Page 44 of Chaos has a Name (An FBI Romance/Thriller #66)

“Dad. That was a long time ago. Catherine Blackhawk was not meant to be yours. You had someone you loved, and she didn’t want to be a mother. So point that anger at her for a change. I like the Blackhawks. They are decent, and Elizabeth is going to handle this.”

Lance was just frustrated.

The elders had spoken, and they knew this was going to be problematic. They remembered the last time someone messed with The Hollow.

Bad things came.

“I got you this job, Rayna, and I can end it. You’re going to listen to me. Tomorrow, don’t get involved.”

She lifted a brow.

“Why does it sound like you know something more than you’re saying?” she asked.

He stared into his own eyes. Rayna’s looked just like his.

“Just avoid this mess. Bad things are coming. It is times like these that I wish Timothy Blackhawk was here. He would know what to do, and he could call off his family.”

She sighed.

Before she could say anything, her father gave her one last warning.

“I’m demanding that you don’t start something with the outsider. He’s watching you, and I don’t want my daughter making a mistake. Outsiders are nothing but huge problems when they leave. The last thing you need is to be a single parent struggling!”

Jesus.

That was all he had to hear.

Uriel shut the microphone off, and stopped eavesdropping.

He’d heard plenty.

There was no point getting worked up over the woman since her father had made it crystal clear. He was too white to even share water with her.

Let alone see what might happen if he could get past his awkwardness.

Getting up, he moved further away, giving them space. He didn’t want to be called a mistake.

Been there.

Done That.

He wanted someone to see the real him, and this woman was not it. Her father had spoken, and he wouldn’t make her choose.

She had a family, and a life.

He didn’t.

“Dad, he likes reading books, and he’s a soldier. He’s not exactly some homeless guy I found by the river. I think I can make up my own mind.”

Her father was horrified.

“So you mean to defy me?” Lance asked.

Oh, well, that was normally how she dealt with his bossiness.

She patted his cheek, as she watched Uriel moving toward the trees.

“Absolutely. When you say silly things, it’s my job to disobey. I’m going to help work this, and I’m going to learn more about the man. If you don’t want me to, that means I’m doing something right.”

She was so frustrating, but he loved her.

All he could hope was The Hollow forgave them for interfering in its protection of the reservation. He prayed that his daughter was not hurt in the process.

If The Hollow was angered by the pushback, or the outsiders, they’d all be punished.

He pulled a book from his bag, and handed it to her.

“Give this to Elizabeth. Tell her I will see her later when I get a moment with her father-in-law. Rayna, be careful. This is so dangerous. You don’t know what you’re messing with here.”

Well, she would.

This was her home, and she was responsible for the safety here. That she took very seriously.

Taking the book, she gave him a kiss on the cheek. He may be insane, but she still loved him.

“See you later, Dad,” she offered. “I love you,” she added as she jogged off to catch up with Uriel.

Her father just sighed.

When would his daughter learn? It was clear she had no fear when it came to the important things. Hopefully, that would change.

This was no joke.

Unfortunately.

Because someone had much longer legs, and he was hauling ass to the trees, Rayna had to hustle to catch up with him.

It appeared he was trying to escape, but why?

That was her big question.

“Hey! Where are you going?” she shouted after him as she finally was within hearing range of the man.

Immediately, he turned around.

“I’m going back to the Blackhawk cabin. I’m on duty with another assignment. Stay safe,” he said. “Oh, and thanks for the gum and water,” he added.

What the hell?

That was the big brush-off if she’d ever seen one before. Someone was retreating, and fast.

“You’re going?” she asked.

He looked at her.

Then, he glanced back at her father, who was still standing where he’d been talking to his daughter. Yeah, he was watching them.

So, he was honest.

“Yes, I’m going,” he admitted. “It’s for the best,” he said.

She caught his glance shifting toward her father, and she couldn’t believe this.

Did he overhear what they’d said?

Well, shit.

What the hell?

Had she offended him?

All of that curiosity she’d had about him was slowly slipping away, as were the chances of getting to know him.

His green eyes watched her, and in them, she saw…disappointment.

Oh, boy.

So, she tried to fix this.

“Don’t listen to…”

He stopped her.

“Be safe, Chief,” he said, turning to walk away. He left her standing there, and it wasn’t easy.

Caspian had no choice.

Her father was right.

He wasn’t the kind of person she should get hooked up with, and definitely the last person to start anything with in life.

And that hurt.

To.

His.

Core.

While he was afraid she’d find out what made him tick, and what made him flawed, he was deeply disappointed that he hadn’t even been given a chance.

Well, that was life.

HIS.

LIFE.

Caspian knew it was just safer going back to the cabin to focus on work—and not the pretty stranger who was a no-fly zone.

Honestly, he’d done battle plenty of times with a father—his own—and he didn’t have it in him to do battle with anyone else’s.

It was for the best.

Weirdos should be left alone.

As Rayna watched the big man disappear, she had the distinct feeling that she’d missed her chance to make a connection with him.

That door had closed on her pretty damn fast.

And it was her loss.

Caspian was incredibly attractive and sweet.

Sighing, she was aware her father had cockblocked her once again.

When she turned, he was standing there, and he looked pretty damn smug over what the man had overheard.

Well, damn it.

She was going to die alone on this damn reservation.

This was the proof.

* * * The Blackhawk Family * * *

The Woods

Same Time

Watching

They were ruining the burial grounds. The outsiders were tromping on sacred space.

Each Hollow had a place where they did their work, and left the bones of the sacrifices. Here, the white people were causing a mess.

Oh, and that was angering The Hollow.

To.

No.

End.

How dare they come onto this reservation and root around in that space?

That didn’t work for The Hollow at all.

That meant it was time.

Apparently, it was time to get mean. When people couldn't mind their own business, it was crystal clear that an intervention was needed.

Normally, one sacrifice was taken, but in this case, why not make it two?

Oh, and The Hollow would make it count. That was for sure.

It was time to stir up the outsiders.

And The Hollow knew how.

It was time to deal with this.

Immediately.