Bound By Lies - Rafe Cameron

Chapter 11

The morning rush at the club was in full swing, and I barely had a moment to breathe between running orders and clearing tables. The sun was beating down mercilessly, and I could feel the sweat trickling down my back as I balanced a tray of drinks, forcing a polite smile onto my face.

But as I turned around, ready to deliver the next order, I froze.

JJ was standing near the entrance, his hands shoved into his pockets, his gaze fixed on me with an intensity that made my heart clench.

I swallowed hard, setting the tray down and taking a deep breath before walking over to him. His eyes tracked every step I took, his expression guarded and cautious.

"Hey." he muttered, glancing around as if he expected someone to jump out at any second. "You seem busy."

"It's fine," I said quickly, glancing over my shoulder to make sure no one was paying attention. "What's up?"

He let out a slow breath, his gaze softening just a fraction. "Can we... can we go somewhere? Somewhere private?"

I bit my lip, hesitating. I shouldn't leave the floor in the middle of a shift, but the look on JJ's face—the mixture of worry and frustration—made my heart twist painfully. I couldn't ignore it. Not when I knew it had to do with what he'd said before. What he'd tried to warn me about.

"Okay," I murmured, nodding slightly. "There's a spot by the side entrance. No one goes there."

He nodded, following me through the crowd and out the side door, the warm breeze hitting us as we stepped out into the small, shaded alcove.

I turned to face him, crossing my arms over my chest as I looked up at him. "What's this about, JJ?"

He glanced away, running a hand through his hair. "I... I just wanted to check on you. Make sure you're okay."

I frowned, confused. "Why wouldn't I be okay?"

"Because you've been spending time with him," JJ muttered, his jaw tightening. "I saw you at Tannyhill yesterday, Tess. With Rafe. What the hell were you doing with him?"

My heart skipped a beat, guilt and frustration twisting together inside me. "I was helping Dad," I said quietly. "He needed the garden done, and Rafe... he just showed up. It wasn't planned."

"Right," JJ muttered, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Just like that time he 'accidentally' ran into you at the club. Or the time he got you your job back. Or—"

"JJ, stop," I cut in, shaking my head. "It's not what you think."

"Then what is it?" he demanded, his voice rising slightly. "Because it looks like he's trying to get close to you, and you're letting him."

I swallowed hard, hating the way his words made something inside me twist painfully. "I'm not letting him do anything. I'm just... trying to figure things out."

"Figure what out?" JJ shot back, his gaze piercing. "Rafe is dangerous, Tess. You know that. He's playing some kind of game, and you're getting caught up in it."

"I know he's dangerous," I whispered, my voice trembling. "But I'm not an idiot, JJ. I know what I'm doing."

He stared at me, a mix of anger and desperation flickering in his eyes. "Do you?" he murmured quietly. "Because I'm not sure you do."

I opened my mouth to respond, but before I could say anything, the door to the club swung open, and I jumped back, turning around.

Rafe stood there, his gaze flicking between me and JJ, his expression tight and unreadable.