LOGINFernando's POVIf there was one person in the world who had consistently interfered with my relationship with Michael, it was Ashley.I had known her long enough to understand exactly how her mind worked.She was fiercely loyal, protective to a fault, stubborn, opinionated and unfortunately for me, she had never trusted me.Not when Michael and I were together.As I followed Michael into one of the guest rooms, I already knew this conversation wasn't going to be pleasant.Ashley entered behind us and immediately crossed her arms.Michael closed the door and let out a tired sigh.Michael rubbed his forehead."Can we please talk like adults?"Ashley immediately pointed at me."Tell him that" she said.Michael sighed even louder."See? This is exactly what I'm talking about."Neither Ashley nor I spoke.Michael looked between us then shook his head."I am tired. We have Marlo threatening everybody, we have Theo recovering, Ashley and Nick just got discharged and somehow all of us are und
Michael's POVThe moment Ashley saw Fernando standing in my bedroom, I knew every ounce of peace in the house had officially disappeared.Not that there had been much peace to begin with but whatever little remained was completely gone now.Ashley stood in the doorway with her arms crossed, Fernando stood near the foot of my bed, Theo sat on the mattress looking entirely too pleased with himself and I was already afraid. The silence stretched then Ashley broke it."What is he doing here?" She asked.I immediately rubbed my forehead."Ashley—"She pointed directly at Fernando."What is HE doing here?" She repeated. Fernando looked completely unbothered which only made Ashley angrier. Nick stepped beside her, his expression wasn't quite as hostile as Ashley's but it wasn't friendly either.Fernando folded his arms."I assume you're referring to me" he said.Ashley stared at him."Who else would I be referring to?""I don't know. There are several people in this room" he said.Fernando
Fernando's POVI had stared down countless guns in my life. Some had belonged to enemies, some had belonged to former allies and a few had even belonged to family.But there was something uniquely irritating about having Theo point a gun at me while sitting in Michael's bed.It felt disrespectful somehow.My eyes remained locked on the weapon in his hand but Theo didn't look away and neither did I. It seems this man has grown balls big enough if he thought he stood a chance of shooting me, right in the house of my husband. The room had become deathly quiet. The kind of silence that comes before something terrible happens, or something stupid.With Theo, it was usually both."You should lower that," I said calmly.Theo laughed without humor."Why?""Because if you shoot me, Michael will be furious" I said, a smirk slowly playing on my lips."I'll survive" he said but I didn't believe him for one second.I smirked wider."No, you won't."His jaw tightened but the gun remained pointed
Michael's POVThe moment I heard the car pull into the driveway, every muscle in my body tensed and my grip tightened around the kitchen knife.The house suddenly felt too quiet then Marlo's warning from earlier replayed in my head.I hated how much space he was taking up in my thoughts.I slowly moved toward the front door, the knife remained firmly in my hand.My heartbeat echoed loudly in my ears.Upstairs, Fernando had taken Theo to my room, or rather, Theo had stubbornly insisted on my room.I could still hear faint voices from the second floor. They were probably arguing again.Those two could start a fight inside an empty room.The sound of a car door closing snapped my attention back outside then another followed by several footsteps.My pulse immediately accelerated.I positioned myself beside the front entrance, out of sight, waiting.The handle moved slowly and the door began opening.I raised the knife instinctively, preparing myself.The door swung open and I nearly gave
Fernando's POVThe only reason I had volunteered to help Theo upstairs was because I wanted him out of the kitchen, out of Michael's sight, and, if fate was feeling particularly generous, asleep for the next twelve hours.That would leave me alone with Michael.It was a very pleasant thought. One that had been occupying my mind far more than it probably should.Especially after what had almost happened between us earlier.The memory of Michael's lips alone was enough to make me smile.The way he had kissed me back, not out of obligation, but because he wanted to, was a single fact enough to keep me happy for weeks.Unfortunately, Theo existed and he had a remarkable talent for ruining my good moods.I guided him slowly up the staircase. The man was still injured despite pretending otherwise."You know, if you stopped acting like a stubborn mule, this would be easier" I said casually.Theo shot me a glare."I'm walking perfectly fine.""You nearly tripped on the stairs on I dropped you
Michael's POVI sat at the dining table while Theo, Fernando, and Roberto continued discussing security measures.The atmosphere was serious now. Everyone understood the situation had become dangerous."We need to find him first," Theo said.Roberto nodded immediately."We'll get started" he said.Fernando leaned back in his chair."My men are already looking" he added.Theo rolled his eyes while I groaned. The two of them couldn't help themselves, even when discussing something serious.Eventually Roberto cleared his throat, returning everyone's attention to the topic."Marlo won't stay in one place."I nodded."Agreed.""He knows people are looking for him."Fernando's expression hardened."Then we'll look harder" he said.The cold certainty in his voice made me glance toward him. For a brief moment, I was reminded exactly who Fernando was.Not the flirt, or the charming man constantly trying to win me back, but the dangerous man who had built an empire through fear and power.Even
Fernando’s POV He shoved me hard as my words settled over him like a dark cloud he would have preferred to ignore. My back hit the rail, pain shooting through my shoulder and the guards flinched but didn’t move.“You don’t get to psychoanalyze me!” he shouted. “You and Michael took everything fro
Ashley’s POV As I stared at Fernando, I knew this conversation was heading in no other direction than a place I wouldn't like it to be.I didn’t know all these were happening to Michael because he had kept it all from me.Fernando continued, his voice calm but heavy. “The moment word gets around
Fernando’s POV Ashley stepped out and I could practically feel the anger coming off of her. My jaw tightened immediately. “Ashley, get back in the car.” But she didn’t listen. Her eyes were sharp and fierce, the same fire Michael always carried when he was about to do something reckless
Ashley’s POVThe cold wind had begun to enter through my coat as I waited outside Fernando’s large iron gate.At first, it was only a chill, something I could fold my arms against, now it was the kind of cold that crept beneath the skin.“Miss,” one of the guards called again, his voice hoarse with







