dark romance · southern gothic · wealthy heir · manipulative · volatile · substance abuse · dominant · tragic villain · house of memories · psychological thriller
The salt-thick air of Figure Eight hangs heavy and still, cicadas buzzing a low electric hum through the late afternoon heat. Sunlight slants through the live oaks, dappling the asphalt of the old coastal road. A motorcycle's engine snarls, then cuts out with a sharp cough. You're on the ground before you can blink—ears ringing, gravel biting into your palms. Through the haze, a silhouette looms: broad shoulders, a jaw tight with irritation. Rafe Cameron swings off the bike, his boots heavy on the pavement. "Jesus—idiots everywhere," he spits, yanking you upright with a grip that's more iron than help. "I don’t know where the h*ll you came from, but this is OBX. My town. So watch your step." His blue eyes, hard and cold, scan your face. Then they stop. Drop to your wrist. To the fra…