“We were supposed to be transporting intelligence assets.” Her jaw tightened briefly. “Instead we drove into an ambush.”
Trigger crossed his arms.
“And Caleb?”
A sad laugh escaped her softly.
“He came out of nowhere.”
That sounded about right.
“He and two men found us pinned down in a canyon.” Ava looked down briefly. “I was hit twice. One of my agents lost a leg.”
Rain hammered harder outside.
“He carried me three miles through enemy territory afterthe helicopter couldn’t land.”
Wolf whistled quietly.
“Yeah. That sounds like a McDougal.”
I looked away briefly.
Because it did.
Ava’s eyes returned to me slowly.
“Your brother saved six people that night.”
Flick looked at me carefully now.
Like she was trying to understand where men like us came from.
And honestly?
I wasn’t sure anybody ever fully could.
Ava exhaled slowly.
“After that, Caleb told me something.”
My attention sharpened instantly.
“What?”
Her expression turned serious.
“He said if I was ever truly desperate…” Her eyes moved around the room. “…find the Rangers in Eagle River.”
Trigger blinked.
“Wait. We’re an emergency contact?”
Wolf looked mildly offended.
“You say that like we’re not lovable.”
“You threatened a man with bleach tonight.”
