Bleeding Out { Rafe Adler }

Part 7 - Perfect Strangers

(Melanie's outfit above)

My outfit, on the other hand, was a little bit more colorful.
I moved away from Rafe when Nadine came up to us with our car.
"Let's go, lovebirds." She said and we jumped onto the car.
Nadine was driving, Rafe besides her and I was in the backseat. I had it all to myself which I really enjoyed.

***

Rafe called Victors phone after getting pictures from his number.
He started to laugh.
"Here I am, I'm calling what I thought was Sullivan's phone and look who picks up." He said. "How you been, Nate?"

He laughs again.
"I wish. That only would've cost me a few shots of rum, right? No, no, I had to pay top dollar to find you guys."

"Yeah, you pulled off some clever moves there, but in the end all that matters is who gets to Avery's treasure first." He said.

I felt how confused I got and I just needed to know what they were talking about.

"Hey, Nate, you know I'm always game but my partner." He looked over at Nadine. "Well, she prefers to mitigate unnecessary risks."

I moved forward and put my head next to Rafes, trying to show him I'm very curious. He just smirked at me.

"Look, Nate. I'm gonna make you a one-time offer here. You drop everything, go home, live your life and I'm willing to forgive and forget. For old time's sake." He let Nathan talk.

"Okay. 'Pro Deus quod licentia.' For God and Liberty. These are nice pictures, Nate. Good composition."

"You stole my cross! Listen, Nate. If you're half as smart as you think you are, you'll accept my offer. What's it gonna be?"

"Well, Nate, one more thing! Nate! You, uh, you do realize that your phones are equipped with GPS, right? I'll see you soon, buddy." And then he hanged up.

"Let me guess. We're heading towards them right now?" I asked him and he looked back on me.

"Don't worry, love. They'll be long dead before I let them get to you." He answered.

"I'm not worried about that, Rafe. I just don't think it's necessary to kill them."

"Let's not discuss this, okay?" He looked back on the road. I sighed and leaned back.

***

We lost them again and they escaped, probably to the next place to find Avery's treasure.

We didn't waste any time to stay. We took the boats over to the islands outside the coast of Madagascar.

A storm was closing up to us and I got worried.

I was leaning against the railing and watched the water while we drove off towards the islands. I didn't notice Rafe coming up behind me, so I flinched when he grazed my back.

"I'm sorry." He chuckled and hugged me from behind, leaning his head on my shoulder.

"I didn't notice you." I said with a smile.

"Are you okay?" He asked and I started to think about the last time Sam asked me that.

I sighed and gazed over the water.

"I don't know." I said.

"What's wrong?" He let me go and stood beside my instead.

"Rafe, I barely know you. I've only heard bad stuff about you but I refuse to believe it because you doesn't seem like someone like that."

"What have you heard?" He looked afraid,

"That you're a psychopath. That you're ruthless and that you can't be trusted."

He chuckled and looked down.

"But you seems so much better. I'm not sure what to think anymore." I continued.

"Maybe we're perfect strangers. Don't you think? I don't know anything about you either. I don't even know your last name." He said.

"Morgan. Melanie Morgan." I responded. "I'm 32 years old and I was put out for adoption when I was born because I was a mistake."

***

Nadines men told us that the Drakes are either somewhere on the bottom of the Indian Ocean or somewhere on this island without equipment. Their boat sunk so we have no idea if they're alive or not.

I didn't know how to react, so I tried to hide my feelings about it.

***

We found Libertalia. It was pretty amazing.
The houses were mostly broken and rotten because it was wood.

"I can't believe my eyes." I said.

"It's pretty awesome, isn't it?" Rafe chuckled.

"You don't say.. I mean, it's literally a paradise. Why didn't I get a cross?" I laughed and turned around to face Rafe.

"Hi." He whispered.

"Hi." I said back, then I placed my hands around his neck and walked a little bit closer to him. He put his hands on my hips.

"I would love to get to know you, Rafe. I feel like I need you in my life and I can't lose you, but I need to know you." I leaned my forehead against his.

"You'll get to know me, I promise. Let me start now before the mercaneris found that treasure." He responded.

Then we started to talk about our past lives, hobbies and everything else. I didn't mention I had brothers though.

We talked for at least an hour and I felt that I could trust him now, because I love him.

***

"Rafe! Nathan and Samuel is here. We should get moving." Nadine shouted across the building.

"Find them, and tell me when you do. I'll be right behind you!" He shouted back.

"We should hurry now." I pointed out.

"Yeah, come on."

***

After at least 30 minutes, Nadine had fought the Drake brothers and we were headed her way. I felt really bad about this because now I'll meet Sam and Nathan again and Rafe will know I've lied.

We got up in the stone building. I was behind Rafe.

We got out on a balcony of sorts, and I saw Sam and Nathan standing there with Nadine.

Sam had a gun pointed at Nadine while holding her around her neck.

Nathan's face when he saw me. He looked betrayed.

_____

Gonna end this here!

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