Page 53 of Rescuing Ally: Part 1

Gabe lets out a low whistle. “Then why did you leave it behind?”

I bristle at his teasing tone. “I was a little distracted.”

The words come out sharper than I intend, but they’re covering something deeper—something that still lingers in the edges of my mind.

Because I remember why I was distracted.

The plane. The shower. The way I shut down, my body exhausted, my mind tangled in knots. I hadn’t realized how much I was holding in, how the weight of everything pressed so hard against my ribs that I couldn’t breathe.

And then they were there.

Hank had been the first to move, his touch firm but careful as he guided me into the shower. Gabe followed, not saying much, but the look in his eyes said everything—we’ve got you.The warm water sluiced over my skin, but the heat didn’t anchor me. It was their hands, their voices, and the quiet, tender way they washed me.

Hank worked shampoo through my hair, his fingers strong but gentle against my scalp, massaging in slow, grounding strokes. Gabe knelt, running soapy hands down my legs, smoothing over every inch of me like I was something fragile, something to be handled rather than just touched. They didn’t push, didn’t expect anything from me in return.

By the time they wrapped me in a thick towel, I felt safe. Held. And then I slept—deeply, completely—the kind of sleep I hadn’t had in years.

Standing here and looking at them, I realize how much that moment meant.

I exhale, some of the tension slipping from my shoulders. “I wasreallydistracted.” My voice is softer this time, laced with something else.

Something they seem to recognize because Gabe’s smirk fades just a little, his fingers grazing my arm. Hankwatches me, unreadable, but there’s something warm in his expression, something knowing.

“Yeah, luv,” Hank murmurs, his voice dipping low. “We know.”

And somehow, that makes my relief even sweeter.

His lazy smile is all slow amusement, but something softens in his eyes, like he sees me, sees how my shoulders have tightened and how I’m gripping the napkin like a lifeline.

Hank nods once, standing smoothly. He walks toward a nearby drawer. “You should’ve said something sooner, luv.”

I track his movements, my pulse kicking up. “So you do have it?”

Hank opens a drawer and retrieves a small, familiar black USB drive. He turns, holding it up between two fingers. “Of course.”

Relief slams into me so hard I have to press a hand to my chest. “Oh my God.” I push off the stool, reaching for it, but Hank doesn’t give it to me immediately.

Instead, he studies me, his sharp blue eyes narrowing just slightly. “This is that important to you?”

I nod, stomach twisting, my fingers itching to snatch it away. “Yes.”

Gabe hums from behind me, his hand brushing the small of my back. “I think she owes us a proper thank you for retrieving it. We did have to dig through all the trash to find it.”

My breath catches as Hank’s lips curve into something slow and knowing.

Gabe’s fingers slide along my spine, featherlight. “We’ve got just enough time for a proper thank you before your ride gets here.”

A different kind of heat spreads through me, my nerves twisting into anticipation.

My USB is safe.

And now, they’re going to make me earn it.

Gabe’s eyes gleam with something wicked, something unmistakable.

“If you want to reward us for our good deed…” He sets a mug down, lazy and deliberate, his smirk deepening. “I’m sure we could work something out.”

Hank chuckles, low and knowing, his gaze sweeping over me like he already has plans.

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