'✦ ˑ ִֶ 𓂃⊹ t h e  m a s k .ᐟ
chapter 10. ▌ 𝙱𝙰𝙸𝚃.

please don't be a silent reader!

the air inside the cameron estate was thick with tension as the group was stood around the kitchen island, (much to rafe's disliking that pogues was in his house.)

a crumpled map of figure eight laid out infront of them which finn had brought, it had dotted notes, time stamps, and crossed out names.

"okay." finn started, leaning over the counter, "if we're going to try—lure—this psychopath in, we have to do it smart, in a controlled environment."

"no one goes anywhere alone."

rafe scoffed, shaking his head, "controlled? you think this killer plays by rules?"

"no, but we can make them think we do." finn replied, his voice a cool tone.

daisy stood between them, her arms folded tightly over her chest. she could feel rafe's gaze flickering to her, protective, obsessive, even right now, his fingers were grazing the small of her back, like he needed to be touching her.

"let's use the party at the boneyard." daisy suggested, her eyes locked on the map. "it's happening tomorrow, big crowds, tourists, easy to blend in."

jj nodded slowly, his tongue sliding across his teeth, "and, just public enough that they think they'll have cover."

"are you hinting you want to be bait?" john b turned his head to her, "that's what this is."

daisy nodded, her eyes not on anyone. "yes."

"no." rafe interjected, "absolutely not."

she turned to him, "you don't get to decide."

"i'm not letting you dangle yourself like a carrot for a killer." rafe argued. "you're not letting me? what are you, my dad?" daisy scoffed, "i can handle myself rafe, i'm not some fragile object you can lock away."

his jaw clenched, not bothering to argue back, deep down, he knew she wasn't wrong. she wasn't his, so she says. she's not his property.

finn broke the tension, "if we're doing this—we all have to play a role. john b, jj and i can watch the crowd, pope and kiara can stand by the drinks, keeping an eye out, while also blending in seamlessly."

"rafe—" finn sighed, "you'll stay close to daisy. but—let her take the lead."

rafe's eyes darkened, but he nodded, seeming up to the idea. if he was close to daisy, that was all that mattered.

the pogues started to say goodbye, finn staying a few seconds longer than everyone else to hug daisy a little bit tighter, and whisper in her ear to keep safe, while also glaring at rafe.

they knew daisy would be better off at rafe's, the cameron estate had high security, and she was the only one being targeted. so far.

daisy sat on the edge of rafe's bed, curled up in his oversized hoodie, that he gave her, due to seeing her shivers.

the curtains were drawn, the lamp was on, setting a soft orange glow for the room. she hadn't received another message, but it still didn't settle her.

rafe sat behind her, back resting against the headboard, a bottle of whiskey sat on the bedside table, forgotten. his eyes never left her.

daisy broke the silence, spinning her body around to look at rafe, "you think its soneone we know?"

"feels like it." his voice was low.

"that's the part that scares me." daisy admitted.

rafe reached out, his hand resting ontop of her pale one. "i won't let anything happen to you, no matter who it is."

"you always say that." daisy met his eyes.

"because i mean it." rafe replied, his eyes still locked on hers.

then her phone buzzed in the pocket of rafe's hoodie. her breath caught as she reached into the pocket, pulling out her phone.

unknown number
Heard it's party time.
Don't worry.
I'll dress for the occasion :)

rafe snatched her phone, his eyes scanning the messages, his grip tightening. "it's working." her voice came out, almost like a whisper.

"how do they know!" rafe growled, standing up, grabbing his jacket. he threw his curtains open, staring out into the afternoon.

his eyebrows knitted together, as he turned to face daisy. "they're taking the bait." she stood up, standing infront of him. "i'm not going to run anymore, rafe."

rafe lifted his hand, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear, "i'll be right behind you."

outside, the wind pressed against the windows like a warning. the game was officially on.

daisy turned to the window, as rafe has stepped outside his bedroom, she glanced out, watching the leaves sway on the trees. "game on, bitch."

AUTHORS NOTE 💌
my shortest chapter ever, but
that just means the next one will be longer! ☺️ ( hinting at some 🔪🔪🔪 next chap ) ;)

i should be revising right now 🥲 ( if i don't update as frequent, that is why!!! )