Page 31 of Home for Justice
As the meal wound down, Logan looked over at him. “I’d like to invite you to come out to our facility,” he said. “You’ll get a better feel for what we do, and we can talk more freely. That’s only if you’re interested.”
Tyler straightened a little, heart lifting. “Absolutely, sir. I’d be honored to talk more.”
“It’s just Logan,” the man replied easily. “You got any plans for this afternoon?”
Tyler glanced at Cory, noting the way his friend was fighting a grin. “Not a single one.”
“Good.” Logan looked at Cory. “Since you rode with me over here, you head back with Tyler and show him the way.”
The group stood, tossing bills onto the table. They walked out into the bright sunlight together, voices overlapping with goodbyes and see-you-laters.
As Tyler crossed the lot beside Cory, a hum of anticipation stirred in his chest. There was something about the men he’d just met, the way they carried themselves and the quiet strength beneath the surface. And now he was about to step into their world. Whatever came next, he was ready for it.
With Cory in the passenger seat giving directions, Tyler noticed they were heading vaguely back toward his property. The open land rolled past them, fences breaking the landscapeinto long stretches of pasture and brush, the sun slanting in warm gold across the mountains in the distance.
Then they turned off the main road and followed a gravel lane that wound between tall pines. A few hundred yards down, the trees opened into a wide clearing, revealing a gated entrance. High fencing flanked the compound, utilitarian but well-kept. The kind of security that protects business without broadcasting it.
Ahead of them, the vehicles in front rolled through just as the gates opened. Cory leaned over slightly. “Just follow them.”
Tyler nodded, easing forward. His hands rested lightly on the steering wheel. His eyes scanned the terrain instinctively, noting the layout, the spacing between structures, and the visibility lines, as he followed old habits.
Off to the left, a large house sat back from the lane, set among the trees but with a clear view of the compound.
“That’s Logan’s house,” Cory said, nodding toward it.
Tyler let out a low whistle under his breath. “Nice.”
He didn’t say more, but he was impressed. The architecture was clean and modern, yet still grounded in Montana style, with a stone base, timber beams, and wide windows that likely offered unbeatable views of the surrounding mountains.
They passed another structure, smaller and simpler—a long one-story building.
“That’s the bunkhouse,” Cory explained. “When LSI Montana was just getting off the ground, most of us didn’t have places of our own. There are private rooms and bathrooms, as well as a shared kitchen. A few of the guys have moved into houses, but a lot of us still crash there.”
Tyler glanced over, noting the clean lines of the building and its sturdy construction. No frills, just function. He grinned. “And you?”
Cory laughed. “Still there. I haven’t figured out where or when I want to buy, and honestly? Free rent is hard to beat. It lets me stash money while I figure out my next step.”
Tyler chuckled. “Hey, no judgment here. If I didn’t have my grandfather’s place, I’d probably be in some cramped apartment, cursing the upstairs neighbors and paying way too much for too little.”
As they pulled to a stop near the small building adjacent to the bunkhouse, Tyler looked toward it, then over at Cory. His expression sobered, but the question was light. “I’m here because you put in a good word, right? Anything I should be prepared for?”
Cory’s face grew more serious. “Everything I told you was the truth. Logan only hires guys from special ops. He wants people with the right experience and the right mindset. But even then, he won’t offer a spot unless he’s sure you’ll fit. It’s not about skill alone. It’s about trust. Teamwork. No egos. No drama.”
Tyler nodded slowly, absorbing the weight behind the words.
“I wouldn’t have said a word to him if I didn’t believe you were a fit,” Cory continued. “We’ve built something solid here. And yeah, Logan turns people down if he senses any friction. But you? You’ve got the kind of calm we need. That quiet strength. That focus. So just be yourself. That’s what matters.”
“Fair enough,” Tyler replied, meeting Cory’s eyes with steady appreciation. “I mean that. I respect you for not blowing smoke. Whether this goes anywhere or not, I’m grateful.”
He stepped down, boots crunching on gravel, and took a long look around.
Buildings spaced with intention. Woods at their backs, mountains beyond. It wasn’t flashy. But it was real… exuding quiet power.Fuckin’ perfect.
Logan waved them over from the door of the smaller structure. Tyler fell into step beside Cory, noting the wayLogan’s posture was relaxed but alert, his intelligent gaze always scanning.
“I hope you don’t mind talking out here,” Logan said, gesturing them inside. “This was my original office while we were building the compound. I keep it now for interviews and meetings.”
Tyler nodded his acquiescence. He knew that until someone was part of the team, they didn’t get the full tour. “Understood,” Tyler replied easily. “This is fine, Logan. I’m honored to have the chance to talk more.”
