Page 56 of Chain Reaction

Raven’s eyebrows flew up. “You think someone did this as a means of targeting my father?”

He shrugged. “It’s a theory.”

She frowned, wanting to deny his words. But instead, she thought it through, just in case Jake had a point. “Honestly, Ihaven’t talked to my father in a while. If he’s gotten himself into trouble again, I wouldn’t know about it.”

He cast her a look. “Maybe you should call him later.”

An imaginary rock suddenly pressed against Raven’s chest, but she nodded. “Maybe I should. For now, let’s keep looking.”

She could only deal with one problem at a time.

She took another step and heard a click. What was that?

Jake turned toward her, his eyes wide. “Stop! Don’t move.”

He knelt on the ground and shone his light by her feet.

What was he doing? Had he lost his mind?

“Raven, I need you to listen to me.” Jake’s voice contained a slight tremble. “You just stepped on a pressure plate. If you step off it, the IED below you will explode.”

Jake couldn’t believe this was happening.

A bomb had been hidden under the pile of leaves where Raven had stepped.

Sweat already poured down her forehead and neck.

“Are you sure?” Her voice trembled.

“I’m positive. But it’s going to be okay. I’ll figure out a way to get you out of this.”

Considering the bomb was half buried underground, it would be difficult. He wouldn’t be able to access the device to deactivate it. An ache formed in his chest at the thought.

He’d figure out something. He had no other choice.

First, he rose to his feet and used his radio to apprise Ty and Colton of the situation.

“Jake . . .” Raven’s voice still trembled as she stared at him with wide eyes.

He put his radio back on his belt, determined to be strong for her. “Yes?”

She swallowed hard, her breathing shallow. “I’m scared.”

Compassion panged inside him. No, it was more than compassion.

It was grief.

“It’s okay to be scared,” he told her. “You can be scared and brave.”

She nodded and drew in a deep but shaky breath. “You’ve always had a way of calming me down.”

“Good. I want you to stay calm.”

“I don’t even know how you do it exactly.” Her voice sounded thin. “But you do.”

Somewhere in there, Jake thought there was a compliment. But he couldn’t take time to revel in it now.

If Raven was being targeted, there was no way the person behind this could have known she’d be the one to step on this device.