Page 112 of Rescuing Ally: Part 2

She reaches for me then, her hand curling around the back of my neck. There’s something in her eyes I can’t name—something ancient and knowing, like she’s seeing through me and into me all at once. Time slows as she pulls me down until our lips meet.

The kiss hits me like a bullet to the chest. Not desperate like the one she gave Gabe, but deep and devastating in its tenderness. A kiss that carries memories—rainstorms in safe houses, quiet mornings watching the sun climb over distant mountains, her laughter against my skin in the darkness. A lifetime of moments distilled into this single point of contact.

My fingers thread through her hair, memorizing its texture. I cradle her head as though it holds everything precious in this world, because for me, it does. I breathe her in—past the antiseptic smell of this hellhole, past the gunpowder and sweat of combat—finding that essence that is purely Ally. I commit it to memory with the desperation of a man who knows what it means to lose something irreplaceable.

Something passes between us in that kiss—unspoken but understood. A current of recognition so profound it aches. Like our souls are having a conversation our minds aren’t privy to.

When we finally break apart, the world seems to have stopped spinning. Her eyes hold mine for one heartbeat, two, a universe of understanding passing between us.

She breaks then, pressing her face into my chest. Her body shakes with sobs she’s probably been holding back for weeks.Survival mode giving way to release. I hold her so tightly my arms tremble with the effort, like I can somehow fold her into myself for safekeeping.

Gabe’s arm wraps around her from the other side, his hand finding my shoulder in a grip that anchors us all. The three of us locked together in a circle that neither Malfor nor death itself could break. A trinity forged in blood and bullets, and this moment of impossible reunion.

I close my eyes, just for a second, and allow myself to feel everything—the weight of her against me, the warmth of her breath through my tactical gear, the subtle tremors of her body as she cries. I store these sensations away like a man packing provisions for a journey he knows he won’t survive.

If this is to be our last moment of peace in this life, I’ll take it. I’ll carry it with me into whatever darkness comes next.

Around us, similar scenes unfold. Ethan pushes past me to reach Rebel, who stands tall despite the dark circles under her eyes. She doesn’t cry—not Rebel’s style—but when Ethan reaches her, her composure cracks just enough. She wears a splint on one arm. Her free hand grips his tactical vest like an anchor as he presses his forehead to hers, whispering words only she can hear.

Carter finds Jenna against the far wall. She’s thinner than I remember, cheekbones sharp beneath her skin, but her eyes light up at the sight of him. Something’s wrong with her right hand. Carter, normally so controlled, moves with uncharacteristic urgency, sweeping her into an embrace that lifts her off her feet.

Jeb stops when he sees Stitch and the careful way she holds herself. Then she’s in his arms, sobbing, and that’s when I see the blood covering her back.

Rigel and Mia’s reunion is quieter. She steps forward, examining his face like she’s cataloging every change since theylast saw each other. When she finally speaks, I can’t hear the words, but Rigel’s shoulders drop as tension bleeds out of him.

Walt barrels past everyone to reach Malia, who meets him halfway. His massive frame dwarfs hers, but there’s nothing but gentleness in the way his hands hover over her, checking for injuries before finally allowing himself to pull her close.

Blake stands awkwardly to the side, no woman of his own to find, but he’s covering our backs while we have our moment. I catch his eye and nod my thanks. He returns the gesture, jaw tight with understanding.

“Can you walk?” I pull back slightly from Ally, tactical mindset reasserting itself.

Ally straightens, wiping tears with the back of her hand. Her chin lifts with that stubborn pride I’ve come to expect from her.

“I can run if I have to,” she says.

That’s my girl.

“Stay between us,” I instruct, as Gabe checks her over for injuries.

“The others,” she says, glancing at the women around us. “We stick together.”

“All coming,” I assure her. “Nobody gets left behind.”

Gabe grips her hand, his eyes never leaving her face. “Not this time. Not ever again.”

I signal to Ethan. “We’re ready.”

Time to get our women out of this hellhole. Time to make Malfor pay.

Mission accomplished. Now comes the hard part—getting everyone home alive.

THIRTY-SEVEN

The Cliff Extraction

GABE

For three heartbeats,nobody moves. Ally’s words hang in the air between us.