Page 41 of Chain Reaction

Certainly, Jake had heard the bitterness there. He knew all about her daddy issues. He’d been there to witness some of them.

“How about your family?” she asked, desperate to change the subject.

He shrugged. “I don’t talk to them very often. They’re doing their own thing.”

She knew all about his family also. He’d opened up to her about how hard his dad had been on him. About the pressure the man had put on Jake to follow in his footsteps. He’d been a Navy commander.

Thankfully, there was another man who’d taken Jake under his wing. She couldn’t remember his name now. She only remembered that this person had helped Jake navigate things his own father had blown off.

Family life was rarely simple, no matter how things looked on the surface.

She and Jake both knew that firsthand.

Just then, the hairs on her neck rose again.

She turned to look behind her. Scanned the other passengers.

Then she looked up.

That was when she saw him.

A man in a ballcap and sunglasses. Standing on the observation deck above them, looking down over the crowd.

Though she couldn’t see his eyes, Raven was certain he was watching her . . . and that he was trouble.

Jake noticed the man at the same time as Raven.

He needed to find out why that guy was watching them.

His muscles turned to steel as he told Raven, “Get in the car, lock the doors, and wait for me there.”

She might not appreciate him bossing her around, but all he cared about was keeping her safe.

With a quick nod, she scrambled back toward the SUV.

When she was safely inside, Jake strode between the vehicles and people on the ferry, took the steps two at a time to the observation deck.

Before reaching the top, a family of five turned the corner and piled onto the narrow stairway, heading down.

Jake tried to patiently wait for them to pass. He didn’t want to alarm the children.

But by the time the stairs were clear and he reached the top level, the man was gone.

Blood rushed through Jake’s veins.

He quickened his steps until he reached the spot where the man had been standing.

It was empty, as he’d known it would be.

Where could the man have gone?

That’s when he spotted another narrow stairwell in the back.

Jake rushed down the steps, following them back to the main level where the cars were parked.

Had the man hidden behind a car or truck? Retreated back inside whatever vehicle he had driven aboard?

Just what would this guy’s next move be?