The sun hung low over the marsh, painting the sky in hues of gold and pink. Isabella’s bare feet dangled off the dock as she laughed with JJ, Kiara, and Pope. The salty breeze felt freeing, a sharp contrast to the stifling parties her parents forced her to endure with the Kooks. She glanced toward John B's boat anchored nearby, where the group had spent the day treasure-hunting. For once, life felt simple.
But simplicity shattered the moment the black Jeep screeched to a halt at the end of the dock.
Isabella turned, her smile fading as Rafe Cameron stepped out, his icy blue eyes scanning the group like a predator assessing its prey. His sharp jawline was set in an expression of disdain, and the sight of her with the Pogues seemed to ignite his simmering rage.
“You lost, Cameron?” JJ taunted, already standing protectively in front of Isabella.
Rafe smirked, leaning casually against the car. "Funny, Maybank. I was about to ask the same thing about her." His gaze locked onto Isabella, sharp and unrelenting.
“Don’t start, Rafe,” Isabella shot back, standing up. Her heart raced, not from fear but from anger. She’d grown used to his venomous comments and territorial arrogance. “I can hang out with whoever I want.”
“You’re a Kook, Isabella. Act like one,” he spat, stepping closer. “Unless you want people to forget that.”
Kiara rolled her eyes. “Still playing the rich-kid superiority act, Rafe? Thought you’d have grown out of it by now.”
The tension thickened as Rafe ignored her, focusing entirely on Isabella. “You’re embarrassing yourself,” he muttered, low enough that only she could hear. His words were like a blade slicing through her pride.
“Why do you even care?” she hissed back, her voice shaking with frustration. “You’re the last person to lecture me about embarrassing behavior.”
For a moment, his expression faltered, something unreadable flashing in his eyes. But it was gone in an instant, replaced by the cold mask she hated so much. “Stay away from them,” he said, his voice like steel. “For your sake.”
YOU ARE READING
Beneath the Waves
RomanceConcept: Set against the vibrant yet turbulent backdrop of the Outer Banks, Beneath the Waves follows the story of Isabella, a girl caught between two worlds. Born into wealth and privilege as part of the Kooks, Isabella has always felt out of place...
