Page 107 of Ranger's Wildflower

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I understood something I hadn’t before.

It wasn’t just danger that followed them.

It was protection too.

Loyalty.

People who didn’t walk away when things got hard.

Blaze was already settingup at the table in the corner.

“I’m tracking everything online,” he said. “Story’s spreading fast. National outlets are picking it up.”

My heart skipped.

“National?”

“Yeah,” he said. “And the comments…”

He paused.

“Let’s just say public opinion’s not on Reynolds’ side right now.”

Good.

Let him feel it.

For once.

Trigger moved toward the window,scanning outside.

“Two cars just passed again,” he said.

“Same ones?” Ace asked.

“Yeah.”

My stomach twisted.

“This is real,” I whispered.

“Yeah,” Ace said. “It is.”

I wrapped my arms around myself, but it wasn’t fear driving it this time.

It was awareness.

Understanding.

This was the world they lived in.

The one I’d avoided.

The one I said I didn’t want.

And now—

I was part of it.

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