Page 205 of Rescuing Ally: Part 1

“Oh, that sounds fun,” Rebel says. “And we should bet on which of the guys figures it out first, but no one can spill the beans. We have to swear on it.”

“Look at you all,” I say, gesturing around our little circle. “Charlie’s Angels, indeed. Though I’m not sure Charlie knew what kind of heavenly experiences his team would be providing.”

Malia’s fascinated expression is worth every second of this conversation. She might act scandalized, but I can see the questions forming behind her eyes. Good. Walt better be ready for what’s coming his way.

Chapter 54

The coffee shopslows to a lull just before the lunch rush, leaving me with a minute to breathe. Jenna wipes down the counter while Malia leans against the back wall, scrolling through her phone. The quiet feels like a gift—brief but welcome—though it won’t last long. I’m bent over, restocking the smallest coffee cups, when a voice cuts through my focus.

“I figured you’d be out saving the world or at least reworking the world of quantum physics by now.”

The cadence and the familiar teasing lilt make me straighten too quickly. I spin around to find Malikai standing a few feet from the counter. His easy, crooked smile makes it impossible not to grin back.

“Mal,” I brush a stray hair from my face. “Don’t tell me you’re taking a break for once.”

“Break’s a strong word.” He shrugs, sticking his hands into the front pockets of his bomber jacket. “Let’s call it… strategic caffeine procurement. Though I mostly came to see Malia,” he adds, nodding toward his sister, who’s already heading toward the counter with a knowing smirk.

“Oh, don’t pretend you’re here for me,” she teases, shruggingout of her apron. “Ally’s the one who likes talking to you. I just tolerate you, and honestly, even that’s generous.”

It’s hard not to laugh at how Malikai handles her jabs—the same way I imagine he always has, with an eye-roll as dramatic as any sibling rivalry demands.

“You love me, and you know it,” he fires back dryly before turning his attention fully to me. “But she’s not wrong. How’s life as a barista? Are you spending any time studying?”

I shrug, gesturing toward the counter chaos with a wry smile. “It’s… caffeinated. I’ve brewed enough lattes in the last week to keep the entire Guardian ops division awake for a year. But honestly? I don’t hate it.”

“A caffeine-dealing physicist,” he muses, his grin turning gentler. “Not quite the fierce researcher I remember when we were building a fusion reactor in a glorified dungeon, huh?”

The words hang between us—not heavy,exactly, but weighted. Like the air shifts whenever it comes up:Kazakhstan, the captivity, the long hours spent working together under the watchful eyes of those who held us.

He’s one of the few people who truly understands what happened there and who I was in that space.

Who I had no choice but to be.

“There are definitely fewer people yelling at me,” I say lightly, though I can feel my voice hitch slightly at the memory.

“Fewer armed guards, too,” Malikai nods. His voice is casual, but there’s something in his eyes—something reflective and quiet that makes me wonder how often the memories still creep up on him.

It strikes me then how strange it is that neither of us will ever entirely leave those shadows behind. Even here in the bright light of Guardian HQ, surrounded by safety, people, and warmth, those memories will linger.

But Malikai, as always, shifts gears with the ease of someone who knows when a moment has run its course. He leans against the counter, nodding toward the tray of croissants waitingfor restocking.

“So, about that PhD. Are you going to tackle your defense or keep procrastinating until quantum mechanics becomes obsolete?”

I snort, giving him a mock glare as I toss an apron towel at him. “It’s not procrastinating, thank you very much. It’s strategic delays brought on by extenuating circumstances.”

“Uh-huh,” he deadpans, catching the towel and folding it neatly. “Because defending your thesis post-kidnapping is so easy to schedule.”

“I’m getting there,” I protest, though I can feel my grin pulling wider at his exaggerated look of disbelief.

“Well, Mitzy told me you wouldn’t work until you secured your doctorate. I’m here to ensure that happens sooner rather than later.”

“You?”

“Me.” He leans against the counter, crossing his arms. “I’m heading up their physics department. Full rein, full funding, no bureaucratic bullshit. Everything I need to take my research further than I ever could in academia.”

“Holy shit, Malikai.” My lips part, genuinely stunned. “That’s—wow. I mean, that’s huge.”

He smirks. “Yeah, well, Mitzy has a thing for poaching the best.” His eyes flick to me, assessing. “Which is why I wanted to ask—have you considered what’s next? After you finish that doctorate, there’s a place for you here if you want.”

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