Page 108 of Rescuing Ally: Part 1

“Absolutely, two honorary Angels,” Malia decides without missing a beat. “Violet survived Rebel as a sister, which is probably more dangerous anyway. And since Carter and Blake are twins, and Carter’s an official Guardian Protector, Jenna’s one too.”

Rebel tosses a throw pillow at Malia, which she dodges expertly.

“I was a great big sister… until.” Her expression darkens, but she doesn’t finish whatever she was going to say.

“To Charlie’s Angels,” Sophia says, raising her glass. “And to surviving the men of Charlie team.”

We clink glasses, and the sound rings through the apartment like a promise.

“So,” Malia says, settling into the couch beside me, her voice dropping conspiratorially. “Now that we’re all here, I’ve been dying to ask—” she glances around at the others “—is anyone else curious about what it’s like to handle two alpha males at once?”

“Malia!” Heat immediately rushes to my cheeks.

“What? We’re all friends here,” she says, completely unrepentant. “Besides, Gabe and Hank are… well, they’re a lot individually. Together? I can’t even imagine.”

All eyes turn to me, curious but not judgmental. Despite my embarrassment, there’s something freeing about being among women who understand the unique dynamics of loving men who live dangerous lives.

Jenna leans forward. “You don’t have to share if you don’t want to, but… we’re all curious.”

I take a generous sip of wine, gathering courage. “It’s… intense,” I admit finally. “They’re both so commanding in different ways.”

“Called it,” Malia whispers loudly to Sophia, who shushes her.

“Hank is… deliberate. Steady. He thinks everything through.” I pause, searching for the right words. “Gabe is more impulsive and passionate.”

“And in bed?” Rebel asks, unapologetically direct.

The wine makes me braver than I might otherwise be. “Theycomplement each other. What one starts, the other finishes. It’s like… they communicate without words.”

“God, that sounds hot,” Malia sighs.

“It is,” I admit, surprising myself with my candor. “But it’s more than that. It’s like they’ve created this space where I’m completely… I don’t know, held. Protected.”

“I get that,” Sophia says quietly. “Blake’s the same way. After what happened to me, I didn’t think I could ever feel safe again. But he makes me feel… untouchable.”

Max suddenly raises his head, ears forward, alertness in every line of his body. He stands, moving to the center of the room, his posture tense.

“What is it, boy?” Jenna asks, immediately on edge.

The dog walks to the door, sniffing along the bottom edge before woofing softly.

Jenna relaxes. “It’s just the night patrol,” she explains. “He recognizes their footsteps. Carter trained him to distinguish between familiar and unfamiliar personnel.”

Max returns to his spot as if confirming her assessment, though he remains slightly more vigilant than before.

Mia nods, her expression thoughtful. “Rigel can be so intimidating to others, but with me, he’s different. Gentle, but still strong.”

“It’s the duality that gets me,” Jenna adds. “Carter can disable a man twice his size in seconds, but he treats me like I’m made of glass.” She smiles down at Max. “Both of them do. This fierce protector who’d take another bullet for me without hesitation also sleeps at the foot of our bed and whines when Carter doesn’t let him on the furniture.”

Max looks up at her with soulful eyes as if understanding he’s being discussed.

“Don’t give me that look,” she tells him. “You know you’re spoiled.”

“Not Walt,” Malia laughs. “He treats me like I’m made of steel. Says I’m the strongest person he knows.”

“You are,” Rebel says firmly. “You survived Malfor. We all did.”

A momentary silence falls over the room at themention of that name. It’s the shadow that connects us all—the shared trauma that brought each of us into the orbit of Guardian HRS and the men of Charlie team.

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