Hard Justice(47)

Justice didn't like the small understanding nod Fallon gave Marcus. "Why the hell didn't you shut them up?"

"I'm a businessman," he snapped. "I can't go around alienating every person who's a jerk. Because of my position, I'm forced to use diplomacy."

"We understand." Fallon tipped her head. "But I still don't hear a threat."

Hands on his hips, head dropped forward, Marcus muttered, "They know the two of you are dating."

"So?" Justice said. "We haven't made it a secret."         

     



 

"Justice." Fallon touched his arm, and the quietness in her tone alarmed him. "They don't travel in the same circles. Seeing them at the fights, that was a fluke. Since then, we've been to low-key places, or at your mother's. If these men know we're dating, someone is telling them."

"Or they've been spying on you." Marcus lifted his head. "They know she's been staying with you, that she hasn't been home." Quietly, Marcus repeated everything that had been said.

Gut instinct. Justice felt it now and he wanted to whisk Fallon away from any possible harm. First, though, he had to uncover the source of the danger.

Doing his best to stay clearheaded and keep the rage at bay, he asked, "Any ideas?"

Marcus gave a brief shake of head. "I don't know anything for sure, but I suspect they have a wager on a fight."

"They want to see a rematch with Tom and me." Grim, Justice cursed low, his hands curling into fists. "I still don't see how Fallon plays into this, or why they'd be keeping tabs on her. Is Tom somehow in on it?"

"I don't know that," Marcus said quickly. "But an idea occurred to me for how we could find out."

Justice stiffened. "No."

"What?" Fallon asked, looking from one of them to the other.

"No," he said again.

"Tell me," Fallon insisted.

Marcus folded his arms over his chest and stared at Justice. "We need to pretend to give them what they want."



MILES SAT AT a booth in Rowdy's bar, slowly nursing a beer. At another table with a few other fighters, Tom brooded. He didn't join in on the jokes and he wasn't drinking as much.

Suspicions sucked. He liked Tom all right, but he trusted Justice more. Leese felt the same. If Justice had reason to doubt Tom, that was good enough for them.

A slim, familiar figure wearing designer jeans and a body-hugging top walked through the front door of the bar. Maxi Nevar's dark blond hair trailed down her back, and her brown eyes searched the crowd.

For him.

Miles waited, deciding if he felt like giving in to Maxi tonight. He had twice before and both times the sex had been...well, incredible. Mind-blowing, even.

The lady wasn't shy, and she knew what she wanted.

Her gaze met his and she smiled, proving that tonight, again, she wanted him.

As she made her way toward him, Miles finished off his beer. He couldn't say what it was about Maxi that made him want to stay detached. Possibly her own detachment. She enjoyed sex with him, but wanted nothing else.

Other men in the bar tracked her progress as she maneuvered her way across the floor. He should just be flattered, but God, he'd suffered from a weird mood lately.

When she finally reached him, she asked, "Alone tonight?" as if it didn't matter all that much, as if, if he had a date, she'd be okay with it and would just mosey on.

"I'm alone," he said. "But sort of working." His gaze skipped over to Tomahawk. Miles watched him smile at something someone said, then turn distracted again.

"Working on getting drunk?" Maxi asked with a laugh as she settled her sexy behind across from him in the booth.

"Only one beer," he said, then resented that he'd explained. He never got drunk, but since they only had a very limited relationship-which was exactly how he wanted it-she didn't need to know his habits.

"Just a cola for me," she said to the waitress who stopped by their booth.

"Another for me," Miles added, handing over the empty bottle.

Maxi tipped her head, causing that dark golden hair to cascade over her breast. "Would you rather be alone tonight?"

Not really. "Just weighing my options."

To his consternation, she laughed. "Another woman has caught your eye? Should I vacate the booth before she gets the wrong impression?"

Sitting back, he stared at her. It wasn't natural, damn it. "What's the lure, Maxi? That I'm a fighter?" Because he might not be for much longer.

"That's a joke, right? The first night I came in here, I noticed you right off. When I hit on you, I had no idea what you did-and I don't care."         

     



 

"So if I decide to take up waiting tables?"

"I assume you'd still have an occasional night off and I'd see you here, right?"

For a booty call. Frowning, more at himself than her, Miles said, "I don't know."

For only a heartbeat, her dark eyes looked troubled, then she quickly brightened again. "Well, that would be a waste, but I'm sure I'd survive."

No, he hadn't imagined it. He'd seen something, maybe worry? "Actually, I'm thinking about being a bodyguard." Why the hell did I just tell her that? He waited, wondering how she'd react.

"To protect someone specific?" She crossed her arms on the tabletop and leaned forward enough that he could see her cleavage.

Maxi had a nice pair on her, full and soft with sensitive mauve nipples. Once, she'd damn near come from him sucking on her. He stirred remembering it.

But then, the second she'd walked in, his temperature had spiked.

Without giving him a chance to answer, she added, "Not being nosy, but if you're involved, then I'll definitely move on."

Knowing she would, Miles shook his head. "I meant as a career choice."

"Sounds exciting-and I go back to my original question. You'd have the occasional night off?"

The server brought their drinks, giving him a moment to think and time to check on Tom. He saw a woman leaning over Tom, whispering in his ear. Good, he thought. Go home with her so I can quit watching you.

To Miles's surprise, Tom kissed her palm, whispered something back to her and sent her away. The others at his table heckled him, but Tom only shook his head.

What the hell was going on?

A small, warm hand covered his, drawing Miles back from his curiosity. He met Maxi's dark eyes, already heavy with interest. While they looked at each other, she toyed with him, trailing her fingertips down the seam between two of his.

"So," she whispered. "Are you going to be free for a few hours tonight or not?"

A few hours. Nothing more. She wouldn't ask him why he planned to leave fighting, or why he was sulking over his beers. She never pried. Never asked anything personal.

She just enjoyed his body for a few hours, the orgasms he'd give her, and then she'd leave his house and he wouldn't even know if he'd see her again or not.

"Depends," Miles said, watching her. "Your place tonight?"

Her smile never slipped. "No."

"I'm starting to wonder if you're a serial killer. Maybe an escaped convict? Do you have a husband and kids at home?"

Slowly, she sat back, her smile gone. She stared at her drink. She seemed somehow...hurt.

"Maxi-"

"I'm not married. No kids. I don't like cheaters."

Well, that was something at least.

"I've never broken a law in my life. Not even the speed limit."

"A paragon of virtue, huh?"

"Hardly that, but I'm a coward." Her dark gaze met his. "Much too much of a coward to ever be a serial killer."

Pushing her, Miles asked, "What do you do for a living?"

"I'm a personal shopper."

Huh. That fit, given her great style. "One more question."

"I won't be grilled. You're either into it or you're not."

"It" being meaningless sex. And since when has that been a problem for you? "Why me?"

Her arched brows twitched. "That's it? That's your question?"

"Yeah."

The smile returned and she leaned forward again. "Let's go to your place, get naked and I'll show you."

Maybe his dissatisfaction was because the guys were all starting to settle down. Gage, Cannon, Denver, Stack, Armie and Leese. Now even Justice appeared hooked. Like dominoes, once the first one fell, the rest tumbled. But here he was, feeling...fuck it. He felt a little lost, and admitting that, even to himself, burned his ass big-time.

"I told you, I'm working."

She bit her lip and, resigned, sat back again. Miles watched her play with her purse strap, tuck her hair behind her ears, look out at the bar and at the front door where she'd entered.         

     



 

"What are you thinking, Maxi?" It struck him and he asked, "Your name is Maxi, right?" How far would she go to stay an enigma?

"Yes, that's my name. Short for Maximara." After a few seconds, she looked up at him again. "May I ask you something? Nothing personal, I promise."

Miles laughed. "I don't mind if you ask anything personal." Of course, he knew why she didn't. If she asked something personal, he might reciprocate. For whatever reason, she didn't want him getting too close.

"Are you really that busy tonight, or have you lost interest?" She rushed on, "If you have, you can just tell me. I'm not a stalker type. I won't bother you."