Bound By Lies - Rafe Cameron

Chapter 34

I'm sitting on the couch, absentmindedly scrolling through my phone when a news alert pops up. My heart skips a beat as I read the headline, and I quickly click on the article, my eyes widening in shock.

BREAKING NEWS: John Booker Routledge Arrested Upon Return to OBX, Charged with the Murder of Sheriff Susan Peterkin.

For a moment, I just stare at the screen, my mind reeling. He's back. After everything... he's actually back. A flood of emotions washes over me—relief, vindication, a sense of justice finally being served. John B has been on the run for months, and now he's finally being held accountable for what he did.

I can't stop the small smile that spreads across my face as I read through the details. There's even a picture of him being led away in handcuffs, his expression defiant. Part of me is almost glad to see him like that—to see the boy who took my aunt away, who destroyed my family, finally facing the consequences of his actions.

"Rafe!" I call out, my voice wavering slightly with excitement. I jump up from the couch and head to the kitchen, where Rafe is rummaging through the fridge. "Rafe, did you see the news? John B... he's been arrested! He's actually been arrested!"

Rafe turns to look at me, his eyes narrowing slightly as he takes in my expression. There's a strange, unreadable look on his face—something that makes my smile falter for just a second. But then he straightens up, forcing a grin as he closes the fridge door and walks over to me.

"Is that right?" he asks, his voice carefully neutral. "John B. finally got what's coming to him, huh?"

I nod, practically vibrating with emotion. "Yes! They finally caught him! I can't believe it. I mean, I knew it would happen eventually, but it still feels... surreal." I glance back down at my phone, my fingers trembling slightly as I reread the headline. "This is justice, Rafe. It's what my aunt deserved."

Rafe doesn't say anything at first. He just watches me, his expression shifting slightly. There's something dark lurking in his eyes, something I can't quite place. But before I can think too much about it, he steps forward and pulls me into his arms, holding me tightly.

"I'm glad you're happy," he murmurs against my hair, his voice low. "I know how much this means to you."

I close my eyes, leaning into his embrace, letting the relief wash over me. "It does. It means everything. Knowing that he's behind bars, that he's not going to hurt anyone else... it's like I can finally breathe again."

Rafe's arms tighten around me, and I feel the steady rise and fall of his chest as he breathes in deeply, almost like he's trying to steady himself. I pull back slightly, looking up at him, and for a moment, I catch a flicker of something—guilt? Anger?—in his gaze. But it's gone as quickly as it came, replaced by the familiar, reassuring smile I've come to rely on.

"I'm happy for you, Teresa," he says softly, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. "I really am. You deserve this—closure, or... or whatever it is you're feeling."

I nod slowly, my smile wavering as I study his face. Something about his expression feels off, but I push the thought away. Maybe it's just because he's dealing with his own family issues right now—Ward's been more demanding and controlling lately, and I know it's been wearing Rafe down. I reach up and cup his cheek, trying to convey how much this moment means to me.

"It's like... everything's finally falling into place," I murmur softly. "John B is going to pay for what he did, and now we can move forward—no more looking over our shoulders, no more wondering if he'll come back."

Rafe nods slowly, his gaze flickering to the floor for a split second before meeting mine again. "Yeah... moving forward." His voice is strained, almost like he's struggling to say the words. But then he forces another smile, his hand tightening slightly on my waist. "You're right. We don't have to worry about him anymore."