angel - rafe cameron (outerbanks)

24 - spy games

chapter 24
spy games

is rafe home?

the words hung in the air like a live wire, and for a split second, rose's expression faltered. her hand froze mid-motion, gripping the kettle handle just a little too tightly, her eyes wide with something that almost looked like... fear? horror?

"sorry, what did you say?" rose's voice cracked, barely audible.

angie leaned forward, her tone deliberate. "i asked if rafe is home."

there was something wrong. there was a moment of tense silence between them. angie could see the shift in rose's face—her calm, practiced exterior cracking, her eyes flicking toward the hallway, then back to angie, clearly unsure of how to respond. it was as if she was horrified, a look as if angie knew something she shouldn't.

before rose could say anything, a voice boomed from somewhere deeper in the house, rough and angry.

"rose!" ward's voice was like thunder, full of authority and panic. "rose! fire!"

rose's face drained of color, her eyes wide with alarm. without another word, she dropped the kettle onto the counter, spinning around and rushing through the living room toward the sound of ward's yelling. angie didn't move at first, her mind racing to process what had just happened.

the door slammed shut behind rose, leaving angie alone in the kitchen with the mug still in her hands. her pulse hammered in her ears.

this was her chance.

angie's heart raced as she set the mug down silently, her hands trembling. she glanced toward the hallway where rose had disappeared, her mind screaming at her to move before the opportunity slipped through her fingers. her pulse thrummed in her ears, every second feeling like an eternity. this was her chance to figure out what was going on.

standing quickly but quietly, she slipped off the barstool and crept toward the stairs. her sneakers made the faintest squeak against the polished floor, and she froze, holding her breath. she strained her ears for any sign of someone returning, but all she could hear was muffled yelling between ward and rose in another part of the house.

taking another steadying breath, she darted up the stairs. her legs felt like lead as she climbed, the air growing heavier with every step. when she reached the top, she paused, glancing down the hallway. the house was eerily quiet up here, the distant argument fading into a dull hum.

sarah's door was at the far end of the hall. angie moved toward it, every step calculated, her eyes darting to the other doors. she grabbed the handle. locked.

"sarah?" angie asks, rattling the door.

"angie?" the voice speaks back from inside. "oh my god. what are you doing here?"

"i know you hate me sarah, but im here to help."

"no angie. you need to go, okay? it was rafe. rafe did it." sarah panicked. angie froze. she didnt know what to say or what to do. she just stood, staring at the wooden door.

"what are you doing here?" the voice made her jump, she spun around and froze in shock.

rafe's expression hardened as angie continued to stare at him. he was clearly trying to keep his composure, but the flicker of guilt in his eyes was unmistakable. he stepped closer to her, towering over her with an air of intimidation.

"angie," he said, his voice low and dangerous. "i asked you a question."

angie swallowed hard, her mind racing. she knew she had to tread carefully. confronting him outright wouldn't end well. instead, she straightened her shoulders and tried to steady her voice.