Page 28 of Raven

“Ukraine. Some friends need our help.”

“Wait—are you joining the war over there?” Troy asked.

“Hell no. Our war-fighting days are over. We do rescues now. One of our guys, Sam, is trapped in Russia. We’re getting him and his family out—before they disappear for good.”

Troy shook his head. “That’s insane. And you think Beatrice is reckless?”

He turned to leave. “Maybe you’re not the one to talk sense into her. She’ll just throw your job back in your face. I’ll try talking to her later.”

As he walked off, Oliver glanced at me. “So… you and your pretty neighbor, huh?”

“I’m not talking about Beatrice. Not with Gage standing there—he’ll run off and tell Lori everything.”

“I will not,” Gage said indignantly.

I looked at him.

“Why do you think I tell Lori everything?” he asked.

“Do you keep things from Lori?”

“…No.”

“Exactly.” I turned to Oliver. “Anyway, I’m serious. You need to keep an eye on Beatrice while I’m gone.”

“Me? I don’t even live down here. I’m up on the mountain, remember? I can’t watch her from there.”

“Stay at my place. Olly loves playing in the ocean.” I insisted. “She’s involved in something dangerous and won’t back down. I need to know someone’s nearby.”

Oliver raised a brow. “You really want everyone asking why I’m crashing at your house? Don’t worry about Gage telling Lori—word’s going to get around anyway. Should I follow her to work too?”

“If it comes to that—yes. Someone’s out there trying to blow up firefighters.”

Oliver studied me. “Are you in love with her? Because you’ve only known her for two months. That’s not like you.”

“I didn’t say I was in love,” I muttered. “You know me—I don’t fall in love.”

He didn’t reply, and I let the silence stretch. My stomach growled. “I’m starving. Can we just eat?”

Damn it. I needed to shut up. Maybe I should leave today. But I couldn’t—I was having dinner with Beatrice tonight.

I ran a hand through my hair. “I’m being ridiculous. You don’t have to watch her. I just hope she stays safe at work. It’s her job. I don’t even know what I’m thinking.”

“I’ll tell you what—if another bomb shows up, I’ll stick close to Beatrice and keep her out of trouble,” Oliver said. “Do I have your permission to ask her to back off the investigation?”

“Yes.” I hesitated. “Do you think I’m being overprotective of someone I’ve only been with a few times?”

Oliver gave me a look. “It’s not like you to fall this fast. Perhaps once you’re overseas, you’ll realize you’re being foolish. He grinned at the expression on my face and burst out laughing.

I couldn’t help but chuckle. He wasn’t wrong. I needed to stop obsessing over Beatrice Jones and focus on the mission ahead.

“Who’s going with you?” Oliver asked as we sat down for breakfast.

“Tag and Cyclone. We’re leaving at three in the morning. Hopefully, we’ll be in and out within a few days. Any longer than a week, and it’ll get too dangerous.”

We’d just started eating when Oliver stiffened, glancing over my shoulder. I turned to see Dana sitting at a nearby table. She looked pale and frail, like she might cry at any second.

“You want to leave?” I asked him quietly.

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