Page 279 of Hidden Depths

“Hello, Tonya.”

Her name struck somewhere deep inside me.

His fiancée.

Of course, she would call him. I couldn’t forget he was getting married.

He had a life beyond Sea Whisper.

A life beyond danger and secret charts.

A life beyond me.

I turned away.

Then the wind shifted.

Carrying his voice across the dock.

“I’m safe.”

A pause.

“No, I can’t tell you where I am.”

I should have walked away.

Instead, I stood frozen beside the rail.

Ward lowered his voice.

“I know I should have called.”

Another pause.

His shoulders tightened.

“I didn’t exactly have a choice.”

Whatever Tonya said made him drag one hand over his face.

“I understand that.”

The words sounded tired.

Not angry.

Not loving.

Just tired.

Calle stepped beside me.

She followed my gaze and immediately understood.

“Storm.”

“I’m not listening.”