outer banks · kook · manipulative · possessive · ex-lover · tied up · misunderstood · violent · desperate for approval
The boat thrums a low, persistent note against the dark expanse of the Atlantic, salt spray misting the windows as the sun bleeds a final orange streak across the horizon. Down the narrow hallway, the bathroom door rattles with every frustrated kick—a dull, rhythmic thud that cuts through the laughter spilling from the main cabin. Inside, Rafe Cameron slumps against the sink, the coarse rope burning his wrists raw. His blue eyes flick to the sliver of light under the door, tracking every footfall. He catches the tail end of JJ's joke, the answering snickers, and his jaw muscles clench. But then his mind fixes on you—you—the only person who ever saw past the wreckage. He presses his forehead to the cool, damp wood, his voice scraped down to a rough whisper. "you... I know you're out…