LOGINMichael'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
Fernando's POVThe moment I stepped out of the elevator and entered the floor where Theo kept his office, I already knew something was wrong.The reception area looked normal enough.The furniture was expensive without being flashy, the employees looked busy, the phones rang occasionally, documents moved between desks and a woman at the front desk greeted visitors with a professional smile.Everything appeared normal, which was exactly why I didn't trust it.Theo sitting behind his desk looked every bit the powerful man I had found about him and another man occupied a chair across from him.The way his hand rested near his jacket told me everything I needed to know.He was definitely armed.Theo looked genuinely surprised to see me and that alone improved my mood.The other man stood slowly and I didn't care enough to ask his name.My attention remained entirely on Theo who folded his hands together."What are you doing here?" He asked.I closed the door behind me then took my time lo
Theo's POVMy office looked legitimate, after all, that was the entire point.Every framed certificate hanging on the walls had been purchased, every award displayed on the shelves had been fabricated.And every smiling photograph of luxury vehicles and satisfied customers had been carefully selected to create the image I wanted the public to see.I wanted to be seen as a successful businessman and a respected entrepreneur. A man who imported rare vehicles and managed a profitable transportation company.The truth was far less respectable.The truth was currently sitting across from me in the form of Roberto Vasquez, my oldest employee, my most trusted associate and one of the few people who knew exactly how much of my business operated outside the law.I sat behind my large mahogany desk while Roberto occupied one of the leather chairs opposite me.Rain clouds had begun gathering outside the office windows, darkening the afternoon sky and casting long shadows across the room.Neither
Michael’s POVTheo had been quiet ever since Fernando and I returned from the hallway, though I could feel him watching me carefully while pretending not to.Henry noticed it too. Even Kim had stopped joking after seeing the tension between Fernando and me.Ashley and Nick remained exhausted from recovery, but I could still tell they were observing everything silently.It was tooo many emotions, too many people and too many conversations waiting to happen.I rubbed tiredly at my face before finally turning toward Henry and Kim.“You two should go home" I said. Henry blinked immediately.“What?”“You’ve both been here all night.”“I’m fine,” Henry argued quickly.“I know you are" I argued back. “I can stay.”“You need rest.”Henry crossed his arms stubbornly.“I already rested yesterday" he said.“You’re still a teenager" I countered. Henry still looked unwilling to leave and honestly, I understood. Everything happening lately had pushed us all into survival mode again.Nobody wante
Fernando’s POVThe moment the hospital room door closed behind us, Michael pulled his hand away from mine, like my touch offended him.Michael immediately turned toward me with frustration burning all over his face.“What exactly is wrong with you?”I blinked once.“That’s a broad question" I replied. “Fernando.”His voice sharpened instantly. I sighed softly and leaned back against the wall casually, watching him.He still looked beautiful when angry.His cheeks were slightly flushed from emotion, his eyes sharp and bright with irritation. His hair still looked a little messy from this morning and and Theo’s scent was all over him.I noticed it immediately the moment he entered the room earlier. Now that we stood closer together, it was impossible to ignore.Michael crossed his arms tightly.“You shouldn’t have come here" he said.A nurse walking past glanced nervously toward us before immediately walking faster.Michael rubbed aggressively at his forehead afterward.“You could’ve w
Michael’s POV The fluorescent lights in the Kafé Verse parking lot flickered like they were tired too.I stood beside the back exit with my hands in my jacket pockets, the last echoes of laughter still bouncing between the walls behind us. The doors had just clunked shut as we finished locking up
Ashley’s POV The air inside the FBI headquarters was always cold, sterile, and scented faintly of burnt coffee, toner, and tension. It clung to the skin like static, setting nerves perpetually on edge. The rhythmic clicking of keyboards echoed faintly over the hum of computers and distant voices
Archer’s POV The night air hit my face like a slap I had secretly been craving. Cool and unrelenting. I stood outside the restaurant, my hands shoved deep in the pockets of my coat, my thoughts boiling hot.Fernando had yawned.He fucking yawned while I was talking as if I was something that didn
Archer's POV It was the steady rise and fall of Fernando’s chest that stirred me awake. The sunlight filtered through the sheer white curtains, painting soft gold on the walls and sheets. For a moment, I simply lay there, still, content, my head resting lightly against the warmth of his bare mus







