Page 208 of Rangers Mountain Rescue

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“No,” I say firmly.

Her head shakes.

“Yes—this is about me—about us—”

I step closer.

Grip her shoulders.

Make her look at me.

“Listen to me,” I say, low and steady. “We don’t know that yet. It’s not on you; it’s on whatever Tank knew, not you.”

But we both do.

We both feel it.

And I see it in her face—

That spiral.

That guilt.

That fear.

I don’t let it take her.

“We’re getting him back,” I say.

Not a promise.

A fact.

Her breath catches.

“You don’t know that.”

“I do.”

Because I’m already planning it.

Already tracking it.

Already seeing the ways this plays out.

And none of them end with us losing.

Her fingers clutch my shirt.

“You don’t understand,” she says, voice breaking. “I promised Tank I would take care of his grandpa—”

I pull her into me.

Tight.

Solid.

“We’ll get him back,” I say quietly.

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