Montana SEAL (Brotherhood Protectors #1)(14)

Instead of driving straight through to her family ranch, Sadie pulled to a stop at Al’s Diner on Main Street in Eagle Rock.

Hank parked his rental beside hers and got out.

Before Hank could round Sadie’s vehicle, a decrepit pickup zoomed up to the driver’s side of her SUV. A heavyset man leaped out, wearing a fedora, sunglasses and carrying a camera. “Miss McClain, could I have a moment of your time?”

Sadie had opened her door and was about to step out when the intruder closed on her, snapping pictures with a bright flash right in her face.

Anger surged through Hank. He vaulted over the hood of her car and dropped to the ground in front of the cameraman. “Back off,” Hank said, his voice a low growl, his instincts that of a male wolf guarding his territory, ready to rip the man in two if he didn’t leave Sadie alone.

“I’m a dedicated fan of Miss McClain’s. I only want a few pictures.” He leaned around Hank, still snapping pictures, as Sadie stepped out of her car.

Hank positioned himself directly between the man and Sadie, hoping to block any attempt to harm her.

“Please, Miss McClain, I only want a picture of you,” the man begged. “I’d go to the ends of the earth to get one picture of the beautiful Sadie McClain.”

“Please, not now.” She raised a hand in front of her face to deflect the bright flash.

If this was what Sadie had to put up with on a daily basis, Hank was surprised she hadn’t hired a bodyguard already. When the cameraman refused to back away, Hank planted a hand against his chest and pressed firmly, angling the man away from Sadie, giving her enough room to make a dash for the diner.

Once her path was clear, she ran into the building.

Giving the man his meanest, junk-yard-dog look and puffing out his chest, Hank glared at him. “Leave. Sadie. Alone.”

The man lifted his chin. “I have just as much right to go into the diner as anyone else.”

With a snarl curling his lips, Hank said, “If you go in while she’s there, I’ll be forced to break something.”

His eyes rounding, the man backed away. “Is that a threat?” he said, his voice shaking.

“No,” Hank said. “Count it as a promise.”

From a couple feet out of Hank’s immediate reach, the cameraman stood with his feet braced. “You can’t go around slinging threats. I could have you up on charges.”

“And I could break…things…before anyone from the sheriff’s department had a chance to get to you.” Hank glanced around deliberately. “Seems it’s just you and me out here. My word against yours. You still think anyone will give a rat’s ass what you say?”

The man’s lip curled. “I only wanted her picture.”

Hank took a step toward the jerk who couldn’t take a hint. “Then write to her publicist. I’m sure she has a collection of headshots she’d be wiling to autograph for you. In the meantime…” Hank lowered his voice. “Leave her alone.” He crossed his arms and flexed his muscles, making his chest and shoulders appear even bigger.

The man glanced at Hank, his gaze shifting from Hank’s shoulders to his hands, bunched into fists. Then, without a word, he dove into his truck and spun up gravel as he floored the accelerator and raced out of town.

Thankful his intimidation efforts had ended without him having to get physical, Hank watched until the banged-up truck disappeared. If it had come down to it, Hank would have pounded some sense into the guy.

Once he was convinced the man wasn’t coming back anytime soon, Hank entered the diner, his gaze scanning the interior, searching for Sadie.

She stood with a man dressed in a business suit, who was gripping her arm, his frowning countenance and the proprietary way he held her, sending Hank’s pulse skyrocketing. “Sir, I’ll have to ask you to release Miss McClain.”

“I’m talking to her.” The man didn’t even glance in Hank’s direction, his attention on Sadie. “Sadie, be reasonable. You can’t ignore your fans.”

“I can, and I will.” Sadie shook off his hand.

If Sadie hadn’t knocked the man’s hand away at that moment, Hank would have shoved the man aside. “Look, Ray. The studio can wait for my answer until I’m good and ready to give it to them. In the meantime, I’m here to get some rest, and arguing with you is far from restful.”

“If you don’t sign the contract in the next twenty-four hours, they might withdraw their offer.”

“Then let them. I could do with a longer break between films. My schedule has been brutal.”

He grabbed her arm again. “You can’t slow down now. Your fans will forget you and move on.”

Sadie frowned at his hand on her arm. “Let go of me, Ray. Right now, I could use a little less adoration from my fans.”

Hank reached out and laid a heavy hand on Ray’s shoulder. “Back away from Miss McClain.”

Ray glared at Hank. “I’m Raymond Holt.”

Cocking his brows, Hank stared down at the shorter man. “And that’s supposed to mean anything?”

Ray snorted. “I’m with the Holt Agency. I’m Sadie’s agent. Who the hell are you?”

Hank pushed Ray back and stepped between him and Sadie. “I’m her bodyguard, hired to protect her. And the way I see things, you’re bothering her.”