Page 34 of Chain Reaction

“No, I’d feel better if we stayed together.”

She shrugged. “Okay then. I’ll be fast.”

Relief washed through him when she didn’t put up an argument. The situation was already complicated enough.

Five minutes later, Raven was ready to go. She’d gulped down the rest of her muffin and coffee.

It was impressive, really. Jake knew she was anxious to check out this new ordnance.

So was he.

They stepped outside into a balmy seventy-degree day. The sun shone brightly in the cloudless sky, seagulls swooped overhead, and the ocean crashed on the other side of the dune.

In other circumstances, Jake would want to slow down and enjoy this weather.

Not today.

Instead, Jake glanced around, not wanting to take any chances.

He didn’t see anything.

Still, he wanted to be cautious.

He led Raven downstairs toward his truck.

But just as he reached it, a car squealed to a stop in front of the driveway.

The window came down, and a masked man with a gun appeared . . . aiming his weapon right at them.

CHAPTER 15

Everything seemed to happen in slow motion.

Raven saw the man.

Saw the vehicle.

Saw the gun and realized exactly what was happening.

“Get down!” Jake shouted.

Before she could react, he threw her onto the ground behind his truck.

Just like yesterday when they’d discovered the bomb, he used his own body to shield hers.

Popping sounds filled the air.

Bullets flew toward them, shattering glass and splintering wood.

A smoky, acidic scent lingered around them, along with the charge of electricity.

The next minute, the car squealed away.

Raven’s heart continued to pound in her chest and ears, to pulsate throughout her body.

What had just happened?

“Are you okay?” Jake asked as he crouched on top of her.