Page 209 of Hidden Tide
“You’re staying on the base.”
“Yes.”
He studies my face as though he expects an argument.
“I said yes.”
“I heard you.”
“You don’t have to sound suspicious.”
“You tried to climb onto a moving Coast Guard boat three days ago.”
“I was helping.”
“You were nearly shot.”
“Those two things can happen at the same time.”
Piers laughs somewhere behind him.
Ben ignores him.
“I’m coming back.”
“You’d better.”
The promise passes between us without needing anything more.
Ben and his team leave Blue Lantern.
Marquez’s agents transport Marcus from Hazel’s building while another federal team brings Elliot and Arthur to separate secured locations. Peter is taken for medical treatment.
Within minutes, everyone is moving toward the salvage yard.
Everyone except us.
Waiting may be the hardest thing my family has ever been asked to do.
Storm paces.
Ivy watches the tactical feeds.
Willow makes coffee no one drinks.
Hazel sits beside Mom while Nathan and Ward remain close.
Thomas stares at the photograph of the Argent Star.
“That was the Mariner’s Crown,” he whispers.
“How can you be sure?” I ask.
“The shape of the bow. James repaired it once after Donald damaged it entering Blackwater.”
“Grandpa worked on Donald’s ship?”
“Before he knew what Donald was using it for.”
