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''What are you gonna do, huh? Kill me? Oh, that'd be rich. You think you can just waltz in here and threaten me? You're committing a crime right now, sweetheart.''

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THE MORNING SUNLIGHT filtered through the trees as we scrambled down the dock toward the HMS Pogues.

''Hey! Guys!'' JJ's tone was sharp as he waved at Kie and Pope, who were just stepping off the boat. ''Don't tie up. Stop it!''

Kie frowned at him. ''What? Why?''

''We're dipping,'' JJ replied flatly, moving swiftly down the dock.

''Wait, why? What's going on?''

John B appeared next, supporting Sarah, her arm slung tightly around his shoulder as she limped along. ''What happened last night?''

Pope glanced at him, his confusion deepening. ''We slept on the break. What's up?''

JJ scoffed, brushing past him with a pat on his shoulder. ''Slept, right. Yeah, sure. Well, we didn't get any sleep. We were waiting for you guys.''

''We gotta get the hell outta here,'' John B interjected, his tone firm.

Sarah shifted slightly. ''Rafe knows we're here, so we have to leave, like, now.''

Kie's lips parted in shock, but she quickly recovered, yanking at the rope she had just tied. ''Okay.''

Once everyone was on board, JJ started up the engine. The boat roared to life, cutting through the water as we sped away from the chateau.

Kiara was the first one to speak up. ''Look, if Rafe and Barry know, it's only a matter of time.''

Pope gave a grim nod. ''Before everyone knows.''

We had already been running for so long, and the idea that things were about to spiral even further made my chest tighten. JJ was pacing in front of them.

''I told you,'' JJ snapped. ''We should've just gone south, man.''

John B shook his head. ''Just stop it.''

I could feel my own frustration boiling, but I stayed quiet. I didn't have the energy to argue right now.

''No!'' JJ practically yelled, his hands thrown up in exasperation. ''Why does no one ever listen?''

I watched as John B softened his stance. ''I get it. I understand.''

But it wasn't enough to calm JJ. His hands were clenched at his sides.

Then Sarah spoke up. ''I have an idea.''

Everyone turned towards her.

''With me back, my dad's going to have to choose between me and Rafe.''

My stomach churned at the idea. I wanted to say something, to tell her it was a bad plan, but I stayed silent, watching John B's face shift as he spoke.

''I don't like that plan, Sarah.''

But she was insistent. ''He's gonna choose me.''

''Sarah, just please listen.'' John B's voice was softer now, full of concern. ''Ward keeps lying to you.''

Her eyes dropped at his words, and I could see her resolve start to crumble just a little.

Kie jumped in then. ''He won't agree after all that's happened.''

Sarah wasn't backing down, though. She shook her head. ''No. I know it sounds crazy.''

Kie's tone grew more frustrated. ''Yeah, it does.''

''I know!'' Sarah cried, her voice breaking slightly. She took a deep breath before continuing, ''But he's my dad. And I know he loves me.''

Her eyes moved over the group, her gaze pleading. I could see the desperation in her. She was holding onto something—belief, hope—that none of us were willing to entertain.

''I'm just asking for two hours.''

I stood there, unable to speak as Sarah made the decision for all of us. She rose to her feet and walked off, heading toward the boat. John B followed her, but I stayed rooted to the spot for a moment longer. 

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I TOOK A deep breath and stepped forward, catching up to John B as he pulled me aside, away from the others. The clearing felt bigger now, emptier.

''What's going on?'' John B asked, his voice quieter, his eyes searching mine.

I didn't know where to begin. I had thought about this conversation for weeks, but now that the moment had come, my words felt jumbled. ''John B... there's something I need to tell you.''

He raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued.

I hesitated, then took a deep breath, trying to steady my racing thoughts. ''My dad and your dad... they worked together. Looking for the gold. I know it doesn't really matter now.''

His confusion was instant as he cut me off. ''What? Your dad? And mine?''

I nodded, pressing my lips together. ''Yeah. My mom was involved too. She was... she was a part of it.''

John B stared at me, his face still, trying to process what I had said. I could see the questions flickering behind his eyes. ''Your mom?''

I nodded again. ''She got killed. During the search. And after that... my dad dropped the whole thing.''

The silence between us stretched. ''Wait... so, do you think your dad might have any information about it?''

I shook my head. ''I don't think so. My mom's been gone for a long time now, and the gold's been moved around so many times. If my dad had any answers, he would've said something by now. At least I hope so. In case we get no more leads, he might help us.''

I could see the doubt in John B's eyes, but he didn't press me further. Instead, he stepped forward, pulling me into a hug. 

We stood like that for a few seconds before he pulled away. We both lost our parents in a search for the tressure.

He looked at me. ''Thanks for telling me, Mavis.''

I smiled faintly, but it didn't quite reach my eyes. 

''Let's go back to the others,'' he said, breaking the silence.

I nodded and followed him back, but as we approached the group, I couldn't help but wonder why dad never let me in on the details until now and how he found out we're searching for the gold in the first place.

John B was scanning the horizon when he pointed to the boat. ''Hey, there she is.''

''Sarah!'' Kie called out, waving her arms in the air.

''You made it,'' JJ added, grinning.

John B helped Sarah off the boat, his movements gentle as she limped toward him. 

''So, how'd it go?'' John B asked her.

Sarah wiped her eyes, sniffling. ''You guys were right. It didn't work. Sorry.''

''Welp, then that settles it, guys,'' JJ announced. ''Now, y'all need to load up in the paddy wagon and get the heck out of dodge right now.''

''Right,'' Pope chimed in, nodding sharply. ''You'll need supplies, and you'll have to split as soon as possible.''

''Do we even have time to get them supplies, though?'' I asked.

Kie's head snapped up, her brows furrowed. ''Guys, I think it's too late,'' she said urgently. Her ears perked like she could hear something the rest of us couldn't—then I heard it too. The unmistakable wailing of sirens. My stomach sank as Kildare County police boats emerged, heading straight for us.

''Oh, shit,'' Kie muttered under her breath.

John B turned sharply toward Sarah, his eyes narrowing. ''They followed you here?'' he asked.

Sarah stood frozen, lips parted, her eyes wide with shock. ''Must've been your father,'' John B muttered.

''We have to find another way out of here,'' Pope urged.

''Stay on the beach with your hands in the air!'' a voice boomed from one of the approaching boats.

''Go now!'' Pope shouted, his voice breaking the spell of our fear. ''Go!''

The salty air burned my lungs as we sprinted across the sand. The wind whipped my hair back, and the wail of police sirens growed louder behind us.

Branches scratched at my arms as we dove into the trees.

''This way!'' John B yelled, motioning for us to follow as we pushed deeper into the trees.

Eventually, the woods thinned, and we burst out onto the edge of a swamp. The only option left was water. Without hesitation, we plunged into the murky swamp, the cold water shocking against my skin. My heart thundered as I swam.

When we finally reached the other side, we staggered onto the shore, gasping for breath.

''There's nothing we can do,'' Pope panted, leaning against the tree trunk as he tried to catch his breath.

''We're trapped,'' he added grimly.

JJ wiped his wet face with his sleeve, his eyes darting around like a caged animal's. ''There's no getting out of this,'' he muttered. ''We gotta take a stand.''

''JJ, don't,'' I warned, stepping toward him as he pulled out his gun.

''Guns blazing,'' JJ mumbled, loading the weapon with shaking hands.

''What the hell are you doing?!'' John B yelled, lunging for JJ. He grabbed JJ's wrist, yanking it away before JJ could do anything reckless.

JJ tried to free himself, but John B held firm. ''Let go, man!'' JJ snapped.

John B wrestled the gun from JJ's hand. ''Stop it!'' he growled, dropping the gun to the ground and kicking dirt over it to hide it.

The sound of footsteps and muffled voices reached us. The cops were closing in.

''Get those hands up now!'' an officer shouted.

''It's gonna be all right,'' John B said quietly, his voice low but reassuring as he patted JJ's cheek. He took a small step back, raising his hands in surrender. ''Here we go,'' he whispered.

We followed his lead, our hands raised high as the cops emerged from the woods, guns aimed.

''John B! Step out of the clearing! Get down. Do not move!'' Shoupe barked.

''I'm surrendering!'' John B yelled back, his hands trembling slightly as he walked toward the officers.

The rest of us stayed rooted to the spot, our hands still raised as the officers moved closer.

''All right, the rest of y'all stay right where you are,'' Shoupe ordered, his eyes scanning us carefully. ''Keep your hands where we can see them.''

John B raised his voice. ''Hey, listen, Shoupe, I wanna testify.''

''Don't move!'' Plumb shouted, her gun trained on him as Thomas stormed forward, grabbing John B roughly.

''Are you serious? Come on!'' JJ yelled, his fists clenching at his sides.

Thomas ignored him, dragging John B to the ground.

''No!'' Sarah screamed, her voice breaking as she stepped forward.

''Stop! Let him go!'' I shouted as Thomas began kicking John B.

''What is that? You're gonna let that happen?!'' JJ yelled, stepping forward, but Plumb aimed her gun at him.

''Don't aim a fucking gun at him!'' I snapped.

''Don't move!'' Plumb shouted back, her finger twitching on the trigger. ''I will shoot if you move again!''

Thomas hauled John B up by his shirt.

''Stand down!'' Shoupe barked, stepping forward to intervene, but Thomas shoved him away.

''This is for Peterkin,'' Thomas growled before landing a brutal punch to John B's face, knocking him out cold.

''No!'' I screamed, the sound ripping from my throat as we watched in helpless horror.

All I could do was stare, my fists clenched so tightly my nails dug into my palms.

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THE COUNTRY CLUB reeked of privilege. The faint hum of cicadas filled the night air, and the glow of the outdoor lights cast shadows on the perfectly manicured lawns. I stayed hidden in the darkness, the hood of my sweatshirt pulled low over my face, sunglasses obscuring my eyes even though the moon provided the only real light.

I could feel the weight of my rage bubbling under my skin, my fists clenching instinctively every time I thought of John B sitting in a jail cell because of them. Because of him.

Rafe Cameron was laughing too loudly with his friends. They were drunk, as usual. One of them stumbled over a golf cart and swore loudly, prompting Rafe to burst into an uncontrollable fit of laughter. I stayed back, watching from the shadows, waiting for my chance.

As they started to disperse, I felt my pulse quicken. Rafe swaggered off on his own. That was my moment.

I stepped out of the shadows, moving quickly. Before he could even react, I grabbed his wrist and yanked him behind the club building.

''What the hell?'' Rafe barked, his voice slurred. He tried to pull his arm free, but I held tight.

''Admit what you did in court,'' I hissed. ''You know damn well John B didn't do it.''

Rafe froze for a moment before his lips curled into a smirk, his blue eyes narrowing as he leaned closer. ''Mavis Kentala,'' he drawled, his tone mocking. ''This is cute. Really. You playing the hero.''

I tightened my grip on his wrist before shoving him back against the wall. ''I'm not playing, Rafe,'' I snapped, my voice shaking slightly despite my best efforts to stay steady. ''You're framing him for something you did. If you don't drop the charges, I swear—''

''What?'' he interrupted, laughing bitterly. ''What are you gonna do, huh? Kill me? Oh, that'd be rich. You think you can just waltz in here and threaten me? You're committing a crime right now, sweetheart.''

The way he said ''sweetheart'' made my stomach churn.

''You're a psycho,'' I spat, my hands trembling at my sides. ''You're a cold-blooded murderer, Rafe. And you're so far gone you don't even care.''

That seemed to hit a nerve. His smirk vanished, replaced by something darker. He shoved me back a step, his voice rising. ''You don't know shit about me, Mavis. Not a damn thing.''

I stumbled slightly but stood my ground, glaring up at him. ''I know you killed Peterkin,'' I shot back, ''and I know you framed John B because you're too much of a coward to take responsibility for your own actions.''

Rafe's face twisted into something between anger and desperation, his chest heaving. ''You think I wanted to kill her?'' he yelled, his voice cracking. ''I did it for you! For all of you dirty Pogues! You don't even get it, do you?''

''For us?'' I scoffed. ''Are you seriously trying to justify what you did? You're insane.''

He took a step closer, and I instinctively stepped back, my heart hammering against my ribs. That seemed to amuse him. He let out a bitter chuckle, shaking his head. ''Stay away from me, Mavis,'' he warned. ''You have no idea what I'm capable of.''

With that, he turned and walked off.

I stood there for a moment, frozen. The rage that had fueled me earlier was now replaced by a sinking feeling of helplessness. I wasn't like Rafe. I didn't have the ability to manipulate or intimidate people into doing what I wanted. And I definitely couldn't convince someone like him to confess.

The night seemed colder now as I pulled my hood tighter and turned to leave. There was only one thing left to do—find the best lawyer I could for John B.

As I walked away, I couldn't help but think of Rafe's parting words. The venom in his voice. The way he'd said, ''You don't know what I'm capable of.''

The problem was, I did.

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