Ethan stalked to the opposite side of the Operations room, getting as far away from Becca as he could within the restricted space. The room was hexagonal with access to each of the spokes of the habitat visible from the Lady. He halted at the far wall, between two doors, facing a bank of blank video and computer monitors. His reflection stared back at him, his jaw tight and hard.

He wanted to slam his fist into the glass but instead had to content himself with twisting his hands around the metal barrel of his weapon till his knuckles popped. Sweat made his grip slippery, forcing him to wipe his palms on the seat of his pants.

His pulse raced as he forced himself to exhale slowly, sliding the emotional brakes on. He squeezed his eyes shut, closing out his chaotic life for an instant of respite. His head throbbed, and his shoulders were knotted high against his ears.

Fuck.

How was he meant to keep doing this?

Enough. He had to draw a line.

“Ethan?” Nik touched his shoulder.

Concern creased Nik’s eyes. “Okay?”

Ethan worked the muscle in his jaw, searching for words. “Yeah. Good.” He rolled his shoulders. “Too long in the dark with the fish.”

Nik laughed and turned to survey the room. “I know what you mean…”

Cade was already ensconced at the main computer terminal. A bank of hi-tech equipment curved around him like a technological shell. Preacher was perched at his side, his arms folded in a compact knot. Ethan didn’t envy Cade. Preacher looked like he was going to implode at any second.

“That’s what it looks like when people spend too long living at the bottom of the ocean,” Ethan said.

Nik followed the direction of his gaze with a grin. “Cade can handle him.”

“Yup.” Ethan’s gaze drifted to Becca. She was another kettle of fish. She was speaking to Chief near the entrance, her hands moving in jerking agitation.

Nik inclined his head in her direction. “Is that really your wife?”

“Uh huh. Ex.” All mine.

“Kept that quiet.”

Ethan stared at the floor. “Yeah, well…”

When he raised his head, Chief was beckoning them over with a stubby finger.

“Duty calls.” Ethan pushed off from the wall, thankful to avoid any more questions.

Chief was pacing, chewing on his splintered pencil end. “Nik, find out how Finn is doing. We need the Lady ready to swim yesterday.” He gestured at the Asian engineer. “Dr. Vincent’s volunteered to go with you and make sure Finn has all the supplies he needs.”

Dr. Vincent gripped Nik’s hand and shook it vigorously with a determined smile. Ethan liked her instantly. There was no hidden agenda in her almond-shaped eyes. “I can show you where we keep back-up supplies for Dora,” she said, her voice serious.

“Excellent.” Chief beamed. “Cade’s nearly done. We’re damn well almost organized.”

Nik made a sweeping gesture for Dr. Vincent to accompany him, and they exited Operations, Nik’s boots loud on the metal flooring.

“We’re through.” Cade raised a hand and snapped his fingers. Ethan watched as a holo-image on the far wall blinked into life.

“I’ll be damned. William Malchek,” Ethan muttered.

Cade glanced up. “Who?”

“Triton’s Head of Operations. What the hell is he doing speaking to us minions?”

The image fritzed then solidified.

Malchek beamed, and Ethan’s stomach rolled. The man was a snake. Put money over people every time.

“Dr. Johnson. I see our men have arrived at the Ceto habitat. I presume everything is going to plan?”

Becca straightened, her voice unwavering. A surge of pride hit Ethan.

“Mr. Malchek. We have not been informed about any plan. Your men…” She waved her hand at Ethan and Cade, disapproval dripping from every syllable.

“No offense taken,” Cade muttered under his breath.

Becca fired him a laser glance before she continued, and Cade ducked, a smile on his lips.

“Your men have turned up and are demanding our research. Is there some reason you’re not sharing why you don’t trust my team to escort the data to the surface? Because I’d really like to know what it is.” She stuck her hands on her hips.

Hot damn.

Ethan turned his attention back to Malchek.

Malchek threw her a condescending smile and made a flattening gesture with his palms. “Merely standard precautions.”

Becca gave a dismissive shake of her head. “There’s nothing standard about this. These men are armed. This is a civilian research base not a military installation.”

“My dear Dr. Johnson. As you will be more than aware, Triton Core is the world leader in oceanic research. I don’t think it’s unreasonable for us to protect our assets.” He smiled, his mouth thin and predatory. Ethan wanted to smash the grin off his face.

Becca appeared equally unimpressed as her lips pursed.

Malchek continued, oblivious to the tension pervading Operations. “I assume your team will be fully compliant in handing over all research to Chief Haynes and his men. That would be most auspicious in terms of future funding. I don’t think I need to remind you who pays your team’s salaries, Dr. Johnson.”

Becca’s voice was quiet. “No, Mr. Malchek. Your instructions are perfectly clear.” She took a breath, composing herself. “What about the requested evacuation for Dr. Redd?”

Malchek frowned. “Ah, yes. We’re doing our best on that one. Weather conditions are making it difficult to organize a rescue sub. But rest assured, we’re on it.” He cocked a finger at the screen. “Your team’s health and safety are our priority.”

Cade scowled at the screen. “Is he for real?”

Ethan suppressed an eye roll.

“I want him on the surface as soon as possible,” Becca continued. “What if we brought him up on the Dora?”

Something flashed over Malchek’s face. A cruel flicker, so fast you’d miss it if you blinked.

“No. That’s not an option. I’m sure I don’t need to remind you that there are still four days remaining on your contract, Dr. Johnson. And for everyone else on your team.” The benevolent expression on Malchek’s face shifted to indifference. Just as Ethan expected. Money before people. Ethan turned away from the screen in disgust.

“Mr. Malchek. Dr. Redd needs—”

A loud blip pinged through the room, and when Ethan looked back, the holo-image was gone. Cade bent over his keyboard, tapping at the speed of light, but it didn’t reappear.

Becca pivoted on her heel, her eyes wide. “Tell me he didn’t just cut me off. Aimee, what just happened with the comms link to the surface?”

“Bad weather conditions are interfering with communications, Dr. Johnson. I regret I am unable to re-establish a connection at this time,” Aimee replied in her smooth voice.

Cade looked up from his keyboard, his face serious. “Sorry, Doctor. I can’t get communications back online either.”

Becca huffed a loud breath and tugged her hand through her hair. “What the hell?” She sat down heavily in a chair.

“Chief,” Cade continued, “I’ve got Nik on comms from the Lady.”

“Put him through.”

Nik’s voice crackled through the intercom. “Chief, Finn’s confirmed damage to the coolant intake system from the shoal. Drive shaft on the port side is also screwed.”

Chief worked his jaw. “How long?”

“He’s not sure. Twelve hours at an estimate. Parts will need to be adapted to fit the Lady.”

Twelve hours. Ethan’s stomach lurched. So much for a quick pick-up and go. So much for avoiding Becca.

Becca stood up, her chair screeching on the metal floor. “I’m going to the labs.”

Owen Shaw approached her, tugging the silvery blue beard that made him look more like someone’s grandfather than a research scientist. “Becca, I’ll come with you.”

Becca smiled at Shaw, her face brightening. Ethan squashed the pang of jealousy that made his heartbeat quicken.

“Owen, that’s really kind, but I’ll be fine. I’m sure I’m going to have an escort anyway.” She glanced at Chief, who shot her a toothy smile and a nod.

Shaw looked worried. “I really think I should come.”

Becca took his hands and clasped them between hers. “I’ll be fine but I think Betts could do with a break more than me right now. Can you go to the infirmary and see how’s she’s doing?”

Shaw nodded and, with a pinched-lips glance at Ethan’s team members, left the room.

Becca turned to the remaining men. “The last week, Redd and Shaw have been sampling from beyond our defined sampling site. Redd’s been frustrated at our lack of progress. Before the accident, he was pushing till he almost keeled over in his insistence to get the final samples collected.”

Ethan wasn’t following her chain of thought. “And?”

“Up till then our data collection was pedestrian. Complete absence of profitable neodymium seams. Nothing worth breaking a sweat over. Certainly nothing worth sending a team of men with guns to collect. How much do you think it costs to send your team down here?”

“We’re not the bargain aisle version,” Ethan said.

“I didn’t think so.” Becca pressed a finger to her bottom lip, distracting Ethan. “You’re taking the data. I accept that. But I want to look it over first,” she said at last. “I need to check out Redd’s workstation. It hasn’t been touched since yesterday’s end of shift.”

Preacher slid off his console perch and paced. “Just what are you implying about Chase, Dr. Johnson?”

Becca straightened. “I’m not implying anything, Tom. I want to look at the facts. We don’t have the full picture here, and like any competent scientist, I intend to find out what the missing pieces are.”

Preacher shook his head, his hands twisting together. “Maybe it’s all a coincidence.”

Becca stalked across the room toward one of the exits, her voice raised. “I don’t believe in coincidences, Tom.” Her tone hardened. “Do me a favor and see if you can get Malchek back online. And find me the most recent weather report.”

Ethan’s skin prickled at the look Preacher shot at Becca’s departing back. He’d have to keep a close eye on that one.

Chief rolled his pencil in his mouth. “Let’s follow the good doctor.”

Cade gripped Ethan’s shoulder, his brow furrowed. “Ethan.”

“Yeah?”

Cade glanced at the ceiling then turned his back on Preacher’s disgruntled expression. He leaned close, his voice low in Ethan’s ear. “Becca was right. Comms weren’t disrupted. They turned her off topside and blocked my attempts to re-establish the link.”

“You sure?”

Cade twisted the cable for his ear buds between his fingers, his eyes troubled. “Yes. Aimee lied.”