MICHAELThe sun was barely rising, but my eyes flew open when I felt Natasha stir beside me, mumbling in her sleep.Grunting as I stretched, I glanced at the clock and saw that it was just past four in the morning.I picked up my phone from the bedside table and saw a message from Detective Han. He had left it an hour ago, stating that he had some information about the suspect we were dealing with."Good," I muttered, rubbing my eyes as I gently pulled my arm from under Natasha's head."Hmm... Michael," she mumbled, weakly grabbing my arm as I sat up."Yeah?" I turned to her and kissed the corner of her lips."Where are you going?" She asked, her voice groggy and barely comprehensible."I just need to check a few things with Detective Han, but I'll be back in time for breakfast," I whispered, unable to resist showering her with kisses."Hmm--kay," she moaned before falling back into a deep sleep.After freshening up, I left her a note just in case I couldn't make it back in time. I tu
NATASHA "Leaving?" I asked my dad, noticing him dressed and holding their bags."I still have important meetings to attend to, and your mom told me that she doesn't want to bother you both here," Dad replied as we descended the stairs."What?" I objected with a frown. "Dad, you and mom will never bother Michael and me. I actually like having you around," I explained, crossing my arms as I stood at the bottom step of the stairs."You know it's not my call, Nat. Your mom is the commander, and I must follow," he said, checking the zipper of the bags and placing them on the floor next to the couch."Why don't you stay for another week? I'm sure Michael won't mind," I offered.Dad shook his head. "I can't, as much as I want to. I have tons of projects to visit and piles of papers to eat," he joked, poking the bottom of my chin. "Don't get me wrong, sweetness, I want to be with you. I really do."Releasing a breath, I accepted my defeat and nodded my head. "Fine, but please, stay safe.""A
MICHAELRed and blue lights flashed into the early morning hours as the sirens quieted down.A crime had occurred, and I could feel Natasha trembling in shock. Holding her in my arms seemed to be the only way to comfort her."I've got you, baby," I whispered to her, kissing her forehead as we stood in the middle of the living room.Our entire house and yard were swarming with police and forensics, investigating the crime scene."It's okay," I reassured her, caressing her back. I could feel her finally starting to relax. "Are you feeling better now?"Her grip on my shirt loosened as she nodded and pulled away. Her face was tear-streaked, her eyes, nose, and lips reddening from crying."No one can harm you, baby. Not while I'm around," I assured her, wiping her face clean. "You're safe with me."Safety, that was my top priority right now.I had promised her many things, and I was determined to fulfill them one by one."I know," she replied, her face still showing signs of fear as she fa
NATASHAI knew my husband was doing everything he could to distract me from our current situation.But it wasn't working.Yesterday felt like a nightmare intruding on my reality. Even with Michael's cousins around, I couldn't stop thinking about what I had witnessed."Can't sleep?" Michael asked, his hand gently caressing my shoulder as he planted a kiss on the crook of my neck.I held his hand, looking over my shoulder and nodded. "How can we be sure we're safe?""My guys are stepping up their efforts. I've hired additional men, but don't worry, our safety is my priority," he promised, pulling me closer as the cold night enveloped us."Was it Elena?" My voice nearly faltered as I said the name of the person who had frightened me."We're not sure yet. There are other issues at play as well. Let's focus on us," he said, smoothly changing the subject. "I've been thinking we should start... planning for the future?"I hesitated. I wasn't sure what to say about that, as so many things wer
MICHAEL"We've got everything under control here, sir," Jack stated, standing by the black vehicle where Sum Ji Soo was located. "The CIA will take over from here."Nodding, I glanced inside the vehicle, catching her gaze. She was shaking her head in disagreement.I wasn't sure what she was trying to convey, but I had a hunch that she knew something."Okay," I tersely replied before approaching the vehicle."I wouldn't get too close, sir," Jack cautioned, readying his firearm as a precaution. "She's quite adept at escaping from places she doesn't want to be.""I just want to talk to her," I said, motioning for the driver to roll down the window on her side. Through the wire mesh, I leaned down to get a better look at her.The coldness in her eyes reflected the souls of those she had killed. There was no mercy in them."You're one of the world's most wanted criminals. I doubt you'll let the CIA take you into custody without a fight," I said, expressing my skepticism about her actions.
NATASHAWater cascaded over our bodies, pooling on the marble tiles beneath us.Michael had me pinned against the cold wall, completely failing his earlier promise to conserve water.Our lips were inseparable, drowning not in the water but in the passion we shared."Now, where should we start?" I heard him ask, his kisses trailing down my jaw and neck."Start what? The conversation or this?"I ran my hand through his hair, massaging his scalp as the water dripped over us. His hands roamed my body."Us first," he answered, his lips grazing the skin on my neck, making me gasp for air and tug at his hair.Lifting my leg, he guided it to rest on the ledge of the wall, sending bottles of soap and shampoo tumbling to the floor.I clung to him, oblivious to everything but us."Is it a good idea to do this in the shower?" I chuckled, reaching for the fallen bath soap and squeezing it into my hand.Michael groaned at my actions. "Baby, that's supposed to be for later.""Nope," I objected, begi
MICHAELAt seven in the evening, the rain was still pouring hard."I was wondering about the noise I heard from your room," Cole tried to sound innocent but failed. "It had me worried. I thought you guys were being stabbed. I guess it was just Tasha, who got stabbed a thousand times by you."When I glanced at him, Cole was struggling to suppress a grin while sitting on the couch with a beer in his hand."Yeah, I heard it too," Enzo chimed in, dropping himself onto a single-seater couch and stealing a bag of chips from Aaron, who was engrossed in his phone."Jealous?" I teased them, knowing that they hadn't been getting laid lately.Our family had been in isolation for years, and the freedom of these men had been severely restricted; in all aspects, sex was their least priority.Companies were receiving threats, and even the board members were on the verge of terminating their contracts with our family. The only thing keeping them involved with us was the steady sales and profits, whic
NATASHAI was drying myself after showering when I heard Michael calling my name in panic."Natasha? Natasha!"The door burst open, causing me to yelp in surprise."Baby, what the hell?" He panted and pulled me close. "Don't scare me like that."Chuckling, I returned his hug. "What are you talking about? I needed another shower, and where else am I gonna go?""I thought someone took you from me," I heard him say. I could sense the sincere worry in his voice as his hug tightened around me."No one will, Michael," I whispered to him, running my fingers through his soft hair. "And just so you know, back away, because I am going to dry my hair.""Nah, I want to stay like this for a moment."He refused to let go, which is why we got stuck in that position for a few minutes without uttering a word, just listening to the silence between us, our muffled breathing, and the sound of rain outside.The silence continued, but he broke it with a question that I had refrained from biting into earlie
MICHAELMarried, patched up the past, and currently facing some challenges."Whoa!" I exclaimed as a flying vase welcomed me the moment I entered the house. It nearly hit my face if not for my quick reflexes."I don't want to see your face!" Natasha shouted, catching me off guard.I knew she was in a bad mood when I left this morning, but what had I done wrong?Setting the vase down on the floor, I was greeted by another jar, but this time, I failed to catch it, and it hit the wall, shattering into pieces."Baby, what's wrong? What did I do?" I asked, completely clueless about the situation."You were seeing another woman!" She accused, grabbing a flower vase from the coffee table."Baby! Baby! Stop, okay? Let's talk this through.""Talk?" She threw the vase, hitting the door. "Only guilty people would want to talk because they know they were caught!""What?" I sighed, walking closer to her."Don't you dare take another step, Michael Montero," she pointed her index finger at me, but I
NATASHAI let out a yelp as Michael suddenly scooped me up from the ground when we entered the house.The entire day had been a mix of nervousness and excitement. Now, we're wrapping it up by expressing the love we vowed in front of the altar and, well... by making love."How does it feel to finally be my Mrs. Montero?" He inquired, kissing my jaw as we climbed the stairs."I haven't felt it yet, but I think I'll find out once we get to the bed," I mischievously replied, knowing he enjoyed it.The way his face lit up and his eyes sparkled, I knew my naughty Michael enjoyed it when I let myself go wild. He likes it whenever I ride along in his mischievous side."Oh-ho, you definitely will," he chuckled, pushing open the door to our bedroom and gently laying me down on the bed, being careful not to hurt my stomach. "I want to be rough, but I can't, right?""Nope," I shook my head, biting my lower lip."That's a shame," he whispered before leaning in to kiss my lips.I could sense his ex
MICHAELThe church is ready, everyone is prepared, and I am all set. However, what's not ready is the schedule; Natasha is still not walking down the aisle.Aaron's laughter beside me only adds to my irritation. "Chill, man. I'm pretty sure Tasha won't run away this time. She's head over heels for you."Choosing him as my best man might have been a mistake. I could have picked Quintus instead, but he insisted on giving up that spot and settled for a seat in the audience. But, Pierce intervened, insisting that they both accompany Natasha down the aisle together.The process of the wedding was a challenge, it was a lot of work, a lot of planning, but now, everything was perfect.I just wish that Natasha will see this as what she expected it to be."You're sweating. I bet you'll be drenched like someone poured a bucket of water on you once she finally arrives," he teased.Rolling my eyes, I silently prayed that I wouldn't do anything inappropriate in the church, or I'd end up in hell soo
NATASHAPromises are being fulfilled one by one, leading me closer to exchanging vows with the person I want to spend my life with."Are you really sure about your choice?" Laura's question felt weighty, as if we were discussing something serious, even though we were just ordering a slice of cake at the café."I clearly said I wanted it," I replied matter-of-factly. "You're acting like you're footing the bill," I added, handing the girl at the bar the money to settle everything I ordered."I'm just worried about you. Michael mentioned you've been into sweets lately. Have you seen all the treats you ordered? All sweets," she gestured towards the three paper bags being readied at the counter. "Yes, you asked for one slice, but did you order every flavor available?"Looking around with a pout, I noticed how Laura's nagging had caught the attention of some customers."If you plan on bloating up like a balloon, you might want to postpone the wedding because the gown won't fit," she teased.
MICHAELI can feel the coldness of her hands against mine; I can see how edgy she becomes as she fidgets on her seat for the past few minutes.The soft song coming from the speakers isn't loud enough to drown out the loud beating of her heart because from where I am, I can hear it."Relax, baby. No one's going to eat you here aside from me," I joked and squeezed her hand lightly. "Unless you need me to ease you down. I'd be glad to attend you in one of the rooms available in Dad's house," I whispered to her.I expected her to scold me and slap my shoulder, but instead, she stood up and pulled me with her.Looks like her hormones are getting stronger and stronger. I like it when she's the one insisting.Passing by Richie, who's carrying a tray of food, probably for Nathaniel, I nodded at him when he looked at us with a frown. Must be because the party is about to start, and we're heading back inside the house.Wincing, I discreetly pointed at Natasha, and he already knew what it means.
NATASHAMy choice was right to drop everything I planned ahead and settle at home, in bed with my husband.I feel like a woman, a strong person while he makes me weak at the same time."You're-- you're pulling back," I said, noticing the way he doesn't move the way he did back then. Every thrust he gives me is careful and slow, tickling me."Shhh...." he hushed me before claiming my lips and kissing me endearingly. Every suck he makes on my lower lip urges me to make a sound, and every time he thrusts deep inside me, I catch my breath.My fingers run through his hair, yanking and pulling. Wanting him closer."I missed you so much," he whispered in my ear as he moved inside me.The air between us is supposed to give us the freedom to breathe properly, yet we only feel suffocated. Our skin begins glistening, sweat rolls in a breezy morning.The wind coming from the open balcony door can't outdo the heat we're making."Ah!" I scream when he hits the right spot, deep. "I'm coming," I gasp
NATASHATwo months after the incident, I've become more cautious about what's around me, the people I encounter, and the smallest details that I could see.Michael told me everything, what happened before the incident and after.I figured out that Elena manipulated everything and he admitted to me that he also fell for her trap. He said that he thanked me, or else, he would have secured the wrong person.The aftermath, everything became a lot different than before. It's like everyone believed that we have moved on, but we haven't. Or is it just me who can't move forward?The aroma of the caffeine reached my senses as I stirred the coffee with a spoon, standing by the sink, my eyes looking through the window and found Michael heading to the back door while wiping his greasy hands."I finally fixed it, didn't I say so?" He proudly uttered as he opened the back door. "I'm Michael Montero, baby." He came close to me, and I immediately stopped him."Oh my God, Michael. Don't you touch me w
MICHAELI could barely hold the wheel. My hands were sweating. I was a bit on edge, thinking about getting caught in an accident for getting too distracted."We're three cars behind you, Mr. Montero. We got your back," Detective Han said over the phone. "I have my team keeping an eye on your house. Just one wrong move from them, and they're all canceled.""Thank you, Detective."I feared not being held captive, but for my family.There were no words coming from any criminal's mouth that I could trust. All I knew was that while the sharks were around, I needed to keep myself from bleeding. But my family was the bait. I would let my blood stain the sea."I've arrived at the house, Detective," I announced as I pulled over in front of the gates. "Take the shot when I'm in the open.""We got you, Mr. Montero."Leaving everything inside the car, I hopped out, looking around, counting how many visible eyes were on me.The concrete floor felt like it was getting hotter with every step I took,
NATASHATime was ticking, and my heart seemed to fail with every passing second. I kept my mouth shut, even as the man who had us tied up bore a hole in me with his gaze."This is itching my fingers to pull the trigger," he murmured, tossing aside the fork he used to eat the skewered meat Dad Quintus had grilled.The clanking noise made my shoulders tense, gasping for air as I closed my eyes.I could feel a sudden pain in my stomach. My baby, no! I had to stay calm.Breathing in through my nose and exhaling slowly through my mouth, thinking about Michael calmed me, but I couldn't help feeling even more nervous.Every footstep the man took decorated the air with silence, a noise I didn't want to hear. The tapping of the soles of his shoes described menace, and I felt threatened every second.The smell of his odor clung to danger. I could smell it, and I could feel the approaching distress."Hey, you," he pointed at one of his men who was shamelessly feasting on the food from the table