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Rose’s skin itched, a creeping sensation that made her want to look over her shoulder. She couldn’t shake the feeling that unseen eyes were tracking their every move. The urge to voice her concerns pressed against her lips, but as she glanced around the dive room, she saw the Wolves discarding their gear with a single-minded efficiency.

The last thing she needed was for Finn’s team to question her sanity, to see her as a liability rather than an asset.

She rubbed her upper arms to dispel the goosebumps before putting MARV into hibernation mode. The bio-hybrid would maintain its position outside the habitat for now. Something about MARV remaining outside the Io brought her a flicker of comfort. Even though she’d been desperate to get inside, now she was here, every shadow felt threatening.

She scanned the corners of the room, the perfectly smooth walls offering no hiding places. There’s no one here. Nowhere for anyone to hide . So where was everyone?

Liev was the first to move. “The air is good, but where the hell is everyone?” He shucked off his tanks with a grunt as he exited onto the main floor. He paced the boundary of the dive room, his eyes scanning every corner and crevice before disappearing briefly from view as he stuck his head inside the showers and changing rooms lining one wall.

Rose followed, water splattering from her feet as she stepped off the platform. The air was cool, raising fresh goosebumps on her arms.

Finn worked his way along a series of storage cabinets on the opposite wall. He located a linen closet and pulled out a stack of folded towels, their white terrycloth pristine against the dull metal of the room. He handed one to Rose with a smile that made her heart skip, his fingers brushing against hers in a fleeting moment of contact that sent an unexpected jolt through her body.

“Thanks.” She accepted the towel, trying not to wonder if there was something more behind his attentiveness? Did he treat all his clients with such care?

Stop it. He’s just being professional. No doubt he treats everyone the same.

She peeled her wetsuit from her shoulders, the damp neoprene clinging stubbornly to her skin. The rough fibers of the towel provided a welcome distraction, and she rubbed her face dry with more force than was necessary, as if she could obliterate the tingling sensation that lingered anywhere Finn had touched her.

She was here to find her sister. Nothing more. There had never been time for a relationship in her life and nothing had changed.

She headed into one of the changing rooms, grateful for the momentary solitude. The room was immaculate, the lockers and benches gleaming with sterile precision. She checked a few lockers, her fingers tracing over the neat stacks of wetsuits and dive equipment on the shelves. Everything was in its place, untouched and undisturbed.

Where is everyone?

No signs of struggle, no sign of where they might have gone.

The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end, a primal warning that made her want to get back in the water and swim to the light and never look back.

Stop it. She exhaled a shaky breath.

She headed back to the main dive room in warm clothes retrieved from her dry bag, the soft fabric a welcome relief after the clammy grip of her wetsuit.

The Wolves had also discarded their wet gear. Finn had changed into black cargoes and a t-shirt that strained across the width of his chest. The ink on his forearms flexed as he buckled his belt, the intricate designs becoming taut with each movement. Unable to help herself, she studied the chiseled contour of his body.

“Rose?” Finn looked up abruptly, and hisgaze locked with hers.

Shit. Her cheeks blazed hot. He’d spotted her ogling him.

She spun on her heel and headed over to where Liev and Ethan prepared to open the main door that would give them access to the Io habitat.

“Ready?” Liev asked over his shoulder, his voice tight.

No .

But the Wolves answered with clipped grunts, the faces around Rose set with determination.

Liev hit the access panel on the main exit, and the door slid open with a hushed whoosh of air.

Rose held her breath. The corridor was empty. They were alone .

The space beyond was dimly lit, the emergency lighting set high in the walls, casting a red glow. The opposite wall was glass, offering an uninterrupted view of the far side of the habitat, where it curved back on itself in a huge donut shape.

Her breath stuck in her dry throat, trepidation coursing through her veins. This is it. This is what we came for.

Ethan stepped out into the space, his weapon raised as he scanned the gloom. “Corridor clear. Liev, status?”

Liev shadowed him, their backs bumping as they moved in unison. “Rear clear. No contact.”

“Copy that.” Ethan lowered his weapon, his stance relaxing a little. “Emergency power is our priority and confirmation that life support is stable.”

He studied the habitat floor plan on the compact tablet strapped to his forearm, his brow furrowed with concentration. “Liev, the Environmental Control Hub is on the lower floor. Get down there with Luca and engage the primary power supply and confirm life support logistics. Finn, you’re with me. We’ll head to the command center and liaise with Liev. Once we have our critical systems online, we can take our time to assess the situation and determine what the fuck’s happened here. Stay sharp, keep your eyes and ears open. We don’t know what we’re walking into, and any crew members we find may be in a distressed state. Any questions?”

Rose raised a hand, her gut churning. “What about me?”

Finn held her in place with his gaze. “You’re with me.”