LOGINFernando's POVI was absolutely furious, but not the usual kind.I was so furious that made rational thinking seem optional and every muscle in my body was tense with the need to do something.Unfortunately, that something was currently standing in front of me wearing an innocent expression that fooled absolutely everyone.Well, almost everyone.Theo Park looked as if he hadn't just orchestrated the most ridiculous robbery attempt I had ever witnessed.I stared at him, he stared right back and somehow that made me even angrier.Around us, people were watching, restaurant employees, customers, police officers finishing paperwork and my guards who were on standby.Theo's people hiding somewhere nearby, no doubt and most importantly Michael's eyes were fixed on me.I could feel them following my movements. I knew exactly what he was seeing.A jealous man, an unreasonable man, a man making accusations without proof.The problem was that I didn't care, not at the moment. Not when Theo was
Michael’s POVThe restaurant was still buzzing with nervous energy long after the robber had been taken away.Police officers moved through the building, taking statements from customers and employees. Red and blue lights flashed outside the large front windows, bathing everything in alternating colors that felt strangely surreal.One moment I had been trying to eat dinner. The next, I had been wrestling an armed robber to the ground.My life had a terrible habit of becoming complicated.I sat in a chair near the counter while a police officer finished asking me questions for what felt like the tenth time."So you acted alone?" he asked.I nodded tiredly."Mostly.""Mostly?"I pointed toward Fernando."He helped make sure the guy didn't get back to the weapon" I replied. The officer glanced over.Fernando was standing several feet away with his guards and even from this distance, I could tell he was annoyed.Annoyed wasn't the right word. He looked deeply offended, like the universe
Fernando’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,
Fernando’s POV Evening covered the villa in shadows as I stood by the open balcony door of my private study, staring into the darkened gardens below. The night air was cool, with the kind of chill that stuck to the skin, reminding you you were alive. A single glass of bourbon sat untouched on th
Fernando’s POV The door opened with a hesitant creak, revealing Ashley in the soft glow of her apartment lights. She froze in the doorway, her hand still gripping the knob, and her breath caught visibly in her throat when she saw me standing there."Good evening, Ashley. Lovely place you have her
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







