Page 19

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That was too fucking much.

Finn strode down the oppressive corridor, his boots echoing against the metal flooring. He wasn’t claustrophobic, but the pitch-black presence of the lake was suffocating from behind the glass walls. His mind churned with the heated exchange he’d just had with Rose, replaying every accusation he’d hurled at her.

As the adrenaline of confrontation ebbed, a creeping sense of unease settled in his gut. He’d pushed Rose hard, probing for weaknesses. It was a tactic he’d employed countless times in the field, but this was different.

He came to a halt, splayed his hands on the glass, rested his forehead against the smoothness. He’d crossed a line. Rose wasn’t a hostile combatant to be interrogated or judged. She was a civilian, a scientist, and more importantly, his task was to protect her.

“Shit.” His breath fogged the glass. He’d let his frustration and experiences with the OSC cloud his judgment.

He pushed away from the window and turned on his heel. He needed to make this right. The comms in his ear hissed.

“Rose. This is Duke. Med bay. Now. Your sister’s awake.”

Her sister. Awake.

Ahead, Rose exited the lab, her gaze fixed on the floor, the line of her shoulders stiff.

She turned away from him, heading up the corridor. Fuck . His fault. His aggressive questioning had rattled her.

“Rose. Wait.” He hustled to catch up with her.

“Yes?” Wariness filled her eyes. “I’m heading to the med bay. My sister’s awake.”

He had to make this good. The urge to reach out and comfort her was strong, but he held back, uncertain of his welcome. Instead, he fell into step beside her, their feet tracking the blue line on the floor that would lead them to the med bay. “I owe you an apology. I came on way too strong back there and I was out of line.”

Rose slowed, but she didn’t stop or look at him.

“In my line of work, incomplete intel can get people killed. I’ve lost teammates because the OSC didn’t give us the full picture.” He tugged at his hair, the confusing urge to drag her into his arms and smooth the worry from her forehead running molten through his blood. “You should have told us. But I overreacted.”

She came to a halt and planted her hands on her hips. “You were right. I should have told you. I’m not sure why I didn’t. This place.” She gestured at their surroundings. “It has me on edge, and I don’t even know why.”

He took a deep breath. “I’m sorry for how I handled it. You deserve better than that.”

Rose nodded. “Yeah. Me too.”

“So. Thea’s awake. Do you want me to come with you to the med bay? ”

“Sure.” A small smile tilted her mouth. He’d take that as a win.

Rose began to walk again. “Thea and I, we weren’t always like this.” She sighed. “Estranged, I mean.”

He remained silent, not wanting to interrupt.

“Years ago, we were both working on a research project in robotics, but the concept was mine. A breakthrough in adaptive AI for deep-sea exploration drones. I poured everything into it. We both did. Late nights, missed meals, endless simulations. And then...”

The corridor ahead split two ways, and they took the left together.

“Thea published our research. As her own. Without telling me.”

“Jesus.”

“She was lauded for it. Conferences, speaking engagements, job offers.” She gave a small snort of disbelief. “I tried to contact her, to ask her what the hell was going on, but she cut me off. Refused to answer my emails. Changed her phone number. I even went to her apartment. She wouldn’t answer the goddamn door.” She shook her head.

“I was ready to try and understand. It wasn’t long after our parents died in a car accident. People do crazy things when they’re grieving, right? I was a mess, barely holding it together. Thea was grieving too, but she saw an opportunity and took it.”

He sucked air between his teeth. No wonder she hadn’t wanted to mention the fucking sister. “Rose?—”

“It’s ancient history now.” But the tension around her eyes told him differently. She halted, frowned. “Is this the access to the shuttle?”

His gaze followed hers to a double-wide door and access panel. Their lifeline to the surface—or what was left of it .

The entrance panel was a fused, blackened mess. Someone had taken a blowtorch to it, leaving the metal scorched and warped. Finn ran a finger through the residue. Soot.

“Blowtorch for sure.” He wiggled a finger in a gash, whistled low. “Hatchet too maybe.” He’d expected system failures, environmental damage. But this was something else. This was sabotage.

Rose traced the warped metal, her fingers meeting his. The contact jolted through him like a live wire. Damn it. Each time he thought he had his response to her under control, she’d do something simple like this and wreck his composure all over again. Somehow, she’d slipped past every defense he’d built since his release from the brig.

“This looks purposeful.” She studied the mess of metal.

“Yeah. My thoughts exactly.” He palmed the door lock, grateful for something else to think about than the softness of her skin. The locking mechanism remained stubbornly inert, neither glowing red nor green. He studied the ceiling as if it would provide answers to all his questions. “Why would they sabotage access to the surface?”

“I don’t know.” She hugged her arms, shivering.

“Let’s hope they stopped at trashing the access and left the shuttle operational.”

“Finn, what do you think really happened down here?” Her voice was hushed.

“Maybe—”

“Finn.” Ethan’s voice cut in. “Location check.”

“Approaching med bay. We’ve found the shuttle access point.”

“Status report?”

“Complete sabotage. Hatchet damage and then torched. Panel’s fused shut. ”

“Shit.” Succinct and so appropriate.

“Yeah.” He exhaled. “We’ll need a breach kit to access the shuttle. Can’t assess its condition until we’re through.”

“Copy that. Rose still on comms?”

“Here, Ethan.” She nodded automatically, making Finn’s mouth quirk despite everything.

“Med bay.” Ethan’s tone was clipped. “ Now. Duke’s waiting.”