Page 380 of Hidden Depths

“You were willing to help kidnap five women and murder their mother,” Nathan said. “You should be grateful Ward hasn’t shot you.”

“I didn’t touch the mother.”

Nathan took one step toward him.

The man flinched.

“Excellent time to stop talking,” Ben warned.

Storm moved closer to me.

“I’m not leaving without you.”

Her voice was low enough that the others couldn’t hear.

“You’re going up those stairs.”

“So are you.”

“I’ll be right behind you.”

“You told me not to make promises I couldn’t keep.”

“I can keep this one.”

“How?”

“Because nothing in this mountain could make me stay while your sisters are in danger.”

She searched my face.

For one dangerous second, the cavern disappeared.

There was no countdown.

No enemy.

No family secret buried beneath us.

Only Storm.

And the knowledge that if I reached for her, I wouldn’t want to let go.

I stepped back.

“Go.”

She did.

But she looked over her shoulder twice before the darkness swallowed her.

I hauled the guard to his feet.

“You’re coming with us.”

Relief crossed his face.

It didn’t last.