Page 87 of Rangers Mountain Rescue

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The words come out rough.

“I would never—”

I stop.

Too late.

She looks up at me.

Understanding flickers in her eyes.

“I didn’t mean—”

“I know what you meant,” I cut in.

My jaw tightens.

Guilt creeps in.

Fast.

Sharp.

Wrong.

I take a step back.

Then another.

Creating space.

Where there should’ve been space all along.

“Get some sleep, Aspen,” I say.

My voice is controlled again.

Distant.

Safe.

“I’ll be here.”

She nods slowly.

But her eyes stay on me.

And I can feel it.

That pull.

That connection.

That shouldn’t exist.

I glance at the stars knowing in my heart.

This is no longer just about protecting Tank’s family.

And that?

That’s a problem.

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