Page 24 of Rescuing Ally: Part 1

“You can maintain the perimeter outside. We’ll keep her safe in here.” Gabe shifts his tone to something more professional.

Something passes between them—professional respect, maybe, or some security team shorthand. Harrison nods sharply and leads his team outside, though they position themselves with clear sightlines through the café’s windows.

My fingers twist as heat floods through me.

The promise in Hank’s voice makes my stomach do little flips, and I have to bite my lip to keep from smiling too obviously. The café suddenly feels too warm, too public for the thoughts racingthrough my mind.

“Don’t make fun of me,” I grumble. “Dad wouldn’t let me leave without them.”

“We’re not laughing at you,” Gabe says, though his eyes are still twinkling. “We’re glad you’re taking security seriously.”

“Besides,” Hank adds, “it saves us having to do a risk assessment on the café ourselves, though we already checked all the exit routes and camera positions when we arrived.”

I look between them, realizing they’re not joking about the security checks. “You two never really stop being protective, do you?”

“Never.” Gabe’s answer comes immediately.

“You look well,” Hank observes, his gaze lingering in a way that sends warmth cascading down my spine.

“Thanks,” I reply, suddenly aware of how my pulse has quickened. “It’s good to see you both.”

Hank’s gaze holds mine for a moment longer than necessary, and the flicker of heat behind his calm exterior makes my breath catch. He steps closer first, opening his arms in a way that sends a flutter of anticipation through my stomach. When I move in for the hug, it’s more than a polite greeting—his arms come around me fully, his hold warm and undeniably possessive.

The press of his body against mine lingers for several heartbeats, too long to be casual. My pulse races, and I inhale his faint scent—something clean and solid that makes my mind drift to the memory of being carried in his arms. His lips brush against my temple, so light I might have imagined it if not for the way his arms tighten fractionally around me.

“Missed you,” he murmurs against my hair, his voice dropping to a register that sends a shiver down my spine. “More than I should admit.”

When Hank finally lets me go, Gabe steps forward, a knowing smile playing on his lips. He offers the same invitation, arms extended just enough for me to slip into his embrace. His hug is different: firm in a way that anchors me, with his fingertips pressing slightly into the small of my back. The moment his cheek brushes mine, his lips graze my ear deliberately.

“We’ve been thinking about you,” Gabe whispers, his breath warm against my skin, making the fine hairs on my neck stand up. His hand slides up my back in a slow, deliberate caress before he releases me, the ghost of his touch lingering even after he steps away.

When I pull back, the café feels smaller, the rest of the world a distant hum behind the glass windows. I can’t quite stop a deep blush from coloring my cheeks as I slide into the U-shaped booth, my skin still humming with the memory of their hands, their whispers, and the solid press of their bodies against mine.

A current of energy crackles between us—charged, electric, and undeniable.

I clear my throat, willing my voice to steady. “Well, you two certainly haven’t lost your knack for making me feel…” I pause, searching for the right word. “ … protected,” I finish, though the word feels inadequate for the heat still coursing through me.

Hank slides in on my left, his arm brushing mine as he settles, the brief contact enough to rekindle the warmth his embrace had ignited.

“Old habits,” he says, though the ghost of a smile plays at the edges of his mouth, a silent acknowledgment of what just passed between us.

Gabe slides in on my right, the two of them flanking me. He shares a brief, meaningful glance with Hank before shifting his focus back to me. His knee presses against mine under the table, a deliberate point of contact he makes no effort to break.

“We’re just happy to see you again,” Gabe says, his eyes warm as they meet mine. “You’re looking well.” His gaze lingers on my face, a smile playing at the corners of his mouth. “Especially with that blush coloring your cheeks. I wonder why that is?”

The teasing note in his voice is gentle yet knowing, and the way he looks at me clearly shows he understands precisely what’s causing my reaction.

My cheeks warm further under his scrutiny, but I don’t look away. “I missed you both,” I admit, surprising myself with my honesty. “More than I expected to.” The words come out softer than intended, hanging between us likea confession.

“We missed you, too,” Hank says quietly from my other side, his voice a low rumble that sends a pleasant shiver through me.

Hank’s lips curve into a slow smile, and Gabe’s eyes darken. It’s obvious they revel in knowing exactly how much they affect me, and neither bothers to hide it.

Gabe lets out a low chuckle while Hank shifts subtly closer, his thigh pressing against mine in a mirror of Gabe’s position.

“Care to explain why your pretty cheeks are so flushed?” Gabe asks, his voice a mixture of curiosity and heat. “Or is there something you’re not telling us?”

I meet his gaze directly, my chin lifting in a show of boldness even as heat spreads further up my neck and across my chest.

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