Page 323 of Rangers Mountain Rescue

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And I know it.

I look at the agent.

“Fine,” I say.

His brow lifts slightly.

“But you don’t lead,” I add.

That lands.

Hard.

“You follow my rules,” I continue. “You don’t touch her. You don’t come back here without me. And if I think for one second you’re playing me—”

I let the threat hang.

Don’t need to finish it.

He understands.

After a long beat—

He nods.

“Deal.”

I don’t trust it.

Not even a little.

But I accept it.

Because sometimes?

You fight fire with fire.

I turn back to Aspen.

One last time.

Her eyes are on me.

Holding on.

Letting go.

All at once.

“I’ll be back,” I tell her.

She nods.

“I know.”

And that?

That almost breaks me.

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