Page 242 of Rangers Mountain Rescue
The one who thinks he controls this situation.
“That’s not your call,” he says to Havoc.
Havoc doesn’t even look at him right away.
Just keeps his focus on the agent who spoke to me.
“Step back,” Havoc says.
The agent hesitates.
Then steps back.
Good.
But it’s not over.
Not even close.
The leader’s gaze shifts to me.
Sharp.
Calculating.
“You’re at the center of this,” he says. “Whether you understand that or not.”
“I understand enough,” I reply.
His brow lifts slightly.
“Oh?”
“You showed up after people were already dead,” I say. “After grandpa was taken. After—” my voice tightens “—years after Tank died.”
Silence.
Heavy.
Real.
His expression doesn’t change.
But something in his eyes does.
A flicker.
Interest.
“Careful,” he says quietly.
I shake my head.
“No,” I say. “I’m done being careful.”
My hand tightens on grandpa’s shoulder.
“You don’t get to walk in here and act like you’re saving us,” I continue. “Not when you might be part of the reason this is happening. You let my husband die without any backup.”
