Page 39 of Cold Ignition

“Not bad,” he said.

Ahi didn’t respond.

Because behind them—two black vans rolled in.

Rangi’s gaze sharpened immediately, instincts kicking in before thought could catch up. Doors opened, and men stepped out.

A unit. And he recognized them. Rangi felt it click.

Felt the shape of it slot into place with a clarity that hit like a punch to the chest.

“Holy—” he breathed.

Beside him, Alexios went very still.

Then a low, almost incredulous sound left him.

“Ah.”

Rangi turned his head slowly.

Back to Ahi, his pulse kicked up again, for an entirely different reason.

“No way,” he muttered.

Ahi reached up, unlatched the helmet, and lifted it off.

And just like that—

Keanu stood there.

Rangi stared at him.

Then barked a laugh that had more edge in it than humor. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

Alexios exhaled sharply beside him, something like a laugh threading through it. “Of course it’s him.”

Rangi dragged a hand down his face. “You could’ve led with that.”

Keanu—Ahi—grinned, unapologetic. “Where’s the fun in that?”

Rangi shook his head, still staring at him like he was trying to reconcile two versions of the same man.

“Yeah,” he muttered. “I’m going to be mad about this for at least five minutes.”

Alexios leaned back slightly, voice dry. “You’ll get over it.”

Rangi shot him a look. “You’re not helping.”

Alexios’s mouth curved faintly. “I’m enjoying it.”

Keanu laughed outright at that.

And damn it—Rangi felt something in his chest settle anyway.

Even as he glared. Even as he tried to hold onto the irritation.

Because now—now he knew exactly who he was looking at.