Ride With Me (Paige and Jace) novel Chapter 322

CHAPTER 180-1

Jace’s POV

The warehouse was still smoking when the first fire investigators arrived, and the orange glow from the remaining hot spots painted the night in a way that made the destruction look even worse.

I stood near the edge of the property while firefighters moved through the damaged building, and I could still hear the coughing of employees who had been treated along the road.

Everyone was alive.

That fact kept repeating in my head because it was the only thing that mattered right now.

We had lost trucks. We had lost equipment. We had lost a warehouse that had taken years to build into a legitimate business.

But we had not lost one of our people.

Derek approached me.

“Fire investigators are taking over the scene.” Derek said and I nodded.

“Have they said anything?” I asked.

“Not yet.” He said as I looked toward the employees.

“Make sure every one of them gets home safely tonight.” I said.

“They will.” He said.

Paige was still with Liam, helping check the last few employees who had inhaled smoke.

I watched her for a moment because she looked exhausted, but she continued working without complaint.

When she finally approached me, she removed her gloves and placed them into a medical waste bag.

“Everyone is accounted for.” Paige said and I let out a breath.

“Everyone?” I asked.

“Every employee, every driver, and everyone who was supposed to be working tonight.” She said and relief washed through me.

“Thank you.” I said as Paige looked toward the warehouse.

“I’m sorry.” She said as I shook my head.

“Don’t apologize for something you didn’t cause.” I said.

“I know, but it still hurts.” She said.

“I know.” I said as she slipped her hand into mine.

CHAPTER 180+ –

“We will rebuild.” She said as I looked at her.

“You sound very certain.” I said.

Clawm

“You rebuilt Lawson Customs after everything that happened, and you did it without letting Victor stop you. “She said and I smiled faintly.

“You’re starting to sound like me.” I said

“That’s because you keep stealing my best lines” She said.

She managed to make me laugh, and for a moment the weight of the night became slightly easier to carry.

Behind us, Derek was speaking with one of the investigators and I turned toward them.

“What did they find?” I asked.

“Nothing conclusive yet.” Derek said as the investigator stepped closer.

“We’re still examining the scene, but we need everyone to stay clear of the building until we finish.” The investigator said.

“Understood.” I said as I looked at the damaged trucks.

The financial loss was going to be enormous.

Insurance would cover some of it, but there would still be deductibles, lost business, replacement costs, damaged inventory, and employees who needed support while operations were moved elsewhere.

I could already see the numbers adding up in my head and Paige must have noticed my expression.

“Don’t start doing the math tonight.” She said.

“I’m not.” I said.

“You’re absolutely doing the math.” She said and I smiled.

“Maybe a little.” I said and she squeezed my hand.

“Tomorrow.” She said and I nodded.

“Tomorrow.” I said.

す

We stayed until the firefighters finished their work, and eventually the flames were reduced to glowing embers.

The warehouse looked nothing like it had earlier that evening.

Parts of the roof had collapsed, several windows were shattered, and smoke stained almost every remaining wall.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify