Page 90 of Bad Girls Don't Marry Marines (Rock Canyon, Idaho 3)

“Stop trying to be charming. You made me love you, so much so that I just blackmailed my own father and told him if he even so much as looked at you and your family again, I would destroy him.”

“Blackmailed him how? What about my dad?”

“Everything he had on your father I gave to you. And as to the how, apparently Ellie never needed my help holding onto her trust fund. She’d been squirreling away information on my dad’s dirty deeds for years and passed his secrets on to me.”

Reaching up to cover his grin, he said, “Your sister is diabolical, but I have to say, it was very Dr. Evil of you to take her up on them.”

She hit his chest lightly. “Seriously, I just cut my dad off and I want you to tell me again that you care. That we’re beyond fun—”

He pulled her body against his and she closed her mouth.

“I meant every word. Now, if you’re done being a drama queen, I’m going to kiss you.”

“You know, it’s kind of a turnoff when a guy asks permission,” she said, a grin spreading over her face.

“Who said I’m asking?”

Justin dipped his head down to claim her lips, nipping at the plump lower one before slipping his tongue inside her mouth. Her arms wrapped around his waist and he wanted to shout to the heavens that this woman was his.

He swung her into his arms and helped her into the cab of her truck. They drove back to his house, and after an intense, passionate round of make-up sex, they snuggled under the covers.

“You have no idea how much I missed you. I’ve been a rotten bastard for days. I was so bad, Everett almost kicked my ass and told me to fix things with you so I’d start acting like his brother again.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you my father was blackmailing me too.”

“It’s okay, baby. You’re used to doing everything on your own and dealing with your problems by yourself. But you aren’t alone. You’ve got Ellie and me. Plus, my dad thinks you’re perfect, and I’m pretty sure my brother likes you better than he likes me.”

“I appreciate you saying all that, but they’re your family, Justin, not mine.”

Justin was quiet, wondering if he’d scare her off if he said the words out loud, if he told her what he’d known since that first family dinner.

“What if they were your family?”

She stiffened harder than a marble statue and he almost regretted his words. “What do you mean?”

He brushed Val’s hair off her forehead, giving her a rueful smile as he plunged forward. “I’m saying that we could be your family if you wanted. If you married me.”

AIR BECAME A scarce commodity as Val digested his words.

Marry him? That was certifiably crazy, right? They had just hit a major bump in their relationship and five seconds later he brings up getting married.

Lightly, he brushed his lips against her forehead, and she closed her eyes, her skin tingling where he kissed her. “You don’t have to answer right now. Just know that it’s out there on the table.”

She cuddled into his chest, thankful that he knew when to press and when to let things drop. She still wasn’t quite sure the whole marriage thing was for her, but she did love him, she knew that.

The distinct ring of a cell phone broke the moment, and Val reached for her jeans on the floor, pulling hers out of her pocket. She answered a little testily. “Hey, Ellie, what’s going on?”

“It’s Dad. Theresa found him on the floor in the study and called nine-one-one, but they aren’t telling me anything yet. I can’t even get a stupid nurse . . . Val?”

Val reached for Justin’s arm. “I’m here, Ellie.”

“Please come. I know you guys are in a bad place, but he’s our dad. If he dies—”

“I’m on my way, sweetie. Okay?” Justin stared up at her as she jumped out of bed, searching for her clothes.

Ellie’s sigh of relief was like a train whistle through the phone. “Thank you.”

“Which hospital are you at?”

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