Page 105 of Chain Reaction

Raven turned to him, her gaze looking as torn as he felt. “That was unexpected.”

His shoulders softened as he realized the effect this must be having on her. “You okay?”

She didn’t have to think about her response. “I am. Surprised, but okay. My dad and I . . . we need some resolution.”

“I know he’s made some mistakes, but he really does love you. That was clear when he hired me to find you. I could see how devastated he was that you’d been taken.” Jake meant those words. The man had been beside himself and willing to move mountains to ensure his daughter was found.

Raven seemed to believe him as she nodded slowly, thoughtfully. “Relationships are just complicated, aren’t they?”

“They sure are.” Was she hinting that their relationship had also been complicated? Because it had been. The road bringing them to this point had been broken.

However, if there was hope for Raven and her father, was there also hope for Jake and Raven?

He stared at her. Beautiful, smart Raven.

The woman he’d always loved.

The woman who might just love him also.

Had the emotion of the moment propelled them into each other’s arms? Or was there more to it as Jake hoped?

He swallowed hard, trying to sort his thoughts. They had so many things to talk about right now—and their relationship wasn’t at the top of this list.

Not when lives were on the line.

“I have a feeling this isn’t the end of this,” Jake finally said.

“I agree.” Raven frowned and rubbed her neck. She lowered her voice as she asked, “Did you figure out if one of your teammates might be in on this?”

His jaw flexed at the thought. “Not yet. We’re going to keep our eyes on them.”

“Smart thinking.”

A moment of silence passed.

This was the time, he realized. This was the moment when he and Raven needed to have a heart-to-heart talk.

He prayed the conversation went well.

Raven licked her lips, knowing she and Jake needed to talk.

She hated the awkwardness between them and knew they might as well get this conversation over with.

“Hey, listen. I—” she started.

“I really want you to know—” Jake began at the same time.

They both laughed.

Jake’s gaze softened. “You can go first.”

Raven drew in a deep breath as she gathered her thoughts. There was so much she wanted to say. To ask him about. To get off her chest.

Where did she even start?

Finally, she found the courage to say, “I’m sorry, Jake. Sorry for all these years I haven’t forgiven you.”

“I’m the one who needs to apologize. I’m sorry for hurting you, Raven. Everything got derailed. And while I don’t regret my time with Danielle, I always felt like I was cheating her. She never had my whole heart like you did.”