Me and the Devil

7.

We all go our separate ways that night, giving John B - and ourselves - time to process what we’d just found. Nine months of believing Big John was dead, and now this? His compass, passed down for generations, suddenly appeared like some cryptic sign from the universe. I still can’t wrap my head around it. But, I had other

I head out early wanting to be discreet. Ezra’s fancy little speedboat feels too nice for a routine trip, but at least I’ll get there fast. I pull up next to the Druthers, tie off, and carefully unload the gear. Sliding open the door, I freeze. The room’s a mess - empty bottles, cards, a couple of half snorted lines - and there’s Rafe, sprawled out on the couch, shirtless and asleep. His chest rises and falls slowly, his hair tousled, face softened by morning light. For a second, I just stand there, staring. He looks almost peaceful. Almost.

Trying not to make any noise, I bring the gear inside, but as I bang a tank against the closet door, Rafe stirs.

“Wheezie, shut up” Rafe groans, slowly opening his eyes and rubbing the sleep out of them. “You’re not Wheezie. This is a much better alternative.” He smirks.

Having just woken up, Rafe looks really good in the soft light of the morning sun. His hair tousled and his sleep filled eyes glinting in the sun. His smirk is almost enough to make me forget why I’m here.

“ Did you top up those tanks?”  he asks, lazily.

“Umm..no. I didn’t think about the fact there is no power. Therefore, the compressors are not working.”

“Hmmm” Rafe says, still groggy. “Sneaking onto our boat at 5 am with empty tanks. I’ll be sure to tell Ward.”

My heart skips. “Ok. Cool. Just gonna leave these here. Bye.” I turn to leave, but the familiar hand catches my wrist.

“I know you poached our scuba gear.” he whispers, his lips grazing my ear, sending shivers down my spine, just like the other night. His grip tightens. “What’s Ward gonna think?”

I swallow, forcing myself to sound calm. “Look, please don’t tell Ward. I brought them back and unharmed. He’s going to fire me.”

Rafe’s lips hover near my ear. “So what are you gonna do? Pull a gun on me?” His voice drips with sarcasm , his hold on me firm.

“To avoid that, maybe you should get better friends.” I shoot back, my pulse racing.

“Maybe you should get a better boyfriend.” he throws out, smirk returning.

Wait, did Rafe just imply that JJ is my boyfriend? I meet his gaze, confused, a part of me wondering why I’m not correcting him. Do I wish JJ was my boyfriend sometimes? Yeah…but right now, my thoughts are all over the place. More than they should be.

I stare at Rafe, daring him to clarify. “Why? Are you applying for the position?” I raise an eyebrow, keeping my voice steady, though my heart hammers in my chest.

“Do you want me too?” He whispers and his eyes flutter down to my lips. For a moment, the world seems to tilt, and I wonder if I might actually kiss Rafe Cameron.

But then, just as suddenly, he pulls back, breaking the spell. “I’m not going to tell him anything. Your secret’s safe with me, y/n.” His voice is softer now, almost sincere, a glimpse behind his usually intoxicated, slightly psycho behavior. I nod and walk off the boat.

The rest of the day passes in a blur. I spend hours helping Ward clear debris from the hurricane along the waterfront, my mind constantly drifting back to Rafe. The way his hand had lingered on my wrist, the way he looked at me like he was seeing something he hadn’t before. My thoughts are spinning, and I can’t decide if I like it or if it terrifies me.