Page 453 of Hidden Depths

Neither of us moved.

Ross pressed the knife against Storm’s throat.

A thin line of blood appeared.

“Now.”

I set my weapon down.

Ben did the same.

Ross smiled.

“The great Ward Allen. Brought to his knees by a woman he barely knows.”

I kicked my gun away.

“You’re wrong.”

“About what?”

“I know her.”

Storm’s eyes locked on mine.

I continued.

“I know she carries everyone else’s fear so her sisters can sleep. I know she listens to engines because silence frightens her. I know she stands at the helm during storms because she doesn’t trust anyone else to bring her family home.”

Ross tightened his grip.

“And I know she won’t let you use her as a shield.”

Storm drove her head backward.

Her skull struck his face.

At the same moment, I moved.

Ross swung the knife.

Storm caught his wrist.

I hit him from the side.

All three of us crashed onto the ledge.

The metal case slid away.

Ben grabbed Storm and pulled her clear.

Ross drove the knife toward my chest.

I caught his arm.

The blade stopped inches from my heart.

Ross smiled through the blood covering his mouth.