????????? | JJ Maybank

"No way," Dove said firmly, crossing her arms.

John B sighed, his brows furrowed. "Dove—"

"No," Dove cut him off, her tone resolute. "We are not going anywhere near the Cameron's. Did you forget what happened at the Boneyard? Rafe practically threw me off him like I was on fire."

The Pogues had found themselves outside on the patio, sitting amongst the worn couches spread lazily along the deck. Dove had just come out of the shower, her brown hair tied up in the towel, wearing nothing but bikini bottoms and JJs shirt she stole from his pile of clothes he also leaves at John Bs.

JJ snorted, unable to stop himself. "To be fair, Dalles, if anyone could make Rafe Cameron panic, it's you."

Dove smirked but shot him a look. "Not the point, Maybank."

JJ grinned, though the memory of Rafe shoving Dove still made his jaw tighten.

John B sighed, leaning back in his chair. "Look, I get it. Rafe's a psycho, but we're not dealing with him. I'll time it so he's not even there."

"And what about Sarah?" Kiara piped up; her voice sharp. She leaned forward, her eyes narrowing at John B. "You think she won't notice you snooping around her family's boat?"

"She doesn't even talk to me," John B shot back. "She won't care."

"Not the point," Dove said, exasperated. "You're still risking a run-in with the Cameron's, and for what? A couple of tanks and some scuba gear?"

"For the treasure," John B said, his tone growing more insistent. "It's the only way to move forward."

"Or it's the quickest way to get yourself beat up—or worse," Dove argued, her voice rising.

Kiara nodded in agreement, crossing her arms. "We can figure something else out. This isn't the only way."

"Yes, it is," John B insisted, pointing inside the Chateau where the map lay on the coffee table inside. "Do you see how deep the Sea Queen is? None of us can free dive that far. Without gear, we're stuck."

The argument grew louder, the three of them going back and forth as JJ and Pope watched from the sidelines.

JJ smirked faintly, nudging Pope. "Wanna bet who wins?"

Pope shook his head. "No one. This is a stalemate if I've ever seen one."

Dove threw up her hands. "So what? We're just supposed to trust that you'll get in and out without any issues?"

"Yes," John B replied, his tone clipped.

Kiara scoffed, glaring at him. "You're unbelievable."

"You're being irrational," John B snapped, his frustration bubbling over. "If we want to find this treasure, we don't have a choice. I'm doing it, with or without your approval."

Dove's eyes narrowed, her lips pressing into a thin line as she leaned back against the couch. Kiara looked equally furious, but neither of them could come up with another solution.

The tension in the atmosphere was thick, the argument settling into a heavy silence.

JJ leaned back, crossing his arms. "Well, this is gonna be fun," he muttered under his breath.

The patio stayed quiet, the Pogues each stewing in their thoughts as the weight of John B's decision settled over them.

Dove leaned against the back of the couch; her arms crossed as her mind churned with everything John B had said. She could still hear Kiara muttering under her breath about the Camerons, her frustration simmering just beneath the surface. The mention of the Cameron family had opened a floodgate she couldn't quite close, and now her thoughts were swirling like a storm she couldn't outrun.