They were almost out of the long drive when Marcus turned in.
Justice looked first stunned, then irate. He steered into the middle of the drive, blocking Marcus, and put the car in Park.
Uh-oh. "Do not start anything," Fallon warned.
"Wouldn't." The corners of his mouth lifted in a mean smile. "But he's not coming in. I heard your dad forbid him."
"Dad did what?" How come she didn't know about that?
"Told him not to come around uninvited."
She jumped on that. "So maybe my mother invited him."
Doubtful, he glanced at her. "You really think she might've?"
No, she didn't. Huffing, Fallon said, "How should I know?"
"You big faker." He reached out and tweaked her chin. "I'm betting your mom doesn't like him enough to go against your dad's wishes."
Marcus got out of his idling car and slammed the door.
Fallon grabbed Justice's arm. "I mean it, Justice. Don't you dare do anything...physical."
"Afraid I'll smash the little worm?"
"No. You don't strike me as a bully."
"I'm not, so quit worrying about him."
Mostly she was afraid Marcus would humiliate her. But how could she end this peacefully? Both men looked ready to implode.
When Marcus started around to her side of the car, Justice muttered, "Like hell," and threw open his door.
Fallon hurriedly got out of the car, too. "Marcus," she said, her voice too high. "What are you doing here? Do you have an appointment with Mom?"
"What? No." Marcus kept flicking his gaze to Justice. "I came to see you."
"Well, as you can see, I'm on my way out." She tried to sound cheerful instead of panicked.
When Justice stopped beside her, massive arms crossed, posture relaxed as he leaned on the car, Marcus must have decided he wasn't a problem and finally gave her his full attention.
"We need to talk."
She didn't want to talk. "Another time, maybe."
"You keep dodging me."
"'Cuz she doesn't want to talk to you, you dipshit." Justice smiled at him. "Let it sink in, then go away."
Marcus turned on him. "Bodyguards are supposed to be respectful!"
"Not to dipshits," Justice muttered. "I'm plenty respectful to Fallon, which is more than I can say for you."
Marcus all but vibrated in frustration as he tried to focus on her again. "I'm sorry I hurt you. It was thoughtless and if I'd been better prepared-"
No, no, no. "It's fine," she squeaked. "I've already forgotten about it."
"Then-"
"We're done, Marcus. Over. Please, please get that through your head."
"I won't accept that." He reached for her-
And Justice moved. "Nope. Touch her and I'll break something. Or to be more specific, something on you. Like...an arm? Maybe just a hand. I dunno, yet."
"You cannot just go around threatening people!"
Unconcerned, Justice said, "Wasn't a threat."
Fallon pointed at Justice. "Get in the car!"
"Will when you do."
She glared at Marcus, saw he wouldn't budge, and turned to Justice again. "I'm going to speak to Marcus over there." She pointed to the side of the road. "You are not to intrude, do you understand me?"
"Long as he doesn't touch you, I can restrain myself." After cracking his knuckles, he lounged back against the side of the car again. "I won't like it, but I'll do as told."
"Like a trained ape," Marcus sneered.
Fallon gave him a shove. "Shut up or I won't talk to you at all. Ever again!"
Petulant, Marcus turned and stomped away to where she'd indicated, near a flowering hedge.
With one last warning look at Justice, who managed to appear amused, Fallon joined her ex.
The second she reached him, Marcus started to speak.
Fallon cut him off with a slash of her hand. "I don't want to hear it," she hissed low. "If you can't understand how I feel, at least respect what I say."
"Not when you keep saying it's over." He swallowed hard and whispered, "I love you, Fallon."
Her temples started to throb. "You don't," she replied gently. Of that much she was quite certain. "If you'd stop pretending to be wounded, you'd realize it." Again he tried to speak and again, she didn't allow it. "Men who love women are not repulsed by them."
"Oh, God, honey, I wasn't," he denied fervently. "It's just... I assumed your family had paid for..."
"There are some things money can't buy."
Frantically, he shook his head. "There are specialists who could-"
"No." Fallon had to make him understand. "Don't you see, Marcus? This is a problem for you, and it's not going away."
Determined, he squared his shoulders. "There are ways around it."
She didn't want to know what he might mean by that. Did he expect her to hide her entire life? No, she wouldn't.
Trying to reason with him, she put a hand on his arm. "I didn't know my father had banned you. If you promise to stop pursuing me, I'll get him to let up on that."
"You ask the impossible."
With her goodwill gone, she snapped, "Fine. Suit yourself. But I'm not discussing this anymore." Heart punching in slow, painful beats, Fallon pivoted on her heel and strode back toward Justice.
Marcus yelled, "Any man would have a problem with those scars!"
Oh, God.
Shoulders lifting, she froze, horrified and panicked. An invisible fist squeezed her heart, making her gasp.
Her gaze shot to Justice's.
Eyes narrowed, arms crossed, he leaned a hip against the car and watched her.
In that moment he reminded her of a coiled panther who only pretended to be at ease.
As Marcus rushed toward her, Justice moved-and reached her in two long steps. Before she could even draw breath, Justice stood behind her and he stopped Marcus's approach with one long, outstretched arm. His hand flattened on Marcus's shoulder.
"Word of advice." Justice sounded cold and furious. "Leave."
Hearing that tone, Marcus finally showed some sense.
She could feel Justice at her back, his big body emanating waves of anger. She prayed Marcus would go-and finally he did, stalking away with a muttered curse.
Fallon was still standing there, too mortified to move, when Marcus made a U-turn through the meticulously trimmed grass and sped out of the driveway. The sound of his revving engine gradually faded until all she could hear were the birds in the trees, the rustling of leaves and her own heartbeat pounding in her ears.
What would Justice say now? What would he do? She was oh so aware of him behind her, backing her up, protecting her from hurts he didn't know and probably wouldn't understand. She felt sick with worry, apprehensive of what would happen next.
Then Justice's big hands settled on her shoulders, softly massaging. He said nothing. Didn't question her, didn't force the issue.
He'd heard Marcus, she knew it.
She didn't know what to think.
Time ticked by and he only caressed her. By small degrees the panic quieted and her heartbeat returned to normal. She knew she couldn't remain a mute, trembling mess, so she cleared her throat, reached up to pat his hand and asked as casually as she could muster, "Are you ready to go?"
"Sure." Yet he didn't move.
Fearing her reprieve might be slipping away, she said hesitantly, "Justice..."
Suddenly his massive arms came around her, stunning her stupid. He drew her back against his chest and held her, enfolded in that delicious embrace.
Why was he always so warm? And oh my, how could she think when his scent of musk and sexy man surrounded her? Savoring it, she sucked in a long, slow breath.
Justice lowered his chin to the top of her head, gently hugging her. Voice pitched low and rough, he muttered, "Your dad would shoot me if he saw me doing this."
She strangled out, "This?"
"Comforting you."
Pride made her protest. "I don't need-"
He squeezed her quiet. "Holding you makes me feel better, okay? So just go with it."
She nodded, even managed to settle more comfortably against him. Never had a man so large held her so gently. Actually, she'd never known a man as large as him. His forearms, folded over her breasts, flexed with roped muscle when his thumbs brushed her skin. Fascinated, she lightly touched the soft hair there, then with one fingertip, she traced a line up to his bulging biceps.
He was so big, so hard.
And speaking of hard, against her back she felt-
His mouth touched her temple, and he muttered, "That's about enough of that or I'm gonna get carried away." Hands on her shoulders, he turned her toward him, studied her face and asked with concern, "You okay?"
The abrupt change was like a dash of ice water. Now he would ask about Marcus. "I'm fine."
He smiled at her crisp tone. "I don't know what that dumbass was blathering on about. Shh. I promise I won't ask." He tipped up her chin. "But know that you can talk to me, okay?"
He did that amazing "look into her soul" thing and it left her flustered. His eyes were so dark, so serious and too intense. She nodded fast. "Yes, thank you. Now we should get going." Pulling away, she hurried to the car.
As usual, Justice reached the door before she could and opened it for her. "If he comes back, I want to know."