Page 105 of Ranger's Wildflower

---

I understood.

This wasn’t normal.

This was what happened when the truth made powerful people nervous.

Ace opened the door.

And suddenly—

The space filled.

Blaze stepped in first, laptop already in hand.

Behind him—

Beast.

Broad. Solid. Quiet.

And then Trigger.

Sharp eyes. Focused. Watching everything.

The room felt smaller instantly.

Safer.

And somehow—

More dangerous at the same time.

“We’ve got eyes on the street,” Blaze said without preamble. “Traffic’s heavier than usual. Couple of unfamiliar vehicles circling.”

My stomach dropped.

“They’re already watching?” I asked.

“Wouldn’t be surprised,” Trigger said. “Story like this? You just painted a target on your back.”

I swallowed hard.

Right.

Of course I did.

Ace stepped closer to me.

Not touching.

But there.

Always there.

“We’ve got you covered,” Beast said simply.

His voice was calm.

Certain.

---