Chapter 13
Veronica's POV
The next morning, I was woken up to someone rifling around the room. I looked around and rolled over to see Rafe getting dressed.
"What're you doing?" I asked yawning. He looked at me and smiled.
"Morning gorgeous." He said. I groaned and grabbed his pillow.
"Why're you up?" I asked.
"I got a few things to do. So I'm gonna drop you off, after we get some breakfast and go do my things." He said. He got on the bed and kissed me. I grabbed him by the shirt and deepened the kiss. He groaned.
"Come back to bed." I said against his lips.
"Well, when you ask so nicely." He said pulling back. He removed his shirt and kissed me again. I laughed as we fell back into the pillows. An hour later I was showered and dressed. I opened Rafe's door to walk out when I heard shouting. It was Rafe and his dad. I walked downstairs and eased over to the door and listened in.
"I melted it. The cross." He said.
"You? You melted the cross?" Ward asked angrily. I heard something unlock and tap against something solid.
"Yeah. I'm in charge now." Rafe said. I shook my head and went back to the stairs. I eased down the last steps just as the doors opened. Rafe looked at me then behind him.
"Hey. I was just coming to get you." He said trying to close the door. A cane stopped it and Ward walked out.
"Veronica. Lovely seeing you again." Ward said nervously.
"I would say the same but that would be a lie." I said walking past Rafe. I went to the door and walked out. Rafe came out and grabbed my arm. He turned me around to face him.
"I didn't know he was coming. I promise." He told me.
"Rafe it's fine. I'm gonna go home, okay." I said nodding.
"Let me take you home." He said.
"No, it's fine." I said shaking my head.
"Ronnie." He started.
"Rafe it's okay. Y'all need to talk. About things." I said looking at him.
"Things? You heard?" He asked.
"Yeah. I did." I said nodding. I turned around to walk away but he grabbed my arm again. He turned me around to him. He bent down and kissed me deeply. I dropped my bag and wrapped my arms around his neck.
"He'll be leaving in awhile. Why don't you come back, we can have a few drinks, talk it through, eat." He said pulling away. I hummed as I pretended to think about it.
"Like a date. I never really got to take you out." He said smiling.
"Hmm, okay." I said nodding. He kissed me one more time.
"Okay, let me take you home." He said picking up my bag.
"No. Stay here with your dad. I'll walk. If I get in the car with you, I'll tell you to just drive until we get to somewhere else." I said laughing.
"Is that a bad thing?" He asked.
"No. But I'm not gonna leave my brother behind." I said. I kissed his cheek and walked away. I waved bye as I walked out the gates. God I was an idiot, I thought.
John B's POV
Dad and I got back to the Chateau and he went to work on the idol. We managed to escape Singh and his men for the time being. I went to JJ's to talk to him before going to the anniversary party for Kie's parents.
"Yo. Here to lie to me some more or tell the truth?" He asked.
"Look I'm sorry. Dad didn't want us saying anything until we got the full story." I told him. He shook his head. I looked behind us at his place. I saw the tape and his make-shift bed.
"Pack your bags. After the anniversary party you're moving in with us." I told him.
"Dude your dad." He started.
"Don't worry about him. You already live there, Ronnie feeds you, you're there more than here anyways." I scoffed.
"Where am I gonna sleep?" He asked.
"Anywhere. We'll make the room." I said shrugging. I clapped him on the shoulder and we brother hugged. He and I loaded his stuff up in the Twinkie and we went to the party. I listened to Mike's speech and watched Kie and her parents hug it out. I looked around for any sign of my sister, but I didn't see her. I saw Topper and I walked up to him.
"Hey Top. Got second?" I asked him.
"Yeah sure." He said nodding. We walked off to the side.
"Have you seen Ronnie?" I asked him.
"Not since yesterday. Why?" He asked.
"Did you take her home after?" I asked.
"No. After her therapy session we got ice cream then walked around the marina. We stopped and talked to Rafe, but she was going to go, but then we heard shooting and she came running back shaking and bloodied. We jumped in the car and headed to Rafe's. She was bandaging herself up when I left." He told me.
"Rafe's? You left my sister at Rafe's?" I scoffed at him.
"Yeah. I was going to meet Sarah and I didn't want another fight to break out." He said shaking his head.
"Rafe kidnapped Veronica the last time she was with him! He dragged her onto a ship, fought her, then shot a gun at her! And she trusts you!" I snapped. I shook my head and ran my fingers through my hair.
"But it looks like she got away from him. Look over there by Mike and Anna." He said nodding. I looked over and sighed with relief. She was standing there smiling and talking with them. She waved bye and looked around. She came over once she spotted us.
"John B." She said hugging me. I wrapped my arms around her and hugged her tightly.
"Ow. Hurting me." She grunted. I let her go and grabbed her head.
"You okay? Topper said someone shot at you?" I asked her.
"Yeah. Yeah, I'm fine. Busted a couple stitches but I'm okay." She said softly. I touched the bruise forming on her eye. She flinched and sighed.
"One day I will go without someone hitting me." She chuckled.
"Not funny." I said. She shrugged.
"Ronnie. I'm sorry I left you at Rafe's." Topper said. She turned to him.
"It's okay." She said nodding. I kissed her head and went over to Kie.
Veronica's POV
I stood with Topper and sipped on the drink he gave me. I was suppose to go to Rafe's but he cancelled things which lead to an argument about the cross and his dad, which lead me here. Now it was dark and I was here to enjoy myself.
"Everything go okay at Rafe's after I left?" Topper asked me. I looked at him and nodded.
"Yeah. We talked as we cleaned up." I said.
"And? Did you spend the night there?" He asked.
"Yeah. I did." I said biting my lip. He stared at me then shook his head and downed his drink.
"You slept with him didn't you? You slept with Rafe?" He scoffed at me. I sat my drink down and crossed my arms.
"I did. But I wasn't planning on it. It just happened and." I started.
"He kidnapped you! You remember that!" He snapped at me.
"Yes, I do! Very vaguely! But it just happened, okay! Did I want it to happen at that moment? No but it happened. He was very close and I couldn't breathe with him that close." I argued.
"So he forced you?" He asked.
"No! He didn't force me!" I scoffed.
"You slept with Rafe. Rafe? Of all guys!" He said shaking his head. He was angry. He was angry that I slept with another guy.
"Why are you so angry?" I asked crossing my arms.
"Cause you slept with a guy who could've killed you! According to your brother, he did try!" He snapped.
"Old feelings built up, Topper! It just sorta happened. He kissed me and it just." I said shaking my head.
"So you're a slut. You slept him. I wonder who else around the figure 8 you slept with? Or how about a Pogue?" He scoffed. I slapped him across the face.
"How dare you. I thought you were different Topper. But I guess not." I snapped. I turned and walked away from him.
John B's POV
I stood there talking with Kie and JJ when I felt a hand on my back. I looked over and saw Ronnie. I put my arm around her shoulders and hugged her.
"Hey. You okay?" I asked. She nodded and hugged me back. Something was wrong, I could feel it.
"Cupcake. Drink with me!" JJ said handing her a drink. She downed it without a thought. A few minutes passed of her and JJ drinking. I grabbed her and pulled her to the side.
"Hey, What's wrong? You okay?" I asked her.
"Yeah, why?" She said sighing.
"You seem off." I said shrugging. She went to say something when Topper walked up.
"So JJ, huh? The Pogue whore likes to get around. John B I bet if you weren't her brother, she'd try to sleep with you." He slurred out.
"What did you say, man?" I asked turning around to him.
"John B. Come on. He's not worth it." Ronnie said grabbing my arm. I turned around to her.
"Yeah. Listen to your whore of a sister." Topper told me. I yanked away from her and turned back to Topper. I got in his face.
"What did you say about my sister?" I asked him.
"I called her a whore. First Rafe, no telling who else around the island, probably JJ here. Brother's best friend, really?" He scoffed. I swung my fist and nailed him in the face.
"John B!" I heard Ronnie yell. I jumped on him and started punching him.
"John B, stop!" Ronnie yelled. Someone pulled me off and pushed me.
"Come on! Let's go!" JJ yelled at me. I grabbed Ronnie and pulled her with us. We got in the Twinkie and headed home. I slammed on breaks at the house and I dragged her out. I pulled her down the docks.
"John B." JJ said following us. I ignored him.
"Rafe! Rafe! You slept with Rafe!" I yelled at her.
"I didn't mean for it to happen with him! It just happened!" She yelled back.
"Who else have you slept with? Huh? Topper? Is that why he's so pissed off!" I snapped at her.
"No! I haven't slept with Topper!" She yelled at me. I grabbed her by the arms.
"Who else, Veronica!" I screamed at her. She jumped and looked up at me. Tears were in her eyes. I was scaring my own sister. She shoved me off. She went to walk off when she stopped at JJ. She looked at him and he glanced at her.
"Wanna know who else? Take a look at the cute Blondie here." She said sniffling.
"My sister! You slept with my sister!" I yelled at him.
"It was last year, man! You were gone off somewhere, she was here alone after a long shift, we both were toasted, and it just happened." He argued. I scoffed and shook my head.
"My best friend and my sister. Wow." I said angrily. Ronnie shook her head, mumbled something to JJ, and walked off to the house. I leaned against the dock and sighed.
"Why my sister?" I asked him.
"We were drunk. Just talking and we kissed then one thing led to another. But it was just that. A one-time thing." He told me.
"And you never thought to tell me?" I scoffed.
"We vowed never to say anything." He said.
"I'm sorry man." He said. I shook my head and sighed.
"I'd rather it be someone I care for than somebody I hate. Like Rafe." I scoffed. I shook my head and looked at the house.
"I'm going to go talk to her." I said sighing.
"Let her cool off man. Both of you need to chill." He said huffing. He walked off to the shack. I stayed down on the docks for a while. I walked up to the house and sat on the porch in my chair. The front door opened and Ronnie stepped out.
"Where's dad?" She asked sighing.
"His room or office, I guess." I said shrugging. She walked off inside without another word.
"John B!" She called out. I got up and walked inside. I found her at pops office door. It was broken in again. I pushed her back behind me and opened the door with my foot. The place was trashed again.
"Singh. Singh's been here." I said sighing. I walked off with her behind me.
"Why does Singh want dad?" She asked.
"The idol." I said. I poked my head out the door.
"JJ!" I called out.
"Where would he take him?" She asked. I turned to look at her.
"South America, probably. That may be where the gold is." I told her.
"Yo, what's up?" JJ asked walking in.
"Pops has been taken. We got to go get him." I said.
"Where at?" He asked.
"South America. How the hell are we going to get to South America?" Ronnie asked. I looked back at her then at JJ then her again.
"No we! JJ, Pope, Kie and I, we, you're not going with us." I told her.
"Excuse me? Is there a mouse in your pocket?" She scoffed at me.
"Yeah. You heard me. You're not going with us, Ronnie." I told her.
"He's my dad too, John B!" She argued with me.
"Really? I didn't know that." I said sarcastically.
"I'm going." She told me.
"No." I said.
"Yes." She said.
"No." I said.
"Why not?" She asked crossing her arms at me.
"Cause it's too dangerous and you'll get hurt. You're not going with us." I argued with her.
"To? To? To dangerous? Really? Where the hell have you been this year big brother? I was attacked twice in this house, thrown off an exploding boat, dragged around and hit by the guy I liked and his crazy people, fought him on a ship, survived an island for a month with my brother and his friends, attacked twice again helping my dad, then almost got kidnapped yesterday! I think danger just follows me around! So, I'm going!" She snapped at me.
"Are you done?" I asked her. She just stared at me with her arms crossed.
"Good. Cause you're not going. That's final." I told her.
"I'm going with you." She said.
"No, you're not." I argued.
"John B." JJ started.
"Stay out of this." I told him. He held his hands up and sat down on the couch.
"What's so wrong with me going?" Ronnie argued with me.
"It's too dangerous! What part of that don't you understand?" I snapped at her.
"I've been in dangerous situations already! What makes this any different!" She snapped at me.
"That's just it! You've been in too many dangerous situations for a kid our age! Your boyfriend kidnapped you! You were attacked in our home! If something happens to you while we're over there, I won't be able to handle it! I need you here, so I know when we come back, I have a sister to come home too!" I yelled at her.
"And if something happens to you or dad or one of your friends! I won't be able to handle that! I won't get to say goodbye! I'll be alone, no brother, no dad, none of his friends. I'm going so I can say goodbye incase the worst happens." She said. She was tearing up.
"You both are right! Okay! Just stop! John B it'll be best to have her with us, that way we know she's safe and we can look after her." JJ said stepping in.
"I won't be a distraction!" She snapped at him. He held his hands up again.
"I didn't say you were, cupcake!" He argued. I made her look at me.
"You are my baby sister. You've done enough for me, my friends and dad. You've done enough, to keep us alive, while barely keeping yourself alive. Now let me do my job as your big brother and take care of you for once." I told her.
"I'm going and that's final." She told me.
"Why do you have to be so stubborn?" I asked her.
"I'm a Routledge. We're all stubborn." She scoffed. I threw my hands up and rubbed my face.
"What can I do to convince you to stay here, so I know that you're safe?" I asked her.
"Nothing. We're doing this together." She told me. I snapped my fingers at her.
"Rafe! I will talk with Rafe. If you try to go with us, I'll make sure Rafe is there holding you back from going." I told her.
"Really? You're going to get the guy who drugged me, hit me, shot a gun at us, to keep me hostage?" She scoffed. JJ shook his head at me from behind her.
"Yes. Yes, I am. If you try, Rafe will hold you back. Even if he has to drug you again." I said crossing my arms.
"Dude. Ronnie." JJ said. Then she slapped me and walked out the door. I groaned and rubbed my cheek.
"Why does she hit so hard?" I asked flexing my jaw.
"You guys taught her how to hit." He said. He walked out the door. I walked out and stood on the porch. Ronnie and JJ were sitting against the tree that had my headstone in it. He put his arm around her and hugged her. I sat in my chair and sighed. An hour later JJ carried her inside.
"She's asleep." He said sitting down on the couch.
"I wouldn't get Rafe to drug her again." I told him.
"Tell her that when she wakes up. She needs to hear it not me." He said sighing. I got up and looked inside the house. She was curled up with the bear I gave her.
"She's too tough. Everything she's been through I couldn't protect her from it. Not from Ward, those guys, Barry, Rafe. I haven't done my job as her big brother. I haven't protected her." I said shaking my head.
"You saved her from the ship, you kept her alive on the island, then the run in with Singh, you saved her from drowning when Ward tossed her." He said.
"Technically, she still drowned. She was unresponsive when we pulled her from the water." I said clearing my throat.
"But she's still alive. A little bruised and broken but she's alive." He said shrugging.
"Isn't it the job of the big brother to take care of the little sister? Not the other way around?" I asked him.
"Only child, bro. Also orphaned." He said shrugging again.
"But you get where I'm coming from?" I asked.
"Yeah, I do. But I also see hers." He said nodding. I rubbed my face and crossed my arms.
"I need her to be safe. We need her to be safe, JJ. If you love my sister, you'll help me keep her here." I said.
"I'm not getting hit because of you." He argued.
"You don't have to tell her! Just get Topper or Rafe to grab her before we go." I said shrugging.
"I have to talk to two guys, both of which hate us, about locking your sister down and keeping her here? Both of which she can take down herself in the case it comes to it." He said shaking his head.
"Yup." I said nodding.
"How are we getting there exactly?" He asked.
"No idea." I said sighing. He nodded and flipped over on the couch. I sighed and went inside.
Veronica's POV
I woke up to the sound of the bell dinging outside. Dad always used it to call John B home when he younger and would go out fishing. I got up off the couch and went to change and do my morning routine. John B and JJ were on the porch talking as I fixed some coffee. They didn't know I had heard them last night talking.
"You two old ladies still talking about last night?" I scoffed.
"Old ladies?" JJ asked me.
"He insulted my sister, what was I supposed to do?" John B scoffed. I rolled my eyes and walked back inside.
"You have any food?" JJ asked as they followed me in. I pointed to the cabinet and fridge.
"Smell it before you eat it, doofus." I told him. He went exploring.
"So to get our dad back. I was thinking passports, which none of us have, so we can't fly commercial." John B said.
"Boat?" JJ suggested.
"The HMS is well. You know." He said.
"Limbrey? Limbrey has a boat!" JJ said.
"She took it back, and the HMS isn't going to make it to the Port of Spain, so out on the boats." John B said.
"So no boat, no money to get us down there. What's next?" JJ said sighing. I looked between them as it got silent.
"I can talk up a deal with Rafe. See if we can use his boat or their plane. Oh! But wait! I'm not a part of it!" I said shrugging. I turned to the sink and looked out the window.
"John B." I said as a county sheriffs truck pulled up. He came over.
"Uh oh." He said ducking.
"You don't start with, Uh oh, dude." JJ said with a mouthful. John B pulled both of us down.
"Shoupe is outside right now!" He hissed at JJ.
"John B! Anyone home!" Shoupe called out. I pushed away from John B and stood up.
"Hey!" He said grabbing my hand. I yanked away.
"Hide and shut up!" I hissed back.
"Yoo-hoo!! Anyone home?" Shoupe yelled out. I walked to the door and swung it open as Shoupe walked up.
"Shoupe you better have a damn good reason for waking up at this time in the morning! Do you know how long it has been since I have had a good nights sleep! Or a decent cup of coffee!" I snapped at him.
"Sorry Veronica. I'm looking for John B. You know where he is?" He said.
"No. I don't. I haven't seen him since last night after we got into an argument. Why are you looking for my brother?" I said crossing my arms.
"It's about the fight last night at Mike and Anna's." He said.
"My brother was defending me after that asshole of a Kook Topper Thornton called me a whore. If they are thinking of pressing charges then don't let them. You would do the same if it was your sister, Shoupe." I told him.
"He called you a whore?" He asked.
"Yup. He was drunk and called me a whore. He said it in front of my brother and he did what any brother would do for their sister, defend them. He was defending me, Shoupe." I said.
"Why's your brothers car still here?" He asked.
"Don't know. Maybe they took the other boat." I said shrugging. He nodded.
"I'll talk with the Thorntons and get this settled. I'm sorry to wake you, sweetheart." He said walking away. I watched him as he walked towards his truck. He hesitated for a minute and got in and left. I walked back inside and watched the two idiots crawl out from under the table by the fridge.
"Alright, I have a plan. I think it might work. A little sketchy, might not like it, but it may work." JJ said panting.
"No, no, no, no. Wait, wait, wait. What plan?" John B asked him.
"If I tell you right now when the plan is half-baked, you'll get all negative." JJ argued.
"Look, I'll settle for a quarter-baked plan." John B argued. JJ started mocking him as he walked towards the back.
"Don't you dare make that noise at me." He warned him. I followed after them.
"Wait! You morons, here." I said going to my room. I lifted up a floorboard and reached under it. I grabbed the set of keys, two old burner phones, and a wad of cash for them. I stood up from the floor.
"What the?" John B said.
"Give me the keys to the Twinkie. Shoupe has jumped it. There's a truck at Ms. Kelly's, it's mine. She gave it to me as a payment for cleaning. It's in my name. Take it and go." I said handing him the keys snd everything.
"You've had a truck this whole time?" He asked me.
"If I kept it here, dad would've sold it. Like he tried with the Twinkie. I'll call you on the burner and keep you updated." I told him. He looked at the keys and nodded.
"Just don't wreck it, okay?" I said nodding. He hugged me and kissed my head.
"Thank you, I love you. I'll talk later. Keys are in the twinkie." He said. JJ kissed my cheek and they ran off. I drank me a cup of coffee ate me a granola bar then walked outside. I took the tracker off the car and hopped in. I drove out to the figure 8. I tossed the tracker somewhere in the ocean when I crossed the river. I pulled up to Topper's. I got out His parents weren't home but he was. I heard him in the gym downstairs. I crossed my arms and leaned against the doorway.
"Hey Topper." I said loud enough for him to hear. He did one more rep before placing the weight back on the bar. He sat up.
"What're you doing here?" He asked panting.
"You know why I'm here, Top. 3 things actually. One, I want a apology, two apologize to my brother, and three for you not to press charges." I said.
"First one I can do. The other two, nah." He said standing.
"And why not?" I asked.
"Do you see my face?" He scoffed.
"Yeah, I do. And if I know you, you would've done the exact same thing as him if you had a sister or he said it to Sarah, Topper. You would beat the guy until he was unconscious." I said.
"You don't know that." He said shaking his head.
"Oh I don't? Kelce told me about the beach. You know the night you nearly drowned my brother? You defended Sarah, and John B defended his friend." I snapped.
"Shouldn't your brother be here asking for the apology? Not you?" He asked crossing his arms.
"He's not going to. So I'm going to ask you." I said. He stared at me.
"What?" I asked huffing.
"Why did you sleep with Rafe?" He asked.
"Topper, I don't want to fight." I started.
"Just answer the question. Please." He said. I sighed and went to sit on the bench.
"It just happened. He was helping me with my bandages, then he was helping me off the counter, he said he was sorry for everything, that he never meant to hurt me, then he kissed me. I lost all forms of brain function when he did." I said sniffling.
"Even after all he's done?" He asked.
"Yeah. Even after that." I said nodding.
"Was it good?" He asked. I laughed and looked up at him.
"Are you seriously asking me if your best friend was good in bed?" I asked. He shrugged and looked down.
"Why did you get so mad about me sleeping with him?" I asked biting my lip.
"It doesn't matter." He said shaking his head. I stood up.
"Yes it does. It matters to me, Topper." I said trying to get him to look at me. I finally grabbed his head and made him look. His eyes softened.
"Top talk to me." I said.
"I thought we had something. You and me. The times we've spent together, hanging out, Midsummers the other day. The times I rescued you from arguments from your brother. I thought we had something." He said.
"Topper." I said touching his cheek.
"Tell me. Be honest. Do you have feelings for me?" He said. I looked up at him. I'd be lying if I said I didn't.
"I'd be lying if I said no. You're the only guy in my life who hasn't put his hands on me, who came when I called, who's been there for me. I've enjoyed every moment we've been together." I told him.
"I hear a but." He said stepping back.
"But I know you're still hooked on Sarah. If you weren't, then you'd be the perfect guy." I said shaking my head. I took a deep breath and turned to the door. I placed my hands on my hips and cleared my throat.
"Were you apart of his plan? In the beginning?" I asked.
"Who's?" He asked.
"Rafe's. Were you a part of his plan?" I asked crossing my arms.
"I knew about it, yes. But I also knew it was wrong. Because you weren't a part of the Pogue lifestyle." He said. I nodded and looked down.
"I'm sorry." He said.
"For?" I asked looking back at him.
"Calling you a whore. And when I see John B, I'll apologize to him as well and I won't press charges." He said nodding. I walked up to him and kissed his cheek. His arms wrapped around me tightly as I hugged him.
"Thank you, Topper. Thank you." I whispered. I went to pull away when his arms tightened. I looked at him. I touched the bruises on his face.
"We should put some ice that." I said biting my lip.
"Yeah. We should." He said nodding. We pulled away and I went to get him an ice pack. My phone rung. I looked at it and saw Rafe's name. I sighed and hit answer.
"What?" I asked.
"Where are you?" He asked.
"Out." I answered.
"Out where?" He asked sighing. I looked up at Topper as he walked in.
"I'm at Toppers. He and I needed to talk about recent events." I said holding out the ice pack.
"What recent events, Ronnie? What happened?" He asked.
"Chill. Rafe. It's fine. It's settled." I said sighing. Topper took the ice pack and placed it on his face. Rafe groaned in annoyance.
"I'm coming over there. Don't you leave." He said.
"No. Rafe. I." I said but he done hung up. I groaned and tossed my phone down.
"What?" Topper asked.
"Rafe is on his way. He hasn't heard about last night yet." I said sighing. I jumped when he threw the ice pack.
"Great. I'll save the ice pack for my second beating." He said leaning against the counter.
"I'll handle Rafe." I told him.
"How do you do it?" He asked.
"Do what?" I asked crossing my arms.
"Take care of everyone before yourself. I mean your brother, your dad, the others. Now you're defending me against Rafe." He said shaking his head.
"I protect those that I love. John B and I needed a home, so I quite school and did what I could to keep us there. JJ, I protected because of his background and he's my friend, so I paid his restitution. But I'd do the same if it was for Kie and Pope too. Now I'll protect you against Rafe." I said nodding.
"You don't have too." He said. I grabbed the ice pack and placed it back on his face.
"But I will." I said. A few minutes later Rafe barged in. I was sitting on the counter across from Topper.
"What the hell happened last night huh?" He asked us.
"It was a little misunderstanding and we're all fine." I told him.
"What happened?" He asked again.
"I uh. I called her a whore. I was drunk and angry that she slept with you and I lashed out." Topper started. I hopped down when Rafe stepped towards him.
"Rafe. He and I already talked about it, he apologized to me, he's gonna apologize to my brother, and it's fine." I said placing my hands on his chest.
"No, it's not." He said.
"Yes, it is. He apologized and that's what I want. Respect what I want, Rafe. Please." I said. He kept glaring at Topper. I made him look at me and he softened up.
"He apologized. He's already paid for it. Look at his face. John B did that. It's over, it's done. He's apologized to me. It's okay." I told him.
"Fine. Alright, fine." He said nodding. I touched his cheek and nodded. I sighed and turned to Topper.
"Say it again please. So he doesn't smash your face in later." I said.
"Babe I don't." Rafe said. I elbowed him making him grunt.
"Top, please." I said sighing.
"Ronnie, I'm sorry, I called you a whore. I was angry, drunk, and I didn't mean it. I'm honestly sorry." He said.
"Thank you." I said nodding. He nodded.
"That's settled. Now." I started when someone knocked on the door. I saw Shoupe through the window. I groaned. Topper went to the door and Shoupe walked in.
"What's he doing here?" Rafe asked me.
"Either for me or Toppers side of the story of last night." I said sighing.
"Ronnie!" Topper called out. I walked to Shoupe and smiled at him.
"You know, I forgot how smart and observant you are. That's how you got into NCS so early. Where's your brother Veronica?" He said crossing his arms.
"How should I know?" I asked shrugging.
"Aiding and abetting is against the law." He said.
"I don't know where my brother is. I needed his car to come here so I took it. It isn't against the law to take my brothers car." I said.
"Where did my tracker go then?" He asked.
"You placed a tracker on my brothers car? Isn't that against the law? Thinking he's done something wrong, huh, Shoupe?" I said. He scoffed at me.
"Shoupe I'm not pressing charges against John B. I decided against it." Topper said.
"Sorry to waste everyone's time. You all have a good day." He said walking out. I watched him as he walked to his truck and left.
"What the hell was that?" Rafe asked me. I turned to him and Topper.
"You know you're not the only devious one here, right? I use to hang with Barry, Rafe. I learned a few things." I told him.
"Top, if JJ or my brother comes by and tries to talk to you about anything. Tell them you already talked to me." I said. He nodded. I kissed his cheek and walked out the house. I saw Rafe's truck.
"Ronnie. Wait." Rafe said grabbing my arm. I turned to him as we got closer to the cars.
"What the hell is going on?" He asked.
"Rafe, I don't ask much from you. But I need a little favor." I said biting my lip.
"What kind of favor?" He asked. I looked around as I stepped closer to him. I place my hand on his chest and leaned up.
"Back bumper of your truck. I'll meet you at your house." I whispered. I kissed his cheek and got in the Twinkie. I drove to the Cameron's and soon enough he was pulling up. I nodded inside and we walked in.
"Ronnie? What's?" He asked. But I stopped him and kissed him. He groaned and kissed me back.
"Not that I don't mind. But what's going on. You said you needed a favor." He said pulling away.
"My dad was taken, by Singh and his men, and now we're going on a rescue mission to South America to get him back. We need a boat or a plane. I've cleaned both for your family before. Can we borrow one and I promise you that we'll bring it back in one piece?" I said biting my lip.
"South America? Are you insane?" He asked.
"Slightly. But we need it save my dad. Please." I said.
"So you kiss me to convince me to let you use my boat or the plane?" He asked.
"No. I kissed you because I wanted too. Not to trick you into letting me and the others go on a rescue mission with your boat or plane." I said.
"You're not going." He told me.
"Yes, I am. Don't you go all John B on me. He's already threatened to use you and Topper as objects to keep me here. Preferably you since you've already drugged me before." I said shrugging. He shook his head.
"Well, if I need to do it, then I will." He snapped. I scoffed and shook my head.
"Wow. Here I was trying to trust you again. Don't worry, I'll find another way." I said walking past him. He grabbed my arm and turned me around to him.
"I'm sorry, okay? I shouldn't have said it. But I want you safe." He said.
"Look at what has happened Rafe! I walk out of here, and I probably already have a laser gun on me! Nothing about me screams safe! I'm going with my brother and the others to find my dad and bring him home. One way or another." I told him. I went to walk away again but he stopped me again.
"Fine. You can use the plane. Dad is still here and he's not going to anywhere anytime soon so. Take the plane. I'll call the pilot and you can leave first thing in the morning." He told me. I smiled and jumped into his arms and kissed him.
"Thank you, thank you, Rafe!" I said pulling away. He leaned down and kissed me again. I sighed and kissed him back.
"I don't want to lose you, baby." He whispered.
"You won't. I promise." I said panting. I kissed him lightly and we just stayed there like that for a moment.
"Ronnie, I want to do something to show you that I've changed. That I'm all in for us. You and me." He said softly.
"You're letting us use your family's plane, Rafe. What more can you do?" I said shaking my head.
"I'll come by tonight. Make sure everyone's there for me." He said nodding. I nodded and kissed him lightly. He hugged me tightly to him. I went home after. I called John B and JJ and they were on their way back. Kie, Pope, and Cleo were all here too. JJ and John B walked up to us when they pulled up in my truck.
"What's up?" John B asked.
"So, I talked with Rafe. He's letting us use the plane to go down to South America and grab dad." I told them.
"What's the catch?" Pope asked.
"None. But he's coming by for some reason so no throwing fists." I said looking at him.
"How tempting." He scoffed. I sighed and crossed my arms.
"Look we got our ride to South America, okay? We chill tonight and it's down to South America in the morning." I said huffing.
"Which you're not going on." John B argued.
"Really? Did you talk to Topper yet, JJ? How about Rafe after I left?" I asked them. John B looked at JJ.
"You told her!" He yelled.
"No, he didn't. I overheard you two idiots last night." I argued. John B sighed and rubbed his face. He shook his head and paced.
"I'm going with you. There's nothing more you can do to stop me." I told him. Headlights went over us. I looked over and saw Rafe getting out of his truck. He came over with a box.
"Evening." He said looking around at everyone.
"Why are you here?" Kie asked him.
"I've come to apologize. For everything. From the beginning up until now. I want to apologize to everyone." He said looking around.
"Why would we accept your apology?" JJ asked.
"Because I want somebody and to gain that trust again, I realized I have to do whatever it takes to gain it. This is the first step towards that. This here." He said holding up the case.
"What's in it?" John B asked. He handed it to him then a key.
"Open it." He said. John B looked at me then at Rafe. I nodded and he sat the case down on the hot tub side. We surrounded him. I gasped when I saw the gold bars and small gems.
"Rafe? What the hell?" I asked him.
"It's the cross. I melted the cross down, took the gems and diamonds. That's all of it." He told us. I looked at Pope as he just stared at it. Cleo chuckled and hugged him.
"We got the gold! Oh Thee!" She said happily. I looked at Rafe and he shrugged. Everyone started celebrating. I went up to Rafe and hugged him.
"Thank you. Thank you, Rafe." I whispered. He hugged me tighter.
"Come with me to the truck." He said. We pulled away and we walked to his truck. He opened the passenger side and pulled out a paper bag. He held out a small box.
"I just picked this up before I came here. Open it." He said. I bit my lip and took the box from him. I opened it and froze. It was a small gold ring with a tiny diamond.
"It's not what your face thinks. I have an idea for that one later on down the road. But it's a promise. A promise from me to you." He said chuckling. I looked up at him and nodded.
"I love it. Thank you." I said. I pulled it out and placed it on my hand. He took my hand and kissed it.
"You're welcome." He said smiling. I leaned up and kissed him. He kissed me back.
"I'll never take it off." I told him. He kissed me lightly.
"I should go. I'll see you tomorrow before you leave." He said leaning his forehead against mine. I slid my arms around his neck and held him there. I closed my eyes and sighed.
"Hey, it's not the end, okay, baby." He said.
"I know. I'm just letting this moment last." I whispered. He hugged me tighter and we pulled away.
"I got some things to do tomorrow but I'll be there at the tarmac okay?" He said grabbing my head. I nodded. He leaned in and kissed me again. I kissed him back.
"Thank you, for everything." I said nodding. He nodded and I let him go. He got in his truck and left. I looked back at the everyone. They were all so happy now. I smiled and walked inside the Chateau. I looked around as I began to clean up.
"What're you doing?" I heard. I looked up and saw John B standing in the doorway.
"Cleaning up the place. We can't come home to a dirty home, can we?" I said chuckling. He grabbed my arm and stopped me.
"He did it for you, didn't he?" He asked.
"Yeah. Yeah, he did." I said nodding. I looked down at the ground.
"He loves you." He said.
"And I think I love him. But I can't let the love I feel for a guy cloud the love of my family, right now. I got to help my family then I can come back and decide then." I said shaking my head. He sighed and pulled me in for a hug. I hugged him back.
"I lied to you." I said.
"What?" He asked pulling back. I sniffled, sat down on the couch and looked down at my hands.
"About leg therapy. Topper is the only one who really knew. I was actually seeing a therapist, like a psychological therapist. She gave me a squish stress toy which didn't make it long, she asked all kinds of questions about us, the island, everything that's happened." I said.
"Why didn't you tell me?" He asked sitting down beside me.
"You would've been worried." I said.
"And I don't have the right to be worried about my own sister?" He scoffed.
"You do but not when you're on this treasure hunt with dad." I said looking at him. I turned to him and crossed my legs. He looked at me.
"I'm only going with you because of my family, JB. You, dad, and everyone outside. I could care less about the treasure. That's yours and dads thing. I don't want a part of it. Just as long as I have my family, that's all that I care about." I told him.
"You never really cared for all his treasure ideas." He said shaking his head.
"No. I just care about my family." I said chuckling.
"Let's have some fun tonight and go get dad tomorrow. Together." He said nodding. I kissed his cheek and hugged him. We went outside and hung out with everyone else. Keys were placed in my hands. I looked at them then up at JJ. He nodded and smirked.
"Go get your boy, cupcake." He told me. I jumped up and kissed his cheek.
"I love you, JJ." I told him.
"Love you too, cupcake." He said. I ran to the truck and jumped in. I drove to Rafe's house and hopped out. I walked to the door and knocked. I bit my lip and waited. The door opened and he stood there.
"Ronnie? What're you doing here?" He asked.
"Spending my last night in town with you." I said softly. He grabbed my hand and pulled me inside. As soon as the door shut, we were all over each other.