Page 194 of Rangers Mountain Rescue

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Same words.

Different moment.

But this time they’re steel.

Not softness.

I cross the room in seconds.

Pull her to me.

Check her quickly—no blood, no injuries. She’s fine, I know that, but I still need to see for myself.

“Everything is okay?” I say.

She nods, breath shaky.

“What’s happening?”

“Someone got inside,” I say.

Her face pales slightly.

“Dylan—”

“I’ll get him.”

But she’s already moving.

Of course she is, because she’s strong.

Brave.

Terrifying.

We move together into the adjoining room.

Dylan is still asleep.

Somehow.

Through gunfire.

Through chaos.

Kids.

Aspen rushes to his side, brushing a hand over his hair, relief breaking across her face.

And I—

I stand in the doorway.

Watching them.

And something inside me locks into place.

Not just protection.

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