Page 208 of Hidden Depths

Then—

"I think they've got something waiting for us."

38

Storm

Grandfather used to tell me.

“The sea never starts the fight. It simply reveals who was prepared for it.”

— James Sinclair

The first shot wasn't aimed at us.

It was aimed at the water.

The bullet skipped across the waves fifty yards off our bow, sending a spray into the air.

A warning.

I looked at Ward.

"They're telling us where to go."

His jaw tightened.

"I'm done taking directions from killers."

He grabbed the radio.

"Nathan."

"I'm here."

"How many?"

"Three boats now."

My stomach dropped.

"There were only two."

"There were."

His voice stayed calm.

"Third one just came over the horizon."

Ward looked through the windshield, his eyes narrowing.

"They've planned this."

"They've been planning it for years," I whispered.

Sea Whisper surged forward as I advanced the throttles.

Sea Whisper wasn't built for war. She'd been built for family vacations, lazy afternoons on the water, fishing trips with Grandpa, and quiet sunsets along the coast. She was meant to carry laughter, not gunfire. But today, she was all that stood between my family and the people trying to destroy us.