Page 251 of Rangers Mountain Rescue

---

That line.

Thatdon’t push me.

Behind me, I hear Aspen stand.

Feel her presence at my back.

Close.

Trusting.

Choosing me.

Again.

Always.

“Why are you really here?” she asks.

Her voice is steady.

Stronger than before.

Good.

The agent’s gaze shifts to her.

Then back to me.

Like he knows better than to ignore her—but also knows I’m the one he has to get through.

Smart man.

But not smart enough.

“We’re here to contain a situation that’s already spiraling,” he says.

“Then start talking,” I reply.

A pause.

Then—

“You killed one of our assets tonight.”

There it is again.

That word.

Asset.

Like it means something.

Like it excuses everything.

“Funny,” I say. “He was pointing a gun at people I care about.”

The agent doesn’t flinch.

---