Page 56 of Home for Justice
Justice wanted to call Uncle Jordy right that moment and lay into him with all the rage she had bottled inside. Instead, she forced herself to watch Tyler move through the reception area, her office, the storage closet, and the employee lounge, his gaze sharp and assessing. His quiet competence steadied her more than anything else could.
A low noise near the front caught her ear, and she turned, already knowing who it would be. The first mechanics were arriving. She met them in reception, squaring her shoulders as they took in the damage. Anger flashed across their faces, and grumbled curses rumbled through the air like a coming storm.
Justice felt their emotions echoing in her own heart. She lifted her chin. “The fire was contained in this room, but the sprinkler system and the fire department soaked everything. I need everyone to go through the garage. There’s a lot of cleanup to do. Check your tools, your equipment—everything. It doesn’t look like anyone got inside the building, but we’re not going to assume. Safety… both yours and our customers' vehicles come first. Today’s going to be all about that. I’ll handle calling the clients with vehicles here. I’ll explain we’ll need extra time.”
“That’ll piss off a few of them,” Willie growled, his fists clenching at his sides.
She felt Tyler step up behind her, a solid, comforting presence.
“Yes,” she said, her voice steady. “And that’s why I’ll do it. I’m not putting that on Carla. As owner, I’ll take the heat.”
She stopped as several men arrived, rolling industrial fans into the area. “What…?”
She recognized the man who owned the hardware store in town. “Rick?”
“Hey, Justice. Heard about what happened. Loaning you some fans to help dry everything quickly.”
Tears fell unchecked at his generosity. Tyler hugged her, then moved to Rick’s workers and helped set the large fans in areas that needed them the most. The mechanics headed into the garage, determination replacing their anger.
A few men and women from the American Legion followed with brooms, mops, and water vacuums. All proclaimed they were there to assist. Overwhelmed, she offered more thanks, grateful for the help.
Carla walked in and looked around. “What do you need me to do first?”
Swiping at her tears, she said, “I’ll call for an industrial-sized trash trailer to be delivered. Then we can start tossing things that are ruined. The mechanics can handle anything heavy. If you’d go through the reception area to see if there is anything salvageable, that would be good.”
Carla nodded and moved over to what was left of the reception counter.
Justice barely had time to breathe before Tyler walked back to her, took her by the hand, and guided her toward her office. The warmth of his hand in hers loosened the knot of tension sitting deep in her chest.
“What do you?—?”
Tyler didn’t answer.
He turned her toward him, framing her face with his hands, his touch gentle but commanding. Her breath hitched, her heart aching from all the emotions crowding her, and then his mouth was on hers—strong, sure, full of a need that matched her own.
Justice melted into him, clutching his shirt as the kiss deepened. It wasn’t a sweet or tentative kiss. It was a claim. The kind of kiss that banished everything else—the broken glass, the plywood, the fire damage, the gnawing fear. She tasted safety, desire, and tenderness all at once until her knees weakened, and she leaned into him completely.
When they finally pulled apart, breathing hard, Tyler kept his forehead pressed to hers for a moment, like he was reluctant to let go of the connection.
“You. Me. Tonight. My house… if Jack’s okay to be alone,” he said, his voice rough.
A startled giggle escaped her, the sudden lightness almost a shock. “That was… kind of caveman-ish.”
One brow lifted in mock offense, and another giggle burst free from her chest before she could stop it.
“And,” she added, grinning now, “it was kind of hot.”
Tyler’s answering grin was wicked. “If you thought that was hot, sweetheart, just wait till tonight.”
Justice blew out a shaky breath, part of her wishing she could fast-forward through the day, and another part already dreading the mountain of work ahead.
“I really hate this shit,” she muttered, scrubbing a hand over her face. “I hate that my mechanics have to waste a day on Uncle Jordy’s stupid games.”
Tyler dropped his hands to her shoulders, steadying her again. “Don’t worry about your employees. We’ll handle this.”
“But—” she started, the weight of responsibility pressing down.
“Babe,” Tyler said, his voice low and sure, “I watched the faces of the mechanics and Carla out there. I saw pride. I saw understanding. And I saw admiration. You did that. You earned that. You’re amazing.”
