Page 38 of Chain Reaction

Jake escorted Raven inside. As soon as she stepped into the building, the rest of his team members met them.

From what she understood, they’d been about to head out for a training exercise.

Instead, they delayed their departure and stayed with her a moment while Jake went to get changed.

The team was interesting, to say the least.

Atlas had been a surprise with his dark, wavy hair and broad build. Jake seemed to trust him, based on the comradery she’d observed on the drive here.

But there was definitely tension in the group—tension she didn’t understand.

“Welcome to Blackout,” one of the men—Hudson, she believed his name was—said as he spread his arms around to display the place.

“You and Jake working together?” Another man, Kyle, stared at her in curiosity. The man had a bit of a Captain America vibe with his sparkling teeth and strong jaw.

“That’s right. I work for the International Cultural Heritage Protection Agency.”

Kyle’s eyebrows rose. “Impressive.”

“I enjoy what I do.” Raven decided to change the subject rather than have these guys ask her more questions. “So . . . have you guys known Jake long?”

“Only three months,” Maverick said. He had wild, curly hair and a wide grin.

“I was under the assumption you were brought in together.”

Hudson, the linebacker of the group, shook his head. “No, we were brought in separately. We’ve only gotten to know each other since we arrived.”

“Does your group have a fearless leader?” she continued, determined to find out more.

“Jake, of course.” Kyle said the words casually, but she sensed underlying tension in his tone.

Jake stepped back into the room wearing fresh clothes.

Raven noticed the tension instantly deepened.

Was Jake the cause of the tension? Was it because he was their leader and they had to be on their best behavior when he was around? Or was there something more to this?

She had no idea.

“All right.” Jake nodded at the door. “We need to get out of here.”

Raven said goodbye to the group then followed Jake outside. She didn’t say much until they were in the black Tahoe and had started down the road.

“So those guys are your colleagues, huh?” The question sounded lame, but she didn’t know how else to start.

“That’s right.” Jake didn’t offer any more information.

“I take it you all don’t get along.”

The conversation was admittedly uncomfortable, but at least they weren’t talking about their own history, so that was a win.

“Working with other people isn’t always the easiest task,” Jake finally said. “In my profession you have to be a team player since your life depends on those around you. It’s difficult whenthat trust is broken and you don’t feel like you can depend on them.”

Jake offered no other information.

That was fair enough. He didn’t owe her an explanation.

But she was curious.