SUNBURN | JOHN B ROUTLEDGE

058

At 3 a.m., the world was still and quiet, cloaked in darkness as John B and Gabriella quietly slipped into Tannyhill.

After stopping at the Chateau to hose off the grime and change into clean clothes, they moved with practiced stealth, not wanting to wake anyone who might question where they had been or what they had been up to. The thrill of their night still lingered, and John B's hand clutched hers, the other still gripping the gold bar tucked securely in his pocket.

They climbed the grand staircase, their footsteps barely making a sound on the polished wood. At the top, they paused outside his room. John B turned to her, his eyes soft in the dim light. "Goodnight, sunshine," he whispered, his voice gentle as he leaned in to place a soft kiss on her lips.

"Goodnight," she whispered back, a small smile playing on her lips as she reluctantly let go of his hand. She watched him disappear into his room before she quietly walked to her own.

Once inside, Gabriella changed into the pajamas that had been kindly left for her by the Camerons. The soft fabric felt comforting against her skin as she climbed into the large bed, pulling the covers up to her chin. Her mind wandered, part of her wanting to confide in Sarah about the gold, to keep her in the loop after all the help she'd given them. But another part of her hesitated. Sarah had made it clear she didn't want to be involved, and Gabriella didn't want to risk pulling her into something dangerous or having her be tempted by the wealth they had uncovered.

As she settled down, her head sinking into the plush pillow, she closed her eyes, ready to let sleep take her. But then, she heard the doorknob turn, the soft creak of the door opening. Her eyes snapped open, and she turned, expecting to see John B. But instead, it was Rafe.

"What are you doing?" Gabriella asked, her voice tinged with bitterness as she stared at him standing in her room at 3 a.m.

"Sorry to disturb you, princess. How's the arm?" Rafe said with a smirk, walking over to her bed. He didn't seem the least bit sorry as he opened the bedside drawer and rummaged through it until he pulled out a small baggy filled with white powder.

Gabriella scoffed, her eyes narrowing. Of course, Rafe had a hidden stash of cocaine. She wasn't surprised. "You want some, princess?" he offered, smirking as he dangled the baggy in front of her.

For a moment, the idea hung in the air, tempting her. But then she shook her head, her resolve firm. "No, Rafe. You deserve it all, big boy," she mocked, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

Rafe's smirk widened as he leaned closer, his breath hot against her neck. "You know," he whispered, his voice low and smooth, "If you didn't hang around with Pogue trash, I reckon we could've been good together. So good."

Gabriella felt a chill run down her spine as his words slithered into her ear. She pushed him away, her stomach churning with disgust. "Make sure your nose, I can see some coke residue." She gritted through her teeth. Rafe chuckled lightly, unfazed by her rejection, and sauntered out of the room.

As soon as he was gone, Gabriella jumped out of bed and hurried to the door, locking it securely behind him. Her heart raced as she leaned against the door, trying to shake off the lingering unease that Rafe had left in his wake. There was something deeper, something darker about the so-called Kook King, and Gabriella had no desire to find out what it was. She could feel the unease settling in her bones, every single encounter with Rafe lingering like a bad taste. She walked back to her bed, trying to push the unsettling thoughts out of her mind.

As she climbed back into bed, she couldn't shake the feeling that Rafe's intrusion was a sign of something more ominous. The darkness in his eyes, the way he had spoken to her—it felt like a warning. Gabriella tried to push it aside, telling herself that she was just overthinking it, that Rafe was nothing more than a spoiled, coked-out rich kid with too much time and too little sense. But deep down, she knew there was something more dangerous lurking beneath his polished surface.