Page 54 of Home for Justice
“I can’t believe they came,” Justice whispered, voice tinged with awe.
Tyler nodded, his voice soft and thoughtful. “I’m learning more every day about the caliber of people I’ll work with.” He gently kissed her forehead. “Go to your dad, sweetheart. I’ll help them secure the building.”
She hesitated briefly. “Oh, I still need photos for insurance.”
“Detective Bailey has likely taken them,” he reassured gently, “and Cory and Todd probably have it covered too.”
With a quick nod, Justice hurried inside, and Tyler turned his attention fully to helping Frazier and Casper unload plywood and hardware, their efficient and quiet movements punctuated only by brief, practical exchanges.
Working swiftly, Tyler and his colleagues soon secured sturdy plywood over the shattered windows. Warm thanks and genuine appreciation flowed generously from Justice and Jack, culminating in heartfelt hugs and handshakes all around.
Outside once again, Cory leaned close to Tyler, lowering his voice discreetly. “We’ve done an initial review of the footage. There’s a single masked figure, but we’ll try enhancing the image to get a clearer view.”
Tyler’s jaw tightened. “Just one person visible?”
“That’s all we’ve seen so far, but it doesn’t rule out the possibility of accomplices.”
“Thanks, Cory,” Tyler said sincerely. After bidding farewell to his teammates, he moved toward Justice and Jack.
“I’m driving you both home,” he announced firmly. “Justice, leave your car here tonight. I’ll bring you back in the morning. You’ve been through enough.”
Justice’s lips parted as if to protest, but exhaustion seemed to sweep over her suddenly. Her shoulders sagged, and she nodded wearily, surrendering without argument. Tyler reached for her hand, his fingers threading naturally through hers.
He held his breath for a second, wondering if she’d pull away, but instead, she tightened her grip. Her mouth curved into a small, tired smile as she lifted her face toward his, their gazes connecting warmly beneath the gentle glow of streetlights.
The drive home was quiet, the silence comfortable rather than strained. Tyler had always been the kind of man who appreciated quiet reflection, and tonight’s circumstances certainly lent themselves to introspection. In the back seat, Jack was quiet as well, likely wrestling with the unsettling possibility that his own brother, in a moment of bitter resentment, had targeted Jack’s livelihood.
Tyler glanced to his side, his gaze softening when he took in Justice’s profile. Her eyes were gently closed, her head resting against the seat, her expression etched with exhaustion. Dark smudges marred the delicate skin beneath her eyes, and lines of tension drew tight around her mouth. It pained him to see her so completely drained.
Years of dangerous missions had taught Tyler firsthand about the fierce surge of adrenaline and the harsh toll it could take when it finally subsided. He remembered seeing Justice earlier, her hair damp, the fresh scent of her skin hinting at a restful, indulgent evening planned and abruptly taken from her. The interruption bothered him deeply, and a protective ache tightened his chest.
Pulling into their driveway, Tyler parked smoothly, exited the vehicle, and walked around to Justice’s side. Jack had already stepped out, offering a small nod of gratitude to Tyler. Opening Justice’s door, Tyler extended his hand to her, a quiet warmth spreading through him when she slipped her fingers trustingly into his grasp and stepped down. Together, the three of them moved toward the house, each bearing their own quiet weight of the night’s events.
Once inside, Jack turned to Tyler, extending a firm, heartfelt handshake. “Thanks for the ride tonight, Tyler,” Jack began earnestly. “For getting me to the shop, and for being more than just a neighbor—truly standing by us. Having Lighthouse Security step in was above and beyond. I appreciate it more deeply than I can express.”
Then, with a tenderness that touched Tyler’s heart, Jack enveloped Justice in a warm embrace, murmuring gently yet gruffly, “I’m going upstairs to bed, sweetheart. I’m tired but fine. This whole mess is just surface damage and can be fixed. The important thing is nobody was hurt. Let’s leave this in the hands of the law and Logan’s people.” He pressed a gentle kiss to Justice’s cheek. “See you in the morning.”
Jack turned toward the stairs, his steps measured and careful but steady, evidence of recent health challenges yet also a testament to the quiet strength he carried. Tyler watched him ascend, respecting the older man’s resolve and resilience.
Uncertain if Justice would want him to stay or give her space, Tyler waited. But as he was quickly learning, Justice didn’t leave him to wonder. She raised her eyes to his, her gaze searching and vulnerable. “Can you stay with me for a while?”
His lips curved softly, warmth blooming in his chest. “Nowhere else I’d rather be.”
Sitting together on the couch, he prepared himself to offer whatever she might need—peaceful silence or comforting words.But Justice surprised him by shifting quickly onto his lap, her hands capturing his face, her lips pressing fervently against his in a kiss that was raw, desperate, and achingly real.
He knew instinctively that part of her passion was driven by the shock and stress of the evening, but his response was equally fierce and heartfelt. Falling sideways onto the couch, he pulled her close, bodies pressed flush together, legs intertwined, holding her tightly in his embrace as if she was everything precious he’d ever wanted to protect.
They had shared heated kisses before, but nothing like this. This was a collision of need, hunger, and unspoken emotion. She ground her hips against him, and he hissed at the friction as his body hardened painfully fast. His hands slipped beneath her shirt, fingers gliding along her rib cage before finding her breasts, kneading them gently, feeling the hardened peaks through the thin fabric.
He craved more. Wanted skin against skin, tangled limbs, and whispered names.
Before he could act, she slid downward, deftly unzipping his jeans and freeing him. His cock jutted out, aching, throbbing, and when she took him into her warm mouth, he nearly lost all sense of himself.
His head fell back against the couch, a groan rumbling from his chest as her tongue flicked and swirled, one hand cupping his balls while the other wrapped around the base of his shaft. His fingers threaded through her silky hair, massaging her scalp as she worked him skillfully, her pace both tender and demanding.
For one heart-stopping moment, he feared she was acting out of desperation, seeking escape through sensation alone. But then her steady, burning gaze lifted to his, and every doubt vanished.
“Sweetheart,” he rasped, his voice fraying at the edges. “I’m close?—”
