Hard Justice(46)

"I am a grown woman!"

He grinned. "I know. So we'll talk to him together and find out what's what. Okay? Just don't run him off until I've finished asking questions."

Fallon didn't point out that it was usually Justice who sent Marcus packing. "If this last apartment is gone before we get there-"

Rather than listen to her grumble, Justice got out of the car and leaned against the front bumper, his arms crossed. That made her grumble even more, especially since she assumed her mention of the apartment was what had him looking cross.

She joined him, her hands on her hips and her good mood deteriorating. How could she get Justice to see her as a completely independent woman with no need of a bodyguard if Marcus planned to introduce some trumped-up danger?

Even now, feeling irked, Fallon couldn't help but notice how impressive Justice looked with his biceps bulging and a light breeze blowing his T-shirt flat against his abs.

"Stop it," she snapped, giving him a light shove.

Startled, he dropped his arms and scowled at her. "Stop what?"

"Posturing," she accused. "Looking all macho and disgruntled. You're doing it on purpose, aren't you? Know what I call that, Justice?"

Cautiously, his frown fierce, he asked, "What?"

"Pouting."

"Pouting!" He straightened to his impressive height to stare down at her. "I do not pout." He stepped closer. "Actually, I was contemplating things."

"What things?"

"If Marcus is right and there is a problem, you can't be alone in an apartment."

Fallon threw up her hands. She'd known his thoughts would take that path and it infuriated her. "How come every single time I try to prove that I'm the same as other women, something stupid comes up?"         

     



 

"For one thing, you're not like other women." He cooled her anger by saying, "You're a damned heiress or something. No idea what kind of money your family has, but any idiot can see that you're loaded. That makes you a target."

He had a slight point. "Justice-"

"And whether you want to accept it or not, someone is up to something." He stepped closer still, until she had to tip her head way back to maintain eye contact. "Remember the red paint? My trampled flowers?"

"I don't have a faulty memory and it wasn't that long ago."

"Well, smart-ass, that's a problem. Sure, we could write it off as vandalism, except that you were pushed down stairs."

She tried not to waver under his conviction. Honestly, she didn't want to believe that someone planned to harm her. She'd never hurt anyone-except her sister. "Damn." Now was not the time to get maudlin. "I could have just stumbled."

Justice tipped up her chin. "Stop dodging reality. Let me do what I do, okay?" He bent to brush his mouth over hers. "I couldn't stand it if anything happened to you."

She wanted to say that nothing would, but suddenly she wasn't so sure. Justice's concern was affecting her. Could I really have an enemy? The idea chilled her.

They both looked up at the sound of Marcus's Mercedes pulling into the drive. He parked to the side of Justice's car and, without pause, got out to stride toward them.

The breeze, growing stronger, played with his blond hair and blew his tie to the side. He looked trim, stylish and, she could admit, handsome. His toned physique showed the designer suit to best advantage.

It didn't matter. Next to Justice, he seemed completely insubstantial.

Marcus took one look at Fallon and his brows went up while his jaw slackened.

She shifted uneasily under his stare. Yes, little by little she'd changed her look. Today she wore a casual spring dress, yellow with splashes of floral that complemented her figure. Rather than conceal, the fit of the dress showed off her bust. The scooped neckline was high enough to hide her scars, but showed much more skin than usual, even a hint of cleavage. A sash belt was tied at her waist and the full skirt skimmed just above her knees. She'd finished the outfit with strappy sandals and a yellow cardigan.

"Fallon," Marcus murmured, and it sounded like a verbal caress.

Justice put his arm around her shoulders and drew her into his side. "Keep it up," he warned, "and I'm going to flatten you."

Drawn back to reality, Marcus blinked. "You look so different. Nice, I mean. Very nice."

Justice growled.

Ignoring him, Marcus said softly, "I just... You took me by surprise. It's as if you've bloomed."

Flushing, Fallon nodded. "Justice and I have plans, so if you wouldn't mind.?" She loved it when Justice looked at her with so much appreciation. From Marcus, it left her cold.

He looked momentarily wounded, then shifted his gaze to Justice. "I wanted to speak in person. The entire thing is awkward, maybe even far-fetched, but it just doesn't feel right."

"Tell us what it is," Fallon insisted, and she got a squeeze from Justice. Right, he wanted her to let him do the questioning. She leaned into him, which was as much approval as he'd get.

"I think it's best if we keep this between us. You'll understand why-I hope-when I've finished." Marcus looked at each of them, then settled on Fallon. "You remember the men I had with me at the MMA competition?"

She lifted a shoulder. "A little."

"I remember them," Justice said.

"I believe I explained to you then that Kern and York Arnold are very wealthy men and they enjoy spending their money in outrageous ways."

It came back to Fallon in a rush. "You said they even bet with women as the prizes."

"Willing women," Marcus made clear. "But yes, it's as if they try to outdo each other in their extreme gambles." He shoved his hands into his pants pockets, his gaze on the ground. "Frankly, I've seen shocking behavior from both of them."         

     



 

"They spoke with Tomahawk at the event," Justice said. "He knows them?"

His gaze shooting up to meet Justice's, Marcus frowned. "I don't know. Or rather, I'm not sure how well he knows them." He paced away, turned back. "They gave me an astounding amount for the literacy fund-raiser. Their one check equals the total we had hoped to gather in donations."

Fallon didn't understand. "That's good, isn't it?"

Justice took a step forward, his posture and tone hard. "Not if they're trying to buy him."

Marcus surprised them both by nodding. "My concern exactly."

Tucking her slightly behind him, Justice said, "So what is it they want you to do, and what does it have to do with Fallon?"

Looking past Justice, Marcus locked his gaze with hers. Softly, he said, "They want me to win you back."



"LIKE HELL." JUSTICE WASN'T about to let some wealthy dude in a fancy suit get in his way. Fallon was his and she'd damn well stay his. It didn't matter that Marcus, Kern and York fit better into Fallon's world. It didn't even matter that he, himself, made good money, first as a fighter and now as a bodyguard. Fallon wasn't a woman who cared about material wealth.

She cares about me.

He believed it, and soon she'd admit it-preferably before she plunked down first and last months' rent for an apartment she wouldn't be using.

Having her around his mom and granny had been a stroke of genius. Fallon flourished under their easy acceptance and lack of formality. In no time at all she'd become a cozy part of the family.

The problem was, she'd loosened up enough that other guys took more notice of her-Marcus included. That wouldn't do. The sooner he got this settled and got her away from her ex, the more he'd like it.

Jealousy was a bitch.

"Just so I'm clear here," Justice said in what he hoped was a mild tone, "you have about thirty seconds to get the point."

"I'm trying, but it's not easy. Most of my concern is just a feeling."

"Gut instinct," Justice said, willing to give him his due. "Never ignore it."

Nodding, he glanced at Fallon, but seemed to find it easier to speak directly to Justice. "The brothers were in my office today and they were more than curious as to whether or not Fallon and I were back together."

Justice's jaw tightened and his eyes narrowed. "I hope you set them straight."

"In fact, I did. I explained that we were only friends now." Lower, he said, "I've never liked to hear them say her name or speak of her."

Fallon asked, "Why would they talk about me?"

"That's just it, I didn't know. They tried to be subtle about it playing it off like male camaraderie or something, but no matter what they said, it felt disrespectful." He drew in a breath. "Believe it or not, Fallon, I care for you. Beyond that, I respect you a great deal and I don't want anyone in any way to slander you."

Muscles tensing, Justice asked through his teeth, "Exactly what did they say?"

"Nothing specific, definitely not any direct insults. It's that they're-" he searched for the words "-irreverent. Spoiled. Obnoxious. Selfish." He glanced at Fallon. "All things I would never associate with you. It doesn't matter what money they have or how much power that money brings them. They aren't good enough to joke about you as if you're just another woman, a woman they would know or would use in a bet."