Page 8 of Chain Reaction

He was never supposed to see her again. Yet here she was, looking more beautiful than ever, even with her scowl.

Almost as if in sync, they both turned to face the bomb site. Cassidy was already on the phone, probably calling this in to the fire department. Small flames burned in the center of the remains, and several pieces of debris flared with mini-fires around them.

It reminded him of a war zone—and he’d seen plenty of those in his time as a bomb tech for the Navy.

Raven frowned as she stared at the scene. “It doesn’t matter why we’re here. The fact is, we’re both working this case, and we’re both professionals. We should make the best of it.”

“Agreed.”

A moment passed, and then Raven cleared her throat. “So, what just happened?”

“I’m not sure,” Jake said. “But that second bomb wasn’t here this morning. Someone must have come back and planted the device since I was here earlier. They wanted to send a message.”

Raven frowned as she continued staring at the house. “Message received. Loud and clear.”

Raven’s heart raced—and it wasn’t just because of the picture she’d seen or the bomb that had nearly killed her.

It was because she was never supposed to see Jake Laudner again.

He’d broken her heart ten years ago. She’d recovered and years later had tried to insert herself into the dating pool—which oftentimes felt more like a cesspool.

There was one guy she was considering giving another chance. Kingston McLaughlin.

He was a former military guy who was now a financial advisor in DC. The man dressed in expensive suits, was smart, and his teeth were incredibly white and straight.

They’d gone out a few times, and they were supposed to go out again when she got home.

However, she still hadn’t met anyone she was truly interested in—not like she’d been with Jake. But at least she was trying to put herself out there again.

Last she’d heard, Jake was still working in the Middle East as an EOD—an explosive ordnance disposal expert. She’d assumed he’d be career military, living overseas without anyone back in the States to tie him down. He was the type to be married to his job.

Just like her dad. And Raven had vowed never to date someone like her dad.

Yet she’d fallen for him. Big mistake.

Jakedefinitelywasn’t supposed to be in Lantern Beach.

But right now, she needed to focus. She’d been called in to offer her expertise on bombs—not her expertise on Jake Laudner.

Cassidy and Officer Leggott paused in front of them. The chief’s eyes were wide with concern as her gaze swept over them. “Are you okay?”

Raven wiped more stray sand from her clothes and face, not liking the gritty feeling of the grains against her skin. “I’m fine.”

Her voice trembled as she said the words. That reaction, however, was a result of Jake, not the bomb. She prided herself on always being composed.

“Jake?” Cassidy stared at him.

“I’m glad I got here when I did. I heard a ticking sound and found the bomb twelve seconds before it exploded.”

Cassidy’s gaze darkened. “That wasn’t there earlier. We checked this whole area multiple times.”

“I know,” Jake said. “Has the scene been left unmanned?”

“I asked Officer Leggott about it.” She nodded toward the uniformed officer with her.

“We had a changeover in shifts about three hours ago,” Leggott informed them. “There was about fifteen minutes when no officers were here.”

“Could someone have rigged the bomb in that amount of time?” Cassidy asked.