Bound By Lies - Rafe Cameron

Chapter 82

Rafe's POV

Six hours. That's all I've got now. Six hours to save Teresa before the poison takes her away. I'm losing my mind—literally losing it. Every tick of the clock feels like a nail being hammered into my chest.

I've already wasted half of that time, and Pope is nowhere to be found. No matter where I look, no matter who I threaten, it's like he's disappeared off the face of the earth. The desperation is eating me alive.

I'm back in the truck, speeding through the streets like a man possessed. The world outside is a blur of headlights and darkness, and all I can hear is the ticking of the clock in my head, counting down the hours I have left.

Six hours. Six fucking hours.

I slam my hand against the steering wheel again, the force of it rattling the truck. "Fuck!" I scream, my voice raw and broken. "Where the hell is he?!"

I can't lose her. I can't lose her.

My chest tightens, the panic clawing at my throat, making it hard to breathe. I drive to every place I can think of—spots the Pogues hang out, alleys, hideouts. Nothing. No sign of Pope. I jump out of the truck at one spot, running through the streets, searching every shadow, every corner, my breath coming in ragged gasps.

"Where are you?!" I scream into the night, my voice echoing off the empty streets.

No answer. Just silence.

I collapse against the side of a building, my hands shaking uncontrollably. The weight of it all is crushing me. I pull my phone out, checking the time again. Six hours left.

I'm breaking, and I don't know how much longer I can hold on. "Teresa..." I whisper her name, my voice trembling. "I'm trying. I'm trying so hard."

---

The clock is ticking louder in my head, the minutes slipping away like sand through my fingers. Every second is torture, every breath I take feels heavier than the last. And then—finally—I find him. Pope.

He's at Denmark Tanny's church, standing there like he's waiting for something, completely oblivious to the storm about to hit him. My heart races as I approach, my entire body trembling with a mix of desperation and rage.

"Rafe!" Pope yells the second he sees me. His eyes widen with a mixture of anger and surprise. "I know you stole the Cross! Where the hell—"

Before he can finish, I move. Fast. I've got no time to waste. My fist connects with his face, the sound of the impact ringing in my ears as he crumples to the ground like dead weight.

Relief washes over me for a split second as I haul Pope's unconscious body up and throw him into the back of my truck. Finally. Finally. I've got him, and now I can get to Limbrey, get the antidote, and save her. I start driving, my hands shaking as I grip the wheel.

But as I speed down the road, my heart pounding, something flashes in my rearview mirror—lights. Headlights. My heart sinks, and before I know it, the Pogues are cutting me off, blocking my path. JJ and Kiara jump out of their car, charging toward the truck like they've got nothing to lose.

"No! Fuck, no!" I mutter, jumping out of the truck, but I'm too late. While I'm distracted by JJ, Kiara rushes to the back of the truck, pulling Pope's limp body out.

"Get the hell away from him!" I scream, my voice hoarse with panic, but JJ is already in my face, shoving me back.

"Not happening, Rafe!" JJ yells, his eyes blazing with fury.