Justin

by Kris Michaels

  "What do you do?" Dani asked on reflex.

  "Well, I'm the Chief Medical Officer at a complex Guardian runs in South Dakota."

  Danielle swung her attention to Justin. "Where your mom lives?"

  "Yes." Justin didn't lift his eyes from what the doctor was doing to her feet.

  "So, she's Guardian?" Dani glanced back down at the doctor.

  The doctor looked up briefly with a smile. "No, she's married to Frank Marshall. He owns the ranch where the complex is located. Frank is my wife's father. Jacob," the doctor, nodded at the walking arsenal, "Is married to my wife's sister."

  "Frank's daughters?" She glanced at Justin. "So, your brother is married to your mom's husband's daughter? He's married to his step-sister?"

  Justin's brow furrowed. "Technically, but Jacob and Tori were married before Frank and Mom married. So, it isn't the way it sounds."

  Danielle snorted. "It sounds complicated." She leaned against him and plodded through the information dump. She blinked and slid up, so she could turn and look at Justin. "You said Jasmine was the only sibling not working for Guardian."

  He nodded.

  She pointed a finger at him."That means you work for Guardian."

  "I do."

  "And how exactly does that work? You work more hours at JK Holdings than any other person on your staff. When do you find time to work for Guardian?"

  Justin moved in his seat, sloshing the water in the basin.

  The doctor looked up at him and lifted an eyebrow. "I'd love to know the same thing."

  Justin shot the doctor a look that could kill and cleared his throat.

  Dani glanced around and noticed all of the people in the cargo hold were standing nearby in a loose semi-circle. He shrugged. "Remember how I told you I got into some trouble and went to jail while I was in college?"

  Dani didn't get the chance to acknowledge his words before Jade let loose with a peel of laughter. "Holy Shit! Perfect Justin has a criminal record!"

  "No, I don't, brat." Justin drew a breath and slumped into his chair. "Gabriel cleared my record. I was caught breaking and entering a building downtown. I'd managed to deactivate the alarm systems, but some nosey old woman walking her rat of a dog saw me entering. She called the cops. They arrested me for trespassing because they couldn't prove I'd deactivated the alarm. Gabriel showed up and took me back to the dorm. He gave me an ultimatum. I chose to go to work with him. I couldn't face the alternative."

  “Juvenile detention?” Dani asked.

  “Juvie? No.” He appealed to his family. "He was going to tell Mom.” Several of his brothers visibly winced. “Anyway, Gabriel found the best locksmiths and alarm systems engineers for me apprentice under. I worked learning my trade while I was on summer vacation, and when I had downtime. In return, he got me access to the finest chefs, sommeliers, and restaurateurs in the business. I worked my ass off to be the best at both careers."

  "So, the restaurants are a smoke screen?" The brother she thought was Jared asked.

  "No, that is my passion. I love it. What I do for Guardian happens once, maybe twice a year, sometimes more, but it isn't frequent. Working for Jason gives me another type of release, I guess. It is a rush. Pure and simple. I live for the rush."

  He finally glanced at Dani. She smiled at him and winked, needing him to know that she was more than okay with his need for adrenaline. "That's why Guardian sent you to help rescue me? To break into the compound?" The doctor was wrapping her feet in a dry gauze bandage.

  "Yes, except there were no alarms." Justin looked up at Jacob, who cast a glance at the dark, brooding brother, the one who'd stopped that madman from killing both her and Justin. Joseph...maybe?

  Tall, dark and broody nodded and glanced around the semi-circle before he looked directly at Justin. "Jason couldn't send you without a verifiable need. Each of us, with the exception of Double D over there, have been where you were. Stopping you from coming on this operation wasn't an option. You needed to be here for your woman."

  "How did you three get here?" Justin motioned to him, Jared and Jade.

  "Low-level drop." Joseph shrugged as if it were nothing.

  "Hell, yes! It was awesome!" Jade let out a whoop of joy.

  "Never fucking happening again!" Jared spat the words out and was immediately pelted with catcalls and laughter.

  "Okay, the next question is why are you here?" Justin looked and sounded perplexed.

  "Because you're family, dickhead. No matter how far you push us away. You're family," Jared said and then looked from Justin to Joseph. Joseph raised a single eyebrow and stared at his brother, not flinching or giving an inch. Jared finally glanced back to Justin. Dani assumed there were all sorts of words being exchanged that weren’t spoken aloud, but shifted her attention from the testosterone laden battle of wills in front of her when the doctor patted her leg and moved to tend Justin's hands. "But why Libya? I mean I was in a cab, then the man who'd been following me—"

  "Excuse me?" Justin cut her off.

  "Remember that older gentleman from the lodge? The one I thought I'd seen in Perth? He was the one driving the cab. After I woke up, I figured I was taken for ransom because of what he said. But for what? God...how is my dad?"

  Jacob scratched his jaw and glanced at Jared. Dani saw the subtle shake of the man's head. Jacob dropped his hand and laid it on his automatic. Almost as if he was reassuring himself it was still there. "Your dad was working with another security company trying to figure out how to get you back. When Justin got us involved, we pulled the ‘national security’ card and sent the other players packing. If I had to guess, he is still at Guardian waiting for word we are on approach before he hightails it to the flight line. I might add that we were all impressed with his integrity. Jewell ran a microscope up his company's ass. He runs a tight ship. Something we all appreciate."

  Dani nodded, but when no more information was forthcoming she asked, "Why was I drugged and taken to Libya?"

  "You were being held by a terrorist organization. We aren't sure of the connections or how they knew your father had a new weapon. They wanted him to surrender the armament his people developed. If it fell into the wrong hands, it could be devastating on several levels," Justin answered, without looking at his brothers for permission.

  "Which weapon?" Dani racked her brain trying to think of which R&D project that a terrorist group would want enough to kidnap her. Not that she knew all the projects.

  Justin shrugged. "Does it matter?" Dani heard the inflection change in Justin's voice. It was minuscule, but it was there. He'd been forced to violate his beliefs today. The man hated weapons, and yet he picked up that assault rifle and protected his brother's team and her.

  Jade held out her hand. "Danielle, if you'll follow me I'll take you to where you can clean up. We've scrounged up some clothes. They won't fit. These assholes are massive, but at least they brought extras."

  Danielle glanced at Justin again. He gave her a small smile and nodded for her to follow Jade. She lifted up and grasped Jade's hand. She had to. The needles shooting through the bottom of her feet made her gasp. Justin lurched toward her, almost knocking the doctor on his ass.

  Jared stepped forward and swept her off her feet. "Let me carry you. Justin can give you a ride back when his hands are bandaged and taped."

  She glanced at Justin. She could see his desire to be the one to help her, but he needed his own injuries tended. Danielle blushed at being held by one of his brothers but thanked him because, alone, she wouldn't have made it across the metal plating to the corner Jade had sectioned off.

  "Here. Take this. It will ease the pain." Doc shook out two tablets. "By the time you get back, you'll be feeling better."

  Danielle popped the pills and took a drink from the bottle of water someone thrust in front of her. Jared carried her across the metal plating. It was rigid and had holes in it. She grimaced at the thought of walking across it. He gently set her down on a hard, black, plastic box. "Than
k you...for everything." She smiled up at him.

  "There is nothing I wouldn't do for him, or for you. It is what family does."

  Dani blinked and shook her head. "I wouldn't know. It is just my dad and me."

  "Well, get used to too many people in your business. They mean well, but...you know...brothers," Jade snarked as she approached with three liter size bottles of water and an armful of material.

  "I'll take that as my cue to leave." Jared stood and turned. He smiled at Jade. "We are the best brothers in the world."

  "Yeah, yeah. Get yourself out of here so she can get cleaned up." Jade winked at Danielle as she closed off the blanketed portion of the corner. "Okay my new BFF, time to get you out of those rags and cleaned up. I hope you're not bashful."

  Dani glanced at the blanket and back toward Jade. "I lost bashful when I had to pee in a bucket in a terrorist jail cell."

  "Oh hell, woman, you and I are going to get along just fine." Jade threw down the clothes on another plastic box and set down the water bottles. Dani started taking off the shredded material she still wore. She knew without a doubt she'd get along with all of Justin's family, because they loved Justin. No matter how crazy or unique they were, she'd love them in return.

  Chapter 27

  Justin flexed his hands. After cleaning his raw skin, Doc had applied some ointment, lined his palms with non-stick pads before adding several layers of gauze to cushion the area and taping it all in place.

  He glanced over at the corner of the cargo bay.

  Jacob sat down next to him."She'll be fine. Let Jade help her."

  Justin nodded and glanced at his brother before his eyes glued back on the blanket wall. "Did you know there wasn't an alarm system?"

  "Officially? I wouldn't have allowed you to come if there hadn’t been documentation of an alarm system." Jacob leaned forward placing his elbows on his knees. "Unofficially? Falsifying the report was foolish and fucking irresponsible on both our parts, but..." he dropped his head between his shoulders and laughed, "…Jason and I would be damned if we would stop you from coming."

  "Why? I thought you guys lived and died ‘by the book’." He needed to know.

  "Because Tori and I met when I sprung her from a warlord's prison cell. She'd been tortured for months. She was nearly dead, but that woman ended up saving my life, literally and figuratively. Joseph saved Ember from a cartel assassin. I can't go into specifics, but the man walked through the darkness of hell on a daily basis. Ember brought Joseph back to the light for us. Faith was damn near blown up and nearly killed in two separate events, but she rescued Jason from his own demons. Hell, Christian was nearly incinerated. Jared damn near went insane at the hospital after he'd pulled his man from that fire. The common factor in all of those events? We didn't rescue them. The people we love saved us. Danielle is your salvation. Every last one of us can see it as clearly as crayon written on the wall. It would have killed you to stay in that damn theater."

  Justin nodded as he remembered the feeling of worthlessness and self-contempt that had washed over him when the plans were laid out for the rescue mission and he was excluded. God, he never wanted to feel so inadequate ever again.

  "So, you're a good thief?" Jacob nudged him with his elbow bringing a smile to Justin's face.

  "Information extraction specialist, and yes, I'm one of the best." Hell, in his mind he was the best, but why give his brother any fodder?

  Jacob cocked his head, and a wicked smile spread across his face. "You can pick locks?"

  Justin snorted with disdain at the comment. "Amateur hour."

  "Awesome! Tori has this jewelry box of her mother's that has been locked since her mom died. The people we've taken it to say that there would be damage to the box if they tried to open it. It is the only thing of her mom's she has, and damaging it isn't an option. Could you? I mean, it would mean the world to her if you'd try."

  Justin nodded. "I can do that."

  "You realize you'd actually have to come to our home. You know, see the boys, too. They miss you as much as Tori and I do." Jacob stared at him sending a spear of guilt straight through Justin's heart. He could see the absolute sincerity in Jacob's expression.

  "I'll be there. I'll try to do better." He'd try. Maybe with Danielle's help, he could learn to let his family get closer.

  "Why do you block us out of your life?" Fuck. Jacob was like a dog with a rare piece of prime steak that he wasn't going to let go.

  Justin shrugged and focused on the blanket in the corner of the room. "My therapist said it was to prevent myself from being hurt. I don't know if I buy that. I think at first that may have been the case. Then it became a way to hide who I've become. For so long there was nothing in my life but work. I had absolutely no time for family. Hell, I didn't have time for myself. I worked for Gabriel and for my company. When I'd achieved a bit of success at both my jobs, I moved into extreme sports. I'm an adrenaline junkie. I always have been. After that, I moved through life looking for the next big thrill. Family became a distant third to work and play." Justin leaned forward and examined his shoes. "Being lost doesn't have a common face. It doesn't look the same on one person as it does another. I was lost. Until I took a chance on Danielle."

  "She's the one," Jacob stated.

  "Yes. She is." Justin threw a glance at the blanket. "She was my coworker and that somehow morphed into being my friend. Hell, she's my only friend."

  "Hey!" Jacob objected.

  Justin smiled. He and Jacob used to be close. He acknowledged that, but time and maturity had frayed that connection. Justin needed to work on repairing it. He didn't know how, or if he could, but he knew he wanted to try. "You know what I mean." Jacob nodded, and Justin continued, "We fell into an easy routine. She's always been there for me, even though it wasn't her job. We decided to explore the connection, but before we could go on a date, I saw her rappel off Gordon Dam in Tasmania." Justin smiled and closed his eyes recalling the memory of her descent. "I knew at that moment, she was the woman for me."

  "Why, because she's insane?"

  Jacob sent the barb with a laugh, but Justin shook his head and in complete seriousness responded, "No, because when I hit the bottom of that rappel, she saw my insanity and embraced it. She saw me. The real me. Not the image the family has of me. Not the image I portray in the business world. She witnessed what and who I am, and she accepted it." Justin leaned back and shrugged.

  Jacob leaned back with him. "We all need that one person. I'm glad you found her. I'm happy for you."

  The blanket pushed back, and Justin hopped to his feet as if he'd been spring loaded. Several rushed steps later and he was kneeling at her side. "Hey, you look great in that black uniform."

  Danielle chuckled and picked at the shoulder of the black t-shirt she wore. "Oh, this old thing? I just threw it together."

  Jade chuckled as she picked up Danielle's old clothes and the empty water bottles. "I'll go tell Doc there weren't any deep scratches. I'm sure Justin will take care of anything else you need."

  Dani reached out and grabbed Jade's hand. "Thank you. For everything."

  His sister paused, swallowed hard and nodded. She spun on her heel and exited quickly. "She likes you. She doesn't like many people." Justin pushed her hair behind her ear as he examined her, making sure Jade was right and that there were no deep lacerations that he could see.

  "Hey." Danielle put her hand under his chin and drew his eyes up to hers. A soft smile spread a happy glow around her. "I'm sorry you had to use the rifle today."

  Justin sat back on his heels, stunned at her perception. "I'd do it again. To save you and them," he motioned back toward the cargo hold of the plane, "I'd do it again."

  She reached out and ran a finger over his jaw. "I know you would, and I don't know if I could love you any more than I do right now. But remember, I see you. Using that rifle today cost you. I know the price you paid, even if they don't."

  Justin dropped his head and leaned into her,
his head rested on her lap. He closed his eyes and felt her fingers run through his hair. The emotions her words unlocked rolled through him. "Thank you."

  Deep down, he needed someone to acknowledge the fact he'd broken every moral compass point he'd set for himself. That Danielle was the one to know and recognize it proved again how much this woman meant to him. His heart dropped off a cliff and landed into her hands. She was the key to his happiness. Not the business, not the work for Guardian, and not the extreme thrills, because there was no better thrill than being with her in a single moment in time.

  Chapter 28

  Danielle wasn't quite sure what she expected when they landed, but it wasn't the smooth gliding touchdown. "Wow, that was way better than the takeoff."

  Jacob laughed as he unbuckled his belt. "Well, when you’re not in hostile airspace, you can afford to have smooth landings and takeoffs."

  Dani cocked her head at him and narrowed her eyes. "You know what? I'll leave those experiences to you. I'm pretty much done with all of this."

  Justin laughed as he stood and stretched. "I would hope so."

  "Keep saying that. I swore off it years ago, and I still get roped into doing shit like low-level drops into hot landing zones." Jared threw his comment into the conversation as he walked by.

  "You loved it. Admit it." Jade stood and reached to the ceiling stretching. "Good grief, Jacob, get decent seats in these damn planes, would you?" She rubbed the small of her back and groaned, arching into the pressure of her hands.

  "Yeah, I'll get right on that." Jacob rolled his eyes and made a hand gesture sending his team into a flurry of activity.

  Danielle longed to stand and stretch, but her feet weren't going to allow it. Joseph walked to the back ramp and opened a large box. He flipped a lever seconds before the back ramp started to drop. As the ramp opened, he jumped off the aircraft and walked away. Danielle glanced from him to Justin who watched his brother leave. "He's not very social, is he?"