STRANGE LOVE | RAFE CAMERON |

CHAPTER 8: | YOU'RE MINE |

Later that evening, the pogues and Allison gathered at Rixon's Cove, a hidden sanctuary they cherished. The firelight danced across their faces, casting shadows that mirrored the complex emotions each of them carried. The air was filled with the crackle of burning wood and the mingling sounds of laughter, but underneath the easy camaraderie, a tension simmered, especially within Allison.

She sat close to Jordan, his presence a steady warmth beside her, a comfort she desperately needed. Yet, as much as she tried to immerse herself in the moment, her thoughts kept drifting to Rafe—the way he made her feel, the way he twisted her heart in knots. The connection she felt with Jordan was real, soft, and safe, but her feelings for Rafe were tempest, wild and uncontrollable. She wasn't sure if she could survive being caught between these two very different emotions.

Noticing her distraction, Jordan leaned in slightly, his voice low and gentle. "You okay?" he asked, his gaze searching hers for answers she wasn't ready to give.

Allison forced a smile, the effort almost painful. "Yeah, just tired from all the dancing," she replied, her voice light but unconvincing.

Jordan nodded, his expression softening as he accepted her answer, even though he could sense there was more to it. He could see that she was struggling with something, but he didn't want to push her. He trusted her, and maybe that was part of the problem—she wasn't being fully honest with him, and the weight of that deception was growing harder to bear.

Across the fire, Pope's voice cut through the night, his tone a mix of anxiety and curiosity. "So, like, my dad's already gonna kill me. What's this mandatory meeting about?"

John B and JJ exchanged glances, the kind that spoke of shared secrets and impending revelations. "Might as well tell him, man, before we're gaffed," JJ urged, nudging John B to take the lead.

John B, usually so laid-back, seemed almost solemn as he took a deep breath, preparing to drop a bombshell. "You ready for this?" he asked, his voice steady despite the gravity of what he was about to share.

The pogues nodded, their interest piqued, while Allison watched with growing curiosity, feeling a shift in the energy around the fire.

"So," John B began, "The gold never went down with the Royal Merchant."

Jordan let out an exaggerated sigh, throwing his hands up in mock exasperation. "Oh God, here we go again with this."

Allison frowned, confused. "Wait, wait. What gold?"

John B shot a look at Kie, who seemed slightly guilty. "You never told her, Kie?" he asked, surprised.

Kie shrugged, her face tinged with embarrassment. "It was our secret, remember? We've been searching for gold ever since you came here."

"You guys seriously believe in that?" Allison's voice was laced with skepticism, struggling to reconcile the idea of treasure hunting with the reality she knew.

"Yeah, apparently they do," Jordan replied, rolling his eyes in disbelief.

Allison turned to him, her curiosity getting the better of her. "You don't?"

Jordan shrugged, his tone dismissive. "I'm not going to believe it until I see it."

"All right. Let's hear him out," JJ said, his voice brimming with excitement as he motioned for John B to continue.

John B took on the air of a seasoned storyteller, his expression confident, a slight smirk playing at the corners of his lips. "It's been here the whole time. It's on the island."

Kie's eyes widened in shock. "Are you serious? Oh my God."

Jordan, still skeptical, crossed his arms over his chest. "I'd like to voice my skepticism.""I'm sure you would, Jordan," John B said, barely hiding his amusement. "But can I please present you with my evidence, sir?"