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 ''We've lost so much. So many people we cared about... but I'm glad I have you. We'll get through this, okay? We'll do a DNA test when we're back to be sure, but... you're my sister, Mave.''

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THE MAKESHIFT GRAVE sat in silence. The humid air clung to my skin as the reality of it all pressed down like a weight I couldn't shake. John B crouched over JJ's grave, his fingers trembling as he worked the clasp of JJ's bracelet, slipping it off with painstaking care. It was simple, weathered from the beach water and sunlight, but it was his. It was JJ. John B held it in his palm for a moment, staring at it with glistening eyes before he slipped it into his pocket.

I stayed quiet, my arms folded tightly across my chest, watching as John B and Pope carried JJ's body to the shallow grave we'd dug. My throat felt tight, my chest hollow, but my mind... my mind was a storm. Trevor's words were a haunting loop, crashing against the memories I'd had of him, the man I'd called my father. I wasn't his. I was Big John's. John B's real sister.

And now, I'd killed a man for JJ—a man I had called Dad. My hands didn't tremble. My heart didn't ache for him. I felt nothing. The act was cold and final, but for JJ... for the way he was ripped away from us... I didn't feel remorse.

When JJ's grave was filled, the group lingered for a moment before stepping back, their heads bowed in unspoken grief. I caught John B's eye and subtly motioned for him to step aside. He hesitated, his gaze flickering between me and the grave, but he eventually nodded, letting the others linger in their silence.

We walked a short distance away, and I turned to face him, my words tumbling out before I could think too much. ''Trevor wasn't my dad,'' I began, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside me. ''He said I'm Big John's kid. Your sister. Said that's why he killed my mom. He was working for Groff the entire time. And...'' I faltered, running a hand through my hair as my chest tightened. ''I killed him. I killed Trevor.''

John B's expression crumpled as the weight of my words hit him. ''Mavie...'' His voice broke, and before I could step away, he pulled me into a tight embrace. ''I'm so sorry,'' he whispered, his voice shaking. ''We've lost so much. So many people we cared about... but I'm glad I have you. We'll get through this, okay? We'll do a DNA test when we're back to be sure, but... you're my sister, Mave.''

I couldn't respond, my throat too tight to let out the words. He held onto me a moment longer before gently guiding me back to the fire.

The others were scattered around, their grief thick in the air like the smoke from the flames. Pope had retreated to the van, his silhouette barely visible through the window. Kiara sat on the other side of the fire, her arms wrapped around her knees. No one spoke as John B eased into the circle, sitting down next to Sarah.

Rafe was waiting for me, his eyes scanning my face. Without a word, he reached for my hand, pulling me down to sit beside him. His arm slipped around my shoulders, and I leaned into him, resting my head against his shoulder. His hand rubbed slow circles on my back. I knew he hadn't been close to JJ, but he knew how much JJ meant to me. And he loved me enough to be here now, silent and supportive.

The fire crackled, its light flickering over our faces. The silence was broken by Rafe's voice, low and measured. ''Groff said he was going to Lisbon,'' he mentioned, his eyes fixed on the fire. ''I don't know. If it were my friend, I'd probably go after the guy that just killed him. Yeah?''

Pope shot him a glare from where he sat in the van. ''Shut up, Rafe,'' he snapped.

I sat up, the firelight reflecting in my eyes as I met Pope's glare with one of my own. ''He's not wrong,'' I argued. ''You think JJ would sit here if it were one of us? You think he'd do nothing?''

Kiara shot to her feet, her movements sharp as she grabbed a stick and hit it against the wood in the fire, sending sparks into the air. ''We all know what he'd do,'' she bit out, her voice trembling with emotion.

''We all know what he'd do.'' My brother spoke up, holding hands with Sarah.

Kiara's eyes burned into the fire, her jaw set. ''Revenge.''

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