Page 18 of Chain Reaction

A chill raked through Raven. Jake was right. She knew he was.

Any arguments died on her lips.

“I have to agree with him,” Cassidy said. “In fact, given the stakes, I’d like Jake to work with you.”

“What?” Raven’s voice came out as a squeak.

Cassidy offered an affirmative nod. “It’s true. The feds won’t hire Jake for this, but I’m not opposed to asking Ty for some favors. I don’t like what I see going on here, and I don’t want anything happening to someone I’ve asked to come in as a consultant.”

Raven nodded. “I understand.”

“I’ll follow you in my own vehicle and check out your place to make sure it’s okay.” Jake stared at her, his expression not leaving any room for argument.

Despite his logic, Raven still hesitated. Why did it have to be Jake?

Couldn’t Officer Leggott escort her instead?

But if she suggested that, she’d only look petty. As far as Cassidy knew, Raven and Jake didn’t have a turbulent history. Raven didn’t want to do or say anything to put her professional persona in peril.

“That’s fine,” she finally said.

But Raven was lying.

Being around Jake made her feel anything but fine.

For the sake of everyone here, Raven would power through her hard feelings and do the job she’d been hired to complete.

CHAPTER 8

Jake put his truck into Park behind Raven’s white Lexus when they reached her rental.

When he strode toward her, she lowered her window.

“Wait here while I check your place out.” His words weren’t a suggestion.

She stared at him as if she wanted to argue.

Fire flashed in her blue eyes—a look that had always gotten to him.

There had been part of him that had loved to get her riled up.

Finally, she nodded. “The code to get inside is 71840.”

He glanced at the small cottage perched on stilts.

It was located on the ocean and probably only twelve hundred square feet. It had seafoam-colored siding and a deck that stretched around the entirety of the place. Plus, there was what almost looked like a watch tower, or maybe a widow’s walk, on one side—a place visitors could climb up for a better view of the ocean.

Jake bounded up the steps, punched in the code.

Within minutes he’d cleared the place and started back to her. “You should be fine to go inside.”

“Thank you.” Raven’s voice sounded strained as she said the words.

He had no doubt that being here had taken a toll on her—first with the bombing, then seeing him after all these years.

She always tried to be so strong.

At one time, Jake wanted to think he could be strong for her. But those days had passed.