Page 337 of Hidden Depths

Alive.

Nathan took the phone from Ward.

He studied the photograph without speaking.

Something changed in him.

The easy humor disappeared.

The patient man who carried Rose’s luggage and listened to Grandpa’s stories vanished.

What remained was something harder.

Older.

Dangerous.

“Nathan?” I whispered.

He enlarged the photograph.

His gaze moved across Mom’s face.

Her restraints.

The wall behind her.

Then back to her face.

His thumb brushed the screen.

So gently...

I almost didn’t see it.

“We’re bringing her home,” he said.

His voice was quiet.

But every SEAL on the deck looked at him.

Ward studied his face.

“You care about her.”

Nathan didn’t look away from the photograph.

“For most of my life.”

The words stole my breath.

Calle stared at him.

Willow covered her mouth.

Hazel’s eyes filled with tears.

Ivy whispered, “Mom knows?”