𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐞 - JJ Maybank

Chapter 64: Packaged Deal

"Yeah, so I have just a couple of questions," JJ called, eyes glued to the boat.

"Go ahead," Kie waved her hand signalling for him to start his rant.

Grace bit her lip to suppress a laugh at the pure admiration written across his face. If she didn't know better she'd think he was more excited to see the boat than her.

"A Lagoon 620 with twin 150 Volvos," JJ spouted off, "You understand we can go anywhere with this thing, right?" He made himself busy untying it.

"I know, kind of a piece of shit," Kie grinned proudly.

"Puts the Phantom to shame, huh?" Grace shared a similar expression. Seeing JJ again made the overbearing weight lift from her shoulders.

"It totally does. Way to be discreet, by the way," JJ smiled at his wife's carefree expression. (He may or may not have felt a twinge of giddiness at the thought of the word wife). "What did they want anyway?" his eyes raked over Grace's body, scanning for injuries for what felt like the millionth time since they'd reunited, "They didn't hurt you, did they?"

Grace was quick to shake her head, wanting to stop him from worrying, "No. Don't worry, we're all good. Right Kie?"

Kie nodded as JJ passed the rope to her. "Yeah. I mean, you're not gonna guess what Singh wanted from us," she paused for dramatic effect, "Denmark's Diary."

JJ's face morphed into one of pure concern with a hint of confusion. "Why?"

"I don't know. Said it leads to a treasure that's a lot bigger than the Merchant," Kie answered.

"You're saying there's a bigger treasure?" JJ made his way on deck.

"Yeah. Sounded tempting," Grace smirked.

JJ made his way past her to enter the cabin not before grinning and replying, "Then, sign me up."

Grace and Kie laughed and linked arms before following him inside.

"Pretty snazzy, huh?" Grace gestured around her at the luxurious interior.

JJ made his way to her side and wrapped an arm over her shoulders. "Wouldn't be a bad way to get to Spain."

"I thought we agreed to start with Nassau," Grace argued playfully while Kie explored the bedrooms of the ship.

"Okay, but we could go anywhere with this thing. We're talking intercontinental now, Sunshine. No borders can tie us down."

Grace grinned. "In that case Spain it is."

___________

"I can't believe he just took off," Pope complained. 

"I can," Grace mumbled while running her fingers through JJ's hair. 

John B had taken off running towards the bell tower. Sarah said it was something about his dad and Grace immediately understood. If it were her mom she'd do the same in a heartbeat.

That didn't stop her from being anxious. They were forced to stay stationary and wait for John B, hoping that he'd come back with Big John in tow and not with a look of defeat splattered across his tanned face. Being stuck and unable to escape when they were so close to safety was not a situation any of them wanted to be in.

JJ was leant down on the steering wheel and was tapping his fingers against it. Grace was stood next to him, working away at his tangles gently to calm him and herself. Sarah was staring out into the water ahead of them, desperately waiting for John B's return. The others were all worried of course, but also annoyed at him. They had to leave. Who knew if they were being actively tracked at that very moment.