Page 50 of Into the Fire
The room was silent except for the sound of June’s sniffle. She leaned into Emery’s side just a little more.
Mr. Hargrove finally cleared his throat, flustered. “We’ll… take another look at the reports and review the recess monitor statements.”
“You do that,” Levi added, voice unwavering, reaching for June’s little pink backpack on the floor and slinging it over his shoulder. It looked miniature on his broad back. “Because I don’t think either one of us wants to have this conversation again.”
He reached out his hand to June, who stood and grasped it instantly, her small fingers disappearing in his calloused palm as he guided her closer and picked her up into his arms.
Emery stood, giving the principal one last lookbefore following them out. Levi held the door open for them both, his free hand settling on her lower back in silent confirmation.
The school parking lot was mostly cleared out, except for a few straggling cars and the lingering tension from the principal’s office. June's arms were looped around Levi’s neck, her face buried into his shoulder as he carried her across the lot toward his truck. Her little sobs had quieted, but Emery could still feel the weight of everything that had happened pressing on her chest.
Levi’s free hand was now laced in Emery’s, firm and grounding, but she couldn't stop the guilt from bubbling up.
“Levi,” she started softly, breath catching as she practically jogged to match his pace. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to overstep in there—”
“Don’t,” he cut in, voice low but firm. “You didn’t.”
“I shouldn’t have said what I said,” she almost whispered, her voice tight with emotion.
“Emery, don't,” Levi said, walking with such long strides that Emery had to take two steps for every one of his just to keep up.
“It was probably my fault anyway. I made it worse. I should’ve let you handle it.”
Levi stopped abruptly just shy of the truck.
He shifted June slightly in his arms, careful not to disrupt her comfort, and then he turned to Emery. With one smooth, deliberate motion, he backed her up against the passenger door, his body shielding hers from the world like he could physically block out her doubts. His jaw was clenched, eyes stormy.
“I said, don’t,” he rumbled low, rough, and certain. “Don’t you ever apologize for what you did in there.”
Emery blinked up at him, breath catching. His hand was still holding hers tight, thumb brushing across her knuckles.
“You stood up for my daughter,” Levi said, voice full of something raw and thankful. “You saw her hurting, and you didn’t wait for permission.You don't need permission. You were angry. You were right. And the only reason those people in that office have a problem with it is ‘cause they don’t yet know what you mean to me. They don’t know,” he said, voice almost a growl now. “That you don’t answer to anyone when it comes to my daughter. That you're not just some woman helping out around here.”
Emery opened her mouth to respond, but he wasn’t finished.
“I’ll make it real clear, baby. Your voice is my voice now. You speak, it’s as good as me saying it myself. They’ll get used to it. I’ve got you; no one will question that I back you 100%.”
His words didn’t just land; they settled inside her, deep and unshakeable. She felt it in her chest, in her bones. The heat of him, the unflinching truth in his eyes, the way June was cradled protectively between them.
Emery reached up with her free hand, fingers brushing over the fabric of his perfectly faded shirt. “Levi…I love her. I hate seeing her hurt.”
He leaned in, close enough for her to feel his breath on her lips.
“You’ve got nothing to be sorry for,” he murmured. “She loves you too, and I’ve never been more proud.”
And then he kissed her. Soft at first, but it deepened quickly, his hand sliding up to cup her jaw while the other still held his daughter tight. It was a kiss that said mine in every way a man could claim something without speaking. Emery melted into him, one hand braced against the truck, the other tangled in his shirt like she’d fall over if she let go.
When they broke apart, June stirred and mumbled something sleepily, and Levi leaned back with a quiet smile.
“Let’s get our girl home,” he said, his voice a little lighter now. “Then I’m gonna thank you properly.”
Emery’s cheeks flushed, but she didn’t look away. Not from him. Not anymore.
Back at the house, the quiet felt somehow loud.
June had gone straight upstairs after they got home, curling up on her bed with her favorite book and a stuffed animal tucked under one arm. Levi had offered her a snack, which she politely declined, saying she just wanted a little time to herself. He’d kissed her forehead and let her go without question.
Downstairs, Emery stood near the kitchen counter. Levi was at the sink, rinsing a coffee mug, his jaw set tight—his standard grumpy cowboy baseline, shoulders still a bit high with tension.
