Page 85 of Chain Reaction

Raven’s lips pulled into a tight line. “In other words, yes—the air supply in here is limited.”

Jake gave her a stiff, almost apologetic nod. “Yes, unfortunately, it is. I’m sorry, Raven. But we’ll get out of here. We have to.”

CHAPTER 40

Raven tried the door again, knowing her efforts were futile.

But she felt better knowing she was doingsomething. Standing around and waiting for someone to find them would only make her anxiety worse.

When it didn’t budge again, she let out an exasperated grunt and pounded her fist against the metal in frustration.

“Hey.” Jake gently gripped her arm. “Maybe you should sit down a minute and take it easy.”

That was thelastthing she wanted. She needed to dosomething. “Too much is on the line for me to take it easy.”

“I understand where you’re coming from. But pacing won’t help.”

If Jake was saying those words, then he probably had a point.

Raven knew if he could think of a way to get them out of here, then they’d be out.

Maybe sitting back and reevaluating was a decent idea after all. The breather might be good for both of them.

She walked toward the wall, leaned against it, and slid down.

Jake lowered himself beside her.

A moment of silence passed as they both seemed to try to comprehend what had happened.

Then the flashbacks started to hit her.

Flashbacks of when her father’s enemy had grabbed her. Locked her in a dark cellar for two days.

Jake had been hired to find her. To rescue her. Then to guard her.

Ever since then, dark places had terrified her.

Being locked in dark places terrified her even more.

Panic began to capture her muscles until an earthquake rumbled in her chest.

“Hey.” Jake’s voice sounded soothing, as if he were reading her thoughts, her fears. “It’s going to be okay.”

But it was too late.

Her mind had traveled back in time.

She remembered the hopelessness she’d felt. She’d been certain no one would ever find her. She’d known she was going to die down there without ever fulfilling any of her dreams.

Her life had changed when her mother was murdered.

Then it had changed again after her abduction.

But Jake had changed all of that.

He’d made her feel hope again.

Until all of that crashed down also.