Page 24

CHAPTER 24

R aven saw the tension on Jake’s face as they sat in the SUV traveling across the water by ferry.

He was worried—as he should be.

Something highly suspicious was going on.

The stakes were high.

Plus . . . she knew about what had happened back in Iraq. She knew about the teammates he’d lost.

He’d taken it hard. Really hard.

One evening while he’d been protecting her, he’d opened up about the situation. He’d told her what had happened and explained how much their deaths had impacted him.

Raven’s heart had gone out to Jake, and she’d tried to assure him it wasn’t his fault, that he couldn’t have known.

But he was clearly haunted by the tragedy.

As she glanced at him now, compassion pounded inside her. He always tried to take care of those around him. She knew he’d give up his life to do so.

But the emotional burden of being protector was enough to break someone.

Against her better judgment, she reached over and placed a hand on his forearm.

He’d protected her, putting himself in harm’s way in order to save her life twice since she’d been in Lantern Beach. The least she could do was to try and offer something to him, though she wasn’t sure her comfort would be accepted.

She licked her lips before saying, “I’m sorry, Jake.”

His muscles loosened ever so slightly beneath her touch, and he seemed to snap out of his doldrums. “I appreciate that.”

She pulled her hand away from him and settled back in her seat. “You know what one of my favorite memories of you is?”

He turned to her, surprise flashing in his gaze. “I have no idea.”

“Do you remember when we were in New York City and we’d walked to Central Park?”

“I do.” His expression tensed again, as if he didn’t know where she was going with this.

Did he fear she might lash into him about something he’d done wrong?

“We found that little boy near the zoo area,” Raven continued. “He was probably seven or eight, and he was on the spectrum. He was terrified because he couldn’t find his parents.”

The lines on his face softened some. “I remember.”

“You were so good with him.” She meant every word she told him now. “You got down to his level. You told him everything was going to be okay and that you wouldn’t leave him until he found his parents. You calmed him down, and you kept your word.”

He shrugged as if his actions weren’t a big deal. “Anyone would have done the same.”

“No, you’re wrong. Not anyone would have done that. You went above and beyond. You always go above and beyond. That was the moment when I first knew—” Raven stopped herself, realizing what she was about to say.

He stared at her, all his attention suddenly focused on her. “You knew what?”

That I loved you. But Raven couldn’t say those words. She couldn’t let herself go there with him.

She cleared her throat, trying to rein in her emotions. “It’s when I knew you were a good guy. That you looked out for others and helped make the world a better place. Anyone would be honored to call you a friend or colleague.”

His gaze searched hers, something deep and enticing there. Something she wanted to dive into.

Raven forced herself to maintain eye contact, knowing if she looked away that she’d appear weak. Yet at the same time, she feared he might see the truth in her gaze.

“Thank you, Raven.” His voice sounded soft and serious—but sincere.

“I mean it, Jake. Those guys at Blackout are lucky to have you on their side.”

Then she looked away before she said something she might regret.

The situation was already precarious. She didn’t need to put her heart in danger also.

Jake’s pulse pounded in his ears as he drove off the ferry onto Lantern Beach and back to Blackout.

The bad feeling still brewed in his gut, growing stronger by the moment.

The one good thing that had come out of this situation was his conversation with Raven. Her words had surprised him. Had made him feel better.

Maybe she didn’t hate him.

This wasn’t the time to address those questions, however.

Fifteen minutes later, he spotted the Blackout headquarters ahead.

Various emergency response vehicles were parked on the other side of the gate. Everyone around the vehicles seemed to have an urgency in their steps.

Something was definitely wrong.

He pulled to the gate and put down his window to address the guard. “What did I miss?”

“It’s been chaos. Our security systems were disabled and all communications cut off.”

A pounding began at Jake’s temples. “I need to get in there.”

“Go right ahead.” The guard hit a button, and the gate opened.

Jake sped inside.

“You think this is connected?” Tension tinged Raven’s voice.

“I think there’s a good chance that’s the case.”

He pulled to a stop in a space near the lodge and turned toward Raven. “Stay here for now—until I know what’s going on.”

She opened her mouth as if to argue, but then she shut it again and nodded. “Will do.”

Waiting in the SUV seemed safer than having her outside, where she could be exposed. Jake had no idea what was going on or what the threat level was.

He only knew something was majorly wrong, and he didn’t like it.

His gaze searched everyone on the sidewalk until he spotted Ty talking to a group of guys there.

“Ty!” Jake jogged toward him.

Ty paused, resting his hands on his hips as he turned away from the group. Once he spotted Jake, Ty turned back toward the group around him. “You know what to do. Go!”

The rest of the guys dispersed just as he reached Ty.

Jake paused. “What did I miss?”

Ty’s expression remained stony. “We’re trying to figure out what happened. Our systems went down, and all communications were silenced . . .”

Jake’s throat tightened. “Is there an active threat?”

“Not that I can tell,” Ty said. “I’m not sure what someone is trying to prove.”

“No more bombs?”

“Not that we know of. But now that you’re here, we could use your help searching the grounds for anything suspicious.”

“Raven is with me.”

“You want to take her with you?”

Did he want to? No. Jake wanted to keep her as far as possible from harm.

But her insight could be invaluable.

“I’m sure she’d be more than happy to assist.” Jake forced the words out.

“Perfect.”

“Is Cassidy here?” Jake asked. “I was trying to reach her.”

“She is. She’s inside helping coordinate things.”

Relief washed through him. “Good. I just needed to know she’s okay.”

Ty handed him a radio. “This is the only way we can communicate right now.”

“Got it.” Jake clipped it to his belt.

“We’ve been searching inside the building,” Ty continued. “If you could search the perimeter, that would be huge.”

“I’m on it.” Jake turned to head back to the SUV, not wanting to waste any more time.