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“I’m tired…” he says softly.

And that’s it.

That’s all it takes.

The guy holding him loses patience.

“Get up!” he snaps, yanking him harder.

Too hard.

Aspen moves.

I don’t stop her this time.

Because we’re already in position.

“Hey!” she shouts.

All three men turn.

Too late.

I step out of the shadows.

Weapon up.

“Drop it,” I say.

Calm.

Flat.

Deadly.

They hesitate.

One second.

That’s all they get.

The one on the left goes for his gun.

I fire.

He drops.

The second swings toward Aspen—

Ace takes him down before he can even raise his weapon.

The third—

He shoves Grandpa forward.

Uses him like a shield.

Coward.