Fragile Hearts | RAFE CAMERON

Twenty one | K I D N A P P E D

- third pov

The pogues are glad to have found out that John B and Sarah are alive in the Bahamas. They had to make a hard choice in not telling Scarlett about John B being alive. After all, it would only put them at risk.

"We're going to tell Scarlett eventually, right?" JJ says, still unsure.

"John B can tell her himself. He sent the photo to the Pogue group chat with just us so maybe he wants to keep it just between us." Kie says.

"If Scarlett finds out, Rafe is going to know too. Telling her isn't an option." Pope adds.

"Okay, fine, whatever, so are we going to the Bahamas or what?" JJ asked, leaning against the bench.

"There's no way we're getting to the Bahamas." Pope says.

Kie pitched in, "John B will get nabbed sooner or later. So if we're gonna clear his name, we need to have done it like yesterday."

"I'll tell you how we do it." JJ takes the lead, pacing around the dock.

"So you have it all planned out?" Pope asks.

"As a matter of fact, I do." He stops. "We kidnap Rafe and Scarlett."

"I'm sorry, what?" Kie cuts him off.

"We kidnap them, tie them up and stick the gun in their mouth—" He demonstrates with his hands. "And just wait till they start squawking."

"You know, tortures a war crime." Kie mentions.

Pope nodded, "Yeah, so how exactly do you plan on clearing John B's name from a prison cell because thats a felony."

"Alright, well what do you got Pope. I was just trying to keep it simple. You know, one stop, and we're done." JJ shrugs.

"Guys all we need is a material witness." Pope says.

"Like Scarlett?" JJ asks.

"No. She's too hooked on Rafe. But, we saw Wards plane fly right over our heads with the gold inside of it. He didn't fly it. If somebody else flew, they were there on the tarmac. They saw Peterkin get murdered." Pope says.

JJ takes off his hat, intrigued.

"We find whoever that was and get them to confess on record."

"How do we do that?" Kie asks.

"A little light espionage."

"A little ghost recon." JJ adds, smiling.

"Woogity-woogity." Pope fiddles fingers with JJ, "Woogity, baby." JJ returns.

— later that night (first pov)

I stepped onto the sleek, rented yacht at the dock of the Cameron house Rafe had bought out for the night. I couldn't help but feel like a queen. Rafe beamed with pride as helped me onto the boat and handed me a chilled glass of champagne.

I sipped the bubbly liquid, feeling the cool glass against my lips, and took in the breathtaking view of the marina. The sun was setting, casting a warm orange glow over the water, and the sound of gentle lapping waves against the hull was soothing.

I adjusted my tight red dress, making sure everything was in place. Rafe, looking dashing in his black tuxedo, grinned at me, his eyes crinkling at the corners.

"You look stunning, Scarlett," he whispered, taking my hand to hold his.

I felt my heart flutter at the way he said my name, low and smooth, like honey. We exchanged a tender kiss, and I couldn't help but notice how happy he seemed. There was a sparkle in his eye, a spring in his step, that I hadn't seen before.