Michael’s POVI stormed into my room, slamming the door shut behind me. My hands clenched into fists, my breath coming out in sharp, ragged bursts.This was insanity.A war against the FBI? Against the federal government?Fernando had lost his damn mind.I took off my jacket and threw it onto the bed. Every muscle in my body was filled with frustration. I wanted to scream, to punch something—anything—but I forced myself to stay calm.I needed to think.Moving quickly, I reached for my phone.Ashley.I needed to warn her.I needed to tell her everything.I dug through my pockets. Nothing.I searched the nightstand, throwing open drawers. Still nothing.“Where the hell is it?” I muttered under my breath, flipping the bed covers, checking every possible place I could’ve left it.Nothing.A sharp hit of panic shot through me.Had Fernando taken it?No. No, I had it earlier. I was sure of it.I took a deep breath and tried to focus.Ashley needed to know what was coming. If I could just
Fernando’s POVThe night was quiet.Too quiet.I leaned back in my seat, my fingers drumming lightly against my knee as I stared out the windshield. Across the street, under the dim glow of streetlights, an open-air restaurant was filled with life. People laughed, talked, ate, completely unaware of what was about to happen.My eyes weren’t on them, though.I was waiting.Beside me, Michael shifted in his seat. He’d been silent since we got here, but now, he finally spoke.“What are we doing here, Fernando?”His voice carried hesitation, laced with an edge of worry.He was being annoying again. I smirked. “Waiting.”Michael frowned. “Waiting for what?”I turned my head slightly, catching his expression. His brows were furrowed, his jaw tense. He already had a bad feeling.Good.It meant he knew me well enough to understand that I didn’t come here to play games.I exhaled slowly, enjoying the tension for a moment before answering.“I had my guy hack into the FBI’s internal phone sys
Fernando’s POVThe road stretched ahead, dark and empty.The only sound was the low hum of the engine as we followed the black van through the night. The lights from the van were bright and sharp, cutting through the darkness.I sat in the back seat, silent.Michael was beside me, arms crossed, deep in thought.Marlo was in the front passenger seat.For the past ten minutes, he had barely moved, staring out the window, his jaw tight. He wasn’t sulking—no, he wasn’t the type—but I knew he was holding back. Restraining himself.Smart choice.The last thing I needed right now was another argument.We drove in silence.Michael shifted beside me. His fingers tapped absently against his knee, his thoughts likely the same as mine.Then, I saw it.Up ahead, the road narrowed, leading into a more secluded area surrounded by trees.Perfect.I leaned forward slightly. “Stop the car.”My driver hesitated for half a second before obeying. The car gradually came to a stop.Michael turned to me,
Michael's POV I watched as Fernando stepped out of the car, his suit sleek despite the chaos that surrounded him. His expression was unreadable, but I could see the glint of satisfaction in his eyes as he moved toward the van. He didn’t hesitate, didn’t look back, didn’t say another word before climbing inside and slamming the door shut behind him.I felt my stomach twist.That only meant one thing—Fernando had no intention of bringing those men back alive.I clenched my jaw as I stared at the van, my mind racing. I should have known he had more in mind than just giving them a beating of a lifetime. I needed to stop this before it was too late. But my phone—damn it. I had misplaced it earlier, and I had no way to contact Ashley or my superiors.I turned my head slightly, scanning the car. That’s when I saw a way out.The driver’s phone was sitting on the center console, just barely in my reach.I exhaled slowly. If I was going to do this, I had to be careful.Marlo was sitting i
Fernando's POV I leaned back in my chair, one leg casually crossed over the other, my fingers tapping lightly against the armrest as I watched my men beat the hell out of the four FBI agents kneeling before me.Their faces were already swollen, blood dripping from their lips, their shirts soaked with sweat. I had to admit—I was enjoying the show.One of my men, Alejandro, delivered a particularly brutal punch to an agent’s stomach. The man fell down, coughing up blood onto the floor. Another agent let out a low, pained whimper as he was pulled back up by his collar, only to be struck again.Pathetic.I held up a hand, signaling my men to stop. Instantly, they stepped back, panting slightly from their work, but standing at attention, awaiting my next command.The agents gasped for air, their heads hanging low. One of them spat blood onto the ground, barely missing my shoe.I smirked. "You should be grateful. Most men don’t live long enough to hear me tell a story."They didn’t resp
Michael's POV I moved around my room trying to get a better reception so I could put a call through to Ashley and get to the bottom of this issue which was causing my entire plan to crumble before my very eyes.The FBI were supposed to wait before they attacked in such a way that was sure to attract Fernando’s attention. Now, four agents were somewhere being treated horribly by that monster who had no regard for human life.I stopped by the window and looked closely at the phone fixed in my hand.I willed its signal status to change, for even just a couple minutes and I would be able to get what I want.As if my prayers were heard, the phone let out a beep and I was filled with hope.One bar. But I will make it work. My hands trembled as I finally managed to dial Ashley’s number. I needed to move fast before I lost this signal again, ending back where I had started. The room was dimly lit, and the faint buzz of sounds coming from the excitement downstairs made me more determined
Michael's POV I didn’t have time to waste.My mind raced as the full weight of the situation sank in—Fernando was being played. Someone had orchestrated the FBI attack, purposefully baiting him into a war he wasn’t supposed to be fighting. And knowing Fernando, if I didn’t stop him now, it would be too late. He would burn everything down before realizing he had been manipulated.I needed to get to him.Turning sharply, I walked toward one of the parked black csrs in the driveway. I knew Fernando had ordered my personal guards to stick to me like glue, but I couldn’t afford their interference now. If I could just get in the car—A firm hand clamped down on my shoulder.I exhaled harshly, already knowing who it was.“Where do you think you’re going?” the taller of the two guards, a broad-shouldered man named Mortis, asked in a voice thick with authority. His partner, Emilio, a slightly leaner but equally imposing man, stood beside him with his arms crossed over his chest. Both of t
Fernando’s POV The safehouse smelled of sweat, blood, and fear. I stood in the middle of it all, my gun resting in my hand, my patience wearing thin.The FBI agent in front of me was trembling, his wrists bloody from the restraints, his lips slightly parted as though he was about to say something—but hesitation held him back.I had waited long enough.“You said you knew who the undercover agent is,” I said, my voice calm and measured. “So speak.”The man swallowed hard, but before he could open his mouth, one of the other agents scoffed.“This is ridiculous,” the agent said, his voice dripping with contempt. “He’s lying to you.”I turned my head slowly, my eyes locking onto the man who had spoken. He was trying too hard to sound confident, but I could see the fear in his eyes. He was afraid, afraid of me, afraid of what I might do if I didn’t like his answer.“Oh?” I said, raising an eyebrow. “And why would he lie?”The agent straightened his back, trying to compose himself. “Beca
Fernando’s POV The safehouse smelled of sweat, blood, and fear. I stood in the middle of it all, my gun resting in my hand, my patience wearing thin.The FBI agent in front of me was trembling, his wrists bloody from the restraints, his lips slightly parted as though he was about to say something—but hesitation held him back.I had waited long enough.“You said you knew who the undercover agent is,” I said, my voice calm and measured. “So speak.”The man swallowed hard, but before he could open his mouth, one of the other agents scoffed.“This is ridiculous,” the agent said, his voice dripping with contempt. “He’s lying to you.”I turned my head slowly, my eyes locking onto the man who had spoken. He was trying too hard to sound confident, but I could see the fear in his eyes. He was afraid, afraid of me, afraid of what I might do if I didn’t like his answer.“Oh?” I said, raising an eyebrow. “And why would he lie?”The agent straightened his back, trying to compose himself. “Beca
Michael's POV I didn’t have time to waste.My mind raced as the full weight of the situation sank in—Fernando was being played. Someone had orchestrated the FBI attack, purposefully baiting him into a war he wasn’t supposed to be fighting. And knowing Fernando, if I didn’t stop him now, it would be too late. He would burn everything down before realizing he had been manipulated.I needed to get to him.Turning sharply, I walked toward one of the parked black csrs in the driveway. I knew Fernando had ordered my personal guards to stick to me like glue, but I couldn’t afford their interference now. If I could just get in the car—A firm hand clamped down on my shoulder.I exhaled harshly, already knowing who it was.“Where do you think you’re going?” the taller of the two guards, a broad-shouldered man named Mortis, asked in a voice thick with authority. His partner, Emilio, a slightly leaner but equally imposing man, stood beside him with his arms crossed over his chest. Both of t
Michael's POV I moved around my room trying to get a better reception so I could put a call through to Ashley and get to the bottom of this issue which was causing my entire plan to crumble before my very eyes.The FBI were supposed to wait before they attacked in such a way that was sure to attract Fernando’s attention. Now, four agents were somewhere being treated horribly by that monster who had no regard for human life.I stopped by the window and looked closely at the phone fixed in my hand.I willed its signal status to change, for even just a couple minutes and I would be able to get what I want.As if my prayers were heard, the phone let out a beep and I was filled with hope.One bar. But I will make it work. My hands trembled as I finally managed to dial Ashley’s number. I needed to move fast before I lost this signal again, ending back where I had started. The room was dimly lit, and the faint buzz of sounds coming from the excitement downstairs made me more determined
Fernando's POV I leaned back in my chair, one leg casually crossed over the other, my fingers tapping lightly against the armrest as I watched my men beat the hell out of the four FBI agents kneeling before me.Their faces were already swollen, blood dripping from their lips, their shirts soaked with sweat. I had to admit—I was enjoying the show.One of my men, Alejandro, delivered a particularly brutal punch to an agent’s stomach. The man fell down, coughing up blood onto the floor. Another agent let out a low, pained whimper as he was pulled back up by his collar, only to be struck again.Pathetic.I held up a hand, signaling my men to stop. Instantly, they stepped back, panting slightly from their work, but standing at attention, awaiting my next command.The agents gasped for air, their heads hanging low. One of them spat blood onto the ground, barely missing my shoe.I smirked. "You should be grateful. Most men don’t live long enough to hear me tell a story."They didn’t resp
Michael's POV I watched as Fernando stepped out of the car, his suit sleek despite the chaos that surrounded him. His expression was unreadable, but I could see the glint of satisfaction in his eyes as he moved toward the van. He didn’t hesitate, didn’t look back, didn’t say another word before climbing inside and slamming the door shut behind him.I felt my stomach twist.That only meant one thing—Fernando had no intention of bringing those men back alive.I clenched my jaw as I stared at the van, my mind racing. I should have known he had more in mind than just giving them a beating of a lifetime. I needed to stop this before it was too late. But my phone—damn it. I had misplaced it earlier, and I had no way to contact Ashley or my superiors.I turned my head slightly, scanning the car. That’s when I saw a way out.The driver’s phone was sitting on the center console, just barely in my reach.I exhaled slowly. If I was going to do this, I had to be careful.Marlo was sitting i
Fernando’s POVThe road stretched ahead, dark and empty.The only sound was the low hum of the engine as we followed the black van through the night. The lights from the van were bright and sharp, cutting through the darkness.I sat in the back seat, silent.Michael was beside me, arms crossed, deep in thought.Marlo was in the front passenger seat.For the past ten minutes, he had barely moved, staring out the window, his jaw tight. He wasn’t sulking—no, he wasn’t the type—but I knew he was holding back. Restraining himself.Smart choice.The last thing I needed right now was another argument.We drove in silence.Michael shifted beside me. His fingers tapped absently against his knee, his thoughts likely the same as mine.Then, I saw it.Up ahead, the road narrowed, leading into a more secluded area surrounded by trees.Perfect.I leaned forward slightly. “Stop the car.”My driver hesitated for half a second before obeying. The car gradually came to a stop.Michael turned to me,
Fernando’s POVThe night was quiet.Too quiet.I leaned back in my seat, my fingers drumming lightly against my knee as I stared out the windshield. Across the street, under the dim glow of streetlights, an open-air restaurant was filled with life. People laughed, talked, ate, completely unaware of what was about to happen.My eyes weren’t on them, though.I was waiting.Beside me, Michael shifted in his seat. He’d been silent since we got here, but now, he finally spoke.“What are we doing here, Fernando?”His voice carried hesitation, laced with an edge of worry.He was being annoying again. I smirked. “Waiting.”Michael frowned. “Waiting for what?”I turned my head slightly, catching his expression. His brows were furrowed, his jaw tense. He already had a bad feeling.Good.It meant he knew me well enough to understand that I didn’t come here to play games.I exhaled slowly, enjoying the tension for a moment before answering.“I had my guy hack into the FBI’s internal phone sys
Michael’s POVI stormed into my room, slamming the door shut behind me. My hands clenched into fists, my breath coming out in sharp, ragged bursts.This was insanity.A war against the FBI? Against the federal government?Fernando had lost his damn mind.I took off my jacket and threw it onto the bed. Every muscle in my body was filled with frustration. I wanted to scream, to punch something—anything—but I forced myself to stay calm.I needed to think.Moving quickly, I reached for my phone.Ashley.I needed to warn her.I needed to tell her everything.I dug through my pockets. Nothing.I searched the nightstand, throwing open drawers. Still nothing.“Where the hell is it?” I muttered under my breath, flipping the bed covers, checking every possible place I could’ve left it.Nothing.A sharp hit of panic shot through me.Had Fernando taken it?No. No, I had it earlier. I was sure of it.I took a deep breath and tried to focus.Ashley needed to know what was coming. If I could just
Michael’s POVFernando stood in front of his men, his posture rigid, his face cold as steel. The lights coming from inside his mansion cast harsh shadows over his sharp features, making him look even more formidable than usual.I stood a few steps behind him, watching in silence as he made the call. His voice was low and commanding, each word filled with quiet, dangerous authority.Everything was spiraling out of control and I couldn't do anything to stop it from all exploding in my face."Get everyone here. Now."Rodger stood beside him, arms crossed, his expression hard with anticipation. He said nothing, merely nodding in approval.One by one, Fernando’s men arrived, their heavy boots sounding against the ground as they assembled in the courtyard. They gathered in rows, standing at attention like a private army, eyes locked onto their leader.And their leader, Fernando, looked like a general preparing his soldiers for battle.Fernando took a step forward.The crowd of men went q