Page 105 of Hidden Tide
I look down at the blood on his shirt.
“Are you hurt?”
“It’s Ward’s blood.”
“What about when you hit Cross?”
“My knuckles will survive.”
I take his hand.
The skin is split across two knuckles.
I lift it carefully and press my lips against the uninjured part.
Ben goes completely still.
“Thank you,” I whisper.
“For what?”
“Not locking me in that storage room.”
“I considered it.”
“I would have broken out.”
“I know.”
His fingers curl around mine.
“I’m beginning to understand that protecting you doesn’t mean keeping you away from every danger.”
“What does it mean?”
“Standing close enough to catch you when you throw yourself at an armed man with a chair.”
I smile despite everything.
“That sounds reasonable.”
“It doesn’t feel reasonable.”
An officer appears in the doorway.
“The transport is five minutes out.”
Mom hurries toward the hall.
Storm follows, pulling Ward with her despite the medic’s protests.
We wait inside the secured entrance as armored headlights sweep across the building.
The rear doors open.
Willow comes out first.
I run to her.
