Page 229 of Rangers Mountain Rescue

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My stomach tightens.

“And then?”

Something cold settles into his expression.

Something final.

“Then we make sure they can’t come after you again.”

A chill runs through me.

Not fear.

Not exactly.

Something else.

Because I believe him.

Completely.

And as I stand there, caught between relief and the storm that’s still coming—

I realize something I can’t ignore anymore.

This isn’t just about surviving.

This isn’t just about getting through this.

This is about what comes after.

About what we’re becoming.

Together.

And whether we’re ready for that or not—

There’s no going back now.

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