Page 17 of Justice's Reward


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The line was quiet, but Justice waited. His prickly attorney had been through a lot tonight.

“I think I’d like that,” Adley said softly.

“Okay, I’ll let you know when I’m on my way. I know you can probably stay at your mom’s or sister’s, but we have plenty ofroom at the compound. In fact, we have room for all three of you if you’d like to be behind some big walls tonight or this weekend,” Justice offered.

“Let me think about it. Can I answer you when you get here?” Adley asked.

“Yep. I’ll be there soon,” Justice said.

Justice was worried about whether this had happened in relation to his case or if it was something specifically regarding Adley. He’d worry about that when he got there.

Justice chatted with his brothers while he waited for his turn to see little Teddy. Justice, Tack, and his mom went in. Ariel looked exhausted but happy. Pit, his hard-as-nails cousin, was beaming. Justice snapped a quick picture because he always enjoyed annoying his President.

After he’d had his turn holding little Teddy, he pulled Pit away for a second.

“Need to inform you that Adley and her sister had to defend themselves at Adley’s house tonight. They shot and killed two assailants and wounded one that got away,” Justice said.

“Did you offer Adley and her family the compound as a safe place to stay?” Pit asked, keeping an eye on his family while talking with Justice.

“Yes, I’m heading there next to see if they are going to take our offer. I thought I’d offer they could stay at my house.”

Pit nodded. “Perfect. Once we know more, we could offer them a separate house, but I’d want to meet them all first.”

Justice nodded and hugged Pit before he left. He picked up Ian, still sleeping peacefully in his carrier. Tack picked up Ian’s diaper backpack, then followed behind him.

“Not letting you go alone over there. I heard Stain tried to investigate, and Adley had him removed. I don’t trust that guy. I feel better having your back, especially since you have little man,” Tack said, following Justice to the elevator and then out into the parking lot. Justice efficiently hooked Ian’s carrier in, smirking a little about how long it had taken him to figure it out when he first got it.

Some of the others who worked in law enforcement had experience installing them and had taken great delight in teasing him. Justice started up his truck, then waited for Tack to get on his motorcycle before pulling out.

Chapter Eleven

Adley stood beside her sister, waiting for the men to finish. The coroner had finally removed the bodies, but because Detective Stanza had taken the call originally, they’d had to wait until one of the other detectives was free.

Adley wanted everyone gone, and if she was being truthful with herself, she wanted to see Justice. Adley considered herself a fierce, strong woman, but even strong women needed to lean on someone sometimes.

Even with the din of conversation in her house and the sounds of people gatheringevidence, Adley heard two engines pull up out front. One she could tell was a motorcycle.

“It will be okay,” Macy said softly, squeezing Adley’s shoulder. Adley needed to do something. Sitting on the couch while they went over her house with a fine-tooth comb was grating on Adley’s last nerve.

At the first sight of Justice, she didn’t think of all the reasons she shouldn’t; she just ran into his arms. His arms wrapped around her, and his hand cupping the back of her head let her relax for the first time since it happened.

“Hey, I’ve got you. You’re going to be okay,” Justice whispered, his lips against her hair. She breathed in deep the smell she’d come to associate with Justice—a mixture of the wind, clean male, and a hint of spice. She didn’t say anything, just leaned againsthis chest with her arms wrapped around him. She shuddered. She’d held it together for so long, but she didn’t need to watch her back or take care of Macy right then. Justice would watch for her.

“Hey, I’m Tack. Justice’s actual brother and brother in the MC, and this little guy is Justice’s son, Ian,” Tack said.

Adley stood in Justice’s arms and breathed deep, repeating to herself that she was safe. Macy was safe. They’d figure this out.

“Macy. I’m Adley’s sister and co-owner of the law firm,” Macy replied.

Justice’s hand swept up her back and back down again, soothing her.

“I spoke to Pit. He agreed that you, Macy, and your mom could stay at my house tonight, and then we can all talk tomorrow.Have you made a decision yet?” Justice asked.

Adley chuckled and leaned back to look up at Justice’s smiling face. “You mean throwing myself in your arms and snuggling against you didn’t tell you that I want to be safe behind big walls tonight?”

Justice grinned, and holy smokes, the man was a danger to her self-control. How could she go from petrified for her life to her panties being on fire, with Justice being the only one she wanted quenching the flames?

“Macy, besides getting your mom, do we need to get you anything from your house, or do you have enough stuff here to get you by?” Justice asked, his arms still holding her safe and secure.