Page 42

CHAPTER 42

R aven held her breath as she watched, as she waited.

“Stay back,” Jake said as he strode toward the doorway.

Who was here? Raven wondered. Had Cassidy arrived to help? Or had the person who’d trapped them here come back to finish what he’d started?

As the door rattled, Jake visibly bristled.

Raven swallowed hard, mentally trying to prepare herself for whatever might happen.

As the door opened, Jake looked as if he might charge the person on the other side.

Before he could, something zapped in the air.

Raven gasped as Jake went stiff.

Then his entire body seemed to vibrate.

He was being tasered, she realized.

By the masked man on the other side of the door.

She started toward him, wanting to help.

But before she could do anything, Jake collapsed on the floor.

She froze, her heart pounding out of control as panic tried to capture her.

His eyes went to her, sending her some type of silent message.

Run!

With her adrenaline pumping, Raven turned toward the masked man at the door.

His eyes were fixated on her as he rumbled, “You’re coming with me.”

“No!” Raven stepped back.

But before she could escape, the man grabbed her and jerked her from the walk-in freezer.

“Ouch!” She tried to snatch her arm away. “You don’t have to squeeze so hard. Where are you taking me?”

“You’ll see.”

She continued to struggle against him, but it was no use. He was bigger and stronger.

Raven glanced at Jake again, desperately wishing she could help him.

He still lay on the floor, muscles twitching. But his eyes followed them.

Distress stained his gaze.

This was killing him.

Maybe that was the point. Maybe the person behind this wanted Jake to suffer.

But why? Was this someone’s personal vendetta?

As they reached the door leading from the building, the man lifted her and sprinted toward the outside.

Raven could hardly breathe.

What was happening right now?

Just as they stepped outside, an explosion sounded.

And the entire warehouse went up in flames.

With Jake inside.

“No!” she yelled.

But all she could feel was the incredible ache inside her chest.