Page 45 of Tyler

He always focused on one thing, one objective, and accomplished it, living one goal at a time. But not Piper. No, she saw the whole picture, and how one action affected many. He loved that about her. He loved many things about her. Hell, he loved everything about the beautiful, selfless, creative, amazing woman.

The two attempts on her life had changed Ty, made him appreciate his life, the positive and negative of it all, and how integral Piper was to his wake-up call and to his life. Almost losing her had put into perspective what really mattered.

It’s not what you do for a living, it’s how you live for what you do.

He lived for Piper, lived for making her happy, for making her smile, for putting a soft sigh on her lips, and a satiated expression on her beautiful face. All those things made him rich, made him feel content, and made him the luckiest man alive. He didn’t need to fly an F-35C Lightning II to soar. He accomplished that with Piper in his arms.

She was a blessing, and he was grateful to have her in his life—so damn grateful that shewasalive.

After the Meyers brothers were arrested for attempted murder, Gabe had taken a special interest in the remodeling of the gallery, especially the walls.

A deputy had been posted there daily, waiting to see what was inside each wall as they were carefully taken down. Ty had also stayed glued to Piper’s side every day, since he was pretty much useless, and he couldn’t talk her out of staying away during renovations that first week.

“Looks like an amazing turnout,” Rylee said when he walked over to where she and her husband and several other of the ESI guys and their wives were gathered, admiring pieces of art on display from local artisans and the café bar.

While Piper was busy talking with the press and taking photos, Ty was giving her space to thrive.

“This building is pretty incredible,” Dex said, glancing up at the exposed beamed ceiling.

He nodded, pride puffing out his chest. “Piper worked hard to bring her vision for the place to life, and Brandi was just as brilliant to take that vision and make it real.”

His brother-in-law was right, the building was truly impressive.

Track lighting on the high ceilings accented each piece of artwork, creating an interplay of shadows and light. Piper andBrandi had designed the gallery's layout as a well-thought-out journey through themed sections, providing a visual feast for patrons. In the middle was a central atrium, with a designated spot for special sculptures to become a focal point for visitors to pause and contemplate.

There were display units crafted from reclaimed materials that seamlessly integrated modern with the historic architecture, creating a visual appeal. From interactive digital exhibits, like the one chronicling the building’s renovation through the photos he’d taken, to strategically placed benches. Every detail was meticulously considered to elevate the visitor's experience.

Piper had thought of everything, even a small corner café.

“I especially love this spot.” Abby grinned, sitting on a stool by the counter where they were converged. “Piper told us she put this in and that it would be the perfect place for when it was her week to host coffee mornings.”

“And that it was also a hub for conversation and reflection, fostering a sense of community within the artistic ambiance,” Mel added, and everyone turned to stare at her. She lifted a shoulder. “What? Those were Piper’s words, I was just repeating them.”

Carter set a hand to his chest. “Phew. Thank God, babe. For a moment there, I thought you were body-snatched, and we were dealing with a clone.”

“They wouldn’t dare take Mel,” Stef said. “She’d mess with their algorithm and become their demise.”

The redhead lifted her chin, and a sassiness gleamed in her eyes. “Damn right, I’d take them down. Sorry, babe, but there’s only one me, and you’re stuck with her.”

“Thank God,” Carter repeated his earlier words, dipping down to kiss his wife’s lips.

“Well, I like that there’s a large room in the back for hosting events and workshops,” Rylee said.

“And wine and painting classes.” Stef lifted her glass, and the women did the same as they cheered.

Then the conversation turned to the Meyers brothers.

“I heard murder was added to the list of charges,” Mac said.

On day two of renovations, answers surfaced as to why Henry and Joel Meyers were willing to kill to keep a secret.

In a wall upstairs, in what used to be the lawyer’s offices, the deputies found a knife, a Rolex watch, and a signet ring, wrapped in a bloody towel. The knife turned out to be the weapon that had been used to kill their great uncle, who’d died in a supposed mugging thirty-seven years ago. The brothers had been the benefactors of his will, living large on his estate ever since.

Until Piper had bought the building.

Good for the bastards.

“Yeah.” Ty’s fingers squeezed around his glass of Jack on the rocks. “Forensics found the uncle’s DNA as well as Joel’s on the knife, and Henry’s on the watch and ring.”

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