LOGINFernando'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
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 POVHenry was still crying, not loud, not dramatic, just those broken, helpless sobs that come from a place too small to hold fear this big. His body was pressed against mine like he thought he could physically shield me, his thin arms wrapped around my shoulders, his face buried into my
Michael’s POVI watched Fernando’s car disappear through the iron gates and my eyes nearly with it.I didn’t move until the last vehicle was gone, until the low rumble of engines faded into the distance and the house settled into that hollow, echoing quiet that always followed him when he left on s
Michael's POVThe entire scenario felt too familiar.The lock, the silence, the way the walls seemed to press closer the longer I stayed inside.I stood in the middle of the bedroom Fernando had locked me in, my chest rising and falling too fast, my hands clenched into fists so tight my nails dug i
Fernando's POVThe moment Michael’s hand slid into mine, the world narrowed.His hand was warm, but I could feel the tension in it, the slight tremor he was trying very hard to hide. His shoulders were straight, his chin lifted, but I knew him too well. Beneath the composure was a storm of thought







