**Chapter 1: Strangers in the Banks**

As I stepped off the plane, the salty air of the Outer Banks hit me like a slap in the face, a stark contrast to the scorching heat of Las Vegas. I adjusted my designer sunglasses and took a deep breath, my heels sinking into the worn asphalt of the small airport. My 13-year-old brother, Luke, trailed behind me, his eyes fixed on his phone as he muttered under his breath about how much he hated flying. Our assistant, Max, hovered nearby, his eyes scanning the arrivals area with a mixture of curiosity and amusement. "I'm starving," Max announced, his stomach growling audibly. "First things first, we need to find some grub. Maybe some of that famous OBX seafood?" I rolled my eyes good-naturedly. "Priorities, Max." Luke snorted. "Yeah, because food is all you care about." I shot him a warning glance. We'd only just left our mother in Las Vegas, and the tension between us was still palpable. Our parents' divorce had been messy, and we'd all taken sides. Luke and our mom had moved to Vegas, while I'd stayed with our dad for a while before eventually moving back to Vegas to be with Mom. Now, it seemed, we were all scattered. As we collected our luggage, I couldn't help but think about why we were really here. My dad, James Marsh, had called me out of the blue a few weeks ago, suggesting we come to the Outer Banks for a change of scenery. He'd been living here for years, building a successful boat construction and sales business, and I had a feeling he wanted to reconnect. I wasn't sure I was ready for that. The three of us made our way to the car rental agency, where we'd booked a sleek black SUV. As we loaded our bags into the vehicle, I took a moment to survey our surroundings. The Outer Banks were beautiful, with their wild dunes and crystal-clear waters. But I'd also heard rumors about the local Pogues, a group of teenagers who seemed to think they owned the place. As we hit the road, Luke plugged into his phone, and Max started snacking on a bag of chips. I took the wheel, my eyes scanning the GPS as we made our way to Dad's house. It was a sprawling beachfront property, one of several he owned in the area. As we pulled up, I felt a flutter of anxiety. What would Dad be like after all these years? And what did he really want from us? I pushed the thoughts aside and turned off the engine. "Well, guys," I said, "it looks like we're here." Max grinned. "Time to find some of that OBX magic." Luke just groaned. "Can we just get a hotel room and play video games all day?" I smiled wryly. "Not quite, kiddo. We're here for a reason. And I'm not just talking about the alleged gold that's supposed to be hidden around here." Max raised an eyebrow. "Alleged gold? You mean like, treasure?" I nodded. "That's what I've heard. And I have a feeling Dad wants to get in on the action." As we piled out of the SUV, I caught sight of a group of teenagers eyeing us from across the beach. One of them, a tall, brooding figure with a messy blond haircut, looked particularly unimpressed. Rafe Cameron, I would later learn, was his name. And he would become the thorn in my side, the person who would challenge everything I thought I knew about myself. But for now, I just smiled sweetly and waved, feeling a spark of defiance. Bring it on, Outer Banks. I'm ready for you.