MasukFernando’s POVI saw Theo outside the restaurant, watching and my jaw tightened so hard it almost hurt.So that was his plan.Disrupt my dinner with Michael, create chaos and push himself back into Michael’s attention.Pathetic.And yet, effective in the most annoying way possible because now Michael was tense again.I could feel the shift in Michael's energy, the way his shoulders had gone rigid, the way his instincts had snapped back into survival mode instead of calm conversation.Theo had ruined the moment completely.I exhaled slowly through my nose.“That fucking bastard.”The fake robber inside the restaurant was still holding his gun up, trying very hard to look intimidating but failing miserably.Michael was staring at him with sharp focus, one I remembered too well and I both respected and hated it because it meant he was already thinking three steps ahead.I could tell exactly what was going through his mind. He was already making mental scenarios of how he'll take control
Theo's POV(An Hour Earlier)I was already in a bad mood, the kind of that made everyone around me suddenly remember urgent appointments somewhere else.The shipment had arrived late, the paperwork had been wrong, one of the drivers had nearly caused an accident while unloading and because apparently the universe enjoyed testing my patience, I had been forced to stay and supervise everything personally.By the time I finally left the warehouse that served as one of my many "perfectly legitimate" businesses, the sun was already beginning to set.I should have gone home, I should have taken a shower, I should have had dinner. Instead, I found myself driving toward Michael's workplace.I told myself I was simply checking on him, making sure he was safe, making sure nobody from Marlo's people had somehow slipped through the cracks.But it was a complete lie.I wanted to see him. That was all.I wanted to see his face.After everything we had been through recently, I had become far too acc
Fernando's POVThe fact that Michael had agreed to have dinner with me felt like a victory.The restaurant wasn't anything fancy, just a roadside restaurant with bright lights, worn wooden tables, and the smell of grilled meat filling the evening air.Years ago, I would have never brought Michael somewhere like this. Back then, if I wanted to impress him, I would reserve entire restaurants, buy out private sections, jave chefs flown in.I used money because money was easy. Now I knew money wasn't enough, not with Michael.I parked beside him and got out.Michael was already waiting near the entrance, his hands shoved into his pockets. His expression was suspicious as usual but I couldn't blame him.I had given him plenty of reasons not to trust me. Still, I planned to change that.My guards began moving toward us and I immediately stopped them."Stay here."They exchanged looks."Boss—""I said stay here" I repeated. The guards nodded."Understood."I turned away just as Michael rais
Michael’s POVBy the time I finally finished work, I felt like my brain had been dragged behind a moving truck.The entire day had been nonstop and at one point I had genuinely considered hiding inside the evidence room and pretending I had gone missing.Unfortunately, Ramon had found me before I could commit to the plan.Now the sun was beginning to set outside, painting the sky in shades of orange and gold as employees slowly filtered out of the building.I carried my laptop bag over one shoulder while balancing several folders under my arm.The parking lot was gradually emptying and for the first time all day, I felt myself relax, just a little.I was finally heading to the hospital. That alone made everything feel a little lighter.Ramon walked beside me as we headed toward our vehicles."You should go home and sleep" he said."I'll sleep when Ashley and Nick are back home" I said.We reached our cars then Ramon unlocked his and I did same."See you tomorrow," he said."Goodnight,
Michael's POVFor the first time in what felt like forever, I was going back to work, or at least, what passed for normal in my life.The morning air was cool against my skin as I stepped out of my car and stared at the familiar building in front of me.I stood there for a moment longer than necessary trying to prepare myself.People would ask questions about Ashley and Nick who had almost died.I sighed then walked inside and Immediately, I regretted it."Michael! You're back!" I looked up to one of the dispatch officers who hurried toward me.I forced a smile."Apparently" I said.She laughed."It's good to see you" she said."Good to be seen" I replied. Almost immediately, another coworker appeared then another and within minutes I found myself surrounded."How's Ashley doing?""Did Nick wake up yet?""Are they going to be okay?""Do they need anything?""Can we visit?"I answered the same questions repeatedly, trying not to look exhausted or think about the fact that only a few w
Theo's POVFor several long seconds, nobody moved. The room had become a battlefield without a single shot being fired.My arm remained steady despite the tension burning through every muscle in my body. The barrel of my gun was aimed directly at Fernando Ramirez's head and his gun was aimed right back at me.Roberto stood slightly to my side, his weapon trained on Fernando's chest, ready to pull the trigger if necessary.Outside my office door, I could hear movement from Fernando's guards and my own men.I hated this, not because I was afraid but because the outcome of this situation would hurt exactly one person.The thought annoyed me more than Fernando's arrogance ever could.Fernando's expression remained cold and unreadable.The man had always been dangerous. Even without knowing him personally, I could tell he was the kind of person who had spent most of his life getting exactly what he wanted.Unfortunately for him, I wasn't one of his employees and I certainly wasn't one of h
Michael’s POVFernando stood a few feet ahead of me, rolling his sleeves up with calculated ease. His expression was unreadable, but I knew him well enough to recognize the spark of excitement in his eyes. He wasn’t just angry—he was looking forward to this.The man who had pinned me against the
Fernando’s POVThe car was silent except for the hum of the engine and the occasional sound of tires rolling smoothly against the pavement. I leaned back against the seat, stretching out my legs with ease, my gaze flickering toward the man beside me.Michael sat stiffly, his arms crossed, his jaw
Michael’s POVThe day was coming to an end and I could feel things were about to happen that would change the course of my undercover mission. Darkness had settled outside the windows, casting long shadows across the room. The dim light from the bedside lamp barely brightened up the room, leaving
Fernando's POV I leaned back in my chair, one leg casually crossed over the other, my fingers tapping lightly against the armrest as I watched my men beat the hell out of the four FBI agents kneeling before me.Their faces were already swollen, blood dripping from their lips, their shirts soaked w







