LOGINFernando’s POVThe moment we started walking back toward the house, I knew exactly what was going through Michael's head.He was furious. The dangerous version was when he became quiet, his jaw tightened, his eyes became focused and he stopped talking altogether.That was the version walking beside me now and honestly, I couldn't entirely blame him.Theo had done something incredibly stupid, sending someone to watch the house.It was obsessive and exactly the kind of thing that would make Michael angry.I almost laughed. Not because it was funny, but because it was very convenient.For days, Theo had been positioning himself as the stable choice, the reasonable choice for Michael. Meanwhile, I had been painted as the dangerous ex-husband, the reckless criminal and now Theo had gone and hired somebody to watch Michael's house.I didn't even need to do anything. Theo was destroying his own image.Still, despite how satisfying that thought was, another concern quickly pushed itself to th
Michael's POVFor a moment, I thought I had misheard Fernando but the kitchen suddenly felt smaller, more dangerous."I think we're being watched."Those words echoed in my head as I stood beside him near the window and my heart immediately started beating faster.One thing I had learned over the years was that Fernando's instincts were terrifyingly accurate.If he thought something was wrong, I wasn't going to dismiss it.I followed his gaze through the kitchen window but everything looked normal then I saw movement.It was a brief shadow disappearing behind a cluster of bushes near Theo's property across the street.My stomach twisted. The feeling was unpleasant, especially after everything that had happened recently."Do you think it's Marlo?" I asked quietly.Fernando didn't answer immediately. His eyes remained fixed outside."Maybe."I didn't like the uncertainty, neither did he.A few seconds passed then Fernando turned toward me and a familiar dangerous expression appeared on
Fernando’s POVI had faced assassins, I had survived betrayals,I had buried enemies and outsmarted rivals who thought they were smarter than me.None of those things frustrated me as much as my own son refusing to speak to me.I stood outside Henry's bedroom door and stared at the dark wood. The silence on the other side felt heavier than any gun pointed at my head.A few minutes ago, the entire house had finally calmed down. Ashley had retreated to one of the rooms with Nick.Theo was upstairs with Kim, recovering and probably thinking of new ways to annoy me.Michael was downstairs preparing lunch and Henry had locked himself inside his room, away from me.I knocked gently but i got no answer.I sighed."Henry."I knocked again but still nothing.My jaw tightened.Most people would have been terrified to ignore me, but not Henry. My son had inherited Michael's stubbornness.I leaned my head against the door. I could hear faint movement inside. He was definitely listening, he simply
Marlo's POVI sat in a large leather chair in what used to be the owner's living room. The room smelled faintly of expensive liquor and old money but neither belonged to me.I swirled the amber liquid inside my glass and stared at the fire burning inside the fireplace.Outside, armed guards patrolled the property while Inside, my men occupied every corner.Nobody came in without my permission, nobody left without my permission.The owner of the house had learned that lesson too late.He was a wealthy businessman, married with three children. They were a nice little family until he refused to pay me what he owed and now he was dead.His wife and children were being held elsewhere.I took another drink and the alcohol burned pleasantly down my throat. Across from me sat Anabelle. She looked annoyed.Actually, annoyed was too soft a word. She looked miserable. Mortis sat nearby, quiet as always, thinking.Unlike Anabelle, he wasn't openly complaining. That didn't mean he was happy. It s
Fernando'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
Michael’s POVThe room was still, not the kind of still that feels safe, but the kind that presses down on your chest, makes your lungs feel heavy and your ribs tight.I lay on the bed, sweat plastering my shirt to my body, my muscles trembling, every breath shallow and painful. My leg throbbed vi
Michael’s POVFor a second, everything ceased to exist like reality had been violently cut away and I had been left standing in the hole aftermath. My arm remained extended, frozen in the exact position it had been in when the trigger gave way beneath my finger. The gun trembled uncontrollably in
Marlo’s POVThe sound Michael made when I pressed his leg did something to me.It was not satisfaction or relief. It was frustration because even through that level of pain, he still didn’t break.He screamed, he cried, but he did not talk and that made me angrier than if he had insulted me.He lay
Michael’s POVI woke up to the sound of breathing that wasn’t mine and for a terrifying second, I didn’t know where I was.My eyes snapped open, my heart slamming hard enough to hurt, and the ceiling above me looked unfamiliar. I stared at it, confused then the pain returned.It crept back into me







