about you she could barely tell me what happened.”
Maryn stuck her tongue out at Alyssa. Leave it to her best friend to make her look like a sappy sucker.
Alyssa glanced up at Beck, all twitterpated. They were a beautiful couple with their dark coloring. “It reminded me of when Beck saved me from a druggie on Maui.”
Beck grinned at her and stole a quick kiss.
“I’d rather hear that story,” Tucker said.
“Nope.” Alyssa shook her head. “We’re hearing about your heroics first.”
Tucker’s face reddened. He turned to Maryn and placed his arm around the back of her chair. “Maryn’s trying to make me into some hero, but she shouldn’t have even been out in that storm.”
Maryn arched an eyebrow at him and squeezed his knee. He jumped slightly. “That is not your fault and I have every right to call you a hero.”
He smiled down at her. They were lost in their own world when the waiter appeared and took their dinner order. Maryn told him she’d have the special, without any clue what the special was.
The night progressed and Tucker seemed to be at ease and enjoying himself with her friends. When Tuck and Beck were discussing hockey at great lengths, Alyssa leaned over and whispered, “Good job, sis. I like him and it’s obvious Beck approves.”
“He’s so great,” she said, “his hotness is just a bonus.”
“Almost as hot as Beck.”
Maryn laughed. “He’s smoking past Beck.”
“Not possible.” Alyssa giggled, but then quieted as they noticed the men had paused their conversation and were studying the two of them. “Sorry,” Alyssa said. “Girl talk.”
The waiter brought their food and Alyssa was asking him for some kind of sauce. Tucker bent next to her ear and whispered, “I’m smoking hot?”
Maryn bit at her lip. “You know it.”
He chuckled, thanked the waiter, and proceeded to cut into his steak. Maryn took a bite of her mahi-mahi, savoring the fresh burst of flavor. Beck started teasing her about being another one of the friends to fulfill the Billionaire Bride Pact. She blushed furiously and told him, “In Tuck’s dreams.”
Tuck nodded. “She’s right.”
The blush deepened along with happy bubbles filling her stomach. She knew she and Tuck were a long ways from a proposal, but thankfully he hadn’t gotten awkward with Beck’s teasing, just taken it in stride.
She ate the asparagus and risotto, saving the rest of the mahi mahi for the end. Enjoying the last few bites, she could envision many more dinners with the four of them. Her eyes pricked as she realized that because of Tuck she was no longer lonely.
The restaurant suddenly seemed to buzz with conversation and loud footsteps and then it got horribly quiet. Maryn spun in her chair to see four policemen stride toward them and then surround their intimate table. Tuck and Beck both sprung to their feet and stepped in front of Maryn and Alyssa.
“Tucker Shaffer?” a short policeman with a full head of curly red hair asked.
“Yes, sir.”
“You’re under arrest for the murder of Jaron Underwood.”
Tucker’s brow furrowed. “Excuse me?”
The officer started reciting Tucker’s rights while Maryn thought she was going to black out. She stood and clung to Tucker’s arm. “What is happening?”
“I have no idea,” he muttered. He squeezed her hand and mustered a smile. “It’s got to be a mistake. We’ll get it figured out.”
Beck and Alyssa looked to be in shock. Neither of them moved for a few seconds. People at surrounding tables were gaping at the scene. A few cameras flashed from phones. Maryn’s heart pounded in her head. She held onto Tucker’s hand, hoping he would stay calm and not sure if she could let him go with the police. Arrested for murder? This wasn’t happening.
“Now, wait a minute,” Beck said. “This is obviously a mistake. You can’t just arrest him.”
“Watch me,” the police officer said, pulling out a set of handcuffs. The other officers closed ranks.
Tucker lifted his hands. “I’ll go. It’ll be fine.” He nodded to Beck. “I’m sure it’s a mistake and we’ll figure it out quick.” His voice lowered. “Please don’t handcuff me here.” He gestured to Maryn and the officer nodded then grasped his elbow.
“I’m sorry,” Tucker said to Alyssa and Beck.
“You shouldn’t be apologizing,” Beck said. “Do you have a legal team to figure this out?”
Tucker nodded. He looked to Maryn. “I didn’t murder anyone. You believe me?”
“Yes,” she said, glaring at the police.
He moved to pull his wallet out of his back pocket. The policeman all tensed. Two pulled their weapons.
Maryn gasped.
“I just want to leave money for dinner,” Tucker explained. The redhead guy nodded. Tuck threw a couple of hundred dollar bills down.
Beck shook his head to protest, but they were already leading Tucker away. Maryn watched him go, tears pooling at the corner of her eyes. For some reason she remembered last night when James had stuck her with the bill because he was angry with her. Tucker was being arrested and he was thoughtful enough to cover everyone’s dinner. She sighed, but then her insides clenched. Murder? Really? Tuck had to be innocent, he just had to be. But there was a small part of her that knew he had a temper and knew how to use a weapon. No. She couldn’t think like that. She had to do everything in her power to prove his innocence.
Her legs wobbled and she held onto the chair and sank heavily into it. Beck was on his phone, gesturing angrily. Alyssa knelt in front of her. “Are you okay, sweetie?”
Maryn was horribly cold and so alone without Tuck. “No, not really.”
“Let’s get out of here. Beck’s brother-in-law is going to find out where they’re taking him. You can visit him in a little while and we’ll figure all this out.”
“Thanks.” Maryn allowed Alyssa to pull her into a hug, but she couldn’t feel anything but the chill and the fear.
Tucker was afraid and the unjustness of the situation made him want to lash out. He strode between a circle of policemen and felt like he’d reverted to childhood. Misunderstood, accused of something he didn’t do so one of the other children in the house wouldn’t get a tongue-lashing or worse. He forced himself to stay straight and tall as cameras flashed around him. He really didn’t care where the paparazzi plastered his picture, but he didn’t want them to exploit Maryn.
Ah, Maryn. What must she be thinking? Did any part of her believe it might be true?
Murder? What in the world? The children he’d murdered in Afghanistan flashed before his eyes, but he knew he’d never be arrested for that. It was classified Army information and he had been under orders to do exactly what he did. Maybe this was his penance for following those orders so long ago.
“Who did
they claim I murdered?” Tucker asked the redheaded policeman as they reached the car.
“Jaron Underwood.”
Tucker shook his head, the name didn’t sound at all familiar.
“And how?”
“You might want to wait and talk with your lawyer present.”
“I just want to know how.”
“Bar fight.”
Tucker arched an eyebrow. He didn’t visit bars and though he did enjoy his gym in Laguna Beach where he could spar with someone occasionally, he hadn’t been in a real fight since junior high school.
The policeman escorted him into the car. “Watch your head, sir.”
“Thank you,” he murmured. He leaned back against the stiff seat. He’d call Johnson with his one phone call and let him get the legal team here. This had to be some awful mistake. He almost smiled as he thought of how upset his PR team was going to be.
Maryn waited hours with Alyssa and Beck in the stark waiting area of the Orange County Jail. They saw Johnson and Braxton for a few minutes, but they were working with the lawyers and police to try to get to the bottom of this.
Finally, they got news that she could talk to Tuck for a few minutes. Everything the officer said about arraignment and bail blew over her head as all she could think about was Tuck. At least they were allowing her to see him. Beck and Alyssa followed close behind. The officer escorted them down several halls and then into a room with an arrangement of tables and chairs. Beck and Alyssa waited in the hallway. Alyssa gave her an encouraging smile. Although she appreciated her friend’s support, Maryn couldn’t return the smile.
She sat in the chair the officer indicated and waited with hands clasped together to try to control the shaking. Tuck walked in wearing an orange jumpsuit, handcuffed and chained to shackes on his feet. It looked like he’d already been convicted and sentenced.
Maryn gulped and tried to plaster a smile on her face. “Oh, Tuck.”
The guard sat him across the table from her then stepped back. Tuck’s eyes swept over her. He blinked and looked down at his manacled hands. “I didn’t want you to see me like this.”
The Feisty One: A Billionaire Bride Pact Romance Page 14