A week later, she and the Pogues found themselves face-to-face with Rafe and his crew on the beach. It was an inevitable clash, fueled by secrets, old rivalries, and Rafe’s growing obsession with keeping Isabella out of the Pogue world.
“What’s your problem, Rafe?” JJ snapped, stepping between him and Isabella.
Rafe ignored him, his eyes fixed on her. “You really think they’re your friends?” he asked, his voice dripping with disdain. “They’re using you, Isabella. Just like everyone else.”
“Stop it,” she said, her voice trembling.
“Why? So you can keep pretending?” He stepped closer, and she could see the storm raging behind his eyes. “You don’t belong with them.”
“Maybe I don’t,” she shot back, her anger finally spilling over. “But I don’t belong with you either.”
The words cut deeper than she expected. For a moment, Rafe looked like she had slapped him. Then his mask slipped back into place, cold and mean.
“Fine,” he said, stepping back. “If that’s how you want it.”
But as he walked away, Isabella couldn’t shake the feeling that this wasn’t over, not by a long shot.
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...
