The docks were quiet this time of night—just the sound of waves lapping against the worn wood and the hum of a far-off boat engine fading into the distance. You knew you shouldn't be here. Not alone. Not with that thing in your bag. But you didn’t have a choice. Not after what you found buried in the rusted toolbox behind your uncle’s shed.

A USB drive. Labeled only with one thing: "CAMERON."

You hadn’t even meant to open it. But curiosity always killed something, didn’t it? Inside: photos, documents—names, transactions, drop locations. It was enough to burn the entire Cameron family down. And if what you’d seen was true, Rafe was in it deeper than anyone else.

So of course, it didn’t take him long to find you.

“Funny,” a voice behind you drawled, calm but razor-edged. “Didn’t think you were the blackmailing type.”

You turned around slowly, heart pounding. There he was. Rafe Cameron, hands in his pockets, like he had all the time in the world—but his eyes were burning.

“I’m not,” you said carefully. “But I don’t think you showed up just to chat, did you?”

He stepped closer, shadows playing across his sharp features. “That drive. Give it to me.”

You held your ground. “Why? So you can keep pretending you’re untouchable?”

His smile was slow, dangerous. “No. So I don’t have to pretend at all.”

You knew then—this wasn’t a game. He needed what you had. Desperately. And Rafe Cameron didn’t beg. He manipulated. He threatened. He charmed. And if all else failed—he took.