로그인Michael’s POVThe meeting had gone better than I could have imagined.For once, I had walked into a room filled with some of the most dangerous men in New York and walked out without anyone pointing a gun at me.That alone felt like a miracle.I sat in the back seat of the car as we drove through the city, staring out at the familiar streets passing by the window.Beside me, Henry was practically glowing."Dad," he said excitedly, "did you see their faces?"I laughed."I saw them.""They looked terrified” he mocked.Across from us, Fernando chuckled."I'd say they were more shocked than anything” he said.I looked at him."Still counts."He nodded."It does."I leaned back against the seat.For the first time in what felt like forever, I allowed myself to breathe.The meeting had worked. Every single one of the dons had signed the agreement, they had agreed not to attack Fernando, me, or Henry, they had agreed that none of them would attempt to interfere with our lives.And most impor
Theo’s POVI had spent the entire day pretending I wasn't worried. It was becoming exhausting.By the time evening came, I was sitting on the edge of the bed in the hotel room, staring at the city lights through the window while my thoughts continued running in circles.Tonight was supposed to be the beginning of the end. At least, that was what Michael had called it.His plan of making sure the other dons would finally stop coming after him and Henry was taking place right now.Yet somehow, knowing how unpredictable the mafia world could be made it difficult for me to believe that anything could truly be that simple.A soft knock came from behind me."Dad?"I turned to see Kim standing by the door, already dressed for dinner.She raised an eyebrow."Are you coming?" She asked.I glanced at the clock."Yes."We left the room together and headed downstairs.The hotel restaurant was elegant without being unnecessarily extravagant. Soft golden lights hung from the ceiling, reflecting aga
Fernando’s POVI couldn't stop smiling. The expressions on their faces were priceless.Some looked terrified, some looked confused. Others looked as though they were desperately trying to convince themselves that the man standing before them couldn't possibly be me.I enjoyed every second of it.After all, how often did a dead man get the opportunity to walk into a room full of people who had already divided his empire among themselves?Never.I slowly looked around the conference hall, taking in every face.A few uncomfortable laughs came from around the table.One of the older dons leaned forward."Fernando, where have you been?" He asked.I looked at him."Somewhere peaceful” I said."How did you survive?" Another man immediately asked.I smiled."That's a long story."I walked toward the table and slowly pulled out one of the chairs."You have all spent years convincing yourselves that I was dead. I don't feel particularly obligated to ruin the mystery for you."I sat down and the
Carlos's POVIt had been weeks since I had walked out of Theo's basement. Weeks since I had been tied to a pillar, wounded, humiliated, and left wondering whether I would ever see the streets of New York again.And yet, somehow, I was back in my penthouse, back in my tailored suits, back behind tinted windows with a driver waiting downstairs.It was almost as if the entire nightmare had never happened.I stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows of the large apartment, staring at the Manhattan skyline while swirling a glass of whiskey in my hand.The city looked beautiful from up here.But despite everything returning to normal, something still didn't feel right.I hadn't heard from Fernando. I even tried contacting Michael but nothing came back and that was when I became suspicious."Carlos. I didn't know you were coming."I turned around to see it was Don Felicio, a disgusting man known for trafficking and other disgusting acts.I put up a fake smile to appear calm."I heard th
I couldn't stop staring at Michael after he said those words which kept repeating inside my head, but somehow, they still didn't feel real.Anthony had come after Michael because of me.I lowered my gaze."I don't like that you had to kill him” I said.His expression immediately hardened."Fernando—“"No." I shook my head. "I mean it. I don't like the fact that Anthony came after you because of me.”Michael sighed."He came after me because of his uncle” he corrected.I looked at him."And if I wasn't in your life..." I paused. "You wouldn't have met him."Michael's eyes narrowed."You don't know that.""If I hadn't brought danger into your life—""You need to stop” he said.His voice was firmer this time then I looked at him.Michael leaned forward."You're acting as if I'm some helpless person who got dragged into your world and couldn't defend himself” he said.I opened my mouth, but he continued."I was an FBI agent, Fernando. I've dealt with dangerous people long before you came
Michael’s POVI stared at Fernando and I understood why he was saying all of this. I really did.He wasn't trying to push me away because he didn't love me. He was trying to push me away because he loved me enough to believe that I would be safer without him.I looked at him lying in that hospital bed then swallowed."Fernando..."He waited. I could see the anxiety in his eyes even though he was trying to hide it."I understand what you're trying to do. But...I don't know if I can give you an answer right now” I said. “This isn't something I can decide in five minutes."I glanced toward Henry. He was standing quietly beside me, listening to every word."I have to think about Henry and I have to think about myself” I added.Fernando’s expression softened."I know."I looked down at my hands."Part of me thinks you're right” I admitted.Fernando's eyes flickered."About leaving?""Yes."The words were difficult to say."If we were far away from you, Henry and I would probably be safer."
Fernando’s POV The morning felt almost too peaceful.I sat at the small wooden table in the safe house kitchen, the aroma of scrambled eggs, toasted bread, and Henry’s overly sweet coffee drifting lazily in the air.Henry put his fork on a piece of pancake onto his plate, humming something cheerfu
Fernando’s POV I had no idea where to start.I stood in the middle of the safehouse living room, staring at maps, scribbled notes, and the half-empty cup of whiskey in my hand as if any of them would magically reveal Ashley’s location. “Think, Fernando,” I muttered to myself.I dragged my hands d
Fernando’s POV I shut the study door behind me and let out a slow breath. Santiago’s words had been scratching at my skull since the moment he said them.I lowered myself into the armchair behind the desk and rubbed my temples.“Sir,” one of the maids Anabelle brought said softly from the doorway
Fernando’s POVI had already dressed twice. Now, standing still before the full-length mirror, I adjusted my cufflinks for the third time.They were flawless silver, engraved, and custom-made. The suit fit me like it had been sewn directly onto my body. It didn’t restrict my movement, but it remin