𝐏𝐎𝐋𝐀𝐑𝐎𝐈𝐃𝐒 𝐀𝐓 𝐒𝐔𝐍𝐒𝐄𝐓 ― rafe cameron

εβδομήνταεπτά ; 77

song of the chapter:
NOT FINISHED ; lil baby

JJ's arm draped naturally over her shoulder, pulling her close as they walked together towards The Wreck. Margarita felt the warmth of his body next to hers, his hand casually linked with hers, fingers intertwined like they had always belonged that way. Her head rested in the crook of his arm, finding comfort in his presence, the steady rhythm of their steps lulling her into a quiet calm.

As they neared the entrance of the familiar restaurant, the hum of chatter and clinking glasses filled the air, but Margarita barely registered it. Her mind was on JJ, on the way their connection seemed to grow stronger with each passing day, and the way things felt different—good different—with him.

But just as they stepped through the doorway, her eyes lifted and landed on someone she hadn't expected to see.

Rafe.

He was sitting at the bar, drink in hand, his eyes scanning the room. When they locked onto her, time seemed to slow. His gaze flicked from Margarita to JJ, taking in the way they stood so close, how her hand was intertwined with JJ's. The expression on Rafe's face shifted—something dark, something that made her heart drop.

Margarita instinctively pulled closer to JJ, her hand tightening in his. She could feel the weight of Rafe's stare, the unspoken tension between them like a thread waiting to snap. Her mind raced back to the message, the one where he'd said they needed to talk. She hadn't answered him, hadn't been ready to confront whatever he had to say. But now, standing there with JJ, she knew the confrontation was inevitable.

JJ must have noticed her sudden change in demeanor because he glanced down at her, his arm tightening around her protectively. "You okay?" he asked, his voice low and concerned.

Margarita nodded, but her gaze remained locked with Rafe's. "Yeah," she whispered, though the knot in her stomach said otherwise.

Rafe's lips pressed into a thin line, his jaw clenched as he slowly stood from his seat. He didn't move toward them, but the look in his eyes said enough. There was anger there, hurt, and maybe a hint of something more—a flash of regret, of loss. But Margarita couldn't tell if that was real, or if it was just her own guilt projecting onto him.

JJ's voice pulled her back. "We can go somewhere else if you want," he said, his tone gentle but firm, ready to leave if she needed to.

But Margarita shook her head. No. She wasn't going to run anymore. Not from Rafe, not from the past. She had made her choice, and it wasn't with him. It was with JJ, here and now. And as hard as it was to face, she needed Rafe to understand that.

"Let's just get a table," she said quietly, though the weight of Rafe's stare still lingered on her like an invisible chain.

JJ gave her a reassuring smile, guiding her towards a booth near the back, his hand never leaving hers. But as they sat down, Margarita couldn't shake the feeling that this wasn't the end with Rafe. This was just the beginning of a storm she wasn't sure she was ready for.

JJ's lips brushed Margarita's forehead, a gentle, reassuring touch that sent warmth through her body. She leaned into him, grateful for the quiet comfort he gave her, but she couldn't help but feel the tension simmering in the air.

JJ's eyes, however, weren't on her. They were locked onto Rafe's from across the room, a small smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. JJ knew exactly what he was doing, and it was clear Rafe did too.

Rafe stood motionless, his drink held loosely in his hand, but his gaze was sharp, almost predatory. The smirk on JJ's face was like gasoline to a fire. Margarita could feel the heat between them from where she sat, the silent battle of egos playing out in front of her. JJ didn't need to say a word—his message was loud and clear: She's with me now.

Rafe's jaw clenched, his eyes narrowing as he set his drink down a little too forcefully on the bar. The sound of glass hitting wood cut through the chatter of the restaurant, and for a brief second, it felt like the world had gone still. Margarita could practically see the thoughts racing through Rafe's mind, the frustration, the anger, the jealousy that twisted his features. He was losing control, and JJ's calm defiance was only making it worse.

But JJ didn't back down. He held his ground, his arm still wrapped around Margarita, his smirk unwavering. He was daring Rafe to make a move, to try something—anything. And Rafe looked like he was on the edge of doing just that.

Margarita's heart pounded in her chest. She had never seen JJ like this, so confident, so sure of himself in the face of Rafe's unspoken challenge. It was both thrilling and terrifying. She knew that if Rafe did make a move, it wouldn't end well.

JJ finally broke the silence, his voice low but loud enough for Rafe to hear. "We good here, Cameron?"

Rafe's expression darkened, his hands tightening into fists at his sides. For a moment, it looked like he might lunge, might do something reckless. But then, with a tight, bitter smile, he turned away, shaking his head like he was brushing it off.

Margarita exhaled, only just realizing she'd been holding her breath. The tension slowly began to ease, but she knew this wasn't over. Not by a long shot.

As Rafe walked out of The Wreck, Margarita leaned back against JJ's chest, her mind spinning with everything that had just happened. JJ's arm tightened around her, and for the first time in what felt like forever, she felt safe—safe in his arms, away from Rafe's chaos.

But deep down, she knew that Rafe wasn't going to let her go that easily. And neither was the past.

--- end of chapter