Audacious//JJ Maybank (Outerbanks)

Chapter 113

The soft rays of the morning sun peek through the window, casting a warm glow across the room. I slowly wake up, the remnants of last night's laughter still echoing in my mind. But as I shift beside JJ, I feel that familiar ache in my chest—the one that always comes when I realize my daughter isn't here.

I roll over, quietly slipping out of bed so as not to wake him. I pull on a loose shirt and walk across the hall to Suzie's room. The door creaks slightly as I push it open, and my heart sinks a little when I see the empty crib. Her toys are scattered around, and her little blanket is neatly folded at the edge of the bed. The room is still, silent, without the sound of her giggles or her baby talk.

I stand there for a moment, letting the quiet settle in, trying to steady my breathing. I miss her so much it hurts. Every inch of this house feels like it's missing a piece without her in it.

I know she's safe with the Heywards, and part of me is grateful for that. They've been good to her, keeping her far away from whatever danger we're tangled in right now. But the other part of me—the part that aches when I think of her tiny hands and her soft laugh—just wants to hold her again. I want to kiss her forehead, tell her everything will be alright, that I'll always be there to protect her.

But I can't do that right now. The mission, the search for the blue crown, the danger that's still lurking in the shadows—none of it's over yet. She's better off where she is, safe from all of this.

Taking a deep breath, I slowly turn and walk back down the hall, trying to push aside the knot in my stomach. JJ's still asleep, the sound of his soft breathing filling the room. I step back into the bedroom, closing the door gently behind me, and sit down on the edge of the bed.

I glance over at him, his messy hair falling over his face. I think of everything we've been through, and how despite everything, we're still here—still fighting, still holding on. I wish I could tell him everything I'm feeling right now, but I know he's sleeping, and I don't want to disturb him.

I lean back against the headboard, my eyes drifting to the window, lost in thought. Suzie's safety is the most important thing right now. I know that.

But I miss her. So much. And it hurts to not have her by my side.

The sun is high in the sky, casting a golden glow over the beach as the salty wind whips through my hair as we make our way to the beach to surf for the day. JJ's laughter rings out beside me as he rushes down the sand, board in hand, with John B hot on his heels. It's one of those mornings where the air just feels right—like everything is aligned, and the world is a little bit simpler for a while.

I watch them, both of them grinning like idiots as they jog into the water. It's like a switch flipped inside me, and for the first time in what feels like forever, my heart feels lighter. Maybe it's the fresh ocean breeze, or maybe it's the laughter of my friends, but I know right then that I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be.

But even in the midst of all this, my thoughts drift to Suzie. I look out at the waves crashing against the shore, the sound of them filling the space around us, and I can't help but wish she was here with us. I miss her more than I can put into words, but I know she's safe. For now, that's what matters. I turn to JJ, who's standing beside me, a soft smile on his face as he watches me, and he gently kisses my forehead.

"I wish Suzie could be here," I murmur, my voice just a little too soft. It's hard not to feel her absence when everything else is so alive.

JJ pulls me into him, his arm around my shoulders. "Next time, I'll get her on a surfboard soon," he says, his words light, like a promise I can believe in. He lets me go then, grabbing his surfboard and running toward the water, with John B close behind him. I watch them, feeling a swell of affection for both of them.