MasukTheo's POVI hated hospitals, I hated the smell, I hated the white walls and most of all, I hated the fact that I was stuck in one while Fernando Ramirez was somewhere out there breathing freely.My jaw tightened as I stared out the window beside my hospital bed.Normally, I would have appreciated the view but today, all I could think about was Michael.He was out there while I was trapped in this room. The thought alone was enough to make my blood pressure rise.A knock sounded on the door but before I could answer, the doctor walked inside carrying a tablet.The moment I saw him, I already knew what was coming."Theo.""You came here to tell me I can't leave" I said before he could continue talking. The doctor sighed."Because you can't" he said."I can.""You absolutely cannot.""I feel fine" I argued. The doctor looked at me like I was an idiot."You were nearly blown apart.""I've had worse" I said."That doesn't make me feel better."I folded my arms and the movement immediate
Michael’s POVI barely had time to process what had happened. One second, Fernando's hand had been around my waist. The next, Henry was standing between us, absolutely furious.The force with which he had opened the door still echoed through the room and before either Fernando or I could say anything, Henry marched forward and pushed Fernando backward."Henry!" I exclaimed.Fernando stumbled half a step and immediately frowned."What the hell—""No!" Henry pointed at both of us.The anger in his voice surprised even me. Kim appeared behind him in the doorway looking horrified."Henry" she called but Henry wasn't listening. His eyes were fixed on Fernando."Stop" Henry said.Fernando folded his arms."Stop what?"Henry laughed bitterly."You know exactly what" he replied. I stood awkwardly between them. My heart was still racing from what had almost happened moments earlier."Henry," I said carefully.His voice softened immediately when he looked at me."Dad, please" he said.Fernando
Fernando's POVThe atmosphere in the house remained tense long after the confrontation with Henry.I sat alone in the living room for a while after Henry disappeared upstairs. The house itself was nice, nothing like the massive estates I owned back in New York. This place actually felt lived in with photographs sat on shelves, books stacked carelessly on tables and a blanket had been tossed over the couch.There was evidence of life everywhere. Evidence of years I had missed."You're staring at that picture again."Michael's voice pulled me from my thoughts and I turned to see he was standing in the hallway, arms crossed watching me.I glanced back toward the photograph I had been looking at. It was Henry, maybe ten years old standing beside Michael both smiling.Neither aware they were being photographed so it was genuine moment."He's grown" I said.Michael softened slightly."Yeah."A brief silence followed then he nodded toward the hallway."Come on."I stood."Where are we going
Michael's POVI still didn't know what had possessed me. Even as I sat behind the steering wheel and drove toward my house, I couldn't figure it out.Maybe it was the explosion. Maybe it was seeing Fernando throw himself over me without hesitation.Maybe it was the fact that Marlo was free again and the world suddenly felt far more dangerous than it had twenty-four hours ago.Or maybe I was simply tired of fighting and pretending Fernando wasn't still a huge part of my life.Whatever the reason was, I had somehow invited Fernando to stay at my house.The realization hit me again and I groaned. Fernando was sitting in the passenger seat then immediately, he smirked."What?" He asked."Nothing.""You groaned.""I know.""Why?"I glanced at him."Because I'm questioning my life choices" I replied. His grin widened."Too late now."I rolled my eyes."Don't get comfortable " I told him."Michael—""We need to establish rules" I cut him short.Fernando immediately looked offended."I don't
Fernando’s POVI was beyond furious.I paced across the hotel lobby like a caged animal, my shoes striking the marble floor hard enough that several people kept glancing in my direction before quickly looking away.The entire hotel was in chaos. Guests were crowding around the reception area, security personnel were rushing back and forth, and employees were speaking frantically into radios.Police officers had started arriving, paramedics moved through the building checking for injuries and through all of it, one thought kept repeating inside my head.Marlo, that bastard. Whether he had sent the bomb or not, everything had started because of him.I clenched my jaw then oe of my surviving guards approached carefully."Sir—""What?"He visibly hesitated."The police are asking questions" he replied. "Then answer them.""Sir—""I said answer them."The guard immediately nodded and retreated.I ran a hand through my hair and the smell of smoke still lingered in the air as the explosion
Michael’s POVThe moment I had stepped into Fernando’s suite, I immediately regretted it, not just because of Fernando or because of the tension already sitting in the air like a loaded weapon.But because Carlos was there, now leaning casually against the counter like he belonged in the space, like he hadn’t already caused enough problems.For half a second, when Fernando turned around probably to think, my brain did something I didn’t approve of. It tried to connect dots between Carlos, Fernando and their night together but I immediately shut that thought down.That was not my business and I refused to make it my problem.Carlos turned his head slowly towards me, his eyes scanning me like he was assessing competition.I hated that immediately.“You probably could have said all this on the phone though,” he said lightly.I ignored him but Fernando, however, did not.“Leave,” he said without even looking at him.Carlos blinked.“Excuse me?”Fernando finally turned toward him.“I said
Fernando’s POV The day had started good but then it gradually became unforgiving, the heat pressing in from every corner of the estate, when the call came. I was in my study, the tall windows flung open to let in a restless breeze that carried no relief. The leather chair beneath me creaked each t
Michael’s POV The air smelled like copper and smoke. I stood outside Ashley’s compound staring at police cars and ambulances. The driveway, once pristine and white-stoned, now looked like a war zone—blood spattered across the tiles, bullet casings glinting under the harsh beams of sunlights, gl
Archer’s POV My hand was tight around Michael’s collar, the barrel of my gun pressing dangerously against his temple. His heartbeat pulsed under my palm like a drum that wanted to break through his ribs. Around us, Fernando’s men were crouched behind cars and walls, their guns drawn, every muscle
Fernando’s POV The woods swallowed all sound. The early afternoon light burned through the trees, in sharp beams that pierced the canopy and splashed across our faces. It wasn’t good for us. Shadows were our allies, and light was theirs. I kept my hand low, fingers curling around the grip of my







