𝚂𝙾𝙱𝚁𝙸𝙴𝚃𝚈 𝚆𝙾𝙽𝚃 𝚃𝙴𝙰𝙲𝙷 𝙺𝙸𝙳𝚂 𝚃𝙾 𝙳𝙰𝙽𝙲𝙴 ,, j. b routledge

22 | never said i was as good as gold, my reputation's in a stranglehold

Chapter Twenty - Two

Bad To The Bone (WSTR)

"i never said i was as good as gold, my reputation's in a stranglehold"

We were in a happier mood as we returned to my house, the sun beginning to peek at us over the horizon line. There was hope for us now, the knowledge of Sangue's little hiding spot being the first step we needed to getting Pope and Favio back.

"Man, we're just gonna go on that stupid yacht and kick doors in and it's all bang bang bANG!" JJ shouted with a whoop, splashing water into the air "It's gonna be like an episode of S.W.A.T!"

"An episode of S.W.A.T?" I grinned "You're aiming a little high there buddy, putting yourself in the same category as Shemar Moore."

JJ scoffed "Come on, I'm so much more attractive than Shemar Moore."

Kiara scoffed, taking a swig from her hydroflask "I beg to differ."

We kept on laughing as we tromped back up the beach. I was surprised to see the back patio door open, eighty percent sure that there was nobody at our house when we left. Vittoria stepped outside, a cable knit sweater pulled tight over her torso.

"Where the hell were you?" She shouted "I was worried sick."

"Breaking into Luke Maybank's office." I supplied as an answer "Where are mom and Nonna?"

"Mom took the Porsche and the credit cards and is taking some time in Chapel Hill. I was supposed to stop you from doing something stupid, but I see I'm too late for that."

I rolled my eyes "You? The responsible one? That's hilarious."

"Guys" John B warned "We can't do anything if you guys are busy arguing with each other."

"JB is right." I sighed "We got an address in the marina. We know where they are. But this is a Pogue mission, which means you need to stay here in case mom comes back."

Vittoria shook her head "Not a chance. I've dealt with the shadiest people in Charleston, you need me. I'm not letting you go at this alone. You're my baby sister. I wouldn't forgive myself if anything happened to you."

I looked at the rest of the group, hoping that literally any one of them would say something, but nobody did. In fact, Kiara mentioned that it might have been a good idea to have Vittoria on our side.

"Fine. But when you go back to jail, and real jail this time, not that youth detention center you were in before, don't come crying to me."

Vittoria nodded "Alright. Here's what we're going to do. First, we hit up figure eight and we get that money from Sienna's ex. Then, we go to this Four Swans Marina or whatever and we find Sangue's boat. JJ and I will distract, the rest of you go in from the back. JJ, you got that gun?"

JJ nodded and Kiara sighed. She had told him not to bring it.

"Good. We might need it."

++++

My heart pounded in my chest as the soles of my Vans crunched across the Cameron's well manicured backyard. I hadn't been here since a week before we broke up, when Rafe was determined to keep me out of his life.

"You shouldn't be here, Sienna!"

"Why not?! All you've been doing this past week is pushing me away!"

Blinking the memories away, I stood near the pool, dialing Rafe's number. It had just gone five thirty, so I doubted any of the other Cameron's would be awake.

"Hey Country Club, I'm outside."

Minutes later, Rafe came tromping out of the sliding doors in the kitchen. "I thought we said seven."

"Plans changed."

Rafe nodded "You have the address?"

"Yeah. I'm scared. This could easily go south."

"Hey, have a bit of faith." The Cameron boy laughed "If anybody can pull it off, it's you guys." He said, passing me a Tommy Hilfiger bag

I took the bag from Rafe, a sad smile on my face "Was that supposed to make me feel better?"

I was anxious to leave, the Cameron family backyard bringing back a lot of memories: Rafe's eighteenth, the two of us running around the backyard and spraying each other with Super Soakers, Ward at the barbecue making ribs. The late night ventures we used to take on his father's boat. 

It was all a bit much.

"Rafe," I began "Do you remember what I told you the day we broke up."

He nodded, running a hand through his hair "You asked me to pick between the drugs and you."

"I pray you never have to make that choice for anybody else. Pull yourself together, Cameron."

He nodded "Good luck, Barba."

I gave him a mock salute before turning and heading back towards the dock. The Pogues had been watching with rapt attention, John B ready to hit Rafe if things were to go south.

"I've got the money. So let's go get Pope and Favio back."

NOTES!

so there's only like four chapters left here-