Page 40 of Chain Reaction

CHAPTER 18

As Jake stood beside her, Raven leaned against the railing and looked out over the water. Seagulls swooped around them, diving with the breeze. Families with children wandered about also, enjoying the trip from Lantern Beach to the mainland. Dolphins swam in the wake behind the boat.

If only she could enjoy everything.

Instead, the hair on her neck rose.

She turned and scanned her surroundings, not liking the bad feeling brewing inside her.

But she didn’t see anyone acting strangely—only passengers enjoying the day.

Perhaps the feeling wasn’t an omen of something bad about to happen.

Maybe the hairs on her neck had risen as well as her apprehension because Jake was beside her. She wasn’t sure that was a good thing, however.

A memory of her time with Jake hit her.

Once while in Syria, she’d decided to go into town on an errand. The threats against her father had seemed to fade, and she needed to get a few things. Plus, she’d been anxious to get away from the consulate. She was going stir crazy staying insideall the time and had even called herself a prisoner. Her dad was trying to get her back to the States, but he hadn’t been able to secure a flight yet.

Jake had escorted her into town, and they’d paused on a bridge over the Barada River. As people bustled around her, she’d leaned on the railing and looked out over it.

The moment had started peacefully. Lovely, really. She and Jake had talked about all the places they’d like to travel to one day.

Then everything changed.

She hadn’t even realized one of her father’s enemies had been creeping closer to her.

But Jake had.

In the blink of an eye, he’d knocked the man out. Then he’d grabbed Raven and started running, desperate to get her to safety.

More men had been waiting in the shadows.

Jake had taken all the hits for her. He’d gotten her back to the consulate safely.

In all, he’d taken down four assailants.

The situation had been precarious and scary.

But Raven had never felt as attracted to someone as she had at that moment.

Maybe that had been her problem. She’d developed a fantasy-like crush on Jake and had elevated him to hero status.

Their relationship couldn’t sustain itself fueled by only adrenaline.

That was what it had been, right?

All emotion and no substance?

But if that truly was the case, why was she so aware of him standing beside her now?

“How’s your dad doing?”

Jake’s voice pulled Raven from her thoughts. She put those memories aside, knowing it was better if she didn’t dwell on them anyway.

She glanced at him, noting how he had his back turned toward the water and his gaze studied everyone around them instead.

“Working hard like always.” Raven tried to keep the edge out of her voice, but she wasn’t successful.