One with the Pogues [jj x reader]

26. Negotiating

We get to an old hotel. We hide as people drive by looking for us.
"Are you sure this is safe?"
"Do you have a better idea?"

We follow her up.
"We can stay here. It's an old hotel. Terrance and I squatted here before." She says.
"Five stars." JJ mutters.

There's a huge hole in the ground.
"Oh. Home sweet home." I mutter.

"Guys we gotta get Kie out. Does anyone have anything?" I ask.
"We can't storm the fort. We can't call the cops."
"Not helping, Pope."
"We can't negotiate. We don't know what they want. It's gotta be about the cross or the gold."
"Mm-mm. Guys like Singh, it's always about the money" Cleo says.

"All I know is that we can't stay on this island." I say.

We all choose a spot to sleep.

In the morning I notice JJ on a phone.
"What is that?" Sarah asks.
"This is a little souvenir that I plucked from Portis' pocket."
"You have a phone?"
"I forgot I had it."
"Oh my god, dude. Can we go anywhere without you stealing?" Pope asks.
"We know the answer to that." I say.
"Let me see it." He says.

Pope looks at it.
"How'd you get it unlocked?" I ask looking over their shoulders.
"No passcode."
"What are you looking for?" Cleo asks.
"The kidnapper."

"I don't see a Carlos Singh in the contacts." Pope says.
"Well what did he call him?" I ask.
"Yeah, he called him something when we were jumping him. It was like Rockfish or-"
"Can't remember." Cleo says.
"Catfish?"
"Kingfish." John B says.
"Yeah!" I yell.

Pope finds the contact.
"Phase two, text him."
"Wait what are you saying?" I ask.
"Like Pope said, negotiate. Pretend to be Portis, ask him to meet somewhere private. Just solo- we jump him."
"And get Kie back." I say.
"Not a bad idea." John B says.

"We should think this through." Pope says. I sigh.
"What's rule number one? Thinking never helps when you already have the idea."
"No, hang on. I agree with Pope." Sarah says. "This could make things 10x worse for Kiara."
"Or if we don't she could die." I say.

"Let it rip." John B says.
"Thank you." JJ says taking the phone back. He takes a photo of Sarah and John B and sends it to him.

"Now we wait." I say leaning against the wall.
"He's texting." JJ says. I run over.
"What's he saying." Pope asks.
"It's the typing bubble." I explain.

"Send me your location. I'll come meet you." JJ reads.
"He wants our location?" Pope asks.
"Yup." JJ yells passing the phone to John B.
"And say what?" Sarah asks.

"We can't give him our location." I say.
"Give him a random place."
"What about the horse tracks?"
"Now we're working. Now we're jelling! I like it." JJ says. "And if we have to make a getaway, we'll hop on some horses. Guns a-blazing!"
"No. We're not horse-backing with guns."
"Scratch the horses."

"Guys, we can really plan this out." Pope says.
"Just got another text." JJ says.
"What?" I ask.
"Nevermind. I just tracked your location. And I'm sending my men. They'll be there in ten minutes to pick you up." JJ reads.

"You didn't turn the location off!" We yell.
"This is why we need a plan!" Pope yells.

"Guys calm down!" I yell. "We need to think. We have ten minutes, we can do something."
"Do what?"
"I don't know."
"I'm thinking." John B says.

"We got home-field advantage. We're gonna booby-trap this shit." JJ says.

We start going around and setting up traps.

We all get in our specific spots as we wait.

We hear the cars show up.

I nod at JJ.