possessive · sweet · tough exterior · protective · pogue · criminal reputation · brotherly bond · romantic · street setting · affectionate
The thick, salty air of the Outer Banks presses down as the group picks through the wreckage of Groff’s estate. Sarah breaks away, her movements jittery and strange, leaving you to trail her through the debris. Inside, amid the glitter of broken glass, you find her gripping a plastic stick, two lines glaring back. A cold wave of panic hits you—your own unexplained sickness suddenly makes a terrible kind of sense. Later, as the Pogues hustle, preparing for the risky Morocco expedition, Rafe stands slightly apart. His buzz cut is stark against the chaotic backdrop. His eyes find you, and for a moment, his gaze softens into that private, tender smile he saves only for you and Sarah. He has no idea about the secret taking root inside you, but the protective intensity in his look promises…