Hard Justice

by Lori Foster

  Armie sat back with the ladies, including his wife. Fallon learned that Cannon’s wife had stayed home with the babies. Apparently she and Armie’s wife took turns on that.

  Because Justice was so engrossed in the fight, Fallon asked Denver about Cannon. He explained that as an assistant coach, Cannon was in back with Stack, and when it came time for the fight, he’d be cage-side.

  Trying to understand, she asked, “So Cannon not only runs a gym and fights, but he coaches, too?”

  Denver started to lean close to reply and she suddenly found herself hauled up to Justice’s side. He took over the explanations. “Cannon started the gym but everyone pitches in to help out there. And depending on who’s fighting, different fighters step up as assistant coaches. They leave the real training to a dedicated, full-time coach, though.” When the prelims ended, Justice went into more depth about the process, and the other guys chimed in, giving her a lot of insight.

  The women, too, had much to say, and their perspectives, she found, were vastly different from the men.

  Overall, she gathered that the fighters were something of a family. They stuck together, supported each other and accepted imperfections.

  Even though he no longer competed, Justice was clearly still part of the family, and Fallon loved that for him. Her own family had always been small and after losing her sister—

  “Son of a bitch.”

  Justice’s muttered complaint drew her from her wayward thoughts. She glanced up—and found Marcus staring at her from across the aisle, several rows away. He, too, had good seats, but in a different section.

  “That’s Marcus,” she said in surprise.

  “Yeah, and I’ll bet my ass the little weasel isn’t an MMA fan.”

  Justice sounded accusatory and more than furious.

  “Maybe not,” she rushed to say. “But it appears he’s here with clients. Notice the other men around him? They’re probably fans and Marcus is wooing them for business.”

  When he started their way, Justice said, “Let me handle this,” with evil relish. He started out of the row.

  “No.” Fallon caught the back of his waistband, which was the only thing she could reach, and inadvertently got pulled from her seat. She almost tripped over a seat, but three pair of male hands caught her.

  Mortified, she thanked everyone, then in a very low voice hissed to Justice, “Don’t you dare embarrass me by causing a scene. I mean it.”

  Expression fierce, Denver said, “I wouldn’t.”

  Already the others were staring at them, wondering what had happened. Fallon pasted on a smile before ushering Justice along. When they reached the aisle, she requested, “Give a minute.”

  He laughed like she was nuts. “Hell, no.”

  “Justice,” she growled.

  He cupped his hand around the nape of her neck, stalling her complaints. “With or without your boyfriend, I wouldn’t let you out of my sight here. But I’ll let you take the lead. How’s that?”

  Not good enough; however, debating it in front of everyone would only cause more conflict. So instead she said, “He’s not my boyfriend,” then looked at Marcus and pointed to the hall behind them.

  He nodded and headed in that direction.

  Giving Justice a stern frown, she said, “I’m trusting you to behave.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Keeping his hand on her nape, he walked with her to the very congested main hall.

  * * *

  WATCHING THEM TOGETHER, he realized their relationship was more than client and bodyguard. Were they a couple? It sure appeared so.

  Being classy, rich and pampered, Fallon Wade couldn’t be Justice’s usual type. Maybe the differences made her more appealing, perhaps even special to him.

  If so, that’d make things easier. Justice was a real hard-ass who didn’t feel the need to prove anything to anyone.

  Women, however, had a knack for weakening even the strongest of men.

  He’d definitely work this to his advantage.

  Every locked door could be opened, as long as you had a key. He smiled, thinking he’d just acquired the key he needed.

  * * *

  “GOOD HEAVENS, IT’S PACKED.”

  Justice pulled her closer, moving her in front of him and using his arms to shield her from being jostled. “Everyone is heading to get a drink before the main fights start.”

  “Is it always this busy?”

  “Yeah.” He steered her into a slight alcove near the fire exit. As they waited for Marcus, he figured he might as well set her straight. “This is your show—”

  “Thank you.”

  “As long as he doesn’t insult you.”

  She rounded on him with a lot of attitude. “If he insults me—”

  “He’ll get flattened.”

  “I’ll handle it.” Her eyes narrowed. “We’ve discussed this, Justice.”

  “Yeah.” Justice had a hard time thinking straight. Out of necessity, he’d followed Armie’s suggestion and kept her as close as he would a bed partner. But that just naturally led to him thinking more about her actually being one.

  “And?” she asked, sounding a little breathless.

  “I dunno.” The longer he stared down at her, the less angry she seemed. He touched her cheek and found it every bit as soft and warm as he remembered.

  She shifted, cleared her throat, licked her lips. “Justice?”

  God he loved her eyes, so big and deep with emotion. And her mouth—all pink and wet... Without meaning to, he leaned a little closer, more than ready for a taste.

  “What are you doing here?”

  At Marcus’s brusque question, Fallon jumped as if someone had goosed her. She whipped around, snapping, “Damn it!”

  Marcus scowled.

  “Fallon, Fallon,” Justice playfully chided. “I had no idea you had such a potty mouth.”

  Her elbow connected with his gut.

  Taken by surprise, he grunted, “Oof,” then caught her arm. “Violent, too.”

  She forced a smile for Marcus. “I’m here to watch the fights of course.”

  Very deliberately, Marcus kept his gaze on Fallon. Even with Justice giving him a death stare, the bastard avoided his gaze.

  Shoving his hands in his pockets, Marcus nodded. “I didn’t know you were a fan.”

  “And you are?”

  “Not really. But I have some potential donors for the literacy fund-raiser with me. When a friend had tickets he couldn’t use, I bought them from him.”

  Justice propped a shoulder against the wall and suffered through the cordial conversation. He detested hearing Fallon talk so sweetly to her ex, and he especially hated that the ex was being reasonable for once.

  He liked Marcus better as an asshole he could revile.

  “So they enjoy the sport?” Fallon asked.

  “I really don’t know,” Marcus said. “But they’re competitive brothers and enjoy any kind of wager there is.”

  Fallon frowned. “They’re betting on the fights?”

  “They bet on everything, and they especially favor friendly wagers over sports of any kind.” He made a face. “They’ve left it to me to keep a tally of the bets, since I’m not joining in the competition.”

  “I take it they have deep pockets?” Fallon teased.

  “Yes, very deep. But they don’t just gamble with money. I’ve seen them put up cars, houses and, a few times, women. Whoever loses always pays up.”

  Fallon stiffened. “Exactly how do you pay up with a woman?”

  Marcus smiled slightly. “No one is being forced, I’m sure. When you’re as well off as those two are, women are always available and willing to oblige.”

  She narrowed her eyes. “It’s still wrong.”

>   He shrugged. “I’m not disagreeing.”

  To switch the topic a bit, Justice spoke up. “You said they’re businessmen?”

  Face tightening, Marcus looked away. “They have a willingness to contribute.”

  Something in his tone and manner sharpened Justice’s interest even more. “So not businessmen?”

  “Of course they have businesses.”

  “And those are?”

  Instead of answering, Marcus ignored him and asked Fallon, “Are you enjoying yourself?”

  “Yes. It’s so exciting. I’d never realized.”

  His expression warmed. “You wouldn’t even watch boxing with me.”

  “In comparison, boxing seems boring.”

  “Boring?” he teased. “Maybe you need to give it another try.”

  Justice sawed his teeth together.

  “From what I remember of boxing,” Fallon said, “it’s just punching. This is punching and kicking, elbows and knees, grappling and—”

  Indulgent, Marcus smiled. “You’ve become an expert?”

  “Far from it. But I am learning a lot from Justice’s friends. In fact, one of his friends is the main fight of the night.”

  “Main event? Really?” There was no real surprise in Marcus’s eyes when he looked at Justice again. “So you know Stack Hannigan?”

  “Know him and gave Fallon the shirt.”

  Using both thumbs, Fallon pointed to her chest to show off the wolf logo.

  Justice took her hand and lowered it. The last thing he wanted her to do was draw Marcus’s attention to her boobs.

  Unfortunately, he was too late.

  With his gaze where it shouldn’t be, Marcus swallowed. “Nice.”

  Resisting the urge to clock him, Justice said, “Damn, man, you must be one of Stack’s more rabid fans the way you’re drooling.”

  As if only then realizing where he’d been looking, Marcus snapped to. He coughed and tried to hurry along with a question. “I take it you’ll be rooting for him?”

  Pretending to miss the male conflict, Fallon nodded. “Yes. And Justice promises me that he’ll win.”

  “Fact,” Justice said.

  “I’ll pass along that inside info, then,” Marcus promised. “The brothers will appreciate it.” He glanced at Justice, glanced over his shoulder, then said to Fallon, “Do you think we could—”

  Gleefully, Justice said, “Nope.”

  Since he held her arm, Fallon couldn’t elbow him again. Instead, she tried to yank free of his hold. But Justice didn’t let go, even when she tried to shake him off.

  Naturally Marcus couldn’t help but notice.

  Eyes going flinty, the ex took a step forward. “Now wait just—”

  To keep Marcus from interceding, Fallon did an immediate about-face. “Mother told me you’ll be working with her on the literacy charity. That’s very generous of you.”

  Divided, Marcus waffled between showing his anger and grabbing her olive branch.

  Knowing which one he’d prefer, Justice waited.

  Marcus finally settled on the branch. “Yes. It’s a great cause.” Voice softer, he said, “And I was hoping I’d get to see you.”

  Ha! Justice had guessed all along that Marcus had ulterior motives.

  Staying firm, Fallon shook her head. “That’s not going to happen.”

  “But—”

  “Mother has agreed that she’ll only meet with you away from our home.”

  Marcus turned his hate-filled glare on Justice. “I suppose that’s what he wants?”

  Justice gave an evil smile.

  “It’s what I want,” Fallon hurried to say.

  Done with the dramatics, Justice drew her into his side and draped his arm over her shoulders to keep her anchored there. “The fights will be starting soon. We should get back to our seats.”

  Luckily Fallon agreed, and for once, Marcus didn’t kick up a fuss. He glanced over his shoulder again, nodded to Fallon and said, “I’ll see you soon.”

  Something made Justice uneasy.

  Maybe it was the wary way Marcus kept looking around, how he went the opposite direction from which he’d come. Skin prickling, Justice, too, did a quick survey of the area—and found one of Marcus’s betting buddies standing a few yards away, arms crossed, watching them with too much interest.

  In an instinctive move to meet a threat head-on, Justice stepped forward. Almost at the same time, Fallon turned into his path, probably to blast him—which, okay, he maybe deserved.

  They collided.

  Justice caught her upper arms to keep her from stumbling. She automatically braced her hands against his chest. They both went still.

  Maybe it was Marcus hitting on her, or maybe it was all the other dudes trying to get her attention. Whatever the reason, he felt all territorial and determined to stake a claim.

  Resisting a woman wasn’t easy. Hell, it wasn’t even natural. Resisting Fallon...now that was almost impossible, but he hung on by a thread.

  Torturous, especially when she turned her face up to his.

  The awareness in her eyes damn near knocked him over the edge.

  Everything around him faded away as sexual tension sank in. Fallon’s gaze dipped to his mouth, she licked her lips and, choosing to see that as an invitation, Justice gave in.

  He cupped a hand to the back of her neck, drew her up and covered her mouth with his own. He couldn’t say exactly what got into him, and he sure as hell couldn’t justify it, but in that moment, he felt explosive with need.

  Should’a made it a light kiss.

  Should’a kept it quick.

  But damn, her mouth was soft and damp, and with a shuddering breath she parted her lips.

  He lost his head a little, especially when she melted against him and her small hands clutched at his chest.

  Again on instinct, he turned them so that her back was against the wall, her front shielded by his body, ensuring no one could see her.

  It was insane. Definitely wrong. But he had to taste her.

  His tongue slipped over her lips, dipped inside to touch her teeth, then her tongue. She teased back with her own.

  On a groan, he nudged her mouth open, deepening the kiss with a bold stroke of his tongue. Her mouth was warm and sweet, and he couldn’t get enough.

  Her soft sound of surprise gave him a second of sanity. What the hell was he doing?

  He decided he had to stop, and tried to by lifting his head. He expected Fallon to say something, maybe even push him away. Instead, her breathing labored, she kept her eyes closed—her swollen mouth looked so pink, so wet...

  This time he kissed her without any reserve at all. He couldn’t get enough of her as he held her nape in one hand, and with the other, coasted down her narrow back to her hip.

  In a sign of acceptance, her arms slid up and around his neck.

  He pressed against her—

  “Jesus, Justice, what are you doing?”

  Harsh reality crashed into him. Oh, fuck.

  Justice glanced over his shoulder and saw Leese scowling, Armie grinning. Busted. After clearing his throat, he asked, “When’d you get here?”

  “Just now,” Leese said, disapproval in his tone and expression.

  Armie cocked a brow. “Really getting into the act, huh? It’s convincing. No one will doubt that you’re into each other.”

  “Yeah, um...” What to do? Fallon had tucked her face against his chest, clearly hiding, and damn, he could feel her hot breath even through his T-shirt. He also felt her trembling.

  It took him a second to wrap his brain around the fact that he’d now be stopped cold, when seconds before he’d been smoldering.

  The idea of watching Stack compete no
longer seemed so important, but no way could he do what he really wanted, which involved finding someplace private and scoring big with sweet little Fallon Wade.

  “Would you like a minute?” Armie asked with absurd formality. “Not to finish, you know. I mean, you’re right here in the open. But maybe to make your apologies to the lady? To set up plans for later?”

  “Fuck off, Armie.”

  That got his friend laughing. Clutching his hands together, Armie said, “Young love. So beautiful. So...lusty.”

  Leese shoved Armie, then scowled again at Justice. “Wrap it up,” he suggested, his tone terse. With yet another shove, he prodded Armie along to give them privacy.

  Feeling damned ridiculous, Justice turned back to Fallon.

  She continued to hide against him, and now her shoulders shook.

  Oh, shit. If he’d made her cry, he’d kick his own ass. “Fallon?” He tried to lift her chin.

  She resisted by tucking tighter to him.

  He didn’t know what to do. He stroked her silky hair, then her back. He pressed a kiss to her temple—and got himself all hot and bothered again.

  Frowning at his own lack of control, Justice whispered, “You okay, honey?”

  Her hands fisted in his shirt, and she made this strangled sound that alarmed him.

  “Fallon?”

  He heard it again, not quite a sob, but maybe—

  She looked up at him and Justice saw that her big doe eyes were bright with laughter, her cheeks hot, and she couldn’t quit snickering.

  Hilarity?

  He quirked a smile of relief. “Tickled your funny bone, huh?”

  Choking on her humor, she hugged him again.

  God, she looked incredibly beautiful to him. “Get it together, woman. We’re in public.”

  Around a chuckle, she admitted, “Right—now I remember!”

  Meaning she’d forgotten, too? “You’re not the one who had to face Leese and Armie.”

  She did more snickering before she could face him again. “Oh, God, that was so embarrassing.”