“It is,” James agreed. He inclined his head toward Emma. “What about her? Can you see trying to make something with her?”
“I barely know her,” Finn said.
“You still feel … something.”
Finn sighed. “I feel confused.”
“Why?”
“I feel a pull toward her,” Finn said. “I can’t explain it.”
“I know that feeling.”
“She’s different,” Finn said. “Mandy was willing and open to the suggestion. Emma seems to really dislike me.”
“I think Emma has been through so much she doesn’t feel like she can trust anyone,” James said. “You have to decide if you want to try and chip away at that wall.”
Finn considered the statement. “Let’s say, just for the sake of saying, I do feel like chipping at the wall. How should I start?”
James rubbed his jaw thoughtfully. “I’m not sure. I don’t know her. You need to figure that out for yourself.”
“You’re not being much help.”
“In situations like this, you have to help yourself.”
Finn sighed, getting to his feet. “I really hate you when you get all … smart and stuff.”
“Mandy says the same thing,” James said, chuckling.
“Mandy is playing you,” Finn said, moving away. “She knows she’s smarter than you, and she just lets you think you’re even in her league.”
James shot his brother the finger, but the grin on his face was genuine. Finn turned his attention to Emma, slowing his approach as he regarded her. She had a soft smile on her face, but it was fake, forced even. Finn wasn’t sure how he knew that – but it was something he felt in his very core.
A hint of movement caught Finn’s attention out of the corner of his eye. A man was approaching Emma. Finn didn’t even think about his next move. If it was a mistake, he would pay for it later. His hands were out, grabbing the outstretched hand that was reaching for Emma, before Finn even had a chance to realize what he was doing.
Emma reared back when she saw that the man was almost upon her, her brown eyes expressing fear as they briefly met Finn’s. Finn hated that fear. He wanted to eradicate that fear. He clamped his hand around the man’s shoulder, using his leg to knock the man down with a swift kick to the back of the knee.
No one was touching that woman on his watch. No one.
Six
Finn’s grip on Emma’s unknown assailant was so fierce the young model was worried he was going to snap the man’s neck in his anger. She reached out a shaky hand, wrapping it around Finn’s wrist. “What are you doing?”
Finn shifted his gaze from the man on the floor to Emma. “He was coming after you.”
Emma wasn’t sure Finn understood the absurdity of his words. She glanced at the man standing behind him, a man who shared Finn’s dark eyes and impressive stature, but who was looking at Finn with the same concern she was sure was mirrored in her own eyes. “I think he was just coming to look at a boat,” Emma said. “This is a boat show.”
The man who shared Finn’s eyes reached down, grabbing Finn’s elbow and tugging him back. “Let him up.”
“Let him up? He was going after her,” Finn argued.
“I’m not saying he wasn’t. Let’s just search him to be on the safe side.”
Finn blew out a sigh, but he did as instructed. Emma watched the other man – one of Finn’s brothers, she was sure of it – grab the suspect’s neck from behind and haul him to his feet. Finn searched the man, patting down his pockets, and finally pulling out a thick envelope – but no weapons.
Finn glanced at his brother, unsure. “I … I … .”
Emma fixed her eyes on the brother. “I’m Emma Pritchard,” she introduced herself. “You look too much like my psycho friend here not to be related to him. I’m guessing you’re one of his brothers.”
“I’m James,” he replied, gritting his teeth as the man struggled under his grip. “It’s nice to meet you.”
Emma forced a fake smile onto her face. “Yes, it’s certainly been the highlight of my day.”
James shoved his tongue in his cheek and smiled at his brother. “I can see why you like her. She makes a strong first impression.”
Emma glanced over at Finn, whose cheeks were turning red under her scrutiny. “Don’t you think you should let him go?” She gestured at the man James Hardy continued to hold in his steady grip. “I don’t think he was doing anything.”
“He was going right for you,” Finn argued, looking at his brother for help. “You saw him, right?”