Page 172 of Rescuing Ally: Part 1

But behind me—they’re closing in.

Gabe’s laughter is low, close. “She’s veering left!”

“It’s not going to help. She already lost,” Hank answers, a growl laced with certainty.

I don’t dare look again. I feel them. Their footsteps sync with my heartbeat, the heavy thud of boots against earth like war drums behind me. They’re gaining with every breath I steal.

“Five seconds,” Gabe calls, tone dark with promise. “Then you’re ours.”

I push harder, my breath hitching, my muscles screaming. Another step, another?—

Four.

Three.

Two—

Arms wrap around my waist, lifting me clean off the ground mid-stride. I squeal, legs kicking as I’m swung through the air like I weigh nothing.

“Got you,” Hank growls against my ear, voice rough with triumph. His grip tightens around me, holding me effortlessly against his solid frame, my body caged in strength, in possession.

Gabe slows beside us, breathless, grinning wide, the victory glinting in his sharp blue eyes. His hand fists in my hair, tilting my head back just enough to expose my throat. My pulse thrums beneath his fingers, and his lips curve as he leans in, heat rolling off him in waves.

“Told you you wouldn’t win.”

I open my mouth to argue—totaunthim back—but before I can get a word out, his lipscrash into mine.

Hard. Hungry.

The kiss is a brand, a claiming, his mouth parting mine with effortless dominance. His teeth nip at my lower lip, just enough to make me gasp, and he swallows the sound with a deep, satisfied groan. His tongue sweeps in, tasting, teasing, taking, and I melt, trapped between the steel of Hank’s arms and the fire of Gabe’s mouth.

Hank chuckles, the rumble of it vibrating against my back. His grip tightens around my thighs, adjusting my weight, pressing me harder against his shoulder like I’m nothing but a prize he’s claimed.

A prize they both intend to collect.

“Don’t forget who you belong to.” Gabe pulls back slowly, his breath mingling with mine. His grip on my hair tightens just enough to keep me in place, making sure I don’t look away.

I don’t.

Hank huffs a laugh behind me, then, with no warning, slaps my ass, sharp and stinging. “Now we collect our prize.”

I yelp, my thighs clenching around his grip, but it only makes him laugh harder.

“Hope you’re ready, sweetheart.” Gabe smirks, tracing a thumb over my lower lip, swollen from his kiss.

I’m not—but that doesn’t mean I don’t want everything they’re going to give me.

“Put me down!” My world tilts, my stomach drops, and a gasp tears from my throat. I pound Hank’s back, but it’s half-hearted at best.

A sharp smack to my ass silences me.

Heat flares.

Molten.

Deep.

Inevitable.

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