Which meant he wanted to save Justice from himself.
Sighing, Justice gave up and explained what had transpired.
Armie listened, nodding occasionally, then asked, "Remember what I told you about facing off with a real asshole?"
"Yeah. Keep my cool."
"You are currently not cool, Justice."
Couldn't argue with that. Hell, from his toes to his ears, he was bunched up and ready for violence.
Didn't faze Armie though. "I'm not buying that Tom had anything to do with it, and until you have proof, you shouldn't buy it either. Anything anonymous pisses me off."
"Yeah, that part pissed me off, too."
"Looks to me like every part pissed you off. But my point is that you shouldn't put too much stock into an anonymous accusation."
"I didn't." Or had he? "I was just going to talk to him."
"Fine. Talk to him, hear what he has to say. But it's guaranteed he's going to blow up-same as you or I would over an accusation like that-so you have to keep it together to get the facts."
Justice hated to admit it, but Armie made sense.
"Can you really see Tom hurting a woman?"
Not really. But the bastard was awful pushy about a rematch. Justice drew a deep breath, let it out real slow and felt some of the tension seep from his muscles. "Got it. Now get out of my way."
"He's in the locker room." Grinning, Armie clapped him on the shoulder and warned, "Know this, Justice-if any punches get thrown, I'm going to stomp both of you." And with that he returned to instructing some newer fighters.
Justice barked a short laugh. Now that he'd cooled down, he had to admit he appreciated Armie's interference. He didn't want to cause a scene, especially with kids coming in soon. It was a known fact that any dishonorable behavior at the rec center could get a guy kicked to the curb.
When Cannon had started the club, the primary use was for the guys to train. But because of Cannon and Armie, who were longtime best friends, it had soon become an integral part of the community. Now fighters at every level trained there, women took self-defense classes, at-risk kids had an outlet and positive influence, and it all appeared seamless because everyone took turns helping out by teaching, cleaning and training.
Though he was MMA's fastest rising star, Armie was still the one who usually organized everything. He had more energy than any three people combined and shared a special affinity for the rec center's origins and purpose.
With a new mindset, Justice started off again. He'd talk to Tom, gauge his reaction and then decide what to do.
Steam filled the locker room when he walked in. Fresh from a shower, Tom sat on a bench wearing only jeans while he pulled on shoes and socks. He glanced up, said, "Hey, Justice," and went back to dressing.
Same congenial greeting as always.
Folding his arms over his chest and leaning back against a set of lockers, Justice studied him.
Brows lifted, Tom sat up straighter and asked, "What?"
"You said Fallon was pushed down the steps."
"Elbowed. Some scruffy little dude who disappeared right after."
"You didn't bother to grab the guy?"
"With Fallon tumbling down the steps? I was more concerned with getting to her."
Justice slowly nodded. "You were there, looming over her, when I reached you both."
"I wasn't looming, you ass." Starting to sound irritated, Tom said, "Everyone knows she's with you."
Well, hell. "I'm her bodyguard."
"Yeah, keep spinning that tale if you want, but no one's buying it." Tom eyed him. "Gotta admit, she's different from the usual babes you like."
Since he didn't want to compare Fallon with the very casual relationships he'd had in the past, Justice bypassed the comment. "So why were you trailing her?"
"I wasn't." Tom sat straighter, his brows knit together. "Okay, so I was hoping to chew your ear a little more, try to talk some sense into you about the rematch. But then I saw Fallon veer off from you. Right after that, she started getting jostled and down she went. Hard as she fell, I didn't know if she'd broken anything or knocked herself out."
That all sounded plausible. "You think the guy elbowed her on purpose?"
"Sure looked like it to me."
"Seems like a hell of a coincidence that you were right there when it happened, but didn't grab the guy who supposedly caused her fall."
Slowly, Tom came to his feet. "If you're accusing me of something, get on with it."
Justice could see the anger starting to spark. Tom had never had great control. As to that, Justice often didn't either, but he was learning. From Leese, from Armie. And good thing, too, because a showdown between two pissed-off heavyweights didn't always end well. "Just asking."
"You know what?" Tom stepped closer, his stance combative. "I did watch her once I saw she was alone and looking a little lost. Where the hell were you, Justice?"
He rolled a shoulder. "We got separated. Soon as I realized it, I backtracked to get her."
"Not in time."
Justice couldn't deny that.
Crowding closer still, Tom growled, "You should be thanking me for being there. She might've gotten trampled otherwise."
He was so obviously looking for a fight, Justice had to wonder if Tom would stoop that low just to get his attention, to maybe force a confrontation. Anything was possible, and when it came to Fallon's welfare, he planned to cover all his bases.
Without retreating, Justice relaxed his stance in a deceptive way.
If Tom lunged, he'd flatten him.
"Someone," he said casually, watching Tom's reaction, "called the agency where I work."
"Yeah, who?"
"Whoever it was didn't leave his name."
Bristling with impatience, Tom waited.
"The caller said you were with Fallon."
"You already knew that. I was..." Blank surprise wiped every other emotion off Tom's face, quickly replaced with indignation. "Wait a minute. You accusing me of something?"
Justice stared at him.
Clenching with outrage, Tom said, "If you think I had anything to do with her getting hurt-"
Justice relaxed. Tom suddenly looked apoplectic, and not with guilt but insult. "You didn't push her?"
"No, I didn't fucking push her! I don't mistreat ladies!"
"Take it easy."
"You take it easy!"
Justice laughed. Good thing Armie had forced that little talk on him or they'd be throwing punches right now. And where would that get him? He didn't really suspect Tom, not anymore, but he wouldn't entirely let him off the hook either, not until he found out what was going on.
"Relax," Justice said. "Given the information I have, I had to ask."
"I will not relax!" Tom practically heaved with fury. "How the hell would you feel if I accused you of doing something like that?"
"I'd be pissed." Because Justice knew for a fact he'd never hurt a woman.
Tom threw up his arms in an "exactly" pose. "Going after your lady would be chickenshit."
"Agreed."
"I'm not chickenshit."
Justice shrugged. Eventually Tom would understand that he wouldn't get a qualifying fight in the cage, so maybe he thought to rile Justice by using Fallon. Would he be content with an old-fashioned beat down in private, out of the limelight?
"I'll take you at your word," Justice said.
"Well, hallelujah, you prick."
"But stay away from Fallon."
Justice's attitude only infuriated Tom more.
Not that Justice cared. Because if it wasn't Tom, he'd need to figure out who did push her-and why someone wanted Tom blamed.
A FEW HOURS LATER, when her mother checked in on her, Fallon pretended to be napping. She didn't want her mother to see her swollen eyes. Tears were useless-she knew that, and she was now ashamed that she'd given in to them.
She had no intention of sharing her grief with her mother or father. It would only upset them. She'd learned years ago how badly they reacted to any show of sadness.
Keeping her eyes closed, Fallon expected her mother to turn around and leave-instead, she sat on the side of the bed and shook her.
"Fallon, wake up!"
The urgency in her mother's tone startled her and she came up to an elbow before she thought better of it. "What? What's the matter?"
Her mother got one good look at her and sat back in horror. "You've been crying!" She looked more closely, then gasped. "And dear God, you're bruised!"
Rushing to reassure her, Fallon explained, "I fell, that's all. I'm fine."
Her mother scowled with accusation. "If you're fine, then why have you been crying?"
No immediate answer came to mind, so Fallon stalled. "Why did you wake me, Mom? What's wrong? Has something happened?"
As if only then remembering, her mother stood and said, "We'll talk about your fall later. Right now you have to hurry. Justice is downstairs and he's talking to your father." She added with emphasis, "Alone."
A dousing with ice water wouldn't have been as shocking. "Justice is here?"
"Yes. He wants to see you, as well, but first he said he needed a private word with your father."
No way. Fallon threw back the covers, stood, and then paused. Confusion warred with urgency. "Did he say what he wants?"