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''Where you headed to, bruv?''

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JOHN B EASED THE boat into neutral, the engine letting out a low grumble that vibrated through the frame. Around us, the water shimmered with the early morning sun, casting golden reflections off the pristine hulls of the Kook boats docked nearby. These were sleek, shining machines, practically dripping with wealth and privilege.

JJ leaned forward, his sharp blue eyes scanning the options before us. ''All right, guys, we gotta boost a boat that can make it to Morocco,'' he declared, a small grin creeping onto his face. He gestured grandly toward the rows of yachts and speedboats. ''Take your pick. We got a lot to choose from.''

Sarah stood beside me, shielding her eyes from the sun as she pointed to a modest-sized boat bobbing near the centre of the dock. ''What about that one?''

John B glanced at it, shaking his head immediately. ''It's a flat hull. It's not gonna make it across the ocean. Also, they break down all the time.'' 

I crossed my arms and glanced toward a sleek, shining vessel a few docks down, its name emblazoned across the side in bold black letters. ''Rafe's new boat?'' I suggested, raising an eyebrow.

Kiara shot me a glare but couldn't hold back a smirk. ''Seriously, Mavie?''

''What?'' I shrugged, feigning innocence. ''It's nice.''

John B let out a dry chuckle but shook his head again. ''I'd be with you, but the reality is it's not gonna make it across the ocean either. It's not big enough. Groff would nab the crown before we were halfway to Morocco.''

''What about this baby right here?'' JJ interrupted, nodding toward a monstrous ship parked at the far end of the dock. Its sleek, futuristic design was almost intimidating, with the name Lost Boy painted elegantly on the side.

Pope's jaw dropped slightly. ''You know, that's, like, a 2 million dollar boat.''

''It's pretty,'' Sarah added, tilting her head as she admired it.

John B nodded in agreement. ''Big engine.''

Kiara stepped forward. ''I think that's the one.''

Pope groaned. ''You know we could all go to jail for taking a boat like that.''

I rolled my eyes, nudging him with my elbow. ''Pope, after everything we've done, we're doing 25 to life.''

Cleo grinned and held her fist out toward me. ''Exactly,'' she agreed, and we bumped knuckles.

''Nothing to worry about,'' JJ chimed in as he jumped onto the boat and began tying it off with ease. ''We're just gonna borrow it.''

Cleo squinted toward the deck and gestured for the rest of us to follow. ''Looks like nobody's home.''

We climbed aboard, the polished wood deck gleaming beneath our feet. JJ was already poking around, his hands moving with precision as he muttered to himself. ''I'll go look for keys.''

Kiara tapped her foot anxiously. ''Let's make this fast, guys.''

Pope hovered near the controls, frowning at the dashboard. ''What are you doing? Press go.''

''It has to be in neutral,'' JJ informed him, shooting a pointed look over his shoulder.

''He's got a lock on it,'' Pope groaned after a moment. ''I don't know the pin.''

''What's taking so long?'' Kiara demanded.

''Trying to figure it out,'' JJ replied through gritted teeth. ''This is a new boat. You got computers on top of computers to start computers.''

John B leaned against the side of the cockpit, his eyes scanning the horizon nervously. ''Guys, we're sitting ducks, okay?''

''Is it in neutral?''

''Yes, it's in neutral!''

Before anyone could respond, Cleo's voice cut through the chaos. ''Shit. Coppers!'' she hissed, gesturing toward the dock. ''Coppers!''

A cop's voice echoed across the water. ''JJ Maybank, we have a warrant for your arrest!''

''We still gotta find a boat to get to Morocco,'' Pope muttered.

''Yeah, but first we gotta ditch these cops,'' Cleo countered, already moving toward the helm.

''JJ!'' Kiara called.

''I'm coming, I'm coming!'' JJ snapped, hastily untying the boat.

''Get on!'' Pope urged as JJ leapt back on board.

Cleo grabbed the wheel, her grip firm as she took over. ''I got it. We gotta go fast.''

The boat lurched forward, the engine roaring to life as we sped away from the dock. A cop's voice rang out behind us, growing fainter with distance. ''Hey, stop!''

Pope let out a groan of recognition as the figure came into view. ''Shit, that guy,'' he muttered, narrowing his eyes at the officer he'd tackled not long ago.

Meanwhile, JJ was rummaging through the emergency kit, pulling out items.

''What are you doing?'' Sarah asked glancing at him confused.

''What's he doing?'' John B echoed.

JJ smirked as he pulled out a flare gun, holding it up triumphantly.

''JJ,'' Sarah protested, her voice rising.

''JJ!'' I warned, my heart lurching as he aimed the weapon at the pursuing officer.

With a sharp pop, the flare ignited, streaking through the air in a blaze of red. The cop fired his gun in return, the deafening crack splitting the air as we ducked for cover.

''Are you crazy?'' Pope demanded, his eyes wide.

JJ leaned back casually, a smug grin on his face. ''You're welcome.''

''We're leaking,'' Pope groaned, crouching to inspect the damage.

John B's face darkened as he saw the water seeping in. ''They shot the boat.''

''Damn it,'' JJ hissed under his breath as he dug through a bag.

''Check for a patch,'' Pope ordered, trying to cover the hole with his hand.

''I'm looking,'' JJ replied quickly, tossing items aside.

''Hey, we're losing air,'' Pope warned. ''We gotta get somewhere fast.''

JJ straightened, his face set with determination. ''Head into the moor, okay?''

The boat rocked unsteadily beneath us, water seeping through the patched-up hole faster than Pope could keep up. My hands gripped the railing, my knuckles white as Cleo pulled us toward the shoreline. 

''Look, we've gotta beach her, guys. This thing is sinking,'' Cleo called.

John B leaned over the edge, scanning the shore for a safe spot. ''Cops will be here any minute. We've gotta fix this thing fast.''

''Fix it with what?'' Pope muttered as he clutched the edge of the boat, water soaking his sneakers.

The moment we reached land, we all scrambled out, tugging at the boat to drag it ashore. The soggy ground squelched beneath our feet as we worked.

Cleo stood back, hands on her hips, glaring at JJ. ''Really, rude boy? Look what you did.''

JJ straightened up, brushing sand off his hands. ''They would've hit us with a couple more if I didn't fire,'' he argued, his eyes darting between Cleo and the rest of us.

Cleo threw up her hands. ''You shot at them first!'' she shot back. ''She's done. Not coming back.''

''Great,'' Kiara groaned, her voice dripping with sarcasm. ''Just perfect.''

Pope gestured at the sinking vessel. ''How are we gonna get out of here?''

John B turned on JJ. ''Shooting at a cop, huh?''

''Here we go,'' JJ huffed, rolling his eyes. ''I fired a flare over their head, yeah, to slow them down, which is exactly what it did.''

John B stepped closer. ''You realize we're all in danger now? All of us. All of us are screwed.''

Kiara stepped between them, her palms raised. ''Can this wait? We're trying to figure out how to get out of here.''

JJ's frustration bubbled over as he jabbed a finger at John B. ''I didn't ask any of you guys to come help me, all right? I didn't want any of you to come follow me!''

My jaw tightened as I watched the two of them. ''Follow you?'' I echoed, my voice tinged with disbelief.

JJ spun around, his eyes meeting mine before he addressed the group. ''Yeah, follow me!''

''You think we had any other choice, JJ?'' I asked.

John B cut him off, his voice rising. ''What about Pope, huh? He just threw away his whole life for you.''

JJ looked at Pope, his expression softening for a moment. ''Pope, I don't know why you did what you did, man, okay? I didn't ask you to do that.'' His voice wavered, but then his frustration returned. ''I didn't ask you to involve yourself, John B. But, no, it's always my fault. Always.''

''Yeah, it is your fault,'' John B snapped, his words biting.

JJ spread his arms, his voice growing louder. ''It's always my fault!''

John B didn't back down, meeting him head-on. ''It is your fault.''

''Just like the Enduro was your fault, JJ,'' John B added sharply.

I stepped forward instinctively, my chest tightening as I tried to speak. ''Okay, that's enough—''

Before I could finish, Sarah grabbed my arm gently, shaking her head. ''Let them finish, Mavie,'' she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

JJ's face fell, his expression crumpling. ''Okay then, go!'' he yelled. ''I'll take the hit. I'll gladly do it too, all right? Because my life is already over in the first place.''

Before anyone could respond, the faint wail of a siren cut through the air.

''Shit,'' Cleo hissed under her breath, her eyes darting toward the shoreline.

Sheriff Shoupe's boat came into view, its engine cutting out as it pulled onto the sand.

''You guys finally did it,'' Shoupe remarked. ''Beached yourselves.''

He turned his attention to JJ, a knowing smirk tugging at his lips. ''JJ, I got you. You've been racking up the charges.''

JJ raised a hand, his voice cracking slightly. ''I know. I—''

''And guess what? I've got a warrant this time,'' Shoupe interrupted, his gaze sliding over to Pope. ''And you, ditching your tracking device? No bueno. I thought you were the smart one.''

Pope's jaw clenched as Shoupe continued. ''You've dug this hole about as deep as it can get, so just put down the shovels, and come with me.''

Kiara stepped forward. ''You want him for murder? He didn't murder anybody.''

I felt my fists clench as I stood there, my mind racing.

''Look, I got a good idea of what he did and didn't do, okay?'' he said, his eyes scanning each of us like we were chess pieces in his game. "We just gotta let the courts sort it out."

I crossed my arms tightly over my chest, my jaw tightening as I stepped forward slightly, ignoring John B's wary glance. ''The corrupt judge that almost sent my brother to jail for something he didn't do?'' I countered. I wasn't going to let him brush this off without calling out the hypocrisy.

Shoupe barely blinked, his face unreadable. ''All I know is that I got a warrant for him. And I'm tired of this goose chase, so it ends here.''

''Hey!'' someone shouted behind him. We all turned toward the sound, and my stomach twisted as Rafe stormed up the sandbank.

''What the hell?'' Shoupe snapped, turning toward him.

Rafe threw up his hands like he was about to deliver some grand revelation. ''I'm just here to save everyone's asses, okay?'' His gaze flickered toward me briefly, his eyes narrowing in an expression I couldn't read, but John B immediately stepped in front of me, blocking his view.

''Shoupe, I gotta talk to you,'' Rafe pressed on. ''You're missing a part of this picture.''

Shoupe's hand instinctively went to his gun. ''Hey. Hey, stay back! Stay back!''

Rafe froze, lifting his arms defensively. ''Jesus Christ! What are you gonna do, shoot me? Huh? You're looking for Chandler Groff, yeah?''

Shoupe hesitated, his fingers twitching near his holster. ''Maybe,'' he admitted.

Rafe jumped on the opening. ''Groff was scamming with Hollis this entire time, all right? If you ask me, it was probably Groff that killed her, not...'' He motioned toward JJ, who stood stiffly, his fists clenched and his jaw set. ''Him.''

The mention of JJ drew my attention back to him. 

''Did you already think that? Yeah, Groff probably killed Genrette too. And that body... the body in the dunes? You got that on Groff?'' Rafe continued, his voice rising as he pressed Shoupe.

I exchanged a quick glance with Kiara, who looked equally skeptical and appalled.

''Listen, you can bring these lowlifes in for some vandalism, disturbing-the-peace bullshit, or you can get the big fish,'' Rafe said, gesturing toward us dismissively. ''These guys know where Groff is.''

''Yeah?'' Shoupe asked, his tone dripping with disbelief as his gaze flickered to us. ''Where is he?''

''Out of your jurisdiction, Shoupe,'' John B interjected coolly.

Kiara stepped up. ''Way out.''

''Try out of the country,'' Pope added.

John B didn't miss a beat. ''We were on the way to get him before you showed up.''

Shoupe's eyes narrowed as he pointed toward the sinking pontoon. ''In that?''

''No,'' Rafe cut in smoothly, turning toward his own sleek boat. ''That. They know where he is, and I can get them there, all right? But they can't do shit if they're all locked up.''

Shoupe crossed his arms, considering for a moment. ''And just let 'em go?'' he questioned. ''No, thanks. I tell you what, here's what we're gonna do. You come with me, tell us where Groff is, and I guarantee it, we'll go easy on you. Hell, your charges may disappear. Quid pro quo, you ever heard of that?''

John B's laugh was bitter as he stepped forward. ''Just like you did when I was framed for a murder I didn't commit?''

Rafe didn't miss a beat. ''Think about it. Hollis, dead. Genrette, dead. Downtown's trashed.'' He gestured animatedly. ''You're on the chopping block. Okay? I hear what people are saying about you, all right? You're gonna lose your job. It's game over, man.''

Cleo leaned toward me, muttering under her breath, ''Man's working overtime trying to cover his crush's friends ass.''

I couldn't help the faint smirk that tugged at my lips as the rest of us exchanged subtle glances, all of us silently acknowledging Rafe's unexpected performance.

''Unless you bring the killer to justice all by your lonesome,'' Rafe added, his tone turning sly. ''So, what's it gonna be? I mean, some bullshit charges on these low-rent pogues who didn't do shit?''

''He's got a point,'' Cleo commented, loud enough for Shoupe to hear.

Rafe leaned in slightly, his tone dropping to an almost conspiratorial whisper. ''Or you solve the crime of the century. And you save your job.''

Shoupe's expression darkened as he glared at Rafe. ''You know, you're sounding a lot like your old man. And that's not a compliment.''

Rafe faltered for a moment. ''Oh,'' he muttered, stepping back slightly.

Shoupe waved a hand dismissively. ''Now I'm getting cornered by another friggin' Cameron here?''

Rafe scrambled to regain his footing. ''Okay, then, added bonus. When we get back, and you get Groff locked up, I'll tell you what happened last summer on the runway. When you found me out there on the tarmac? The real deal, all right? I know you wanna know.''

Shoupe's jaw tightened. ''You wanna know what I want to know? I wanna know about another little runway incident from a while back. How about that?''

Rafe chuckled nervously. ''All I'm saying is that all this would look really good for an elected official in the hot seat. You know? Get it all wrapped up in one package.''

John B stepped forward, his voice cutting through the standoff. ''How about this? We find Groff... call you. He's all yours.''

In the distance, the wail of sirens grew louder, spurring Shoupe to a decision.

''I eat shit either way,'' he muttered, waving a hand. ''All right. Yeah, you're welcome. Go on before the cavalry gets here.''

We didn't waste a second, scrambling back toward the shoreline as Shoupe called out after us, ''I'm glad to have you out of my hair anyway! You better find his ass, or I will hunt you down!''

We got into the ship, the salty sea air whipping through my hair as I leaned on the rail, watching the island grow smaller in the distance. The others were outside the wheelhouse too.

''Goodbye, island paradise,'' Kie muttered, her voice tinged with sarcasm as she gazed out at the fading silhouette of the Outer Banks.

I hesitated, glancing toward the wheelhouse where Rafe stood, his back to us as he gripped the ship's controls. For a fleeting moment, I considered joining him—maybe not to talk, but to keep an eye on him. Before I could act on the thought, John B's hand caught my arm, pulling me back toward the group.

''What are you doing?'' he asked.

I shrugged off his grip, but before I could respond, Rafe's voice rang out from the wheelhouse. ''Hey, Mavis! Did you get the gift I sent you?''

The question caught me off guard. My eyes snapped to his, and for a moment, I didn't know what to say. John B cut in before I could reply.

''Yeah, she did,'' he called out. ''And I gotta admit, I was never a fan of white chocolate until I ate the whole bar myself. Thanks.''

Rafe's jaw tightened, his knuckles briefly whitening on the wheel. He replied through gritted teeth, ''No problem.''

I rolled my eyes, letting out a soft sigh as John B tugged me back toward the others. I didn't bother protesting—it wasn't worth the effort when my brother was in protective mode.

''Hey,'' John B announced, rapping on the wall of the wheelhouse as we entered. ''I just wanna talk.''

Rafe didn't turn from the controls immediately. When he finally did, his face was guarded but calm. ''All right, let's talk.''

''We're on a long trek, so let's just—''

Rafe interrupted, reaching into his jacket and pulling out a gun. He held it up, his grip loose but deliberate. The sight of the weapon made my heart skip a beat. Instinctively, I grabbed Sarah's arm, pulling her behind me as I stepped forward.

''Just so you know...'' he began, his voice low. ''See this? It's a peacemaker, all right? You guys be cool, I'll be cool.''

''So now you want peace?'' Pope asked.

''I just saved all your asses,'' Rafe retorted. ''How about a 'thank you'? You know, no good deed goes unpunished. It'll be just like in Barbados. Right, Mavie? You remember?''

''Could've sworn we had a truce,'' I replied evenly, keeping my gaze steady on him.

''Okay, here's the situation, all right?'' Rafe began, ignoring the tension in the room. ''I don't want any part of your little fairy tale treasure hunt bullshit. I'm just looking for Groff. I get you to North Africa, you get me to Groff. Deal?''

John B nodded slightly. ''We want the same thing.''

''Hey, Rafe,'' JJ called out suddenly.

Rafe turned toward him, but before he could say a word, JJ swung his fist, landing a solid punch to Rafe's jaw. The sound was a dull thud, and Rafe crumpled to the floor.

''JJ!'' I shouted, my voice cutting through the shocked silence.

''Oh, shit,'' Pope muttered, his eyes wide.

''Jesus, JJ!'' John B exclaimed.

JJ, on the other hand, looked utterly unbothered, a triumphant grin spreading across his face. ''Oh, that felt good. Whoo!''

''I'm out,'' Kie declared, throwing her hands up before quickly leaving with Sarah and