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Silence fills the room.

Heavy.

Sharp.

Dangerous all over again.

My heart starts to beat faster—

But not from fear.

From something else.

Something colder.

“So this isn’t over,” I say.

Ace’s jaw tightens.

“No.”

I nod slowly.

Processing.

Adjusting.

Because I’ve done this before.

I’ve lived in the space where danger doesn’t just disappear.

Where it waits.

Builds.

Comes back stronger.

I look at Ace.

“Then we don’t wait for it,” I say.

His eyes lock onto mine.

Sharp.

Focused.

“And we don’t run.”

A beat.

Then—

Something shifts in him.

Not resistance.

Not this time.