Audacious//JJ Maybank (Outerbanks)

Chapter 110

As the boat glides toward the private estate, a sense of unease starts to settle over us. Kiara breaks the silence, glancing around at all of us. "Do you guys know anybody that's been here?"

I shrug, unsure. There's something about this place—an energy that feels...off.

"Hey, Sarah, you must know someone who's been here, right?" Pope asks, his voice laced with a little nervousness.

Sarah gives him a look, her expression half incredulous, half annoyed. "Are you kidding me? You've heard the rumors, right?"

"Oh yeah, about the daughter," JJ jumps in, leaning back against the side of the boat. "That she drowned with her baby? That's what I heard."

My heart clenches at that, and I frown. I can't even imagine anything like that happening to me or Suzie. The thought alone makes my chest tighten.

Kiara nods. "I heard that too. But I also heard she was possessed or something before it happened."

"And then I heard that was all just a bunch of bullshit because—" Pope begins but gets cut off.

"Okay, why are we doing this?" Cleo interrupts, sounding exasperated.

Without missing a beat, Sarah, John B, and I all answer at the same time. "We need the money."

We pull up to the dock, and there's a man standing there, leaning on a shovel, waiting for us. His presence doesn't exactly make me feel any more comfortable. He looks us over as we step off the boat, his face unreadable.

"Welcome to Blackstone," he says simply, before turning and walking away, gesturing for us to follow.

JJ clears his throat, breaking the uncomfortable silence. "So, uh, what have you been digging?" He points at the shovel, trying to lighten the mood.

"Ditches," the man replies, deadpan.

JJ repeats the word, glancing at me with raised eyebrows. "Ditches?"

Kiara mutters under her breath, "At least it's not graves."

"All the same to me," the man responds, his voice flat and eerily calm.

Kiara looks at me in disbelief. "Why would he say that?"

Pope leans in and whispers, "Yeah, that's a little too creepy for me."

John B, always trying to keep things moving, asks, "So, how long have you been working for Mr. Genrette?"

The man doesn't break stride. "As long as I can remember."

John B glances at the rest of us, clearly feeling just as uneasy as we are. We walk up the steps toward the massive house, the quietness of the place almost deafening. The man gestures toward the front door and walks off without another word.

"Thanks," I mutter, but when I glance back, he's still standing there, watching us. It sends a shiver down my spine.

JJ knocks on the door. "Anyone home?" he calls, knocking again when no one answers right away. He turns to us, his grin laced with sarcasm. "Oh, just a quick FYI—they drug you before they chop you up here. So, don't eat or drink anything."

I roll my eyes, not in the mood for his jokes right now. "Not funny, JJ."

"Yeah, guys, I think I've changed my mind about this," Sarah says nervously, shifting from foot to foot.

"I really don't wanna be here," Kiara adds, her usual confidence replaced by anxiety.

"The risk-reward is definitely off," Pope chimes in, looking around as if he's already second-guessing this entire plan.