Page 17

CHAPTER 17

J ake escorted Raven inside. As soon as she stepped into the building, the rest of his team members met them.

From what she understood, they’d been about to head out for a training exercise.

Instead, they delayed their departure and stayed with her a moment while Jake went to get changed.

The team was interesting, to say the least.

Atlas had been a surprise with his dark, wavy hair and broad build. Jake seemed to trust him, based on the comradery she’d observed on the drive here.

But there was definitely tension in the group—tension she didn’t understand.

“Welcome to Blackout,” one of the men—Hudson, she believed his name was—said as he spread his arms around to display the place.

“You and Jake working together?” Another man, Kyle, stared at her in curiosity. The man had a bit of a Captain America vibe with his sparkling teeth and strong jaw.

“That’s right. I work for the International Cultural Heritage Protection Agency.”

Kyle’s eyebrows rose. “Impressive.”

“I enjoy what I do.” Raven decided to change the subject rather than have these guys ask her more questions. “So . . . have you guys known Jake long?”

“Only three months,” Maverick said. He had wild, curly hair and a wide grin.

“I was under the assumption you were brought in together.”

Hudson, the linebacker of the group, shook his head. “No, we were brought in separately. We’ve only gotten to know each other since we arrived.”

“Does your group have a fearless leader?” she continued, determined to find out more.

“Jake, of course.” Kyle said the words casually, but she sensed underlying tension in his tone.

Jake stepped back into the room wearing fresh clothes.

Raven noticed the tension instantly deepened.

Was Jake the cause of the tension? Was it because he was their leader and they had to be on their best behavior when he was around? Or was there something more to this?

She had no idea.

“All right.” Jake nodded at the door. “We need to get out of here.”

Raven said goodbye to the group then followed Jake outside. She didn’t say much until they were in the black Tahoe and had started down the road.

“So those guys are your colleagues, huh?” The question sounded lame, but she didn’t know how else to start.

“That’s right.” Jake didn’t offer any more information.

“I take it you all don’t get along.”

The conversation was admittedly uncomfortable, but at least they weren’t talking about their own history, so that was a win.

“Working with other people isn’t always the easiest task,” Jake finally said. “In my profession you have to be a team player since your life depends on those around you. It’s difficult when that trust is broken and you don’t feel like you can depend on them.”

Jake offered no other information.

That was fair enough. He didn’t owe her an explanation.

But she was curious.

There was so much she didn’t know about Jake.

If she were honest with herself, she’d admit she wished she knew those answers.

Jake’s mind rushed.

Raven had noticed the tension between him and his colleagues. Of course, she had. She’d been observant when he’d known her before, and that clearly hadn’t changed.

But he wasn’t ready to dive into any of those details with her.

It all came down to the fact that it was sometimes hard to know who to trust.

He drove to the southern end of the island and got in line for the ferry. His plan had been to be on the first boat out of here this morning, but that hadn’t worked out.

Thankfully, another car ferry had just pulled in, so they were loaded fairly quickly.

This was island life.

Jake hadn’t thought initially he’d like living in a place like this. But he was starting to really enjoy it. When danger wasn’t following him, this place was peaceful.

His favorite thing to do was to sit outside in the mornings and watch the sun rise over the Pamlico Sound behind the Blackout headquarters.

It was a good way to center his life.

He touched the object hanging at the end of his necklace.

A wedding ring.

Ever since Danielle had died, his perspective on life had changed. He’d realized just how precarious every day could be.

He’d also realized that there was more to this life than just living and dying.

On one particularly rough day, he’d decided to open his Bible.

Since then, he hadn’t stopped reading it. First thing every morning, he started with reading the Bible and prayer. His life was different because of it. He had more peace, more perspective—a new lease on life and a reason to live.

“I’m going to get out and look at the water.” Raven’s voice pulled him from his thoughts.

He glanced at her, his mind returning to the moment.

She paused and startled, misreading his surprise. “Unless you don’t think it’s a good idea.”

Jake had already thought about the safety precautions he should take while on the ferry. He’d been keeping his eyes open, looking for anyone suspicious.

He hadn’t seen the mystery car again—the one with the shooter. No doubt that guy was too smart to bring the same car aboard this ferry. However, that didn’t mean the man didn’t have a new vehicle. That he wasn’t here watching them.

In fact, there was a good chance he was.

The person behind these acts was clearly desperate and determined. When he hadn’t been able to break in last night, he’d shown up this morning to make a statement.

“I need to be out there with you,” Jake told her.

He didn’t miss the frown that flickered across Raven’s lips. She’d probably been hoping for a moment alone.

He couldn’t blame her for that.

But keeping her safe was his top priority.

It didn’t matter if Raven hated him. It only mattered that she stayed alive.