Marcus POV“One day, Flint will get knocked on his feet. I could not wait for that time when a woman would make him fall head over heels in love.” “G*d forbid! That would be a disaster waiting to happen.” I announced before Goldstone left my office. When the door closed on Goldstone, leaving Martina and me alone in the office, I walked over to where Martina sat. I hugged her back from behind.Martina leaned back and held my arms with her hands. “Was Flint that bad?” Martina asked. Somehow, the knot on her forehead says that she could not reconcile what she heard from the Flint she knew. I laughed. “Don’t worry about him. Flint is soon going to get his turn. You only have to wait and see. He was not a Ford for nothing.” I told her.Martina nodded.“Let’s go,” I said and helped her to her feet. “Where are we going?” She asked, clueless. I smiled. “My work is done for the day. I want to spend the rest of the day with you and the children. They are growing fast, love. I wanted th
Martina POVI stared at Marcus with tears burning my eyes. “How could I ever be this lucky?” I asked.My voice sounded hoarse, so I had to clear my throat. “We are both lucky. You endured so much because you did not want your family to use me. You don’t want your family to have leverage against me. We both made sacrifices for our love, Martina.” That did it!Tears streamed down my face. “I don’t deserve you.” I bawled my eyes out.Marcus hugged me to his chest.He lifted my chin to look at me eye-to-eye. “You deserve every inch of me, my love.”“But you can have any woman you like. You can date better girls than me. Why did you choose me?” That's what I don't understand. Marcus could have any girl he wanted, but he chose me. Marcus cupped my face. He tenderly brushed the tendrils of hair that clung to my face and eyes. “Because no one loved me better than you do! The women who professed to love me love me for my money, fame, and family name. You were never that. You loved
Martina POV The past few days, we got into our routine. Every other day, Marcus’ siblings would gather together, either in Briana’s house, Rowan’s, or ours. It has become a tradition for the family, a time for the Ford siblings to bond, and a time for the children to spend time with their cousins. It was a good family tradition. It makes me appreciate the value of having your family around you. At the orphanage, I never got to experience having a true family. Still, the Fords, when they embraced me, gave me more than a family. They gave me a safe place to belong to. I haven’t heard from my family, except that my brother and father were in prison for their crimes. Marcus told me how my father was responsible for the death of their parents, and the few things I knew about my family, I didn’t for a minute doubt Marcus’ words. I just hope that their time in prison would allow them time for introspection and remorse, though I highly doubt it. Still, people can change. “Mar
Marcus POV“What is it?” I barked at my secretary when she barged in on us. I was in a closed-door meeting, and Rowan had been calling me nonstop. When I did not answer his call, he badgered my secretary with his incessant calls. He called the office phone so my secretary had no choice but to knock on the conference room to disrupt the meeting.“Sir, your brother is on the line. He insists that you have to answer the call immediately.” My new secretary nervously handed me the phone, and I barked into it. “Get your a*s off your meeting and check on your family.” Rowan barked on the line. His tone sounded resolute that a frown instantly formed on my face. “What is wrong? Did something happen to Martina and the twins?” My heart beats fast in worry. “Storm called me. Your father-in-law committed suicide while in prison, and your brother-in-law has escaped. Storm and I have a feeling that the first person he would try to look for is Martina.”"Do you know where Martina is?" Rowan p
Marcus POVBeads of sweat dotted my forehead when I arrived at the supermarket building. At a safe distance, Storm’s men had already cordoned off the area and surrounded my car where my children were.“Martina?” I asked my brother Rowan when I met him outside the supermarket.“She is still inside. Storm’s men are evacuating the people.”“My kids?”Rowan stepped aside to let me see my children. They were sleeping and were clueless as to what was happening around them.A knot formed in my belly.
Rowan POVI watched my brother leave with a heavy heart.I have always been a fighter. At a young age, my godfather, Storm’s father, trained me to have the heart of a warrior.Under his tutelage, I became one of the top agents of the Guardians, a global security agency that protects and secures high-profile people and their families.Though my siblings and I got the same training, they did not love what they were doing. I do.Charles, Marcus, and Flint hated fighting.So, when we turned of age, we began to manage our family’s business under the protection of Storm&rsqu
Marie’s POVI watched Rowan looking at me dazedly as he wrapped around his head what I had revealed just now."I am their mother," I told him, seeing a frown forming on his head.But before my words fully sank in on Rowan, I ran away.Luke’s voice led my feet to him as I listened to him exchange angry words with Marcus.“Don’t try anything funny or I will kill her,” Luke warned, pressing the nozzle of his gun to Martina’s temple.He locked his arms on Martina's neck, pulling her to his body.
Marcus POVI continued to engage Luke while Rowan, Storm, and their men moved stealthily toward the back to attack him from behind. My whole body was poised and ready for any movement. I never left sight of Luke’. My eyes were glued to him while I listened to Marie’s story. But my main focus was Martina. She looked like she was ready to drop on the floor any moment. I was banking on Luke to hold her securely.Then, it happened. The moment Storm and Rowan grabbed Luke on the back, it surprised him. He lost his hold on Martina as well as the gun he was holding to threaten her with. I ran and dove the last few feet that separated us when Martina’s body collapsed on the floor. “Gotcha!” I murmured in her ears and pulled her to safety. The gun Luke was holding dropped on the floor, and it fired accidentally.When we heard the gunshot, I wrapped my body protectively around Martina, my arms cushioning her ears. At the same time, I saw Luke struggling from the lockhold Rowan and
Hello, my loves, As usual, when you see this page, it means you have reached the end of another installment of this story. And as usual, I wanted to thank all of you for walking with me up to this point. It was a marvelous journey, reading through all your comments, requests, and suggestions. After the high Flint’s story gave me, I didn’t realize that you would continue to receive Brent’s story with enthusiasm, but you did. So, thank you all. I am sorry, but I cannot accommodate all your requests because I have to align them to how the story should flow. I got a request for a Riley-Krizzie story, but I already told you earlier that Charles’ story will be the last installment of this book. I can not add more because I realized I have been writing non-stop since December 2023. I needed to take a breather, too.I hope you understand. Plotting a story is easy, but thinking of the scenes, and the dialogues and making all the chapters come up seamlessly was what makes it a bit diff
Beth POVIn the next few months, Brent and I quickly settled into married life.It was not always a bed of roses because he was stubborn, and so was I. We had arguments, but it was not something we resolved later.Besides, Krizzie always reminded us that life with each other may be crazy but it was wonderful.Brent worked at the hospital, overseeing its daily management and operations. At the same time, I remained in the ward, working as a NICU nurse.Most of the time, we sneak out during my break to have cuddles in his office. Sometimes, it gets hot because my husband can't get his hands off me, but that was alright. I love it. "Beth, you are looking pale. Are you alright?" One of the staff nurses asked. I just got back from a bathroom break because I feel nauseated. My stomach churned unexpectedly, and I had to rush to the bathroom to vomit. I still don’t feel fine. "I must have eaten something that upset my stomach," I told her and resumed working. I picked up the tray of m
Brent POVSomeone cleared his throat, and not long after, I felt a tap on my shoulder. “Dude, that is too much public display of affection.” It was Flint, the Prince consort of Arkadia, with his wife, the Queen. There was a hush in the hospital lobby, and I knew exactly how everyone felt right that moment. There was this reverence as they eyed the royal couple. I felt it, too, even though they are my friends.It also did not help that the rest of my friends trickled in. Noah and his wife Briana came in, followed by Rowan and Hanna. Then Charles and Jenna came next. Last to appear was Marcus and his wife Martina. This time, the people in the lobby began to get noisy. They gushed over Marcus, who looked like he stepped out of the page of a magazine cover. I could not deny it. The Fords and Hunters gathered so much attention. It was a rare event to see them all together in one setting.The who’s who of Redwood City gathered in one place, making it hard for everyone not to react
Beth POVThe romantic date set the tone for the rest of our one-week leave until it was time to return to our real lives.“Goodbye, baby!” Brent called out to Krizzie’s departing figure while we watched her walk toward her building. We waited and watched until we saw her figure disappear when she entered her classroom. “She is growing.” I can’t help but be teary-eyed.Last night, Krizzie surprised us when she decided to sleep on her own bed. Brent and I stared at each other when she kissed us both goodnight and then returned to her room. “Krizzie?” I called her, feeling weirded out. “What Mommy?” She walked back to the bed where I sat. “Aren’t you going to sleep with us?” A frown marred my face when I asked.I patted the middle of the bed, urging her to climb in, but Krizzie only shook her head and smiled at me. “The Hunter triplets said I am old enough to be sleeping with Mommy and Daddy. They don’t.” She informed me. I nodded, feeling a little stuffy inside. I knew that it
Brent POVJust like what Noah said the night before, they were not at the hotel to see us off, but he gave instructions to his people to assist us. We got ready very early because Krizzie had classes. “Are you free today?” I asked Beth after we sent Krizzie to school. “You were the one who talked to my supervisor about taking a leave. How long did you apply for my leave?”“A week. You still have two more days of rest. Don’t worry, you won’t be alone. I want to spend more time catching up. What do you think?” I wiggled my brows at her, grinning mischievously. Beth slapped my chest.“I don’t like that look, Brent. I want to rest.” She warned me. She looked so d*rn cute that I stepped forward, arms spread to encircle her in my arms, and hugged her tight. Beth struggled in my arms. “Brent, people are staring.” She warned me, but I don’t care. I am too happy to care about what other people would think.“Let them.” I urged her and held her in my arms for a while longer. When I got
Brent POVKrizzie got back into our room right after, halting our talks. She knocked repeatedly on the door, prodding me to rise to my feet and open the door for her. Behind Krizzie, I saw Noah. “Thank you, Uncle Noah.” She said, turning her back on me to wave at Noah, who patted Krizzie’s head before meeting my fist for a bump. “Will you be alright here?” He checked on me, and I nodded. “Okay then. I will go ahead.” He told me.“Thanks, man! We will be checking out tomorrow morning.” I informed him while looking at the bed, where I saw Krizzie climbing in and snuggling with Beth. “Okay. I will inform the concierge in case we are not here. We are going home tonight.” Noah informed me before sauntering away. I went back to my family to join them in bed. Krizzie was asking Beth where we had been, and Beth was showing her pictures of us in the resort. “You went to the beach?” Krizzie exclaimed.I could see the dismay on her face. Beth hugged her. “We went on our honeymoon.
Beth POVI looked down from the chopper that was going to bring us back to Redwood toward the beach resort that served as our honeymoon getaway for three days and two nights and felt all the good things filling my heart. Without hesitation, I gave the property a little wave as we embarked on the journey back home. “Are you tired?” Brent asked when I leaned back on my seat and closed my eyes. I smiled naughtily. “Who wouldn’t? You did not give me a rest, Mr. Anderson.”The reprimand had no sting which was what I intended.It was the truth anyway. Brent grinned. “Did I wear you out, Mrs. Anderson?” He asked softly, but I could see the warmth in his eyes.I lifted my hand to flick his nose playfully. “I love you, Brent. Thank you for not giving up on me.” I told him.It was the truth. If Brent gave up on me, I think that would be a point of no return for the two of us. If he did not fight for us, I don't know if I would have the strength to stay and be with him. Brent did all t
Brent POV“Welcome to paradise,” I murmured in Beth's ears when the chopper drew close to the beachfront property that Rowan gifted us and prepared for landing.I held Beth close and motioned for her to look out the window so she could see what I meant. Her involuntary gasp was the response I was expecting and much more. "This is so beautiful Brent." She told me, eyes shining bright in awe. I nodded. "Indeed. The most beautiful." I agreed. Though I was not referring to our honeymoon getaway but to the woman before me. Beth, without a doubt, is the most beautiful woman my eyes have ever laid on, I decided. At the same time, I took my fill of her beauty, most especially her expressive eyes. “Your friends are wonderful.” She said evasively. She pulled her gaze away from me to avoid meeting my hot gaze, but I knew exactly what she was feeling. Her body became rigid next to me, and I smiled. Beth was self-conscious about the attention I was giving her. I took pity on her and gav
Beth POV“Ouch!” Brent grumbled when I nudged him hard on the ribs.He turned while rubbing his side to meet my glare. “Who told you to make bets on me?” I sounded stern.Brent looked nervous, and I smiled inwardly at the worry that registered on his face. “He was drunk, frustrated, and full of remorse that night, Beth. It was the time he learned about you dating that doctor. Brent felt threatened and felt cowardly. We need to do that to spur him on.” I did not realize Noah had been listening to our conversation. I did not hear his approach until he butted in to explain Brent’s side. Doubts covered my features as I stared at Brent to confirm. “Who won?” “I did!” Brent replied arrogantly. I pursed my lips. “How much did you win?” I asked, curious.“Apart from the beachfront property, close to ten million.” My eyes widened in shock. “Ten million for a bet? Wow!” My eyes rounded.“It started as a dare, Beth. But Brent did not start it. We did. We had hoped that it would bec