enemies to lovers | JJ MAYBANK

𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭

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CHAPTER 7

Life in the Outer Banks had never been simple, but with Rafe lurking in the background, it had become a constant battle. The days passed in a blur of tension and anxiety, but the nights were the worst. Every creak, every rustle in the bushes set my heart racing, reminding me that Rafe's twisted obsession was far from over.

One evening, after a long day of planning and strategizing with the Pogues, I found myself alone, walking back to the chateau. The sun had dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows that seemed to dance with every step I took. The cool night air sent shivers down my spine, but I kept my pace steady, determined not to show any signs of fear.

Suddenly, a hand clamped down on my shoulder, and I whirled around to find Rafe standing there, his eyes wild and dangerous.

"What the hell do you want, Rafe?" I spat, trying to wrench myself free from his grip.

"You," he growled, his voice low and menacing. "You think you can just walk away from me? You're mine, Y/n."

"I am not your property, Rafe. Let go of me!" I struggled against him, but his grip only tightened.

"Rafe, stop!" Sarah's voice rang out from behind us, startling both of us. She stood there, flanked by JJ and John B, their expressions a mix of anger and concern.

"Stay out of this, Sarah," Rafe snapped, his eyes never leaving mine.

"Let her go, Rafe," JJ demanded, stepping forward with his fists clenched.

"Or what?" Rafe sneered. "You think you can take me on, Maybank?"

JJ's eyes blazed with fury, and for a moment, I feared things would escalate into violence. But then John B stepped in, his voice calm but firm. "Rafe, this isn't worth it. Just walk away."

For a tense moment, Rafe seemed to consider his options, his grip on my shoulder loosening slightly. Taking advantage of the distraction, I wrenched myself free and stumbled back toward the safety of my friends.

"This isn't over," Rafe hissed, glaring at us before finally turning and stalking off into the darkness.

The adrenaline still pumping through my veins, I turned to face my friends, my breath coming in short, ragged gasps. "Thank you," I managed to say, my voice shaking.

"We're not going to let him hurt you," JJ said firmly, his gaze intense and unwavering.

"You're one of us now," John B added, his hand resting reassuringly on my shoulder.

Sarah pulled me into a tight hug, her voice soft but resolute. "We'll get through this together."

As we made our way back to the chateau, I felt a flicker of hope amidst the fear. With the Pogues by my side, I knew I had a fighting chance against Rafe's madness. And as I glanced over at JJ, I couldn't help but feel a surge of something else—something that went beyond friendship. But there would be time to sort out those feelings later. For now, survival was our top priority.

The night might have been filled with shadows and threats, but it was also filled with the light of newfound bonds and unspoken promises. And as we huddled together, preparing for whatever lay ahead, I knew one thing for certain: we were stronger together, and we would face whatever came our way as a united front.

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Days turned into weeks, and the tension with Rafe only grew more intense. Despite the constant threat hanging over us, life had to go on. The Pogues and I continued our daily routines, though we were always on high alert. But amid the stress and fear, something unexpected began to blossom between JJ and me.

It started with small moments—a lingering glance, a shared joke, a brush of hands as we worked together. Neither of us said anything outright, but the air between us crackled with unspoken feelings.

One afternoon, as we were all gathered at the chateau, JJ and I found ourselves alone in the kitchen. He was rummaging through the fridge, and I couldn't help but watch him, a smile tugging at my lips.

"Looking for something specific?" I teased, leaning against the counter.

He glanced over his shoulder, a playful glint in his eye. "Just trying to find something edible in this mess. You'd think with all of us here, we'd manage to keep it stocked."

I laughed, stepping closer. "Well, if you need help, I'm pretty good at finding hidden treasures."

JJ straightened up, turning to face me. "Oh yeah? Think you can find something better than my sandwich masterpiece?"

I arched an eyebrow, smirking. "Is that a challenge, Maybank?"

"Depends," he replied, his voice dropping a notch. "You up for it?"

Our eyes locked, and for a moment, the world outside the chateau ceased to exist. The playful banter masked a deeper tension, a growing attraction that neither of us dared to acknowledge outright.

"Always," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

JJ's grin widened, and he took a step closer. "Good to know, Y/n. Because I think we make a pretty good team."

Before I could respond, John B's voice echoed from the living room. "Hey, you two! Get in here, we've got a situation."

The moment shattered, but the lingering electricity remained. We exchanged a quick, knowing glance before joining the others, the unspoken promise hanging between us.

As we gathered around John B, he laid out a map on the table. "We have a lead on the gold," he announced, his voice low and urgent. "It's risky, but if we pull this off, it could change everything."

Pope leaned in, studying the map intently. "Where is it?"

"An old shipwreck off the coast," John B replied. "We need to get diving gear and a boat. It's not going to be easy, but it's our best shot."

The excitement was palpable, a welcome distraction from the constant fear of Rafe's next move. But as we planned our next steps, I couldn't shake the feeling that our quest for the gold was about more than just treasure. It was a chance to reclaim control over our lives, to forge a new path free from the shadows of our past.

a/n

HEYY HOPE YOU ENJOYED! THANK YOU FOR THE SUPPORT! I will be adding more scenes with jj and y/n is the story obvi!