Michael’s POVThe next explosion came without warning.The sound was sharp, as if a thunderous clap had split the air, followed by a tremor that shook the walls of the east wing of the mansion.Dust fell down from the ceiling and landed on our bodies as she shielded our bodies with our arms.For a split second, my heart stopped. Then another explosion came and this time it was closer and deeper. The ground beneath my feet shook. Shouts echoed across the estate, mixed with the chaos of gunfire and the loud sounds of alarms suddenly flaring to life.“What the hell—?”I turned around, my eyes darting around me, trying to make sense of it. My lungs pulled in smoke, thick and bitter, and my stomach twisted.Another blast. This one was near the front gate. Then came the numerous gunshots that were faint at first, but unmistakable.We were under attack from a very dangerous enemy, even worse than I had thought when I first heard the explosions.“Mortis!” I shouted, my voice nearly inaudib
Michael’s POVAll eyes were on me.The tension in the air felt like it could snap. Dust fell from the ceiling like ash as another distant explosion shook the foundation of the estate. Somewhere outside, the sounds of numerous gunfire burst through. It was obvious it was our men firing back at their enemies, eager to make sure none of them entered the mansion..Yet inside this dining hall, everything was still for a heartbeat.Mortis, Emilio, and Marlo stood in a semi-circle around me. Fernando’s limp body hung between Emilio’s arms as if he was already dead.The weight of leadership—or perhaps desperation—had momentarily fallen into my lap immediately I had said I had a plan, and they all waited for me to speak.I took a slow breath, steadying my voice.“I know a way out.”Mortis leaned in, narrowing his eyes. “You’re sure?”“I’ve studied this place,” I said. “Not on purpose, but… I noticed things. Patterns and routes.”“And suddenly, you have an escape route, just like that?” Marl
Michael’s POVThere it was.That damned glowing vial, fixed in Anabelle’s steady hand like it held the salvation of the world.My gut twisted violently.I should’ve felt relief.Hell, a part of me did. But another part of me…A darker, colder part… wanted her to shut the hell up.Fernando's survival would spoil everything.I clenched my fists at my sides as she stepped closer, the vial still raised.He can’t live, that part of me whispered. Not after all he has done.I swallowed hard and forced my voice to speak.“How?” I asked.My tone was calm, curious even. But inside, I was burning.“How do you know this will work?” I added.She stopped a few feet away from us, her eyes meeting mine. There was no fear in them.“Because I made it.”I raised a brow. “You made it?” I asked.“My family specialises in medicine,” she said simply. “Doctors. Chemists. Biotech researchers. I was raised around labs, vials, formulas. I may not carry the same name, but the knowledge? It’s mine too.”She pa
Michael's POV The world around me was filled with chaos. The persistent ringing in my ears was a cruel reminder of the explosion that had thrown mu to the floor. I struggled to piece together my surroundings, but the relentless gunfire made it nearly impossible to focus.I forced my body to move, but the weight of exhaustion was dragging me down. The battle had gone sideways, and our plans lay in ruins. The confusion was suffocating, and I couldn’t help but feel like I was slipping away from everything.Suddenly, I became aware of movement. My body was being lifted, carried as if I weighed nothing, and I could tell we were moving quickly. Forcing my heavy eyes open, I blinked against the haze of blood and dust clouding my vision. The blurred outlines of Marlo's determined face came into view, his features a mask of resolve. He was carrying me, his strides purposeful and unyielding.Beside him, Emilio bore the weight of Fernando. My stomach tightened. Fernando. The weight o
Michael’s POV The tension in the air was suffocating. Time seemed to stand still as I locked eyes with Ashley. She had a gun aimed at me, and I had one aimed right back at her.I didn't blink."Drop your weapons," Ashley's voice was steady. "All of you. Now."I didn't flinch. Her command was clear. It wasn't a suggestion. It was an order, one I knew all too well.Behind me, Marlo, Mortis, Emilio, and Anabelle froze in place. They were waiting for me to react, for me to do something—anything.Marlo shifted, his grip tightening on his weapon. Ashley didn’t waver. She kept her gun aimed directly at me, her stance unwavering. "I said drop them," she repeated, a little firmer this time.There was a moment of hesitation from Marlo, then he snapped. His voice was clipped and sharp. “You don’t get to make demands. You’re outnumbered. We can take you down, and we will.”Ashley’s lips curled into a small smile, but it wasn’t one of humor. It was something darker. "Outnumbered? Perhaps. B
Michael's POVI gripped the bedsheets as I gritted my teeth and buried my face into the soft mattress, feeling Marlo’s sweat falling on my back and soft moans escaping his lips while he continued thrusting with more strength than necessary. "Fuck, you're so tight" he said.I bit back the pain that was building within me and tried my best to endure whatever pain I could feel in my hole.This was all a means to an end.Before I could process my thoughts any further, he turned me around, his muscular arms wrapping around me.He knelt on the bed and raised me to sit on his hard cock. I stared at him, wondering what sex position he intended to do this time.After spending more than twenty minutes servicing his dick and nipples, I was already exhausted. He wiped the sweat on his forehead with the back on his hand and gave me one the ugliest smirk I have ever seen escape the lips of a man."Ride me until I burst inside you" Marlo said, his breath resting on my face.He brought his lips to
Fernando’s POVI stood at the doorway, unmoving, the weight of my presence alone suffocating the space between us. The dim lighting of the hallway cast my shadow long and imposing, stretching into the room where the scent of sweat and sex still lingered in the air.I let the face of the man standing in front of me roll through my mind, tasting it, testing it. I didn’t know him. Not yet. But the way he stiffened, the way his breath hitched as our eyes met—it was delicious. Terror clung to him like a second skin, thick and visible, and I enjoyed every damn second of it.He wasn’t just scared.He was petrified.And I thrived on fear.He stood frozen, still gripping the doorknob as if he could will himself out of this situation by sheer force alone. But there was no escape—not from me.A slow smirk spread across my lips as I tilted my head, taking in the sight before me. His shirt was half-buttoned, the fabric slightly wrinkled, a clear indication he had hurried to dress up and leave.
Michael’s POVThe bright lights of the supermarket shined above me, casting a white glow over the neatly stocked shelves. The scent of freshly baked bread and aroma filled the air, an odd contrast to the tension twisting inside my chest. I pushed the shopping cart down the aisle, gripping the handle so tightly my knuckles turned white.Ashley strolled beside me, scanning the shelves for something sweet. She was humming softly, utterly at ease, completely unaware—or maybe just ignoring—how fucking angry I was.I turned to her, exhaling sharply. “I let him intimidate me” I said.Ashley grabbed a bag of gummy bears and tossed it into the cart without looking at me. “Mhm.”I scowled. “Don’t mhm me. You don’t get it.”She finally turned to face me, her lips twitching. “Oh, I get it.” Her voice was laced with amusement, which only fueled my frustration. “Fernando caught you sneaking out of Marlo’s room half-dressed, and he played with you like a cat with a mouse.”I gritted my teeth.
Michael’s POV The tension in the air was suffocating. Time seemed to stand still as I locked eyes with Ashley. She had a gun aimed at me, and I had one aimed right back at her.I didn't blink."Drop your weapons," Ashley's voice was steady. "All of you. Now."I didn't flinch. Her command was clear. It wasn't a suggestion. It was an order, one I knew all too well.Behind me, Marlo, Mortis, Emilio, and Anabelle froze in place. They were waiting for me to react, for me to do something—anything.Marlo shifted, his grip tightening on his weapon. Ashley didn’t waver. She kept her gun aimed directly at me, her stance unwavering. "I said drop them," she repeated, a little firmer this time.There was a moment of hesitation from Marlo, then he snapped. His voice was clipped and sharp. “You don’t get to make demands. You’re outnumbered. We can take you down, and we will.”Ashley’s lips curled into a small smile, but it wasn’t one of humor. It was something darker. "Outnumbered? Perhaps. B
Michael's POV The world around me was filled with chaos. The persistent ringing in my ears was a cruel reminder of the explosion that had thrown mu to the floor. I struggled to piece together my surroundings, but the relentless gunfire made it nearly impossible to focus.I forced my body to move, but the weight of exhaustion was dragging me down. The battle had gone sideways, and our plans lay in ruins. The confusion was suffocating, and I couldn’t help but feel like I was slipping away from everything.Suddenly, I became aware of movement. My body was being lifted, carried as if I weighed nothing, and I could tell we were moving quickly. Forcing my heavy eyes open, I blinked against the haze of blood and dust clouding my vision. The blurred outlines of Marlo's determined face came into view, his features a mask of resolve. He was carrying me, his strides purposeful and unyielding.Beside him, Emilio bore the weight of Fernando. My stomach tightened. Fernando. The weight o
Michael’s POVThere it was.That damned glowing vial, fixed in Anabelle’s steady hand like it held the salvation of the world.My gut twisted violently.I should’ve felt relief.Hell, a part of me did. But another part of me…A darker, colder part… wanted her to shut the hell up.Fernando's survival would spoil everything.I clenched my fists at my sides as she stepped closer, the vial still raised.He can’t live, that part of me whispered. Not after all he has done.I swallowed hard and forced my voice to speak.“How?” I asked.My tone was calm, curious even. But inside, I was burning.“How do you know this will work?” I added.She stopped a few feet away from us, her eyes meeting mine. There was no fear in them.“Because I made it.”I raised a brow. “You made it?” I asked.“My family specialises in medicine,” she said simply. “Doctors. Chemists. Biotech researchers. I was raised around labs, vials, formulas. I may not carry the same name, but the knowledge? It’s mine too.”She pa
Michael’s POVAll eyes were on me.The tension in the air felt like it could snap. Dust fell from the ceiling like ash as another distant explosion shook the foundation of the estate. Somewhere outside, the sounds of numerous gunfire burst through. It was obvious it was our men firing back at their enemies, eager to make sure none of them entered the mansion..Yet inside this dining hall, everything was still for a heartbeat.Mortis, Emilio, and Marlo stood in a semi-circle around me. Fernando’s limp body hung between Emilio’s arms as if he was already dead.The weight of leadership—or perhaps desperation—had momentarily fallen into my lap immediately I had said I had a plan, and they all waited for me to speak.I took a slow breath, steadying my voice.“I know a way out.”Mortis leaned in, narrowing his eyes. “You’re sure?”“I’ve studied this place,” I said. “Not on purpose, but… I noticed things. Patterns and routes.”“And suddenly, you have an escape route, just like that?” Marl
Michael’s POVThe next explosion came without warning.The sound was sharp, as if a thunderous clap had split the air, followed by a tremor that shook the walls of the east wing of the mansion.Dust fell down from the ceiling and landed on our bodies as she shielded our bodies with our arms.For a split second, my heart stopped. Then another explosion came and this time it was closer and deeper. The ground beneath my feet shook. Shouts echoed across the estate, mixed with the chaos of gunfire and the loud sounds of alarms suddenly flaring to life.“What the hell—?”I turned around, my eyes darting around me, trying to make sense of it. My lungs pulled in smoke, thick and bitter, and my stomach twisted.Another blast. This one was near the front gate. Then came the numerous gunshots that were faint at first, but unmistakable.We were under attack from a very dangerous enemy, even worse than I had thought when I first heard the explosions.“Mortis!” I shouted, my voice nearly inaudib
Michael’s POVI was watching, helpless, as Fernando took another bite of the food I had poisoned, and I couldn’t look away. He would die, and I would finally have my revenge. I would have the satisfaction of seeing him choke on his arrogance.But instead, the air was thick with tension, and the only sound that filled the room was the sound of his spoon on the plate.Fernando lifted his eyes from the meal, catching my gaze, and it hit me like a physical blow. His expression wasn’t one of fear or hesitation, but of something else entirely. He was calm. Too calm.“You know,” he said, breaking the silence, “you’re quite a sight when you’re angry, Michael. I almost feel sorry for you.”I couldn’t respond immediately. This man, the one who had killed my sister without a second thought, was sitting at this table, as if we were friends, as if I hadn’t been plotting to end his life for years.But I wasn’t feeling the sense of triumph I thought I would. I wasn’t feeling anything at all.I
Michael’s POVI didn’t expect those words from him.Not from the man who had murdered my sister.Yet there he sat, a soft glow of sincerity in his voice, his eyes steady and unwavering as he spoke—not with the cruel confidence I was used to seeing in his expression, but something… different. Something warmer. And it shook something loose in me.Something I didn’t want to feel.I knew the poison was there, hidden neatly in the delicately prepared dish placed at Fernando’s seat. I knew if he took even a few bites, his breath would catch in his throat, his heart would stutter, and he would die—painfully and silently, just as planned.But why now, of all moments, did I feel the tremble in my fingers?I didn’t even realize I was still holding his hand until he turned to me.“Michael… why are you holding me like this?” he asked. His voice was low, the same calm tone. But there was no edge in it. No mockery. Just a quiet question, spoken with a care I hadn’t expected.My eyes widened. I lo
Fernando's POVThe food was hot and gave off the scent of something expensive and well-prepared. I should’ve been eating. My body was screaming for food after the long, exhausting times i have had—but my thoughts were wrapped around my ribcage, tight and suffocating.Michael was sitting right across from me, a fork in his hand, his head tilted slightly to the side as he chewed on his food in deliberate silence. Like I wasn’t even there. Like I hadn’t just tried—desperately—to get his attention in the garden.And it was driving me absolutely insane.He had ignored me in the garden. I saw the way his gaze had flicked past me like I was invisible, like the wind brushing his shoulder meant more than my presence. Then we came here, to the dining hall, and he still hadn’t said a word. Still hadn’t looked at me properly. Still hadn’t asked me if I was okay after everything we went through.It wasn’t like him.Michael was always composed, yes. Often quiet, yes. But he wasn’t this detached
Michael’s POVI tore the shirt over my head, taking it off with more force than necessary. The fabric clung stubbornly for a second before finally giving way, allowing me to throw it onto the chair in the corner of my dimly lit room. I stood before the mirror, glaring at my own reflection as if it had betrayed me.I could still feel the warmth of his lips on my hand and it only made me feel even more conflicted than I already was.I took a look at it, almost imagining him standing there just like he had done a few moments ago, while he kissed my knuckles with such delicate touch of his lips that I felt my breath hitch.Thus wasn't how it was supposed to go.My jaw clenched, my fingers twitching at my sides as I replayed that moment over and over in my head.Fernando.His voice. His words."I want to make you happy, Michael."Did he even know what my happiness entails for him to have the confidence to say such hollow words like they were supposed to mean something. I scoffed, shakin