LOGINTheo’s POVI stood in front of the mirror, staring at my reflection, water still clinging to my skin from the shower, droplets trailing down my chest in slow, uneven paths. The bathroom was quiet except for the faint hum of the extractor fan and the soft drip of water from my hair hitting the tiled floor but inside my head, there was nothing quiet about it.Michael's name alone was enough to tighten something in my chest, not in the way it had before.“If you’re connected to them…” I muttered under my breath, my gaze hardening as I leaned slightly closer to the mirror.My jaw clenched and my hands curled slightly against the edge of the sink as every thought about Michael and the Ramirez family led back to my dead fiancé.His face flashed in my mind, alive with a smile and then he was gone because of Don Fernando’s husband, the man I had been chasing for years, the man who had taken everything from me.And now Michael who was living right across from me, looking at me, talking to me,
Michael’s POV The question hung in the air long after Kim said it. It forced every single one of us into a corner we had spent years carefully avoiding. I could feel the shift in the room, the way Ashley’s breathing had gone shallow, the way Nick’s shoulders had stiffened, and the way Henry was looking at me. I forced my expression to remain calm and steady, even though inside, nothing was calm. “No, we’re not involved with the mafia in any way” I said firmly. Kim’s eyes didn’t leave mine then Ashley stepped forward. “Kim, that’s not who we are” she said gently. Nick nodded immediately. “Not even close,” he added. Henry straightened beside me, his voice more serious than I had ever heard it. “We’re not criminals,” he said. Kim looked between all of us, trying to find cracks in something that had already been sealed tight. “Then why would my dad say that?” she asked. Her voice wasn’t accusatory, not fully but it wasn’t neutral either. I stepped closer, lowering my voice j
Michael’s POVMorning didn’t feel like morning anymore, not the kind that came with peace or ease or even something as simple as routine.No, this morning came with tension, ssilence that felt too loud and eyes that never stopped watching.I stood by the window, the curtain barely drawn aside, my gaze fixed on the street outside as cars passed, one after another.My fingers tightened slightly against the fabric.“Anything?” Nick’s voice came from behind me.I didn’t turn.“Nothing yet,” I replied quietly.Ashley sighed from across the room, where she stood near the couch, her arms folded tightly over her chest.“You’ve said that ten times already,” she muttered.“And I’ll say it ten more if I have to,” I said, finally glancing back at her.Her eyes met mine, frustrated and tired but underneath all that was worry.We all were.“I don’t like this,” she added.“I know.”Nick moved closer to the window, peering past me.“They’re not here,” he said.“That doesn’t mean they won’t come,” I r
Theo’s POVI moved to grab her phone but Kim shot her arm in front of me, telling me not to come any closer.She stood in the kitchen, arms crossed now, her phone still in her hand, her eyes locked on mine with a stubbornness that felt far too familiar.“You’re not calling Henry,” I said, my voice lower now.She tilted her head slightly.“And you’re not telling me the truth,” she shot back.I exhaled slowly, forcing my hands to relax at my sides.“Kim—”“No, you don’t get to brush this off” she interrupted, her tone sharper now.I clenched my jaw slightly.“I’m not brushing anything off.”“You are, you’ve been acting strange for days” she insisted. “That’s your imagination.”“It’s not. You’re asking questions about Michael, Henry and things that don’t concern you” she said firmly. “This does concern me,” I said.“How?” she demanded.I hesitated just for a fraction of a second but she saw it.Her eyes narrowed slightly.“See? You can’t even answer” she said. “I don’t need to explain
Theo’s POVI leaned back slightly in my chair, letting my fingers rest loosely against the stem of my glass.“And that’s everything?” I asked casually.She hesitated just briefly then nodded.“Yes… I believe so.”I held her gaze for a moment longer then I gave a small nod.“Thank you for tonight,” I said.She smiled again, clearly pleased with herself.“Well, you've been a great host” she said.We sat in a brief silence after that. I needed to end this without raising suspicion or making it obvious that this entire evening had been… intentional.She tilted her head slightly, studying me.“You’re very interested in them,” she said.I didn’t react immediately, just took a slow sip of my wine, letting the pause stretch naturally.“Am I?” I asked lightly.She smiled, but there was curiosity behind it now.“Yes, more than most neighbors would be” she said.I let out a quiet chuckle.“Maybe I’m just trying to understand them better.”“Why?”I met her gaze. Answering that question wrong woul
Theo’s POVI stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the cuff of my sleeve with deliberate precision. The fabric of my suit sat perfectly against my body, expensive without being loud.My reflection stared back at me, composed and calm but beneath it, I could feel the tension still lingering.I exhaled slowly, rolling my shoulders once before straightening.“No emotions, just answers” I muttered under my breath. The doorbell rang and a faint smirk touched my lips.“Perfect.”I made my way through the house, my footsteps slow, unhurried. Every movement intentional. By the time I reached the door, the mask was already in place.“Mrs. Hansley,” I greeted warmly when I opened the door.She stood there in a modest but carefully chosen outfit, her smile bright, almost eager.“Oh, Theo, you look… wonderful” she said, her voice laced with excitement. I let my smile widen just slightly.“And you look lovely as always.”Her cheeks flushed faintly.“Well, thank you.”I stepped aside, gesturing
Michael’s POVThe faint hum of the air conditioner was the only sound between us, slicing through the thick tension that filled Fernando’s massage suite. Fernando stood by the counter, his jaw clenched, hands gripping the edge as if it were the only thing keeping him from tearing the room apart.
Ashley’s POV The iron gates loomed before me and two guards stood beside them, the same expressionless faces I had seen every single time I came here. “I told you already,” I snapped, my voice rising against the cool night air. “I’m not leaving until you let me in.” “Miss Ashley,” one of the guar
Fernando’s POVThe mansion greeted me with the same familiar hush that always followed my return. I spotted Marlo near the base of the staircase, going over somethings with two of the staff. “Where’s Dominique?” I asked, my voice low but sharp.He dismissed the staff with a nod before turning to
Fernando’s POV Michael froze when I said it. The wind swept between us, tugging at his hair, but he didn’t move. His lips parted like he wanted to say something, but nothing came out. For a moment, the world seemed to hold its breath. I hated that silence more than his anger. At least when he







