Fernando’s POV The hot water went down my body in soft, rolling waves, washing away the last traces of last night’s work. My muscles were relaxed, but my mind was still filled with events of last night, reliving the moment when Holloway’s blood had poured on the walls of his cozy little home. The way his wife's screams had turned into ragged gasps before Marlo finished her off. It had been a masterpiece of destruction.One down. Four to go.I still had a lot of work to do to make those agents suffer.They will all feel my wrath. A slow smirk curled my lips as I shut off the water, the silence of the bathroom suddenly feeling too loud. I reached for the towel and wrapped it loosely around my waist, letting the steam cling to my skin as I stepped toward the door.And then I heard it.Raised voices. Sharp, heated words cutting through the air like knives.I tilted my head, recognizing the two voices immediately. Michael and Anabelle.A spark of amusement built inside me as I pushe
Michael’s POVI took a deep breath as I stepped out of the bathroom, my skin still wet, my hair dripping onto the towel I had wrapped around my waist. The heat of the bath had eased the knots in my muscles, and for the first time in hours, I felt clean.I sighed, letting the silence settle over me. It was rare to have a moment like this in his house—a moment where the walls weren’t pressing in, where the air wasn’t suffocating with tension. My feet pressed against the cool floor as I walked toward the wardrobe, dreading the idea of staying here longer than necessary.Then I noticed it.The chair where he had been sitting was empty. The lingering presence of Fernando had vanished.That murderer was gone.I exhaled, releasing a breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding. My shoulders dropped in relief. It was exhausting being around him, suffocating even, like being trapped in a room with a wild animal, one that could decide at any second whether to let you live or rip out your thro
Fernando’s POVThe car was silent except for the hum of the engine and the occasional sound of tires rolling smoothly against the pavement. I leaned back against the seat, stretching out my legs with ease, my gaze flickering toward the man beside me.Michael sat stiffly, his arms crossed, his jaw tight. His expression was one of pure frustration, something that only made me more amused.He hadn’t wanted me to come. That much was clear. But I had insisted—no, I had decided. And Michael had no choice but to deal with it.Even if Michael didn’t want it.I could feel the weight of his irritation pressing against me like a suffocating heat. He was waiting, biting his tongue, trying to keep himself from saying something that would make this worse for him.Eventually, he cracked.Michael let out a long sigh, shifting in his seat before turning his body slightly toward me.“Alright,” he said. “I need to know something.”I smirked. “Only one thing?”Michael rolled his eyes but didn’t take
Michael’s POVI hated that Fernando was here.I sighed, gripping the torn half of my shopping list as I walked further into the aisles, away from him. I needed space. Distance. Anything to remind myself that, for at least a little while, I wasn’t under his suffocating gaze.Because right now, I was doing something ridiculous.I was making a ruthless mafia boss—someone whose favorite time involved killing people who annoyed him—go grocery shopping.I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing.If his men found out, they’d probably never let him live this down.I imagined it now: Fernando, dressed in his perfectly tailored suit, standing in an aisle filled with cereal boxes and snack foods, looking like he belonged in a luxury penthouse instead of a grocery store.If he really stopped to think about what he was doing, would he get offended? Would he be angry enough to kill me for this?Wouldn’t be the first time he got murderous over something stupid.I shook my head. I don’t car
Fernando’s POVThe second I saw that man put his hands on Michael, my vision turned red.I was standing in the middle of the supermarket aisle, my body still, my hands relaxed at my sides, but inside?I was boiling with complete rage.The man had him pinned against the shelves, gripping his shirt, talking to him in a way that made my blood boil.He had no idea what kind of mistake he just made.I didn’t say anything at first. I just moved.One second, I was watching. The next, my hand wrapped around his wrist, and I squeezed.His entire body jerked. His fingers twitched where they were gripping Michael’s shirt, and I tightened my hold, feeling his bones shift under my grasp.I could break them.Right now.Easily.I leaned in, my voice cold and controlled.“Let. Him. Go.”The man’s jaw clenched.For a split second, I thought he might be stupid enough to resist.But then, with clear reluctance, he let Michael go.Michael immediately stepped to the side, rubbing his arm as he exhaled sha
Michael’s POVFernando stood a few feet ahead of me, rolling his sleeves up with calculated ease. His expression was unreadable, but I knew him well enough to recognize the spark of excitement in his eyes. He wasn’t just angry—he was looking forward to this.The man who had pinned me against the shelf earlier now stood opposite him, cracking his knuckles with a cocky grin. He had broad shoulders, thick arms, and a chest that was visible against his tight black T-shirt. He looked every bit the professional wrestler he claimed to be. His confidence was that of arrogance, and he was eager to put Fernando in his place.I didn’t want to be here.I shouldn’t be here.This whole situation was ridiculous, and yet, somehow, I was trapped in it.Fernando’s bodyguard stood beside me, his arms crossed. He looked ready to step in, but before he could say a word, Fernando turned to him and spoke with absolute authority.“Do not interfere.” His voice was calm but stern.The bodyguard frowned.
Fernando’s POVMy body still burned with rage, my knuckles aching from the impact of my fists against that bastard’s face. But it wasn’t enough. The man had landed a punch on me and humiliated me. No one had dared to do that in years, and now, here I was, sitting in the back of my car, with Michael beside me and my bodyguard behind the wheel, burning in my own fury.I stared at the side mirror, catching a glimpse of my face in the reflection. My jaw was sore, and I could already feel the swelling beginning. My fingers twitched as I clenched my fists. That man had made a fool out of me. And worse, he had done it in front of Michael.I wanted to punch something—anything.But then I turned slightly, my gaze landing on Michael. He was staring out the window, his face unreadable. His silence was unsettling. He had barely looked at me since we left the supermarket compound, and it was starting to eat at my nerves.“Michael,” I said, trying to keep my voice calm. “Are you—”“I don’t wan
Fernando’s POVMichael’s body was still pinned beneath mine, his breath uneven, his chest rising and falling repeatedly mostly because of the absenceof space between us. My hands pressed against the wall on either side of him, caging him in and not giving him a chance to escape. His words repeated constantly in my head, making it impossible for me to do any other thing than to just stare into his eyes.Normally, I would ne very happy knowing I was bringing fear to people around me but there was something almost painful hearing it from Micheal. The scent of his sweat still lingered on his skin from when i had pushed him during my fight, but beneath that, I could smell something more intoxicating.It made me want to hold him in my arms and take in his smell into mine until they became one.He was trembling, though whether it was only from fear or something else, I wasn’t entirely sure. But I intended to find out.I smirked, leaning in until my lips nearly brushed against his ear. “I
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