ONLY ANGEL | JJ MAYBANK

TWENTY-FIVE... the perfect storm

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

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Time seemed to dwindle down like sand in an hourglass as three o'clock drew nearer, and the Pogues still had yet to retrieve the vessel for John B's escape from the Outer Banks. With every second that passed like individual grains, Collins felt her heart skip a beat to the rhythm and she couldn't stop her knees from bouncing as all her nervous energy channeled itself into physical movements.

Getting out of the car helped her manage that problem because at least she wasn't just sitting there helplessly. It was so painful to be trapped under a seatbelt when she felt like she could be doing more.

Collins just had to remind herself that she was doing something. She was helping to get John B the key to his freedom and that was the most important part of this plan.

As JJ pushed open the storage door where he was sure his dad's boat was being held, Collins couldn't even begin to describe the relief she felt actually seeing it in front of her. Granted, it wasn't the shiniest or the latest model of watercraft's by any means, but it was indeed a boat and it looked like it could withstand a lot which was exactly what they needed. Sometimes, older is better, because back then, things were made to last. A couple bumps and scrapes didn't mean anything, they were just like scars; they showed perseverance. They were definitely going to put that to the test when John B took it all the way down to Mexico.

"There she be. Hey, girl." JJ cooed, walking up to the boat to pull the tarp away from over it. "A 1983 Formula 402 SR1. The Phantom. The first boat to make the run to Bermuda in under 16 hours, guys. 40 years old! And still the fastest thing that Kildare's ever seen."

Shrugging her shoulders, Kie just shook her head. "It's kind of a junker."

Casting her a blank look, JJ pressed his lips together. "Really? She's right there, Kie. She can hear you."

"She doesn't have ears, JJ." Collins reminded him, raising her brows. "But I'm sure if she had lips you'd be kissing them based on the way you're talking about her."

JJ scowled at her and Collins just returned the expression, but she quickly broke out into a smile. Turning back to the boat, JJ said, "Let's just put it this way, you would not be smoking weed right now, if she never existed. The buds that Charlie and my cousin Ricky nursed into maturation were carried on this boat."

"I just hope it runs." Kie mumbled.

"Oh, no, she'll run all right. She's faster than any of the cutters the boys in blue got." JJ began getting the trailer under the boat hooked up to attach to Kie's car while Collins attempted to help next to him.

The sound of tires screeching signaled to them that Pope had finally gotten the gas cans he'd left earlier to retrieve, a task that had taken way longer than it should've.

"Pope, finally." Kie breathed, moving to make her way over to him when she skidded to a stop as none other than Rafe Cameron cut her off.

"Hey, there. What's going on?" He asked casually, leaning over to look past Kie and peer over at Collins and JJ who froze at first glance at him. "Good to see the lovely couple."

While Rafe jumped up on the trailer to inspect the boat up close, a sharp whistle sounded from behind them, and they were all whipping around to see Barry unexpectedly stroll on in.

"Well, well," Barry said as he came closer, not even waiting for them to even try making a move before he was cocking a gun and pointing it at them. Collins jumped back and instinctively held her hands up, while JJ stepped in between her and the barrel of the gun. "See, don't think I forgot about you and me on the side of the road. I'm here because I want my motherfuckin' money!"