SOS: Ship of Secrets✔️

22- Neal & Rocco

Neal

I was getting ready for bed when Jesse burst through the door.

"Babe, what's wrong?"

"Lobby, now."

I rushed out of bed and followed him. I grabbed his hand and helped him knock on doors.

"What is it?", Nina asked, annoyed.

"Lobby, now."

After we gathered everyone, we headed towards the lobby.

Several staff members were waiting on us.

"Good evening, everyone. You will now be departing the SOS Ship. We hope you've enjoyed your stay."

They all left the lobby.

"They're just letting us go?", Rocco said.

"No, not that easily.", Malcolm responded.

"He's done playing. He's about to kill us.", Josie said.

Bernie walked in holding his mask.

I held my breathe as he eyed all of us.

"Ernie.",Jennifer said.

"So, you do remember me, mom."

"Of course I remember you, Ernie. Why are you doing this?"

He grinned at her.

"Because you are as ugly inside as I am on the outside. You pretend that you love everyone and you tell people that you care and will do anything for them, but you don't give a damn about anyone except Joey and yourself. I mean, look at how you treated Josie. Have you even apologized for your affair with Neal's father?"

I looked at her and then down at my feet.

"If your problems are with Jen, why are the rest of us here?", Lilly said.

"It's not just mom. It's you too.", he said looking at Josie.

"I haven't done anything to you."

"You had the life that was supposed to belong to me and you threw it away. You're so damn ungrateful, Josie.", He said as he grabbed Josie's throat.

"Get your hands off of her.", Joey said as he pushed Ernie.

Josie looked at Joey with a shocked expression on her face.

"It was my decision not to adopt you. Mine. Let them go."

Ernie laughed.

"You really think you're leaving here alive."

We all heard a beep and then Ernie pulled his phone out.

"Let's go. Your bags are being repacked as we speak."

Repacked? Why would they need to be packed again if he was going to kill us?

We all shared a look before following him.

He led us onto a dock. Unfortunately, there wasn't a person in sight. There was another cruise ship docked near us. It was almost identical to the SOS ship.

"We're reboarding? Why?"

"Same reason people on the run constantly change cars. They're least likely to be caught if no one knows what to look for.", Josie said.

We all turned to look at her and we saw her staring at a nearby light pole while making hand signals.

I'm assuming it's sign language.

We shared a confused look before looking at the spot of the light pole she was staring at and then we saw it. It was a security camera.

I looked back at her hands.

"You know sign language?"

She nodded before looking at us.

"I learned in foster care. A deaf couple was "browsing" children at the home I was in. I thought if I learned, they would choose me."

Jenn and I nodded.

"Hopefully that camera works and someone sees it. I told them we're being held hostage and I spelled out Ernie's name."

"That's smart.", Rocco said as he wrapped his arm around Josie.

"Let's go.", Ernie barked.

We all reluctantly walked on board of the ship and were greeted by the staff.

I wonder why they're helping him or if they even know what's going on.

"Most of you have the same room assignments. You can find out your room number at the receptionist desk.", he said before walking towards the exit.

What the fuck is going on?

Rocco

After figuring out our room number, Josie and I headed to our room.

This suite had two Queen sized beds in them, unlike our last room.

"Oh, I guess we don't have to share a bed anymore.", Josie said.

There was a couch in our room with our bags on it.

Josie unbuttoned her pajama top, revealing her lace tank top. She shrug it off and put it on the ottoman in front of her bed.

"This is so weird."

I heard Josie laugh.

"This is the thing you find weird?"

I laughed as I sat on one of the beds.

"I wonder how he's paying for all this."

She shrugged and got in the second bed.

"I'm tired.", Josie said before pulling the blanket over her.

"So am I. Goodnight, Josie."

I got in bed after pulling my pajama pants off.

I awoke out of my sleep after hearing noise in the room. I looked around the room to see that it was Josie tossing and turning.

"Are you okay?"

She turned to look at me.

"I'm sorry. Did I wake you?"

I sat up in my bed.

"What's wrong?"

"Can't sleep."

I raised my blanket, signaling for her to get in my bed. She slipped out of her bed and got into mine.

I wrapped my arms around her and held her close.

She wrapped her arm around me and threw her leg around mine.

"I sleep better when I'm with you.",she whispered.

"I do too."

I reached up and caressed her cheek. She looked at me before leaning in.

I stopped her.

"Josie, I told you I don't want to just mess around."

Josie climbed on top of me.

"Neither do I."

"What do you mean?", I sat up and held her in my lap.

"Rocco, I forgive you. I'll never be able to forget, but I forgive you for hurting me. I never stopped loving you. I don't know how to stop loving you.", she started crying.

I wiped her tears and kissed her wet cheeks.

"I'll never stop loving you, Josie. Remember what we used to say?"

She smiled and nodded.

"I'm yours."

"And you're mine."

"Forever."

"And always.", her voice cracked.