Let Me Go — Hailee Steinfeld

•••
Tasha sighed deeply as she adjusted the straps on her dress. Sully had instructed her to wait in the main hall, while he snuck Nate and Sam into the building. She hated being left on the outs, but she knew that for the plan to go well they all needed to do their part.

She let out a small, relieved smile when she saw Sully, along with the two brothers making their way over to her. She raised her eyebrows at Sam, smirking slightly. "Wow, you clean up good for a guy whose been in prison for fifteen years."

"You don't look too bad yourself, princess." Sam gave her a grin, slipping his arm around hers as they walked together. As they tried to come up with a plan once seeing the line up had been changed, Tasha felt a pain in her heart as an idea crossed through her mind. He won't be here, will he? No, no... he couldn't possibly...

"I... I need a drink." Tasha pulled from Sam's embrace, ignoring their questioning glances as she made her way to the opposite end of the room, grabbing a wine glass from a waiter. She wasn't technically supposed to drink much anymore as it caused her emotions to act up even worse than usual, but she needed something — anything to take the edge off.

There's no way he'll be here, right? I mean what are the odds.

Tasha took a long sip of wine, staring at the cross from afar. So much pain had come from Henry Avery's treasure that she hated it more than anything in the world. She remembered how excited Rafe was when they were getting leads on the location of the treasure, and she was sure he had never been as happy with her as he had with the notion of finding a long lost treasure. She only prayed she wouldn't have to face him ever again, knowing fully well she never truly got over him. How could she? She fell in love with him, and stayed for six years... until he had become a stranger.

"Fancy meeting you here."

Tasha could swear her blood went cold in that moment.

No.

Fuck, no.

Fuck!

"Rafe...?"

•••

It was as though time stood still as Tasha felt all the air leave her lungs as the panic set in across her entire being.

"R...Rafe?"

She held tightly to her glass of wine as she finally completely turned towards the man. His hair was neatly styled back, and he was sporting a white suit. He looked good, practically the same as before... though his age was beginning to show as he had slight grey hair along his temples, and a few stress lines across his pale skin, though she tried her best not to focus on his appearance for too long.

"Tasha." His voice was even as he looked at her, taking a sip of his drink. Scotch, most likely. "Well, don't you look just stunning."

"Thank — ehm — Thank you.... you look pretty good yourself." Tasha replied evenly after clearing her throat, trying to keep her voice steady as she felt waves of emotions threaten to spill over the walls she spent years building up.

"What is such a pretty thing such as yourself doing in a place like this?" Rafe moved closer to her, making Tasha shiver slightly. Damn him and those beautiful eyes.

"Oh, you know, I just love spending time with rich people with money to spend ." Tasha teased with a fake giggle, trying her best to ignore the way he stared at her.

"You haven't changed a bit," Rafe sighed, his eyes raking over her body for a moment unapologetically. "I know it's been a while—"

"It's been years, Rafe." Tasha's calm demeanour dropped for a moment as she snapped the words at him, her eyes narrowing at his caring, bullshit of an act. Why is he acting like we parted on good terms?

"Hey, hey." He raised his hands in defence with a low chuckle. "We're just talking, right? Two friends..."

"Friends?" Tasha laughed with little amusement as she sipped her drink. "Were we ever friends? Last time I checked the only thing you had time for was treasure, the same reason you're here tonight, right? Now if you'll excuse me—" Rafe grabbed onto Tasha's arm before she could trudge past him, his grip slightly painful as his fingers dug into her skin to keep her in place.

"You are so feisty. I've missed that..." Rafe's breath was hot on her neck as his lips moved to her ear. "I've missed you."

"What do you want, Rafe?" Tasha asked as she tried to pull from his grasp, but he only firmed his grip as he sniffed her neck.

"You still wear the same perfume... intoxicating." Rafe pulled back enough so he could look at her, a smug smirk on his face. "I still make your knees weak, don't I, princess?"

"Don't call me princess." Tasha rolled her eyes, "You're a known sweet talker. You could get any girl to swoon for you, but I know you, Rafe Adler."

"You know me so well?" Rafe laughed humourlessly. "Is that why you left me?" Rafe asked, a hint of betrayal in his voice. His stormy eyes didn't meet hers.

"Left YOU?! Are you really playing the victim? After all these years?!"

"Last time I checked, you walked out on me, sweetheart."

Tasha scoffed in frustration and hurt. "Maybe if you had been home more — you know what? No. I'm not having this conversation with you."

"Yeah, okay. Just walk away from all your problems, Tasha. It's what you're good at." Rafe mumbled as he let her arm go, his cold eyes finally meeting hers.

The two of them were silent as they just stared at each other, both battling internally with themselves. Neither of them wanted this. Both wanted nothing more than to hold the other, but both were too stubborn for that. Tasha's heart ached as she stared into his stormy green blue eyes.

Tasha quickly walked away, down into the main room. She bumped into a waiter. "My apologies." She said quietly, sniffling as she tried to contain the tears that threatened to spill down her face.

"Tasha?" Sam pulled her aside, his eyes held worry as he looked at her. "What's wrong?"

Tasha laughed slightly, ignoring his question. "Nice uniform, Sammy."

"Seriously, what's wrong?"

There was a long silence as she tried to steady her breathing.

"Rafe's here."

Sam nodded slowly, a frown on his face, "Yeah, I know... He's talking to Victor now..."

Tasha glanced to the back of the crowd and noticed a dark skinned woman standing close to Rafe and she felt her blood boil. All her sadness left as anger took charge. She adjusted her dress before leaning over to Sam. "Just get the cross. I'll deal with Rafe and his girlfriend if I have to."

"Tash."

Tasha ignored Sam as she walked onto the floor, plastering a fake smile on her face as she walked over to Sully. "Victor! It looks like you've had all the fun without me."

Rafe looked at Tasha, almost surprised that she'd come up to him after their previous encounter. Tasha ignored Rafe's presence, instead focusing on the woman beside him. "Whose this lovely lady?"

"Nadine Ross," Sully informed her. "You remember her, right?"

"Ah, yes. I've heard great things." Tasha smiled fondly, shaking Nadine's hand. She had to admit she was impressed by the build of the woman, she looked like she could handle herself nicely.

"Nadine, this is Tasha. She—"

"You found the treasure of Gariba, right?"

"That would be me." Tasha smiled proudly.

"Don't forget you also found the lost city of Pentos." Sully added with a chuckle. "And Herita."

"There's been so many lost cities I've lost count." She bragged teasingly, obviously flaunting her success because she knew that without her, Rafe would have little success finding any treasure because he simply lacked the patience she had a knack of for searching for clues. The one part of her life she did have patience with.

"Yes, I've also heard you tagged along with Nate for his... adventures." Rafe replied, a slight tone of venom in his words.

"Yes, for a long while we were partners."

"From what I hear, most say you were a couple." Rafe replied.

"Awe, were you keeping tabs on me?" Tasha rolled her eyes at his jealousy. "Nate and I were partners, but whatever you want to think, Mr.Adler." Tasha faked a smile.

"Partners?" Nadine seemed surprised at this. "As in...?"

"Oh, god no. As much as Rafe seems to think it so, it was not like that at all. I actually introduced him to his wife, so no. Definitely not partners in that sense." Tasha laughed, taking a sip of wine. "In fact, it was Nathan Drake's brother that I fancied."

"Why are you here, Tasha?" Rafe asked bluntly, sick of her games.

Tasha shrugged in response. "Why are you?" Sick of the same game he was playing.

"You think you can flirt your way—"

"If that's what you thinks flirting, then darling it's no wonder you're still single." Tasha replied hotly before turning to Sully. "As fun as this hasn't been, I need another drink." She then turned to Nadine, a wicked smile on her face. "When you get bored with his presence, I know someone who would love your services." Before moving to the edge of the room, taking another glass of wine.

"Sam? Any updates?"

"Not yet, princess. Are you doing okay?"

"Let's just fuck Rafe's day up. Then I'll be okay."

•••

"The cross is gone!"

The look on Rafe's face was priceless for Tasha, but unfortunately the crowd cut off her exit from the room, leaving her vulnerable while the others made their escape.

"Just go!" Tasha mumbled to the boys, knowing there was no way she could make it out safely, especially knowing Rafe would go after her. "I'll be fine."

"Oh, I don't think you will be." Nadine said as she stood next to Tasha.

"Is there a problem, Nadine?"

"Look, princess, I don't have any problem with you. Rafe, on the other hand—" She grabbed the earpiece from Tasha's ear, crushing it in her hands. "Now, you're going to do what I say, and no one here gets hurt, sound fair?"

Tasha sighed, but nodded as Nadine directed Tasha away from the bulk of the crowd to a table. She sat down, waiting impatiently for security to frisk the entirety of the guests. Rafe stalked to Tasha, anger fueling him as he leaned his fists on the table.

"Where are they, Tasha?"

"Where's who?" Tasha replied, feigning innocence as she smiled amusedly at his anger. "C'mon, Rafe. What are you going to do?"

"You have no idea what I'm capable of." Rafe growled as he sat next to her, dragging his chair dangerously close to hers.

"No, I am. I know exactly what you're capable of. I know you're not above murder, or torture...But see, the thing is, Rafe, you don't scare me. You never have. Now, you can torture me, frankly you can do whatever you deem fit to me, but I won't tell you anything, because guess what? I don't know anything."

"Bullshit." Rafe scoffed. "You knew they'd take the cross —"

"As of now I don't know anything, how's that?" Tasha shrugged. "Face it; You need me, Rafe Adler."

Rafe was dead silent as he took his phone out, his eyes not leaving Tasha's as he made arrangements for his private jet to be ready to leave at a moments notice. "I'm not going to help you, Rafe."

"I think you will, sweetheart." Rafe leaned into her, breathing gently onto her neck. "You don't want any innocent people getting hurt, do you?" Rafe sighed as he put his hand on her lower thigh, smirking when he heard her take a sharp inhale of breath. "You're going to help me find the treasure... just like old times." He squeezed her leg, pulling back to look into her eyes. His were stormy, and Tasha hated herself for feeling lost within them.

"Fine. But no one gets hurt." Tasha replied, her lips in a straight line as she fought the urge to kiss and strangle him.

"Perfect." He smiled deviously at her. "I suppose that means we're partners."

"More like I'm your prisoner." Tasha replied as she stood with him. "But whatever helps you sleep at night, Rafe."

He slid his hand along her waist, to her back and rested his palm flat against the curve of her back. "Don't lie, sweetheart. You're enjoying this just as much as I am."

Tasha said nothing at first, but followed his lead as they were finally allowed to leave the premises. He lead her to a fancy car, with a driver already waiting for instructions. "You do realize you have a lot to catch me up on, right? If we're going to be partners I need to know everything you know."

"And how do I know you won't take that information back to those darling brothers you love oh so much?" Rafe let her go once they were in the car, though kept himself closer than she would have liked.

"Because unlike you I'm not a liar." Tasha replied honestly, looking at him.

"I'm a liar? You know, that's funny... considering your promise of forever was a lie." Rafe replied instantly, clearly having waited all evening to chastise her some more for leaving him.

"You broke all your promises, Rafe. It's not like you were a saint." She felt sadness wash over her as she remembered all the times she sat at home waiting for him. Days becoming weeks, weeks became months. "I won't tell Nathan or Sam anything because frankly you're dangerous. You'd kill them if you could. So no, you don't have to worry about me spilling all your secrets. Besides, I'm sure if I did you can easily have my dealt with." She turned, instead looking out the dimmed window. She didn't want to be there, not with him. Not like this. There was a time she wanted Rafe to come after her, to beg for her on his knees... but he never did.

He let her go.

And it to that day her heart still shattered at the memory of what could have been

•••