Page 96 of Chain Reaction

CHAPTER 45

“Kingston?” Raven stared at him. “You’re the one who’s been behind this?”

The man looked just as handsome as ever with his thick, dark hair and fit build.

But his eyes looked different from when she’d last seen him.

Gone was the spark of interest. In its place was a darkness.

He moved toward her. “Raven. Beautiful Raven. I’m sorry things had to go this way.”

“I don’t understand.” Raven shook her head as she tried to put the facts together. “You just got to know me because of this?”

Kingston paced forward and paused in front of her. That was when she noticed he was wearing a tux. Why in the world was he wearing a tux?

He continued to stare at her, a cocky expression on his face. “I had to think of some way to keep tabs on you. That dating site seemed to be the easiest. You weren’t as charmed by me as I’d hoped, however.”

If he was behind this, then he had some of the answers she needed. “Who is Sigma, and what do you guys want?”

His gaze burned into her. “The question is: Who areyouworking for, Raven Newton?”

Her forehead creased. “Who am I . . . ? You know who I work for. ICHPA.”

“We know that’s just a cover. You’re not working for the government. You’re working with the enemy.”

Her head continued to spin. He wasn’t making any sense. “What enemy would that be that I’m working for?”

He scowled, some of his humor disappearing. “You know good and well who you’re working for. People who are trying to destroy this country.”

Raven’s eyebrows shot up. “You think I’m working for terrorists?”

His gaze darkened. “Stop playing games. It’s unbecoming.”

“Wait . . . if you thinkI’mworking for people who want to destroy America, then who are you working for?”

“I’m a government operative.” He narrowed his eyes as if annoyed. “But I think you already know that.”

Raven’s thoughts continued to race. “You’re sayingthe US governmenthas been trying to kill me?”

He shrugged, still acting annoyed. “If you’re going to die anyway, I guess I can tell you this much. Sigma is a black ops group hired to take down enemies of the state.”

Her mind raced. “But I’m not an enemy of the state. Where are you even getting that information?”

He did a half eye roll. “Stop playing dumb. You’re way too smart for that.”

“I’m not playing dumb, Kingston.” She tugged harder against her binds.

Of all the things she’d expected him to say, that wasn’t it. Why would he think she was a terrorist?

The pieces continued to click together in her mind.

She continued to stare at him.

He believed his words, she realized. He really thought she was an enemy and he was the noble one.

She would need to proceed very carefully.

She cleared her throat before asking, “So you think I’m secretly trying to destroy the United States?”