Page 289 of Hidden Depths

“Let’s go downstairs with Ivy.”

Piers moved to the stern and began taking pictures.

Ivy disappeared below with Willow, Hazel, Frank, and Rose.

Calle stayed at the helm.

Ben and the other SEALs spread out along the deck.

Ward remained close to me.

Too close for me to forget the call.

Too close for me to forget Tonya.

I had only heard his side of the conversation.

But after Ward came back aboard, Calle quietly told me what he’d said while I was helping Rose.

Tonya didn’t love him enough to spend the rest of her life with him.

The engagement was over.

Just like that.

A future Ward had counted on...

Gone in the space of one phone call.

I didn’t know what to say to him.

I didn’t know whether he wanted sympathy.

Or silence.

And this wasn’t the time to ask.

A flash came from the fishing boat.

Ward grabbed me and pulled me down.

The windshield behind us shattered.

Glass exploded across the helm.

Calle ducked but kept one hand on the wheel.

“Everyone down!” Ward shouted.

A second shot tore into the side of Sea Whisper.

Ben raised his weapon.

“Shooter at the port window!”

Scott dropped behind the rear seating.

“They’re using suppressed rifles.”