Page 417 of Hidden Depths

Storm finally looked over Hazel’s head.

She found me.

The pain in her face eased.

She crossed the dock.

I expected her to ask what happened.

I expected her to check whether I was hurt.

Instead, she wrapped both arms around me.

The force of it knocked me back one step.

I held her.

I had no choice.

My body recognized where she belonged before my mind could argue.

Her face pressed against my chest.

“You came back.”

“I promised.”

“I thought the explosion⁠—”

“I know.”

Her fingers tightened in my wet shirt.

I lowered my face to her hair.

Around us, people moved across the dock.

Coast Guard officers shouted instructions.

Medics treated the wounded.

None of it reached me.

There was only Storm in my arms.

And the truth I could no longer deny.

Tonya had released me from the future we had planned.

But Storm had become the future I wanted.

Ben stepped onto the dock behind us.

He was going after Calle.

Nathan saw the answer in his face.

“Where is she?”