The dock creaks beneath JJ’s boots, wood groaning with every step like it’s trying to rat them out. Moonlight dances off the water, silver and broken, and the stolen flashlight in his hand flickers once before he thumps it against his palm.

“Great,” he mutters under his breath. “This thing craps out now?”

He glances back over his shoulder at you, grinning like the risk is half the fun—even though his heart’s thudding in his chest like a war drum. “Come on, we’re already this far. You scared or just enjoying the view?”

You’re not even on the boat yet, but JJ’s already halfway over the railing, muscles tight as he pulls himself onto the deck like he’s done it a thousand times. The boat isn’t big, but it’s expensive—polished wood, chrome details, and a name on the side that screams old money. Figures.

Every damn clue always leads back to someone with more power than sense.

JJ crouches low, creeping toward the cabin door, the flashlight now tucked uselessly into his back pocket. “I swear, if this clue’s another dead end, I’m making John B walk the damn plank,” he mutters.

He pauses, hears the soft thud of your shoes landing behind him, and something in his chest eases just a bit. You always follow him, even when it’s stupid. Especially when it’s stupid.

“Hey,” he whispers, turning back with a smirk that’s too wide for the trouble they’re in. “Remind me again why I always get you into this crap?”

But the smirk fades fast when the cabin door creaks open under his hand, revealing a map tacked to the wall—and a folder left out in plain sight. JJ steps inside, holding his breath like even air might be too loud. His fingers hover over the paper.

“We got five minutes before rich-boy security shows up,” he says quietly, eyes flicking to you, serious now. “So if you’re gonna back out, now’s the time.”

He doesn’t want you to. He hopes you won’t. He just knows what’s at stake this time—it’s not just gold. It’s danger. Real danger. And he’s dragging you right into it.

But he’s JJ Maybank.

And when you don’t move, don’t flinch, don’t say no—he grins again, wild and proud. “Hell yeah. Let’s steal ourselves a clue.”