Hard Justice(34)

Marcus had no idea what to say. He'd have been happy with half as much from one of them, not the full amount from both. "I..." Shut up and be grateful, he warned himself. "Thank you. This is wonderful."

York shrugged. "It's a tax write-off."

"Well, whatever your motives for such generosity, I'm very grateful." They were right that getting on Mrs. Rothschild Wade's good side would aid his cause to win back Fallon. Since both ladies cared deeply about the less fortunate, this would be an amazing start.

As if he'd read Marcus's thoughts, Kern smiled. "Let me know when and where you'd like us to present the checks."

Easy, Marcus thought. Maybe too easy. Yes, the brothers threw around money, but usually with a wager attached. However, he wouldn't question his good fortune too much.

He didn't want them to renege.

After quickly discussing the arrangements and gaining their signed commitments, Marcus left the bar.

The brothers were spoiled, but he smiled because for once their money would go to very worthy causes-the fund-raiser...and his own.





CHAPTER TWELVE

JUSTICE LEANED AGAINST a deck post, a beer in hand, and watched while Leese, Catalina, Stack and Vanity chatted with Fallon. It warmed him, seeing his friends become hers.

She deserved more friends. Good friends-like his.

"Did you notice she's as far from the bonfire as she can get?" Armie sounded both curious and puzzled.

Yeah, he had noticed. Fallon had subtly nudged her lawn chair backward-farther and farther-until she was a good ten feet behind everyone else. Without questioning her, the others had gradually relocated, too.

They kept her surrounded and distracted and, in their own unique ways, protected-though they might not realize it.

Miles watched her intently. "Whenever the fire pops, so does she." Even as he said it, wood crackled and Fallon jumped.

But she didn't leave and the pride swelling inside Justice amplified every complicated feeling he had for her until he damn near shook with his need. He'd have to get her alone, and soon. He wanted her-more than he could ever recall wanting anyone or anything.

Armie and Miles stood with Justice, talking quietly while they took turns grilling hamburgers-and noticing Fallon.

They were each still looking at her when Justice explained, "She doesn't advertise it, but she was burned once."

Miles jerked around to stare at him, a frown in place. "Bad?"

Justice couldn't think about what she'd suffered without a resurgence of rage, empathy and an overwhelming desire to shelter her.

"Bad," he quietly confirmed. "Physically and emotionally." So others wouldn't overhear, he explained in a low voice what Fallon had gone through. "When I saw the setup for the party, I told her we didn't have to stay, but she wanted to, even insisted on joining the others around the fire."         

     



 

"She has guts," Armie remarked with admiration. "I like her."

Miles nodded. "Me, too."

Justice didn't mind admitting it. "I more than like her."

Brows raised, Miles asked, "Is that allowed?"

"Because I'm her bodyguard? Probably not." Justice scrubbed a hand over his face. "For sure, Sahara is going to have a fit."

Armie grinned. "She doesn't know yet?"

"I told Fallon's parents today. They finally accepted it-I think." In fact, Rebecca had seemed to be on his side. Not that he needed their agreement or support, because he'd have gone after Fallon either way. "Tomorrow, first thing, I'll tell Sahara. I figured I should do it face-to-face."

"First Leese and now you," Miles laughingly complained. "I was thinking of checking out the whole bodyguard gig, too, but the boss lady isn't going to like her track record with fighters."

Justice assumed Miles was joking-hell, he still had a long fight career ahead of him. Sure, he'd taken some serious hits in his last fight, but he'd still won.

With concern shadowing his features, Armie stared toward the group around the fire. "It doesn't feel right, letting her do this. Look at her face. She's almost panicked."

True, and her panic put a vise around Justice's heart. More than anything he wanted to go to her, scoop her up and take her away from the source of her torment.

But he also wanted more than that.

"She needs to talk about it. She hasn't had much opportunity to do that. Even when she told me, I could tell it was new for her. For so long now she's kept everything bottled up and I think it's past time she let it out."

"It was a secret?" Miles asked.

"Of sorts," Justice admitted. "Her folks get upset if she mentions it." Before either man could get too riled about that, he added, "They're off-the-charts protective now after losing their other daughter and seeing Fallon so hurt. I'm not sure any of them have really recovered."

"It'd be tough," Armie admitted.

"Her dad was trying to shield Fallon when he kept all mention of her out of the news. He was dealing with his older daughter's funeral and with Fallon in the hospital and his wife's grief...he wanted to spare Fallon from reporters, and in doing that, only a few people even knew she'd been hurt. She couldn't talk about it with anyone even if she'd wanted to."

"Jesus," Armie whispered. "Her poor folks."

"Yeah."

"Good intentions," Miles noted. "I can't even imagine what they were suffering."

"Pure hell." Justice stepped away from his friends and loaded up two hamburgers. "Don't say anything to her yet, but if she gives you an opening-"

"We'll be all ears," Armie promised.

"Make sure you don't show her any pity. She'd hate that."

"Have you told the others?" Miles asked.

"No, but feel free. Just be discreet. I want her to feel accepted, not like the center of gossip." Justice headed off with a plate of food for both of them, drinks in his other hand, and on his way he announced to the collective group, "Food's ready."

That got the desired effect. Everyone headed for the grill, giving Justice a few moments alone with Fallon.

She'd just stood up when he reached her and, hands full, he bent down and settled his mouth over hers with new possessiveness. Knowing others might witness the kiss didn't bother Justice.

He wanted everyone to know about this new facet of their relationship.

As a couple, Fallon would have all the acceptance, backup and loyalty that he had from his friends. She deserved that, and more.

At first she was stiff with surprise, but she quickly melted against him, her hands sliding up his chest and around his neck.

Feeling her small, warm body pressed to his, Justice almost dropped the food, then he caught himself and lifted away. "Hi."

Still leaning against him, her eyes heavy, she smiled. "Hi."

"I missed you." He kissed her again, briefly this time, and then handed her the drinks.         

     



 

She looked at them a moment before catching up. From the light of the bonfire, Justice watched the blush tinge her cheeks. She took the beers from him.

"If you don't mind sitting here, I'll join you."

"It's fine."

No, it wasn't. Now that he'd reminded her of the fire, the wariness came back into her gaze. "We don't have to stay."

"I want to." She sat down in her lawn chair and took the plate from him so he could pull a chair closer to her. "Could I ask you something, Justice?"

He settled himself beside her. "You can ask me anything."

She surprised him by reaching over and stroking a hand over his smoothly shaven jaw. "Why did you change so much?"

"Change?"

Her smile was gentle and curious. "The haircut, the close shave, the shirt?"

"Well now, honey, I wasn't just wooing you, was I?" He picked up a loaded burger. "Had to win over your folks, too."

"So you did it for them?"

"For you." He took a big bite while watching her, encouraging her to do the same.

She nibbled-and waited for an explanation.

After he'd swallowed, Justice opened a beer for each of them. "Just one for me-I'll be driving, and only one for you 'cuz now I know you can't hold your liquor." He leaned closer to whisper, "And I want you clearheaded for later."

Immediately diverted, she whispered, "Later?"

"When I plan to kiss you head to toes."

She flushed...with interest. Swallowing, she looked around to ensure no one had overheard, then jumped back to her original question which, honestly, Justice had hoped to avoid.

"So you changed everything-"

"Not everything. Not how much I want you. Not who I am." He scratched his chin. "I just figured it might be easier for your folks to swallow the idea of you and me together if they knew I wasn't totally irredeemable. I mean, a shave and haircut isn't much, but it shows compromise, right?"

"I don't want you to change at all."

He smiled, inside and out. "No?"

"Everything about you is appealing. The scruff you wore before, and the way you're shaved now. The messy fauxhawk and the shorter hair. Whatever you wear-" she slanted him a look "-or don't wear, I already like you." She took a shaky breath, her attention on her burger. "I just thought you should know that."