Hello My loves, I have read all your comments from yesterday and gratitude filled my heart. Thank you for all your kinds thoughts. Still feeling down, but fever has subsided since this morning. Love, J Cruz
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
Marcus POVThe twins opened their eyes and smiled when they saw us. The love and trust emanate from their eyes.It was the most beautiful sight after what Martina and I had been through.“Mama, Daddy!” Marky cried and lifted his hands, so Martina could pick him up.“Daddy, Mama!” Macy giggled. Her wide smile was an antidote to the fear that knotted my stomach.Without saying anything, I lifted her in my arms and snaked an arm around my wife for support.I am unsure if Martina can handle Marky, given the ordeal she went through, but maybe s
Martina POVA few hours later, my head started to loll on the side, and I was ready to doze off. My adrenaline rush had come down, and I felt like a piece of paper, ready to be thrown by the wind. My eyelids started drooping when the door to the operating room swung open, and a group of medical practitioners came out. The doctor removed his surgical mask before he asked us. “Are you the patient’s next of kin?” I nodded. “Yes. I am the patient's daughter. How is she?” “The operation was successful, but the patient had to remain in the hospital for several days to assess the damage to her legs and to recuperate. She also needed to undergo therapy afterward.” I nodded. “Can we see her? Talk to her?” “She had been sedated. She is still in the recovery room, and will be transferred to a regular room soon.” “Will she be okay?” “Let us see and assess things further when she wakes up.”After telling us this, the doctor left us. I hugged Marcus. “Marie is going to be okay.” He w
Martina POVI reveled in Marcus’ kiss while my body sought strength from his arms that were wrapped securely around me. “Marcus.”We were panting when we stopped. “I love you.”There were tears in Marcus’s eyes when he said it. “I was so afraid earlier, love. I thought I was going to lose you. I will never forgive myself if that happens.” “Shh. It’s water under the bridge. I am glad to be alive to spend more years with you and the twins.” I told him. Marcus smiled. “And our future children.” He added with a naughty wink. I pinched his nose and hugged him again. It must have been a delayed reaction, but I didn't want to release Marcus anytime soon, but his brothers had other ideas. I am not sure if it was Flint or Rowan who knocked continuously on the roof of our car before they shook it. “F*ck!” Marcus said.He immediately released me to confront his brothers, who escaped to Briana’s house. Marcus got back inside the car, shaking his head. “B*st*rds!” He muttered under
Martina’s POVMarie’s eyes welled with tears. Despite that, she was smiling from ear to ear. “My daughter.” Her voice trembled, too.She spread her arms wide, and I gladly ran to her side to receive her warm hug. When she wrapped her arms around me, my shoulders shook, and I started crying. Finally, I found the warmth of my mother’s love. “I am sorry I didn’t tell you. I was afraid you would reject me, and I worry about you and the kids. I can’t let you go. I knew how much you needed my help at that time.”“I understand,” I told her, wiping the tears streaming down my cheeks. “Thank you.” Marie, or rather, my mother said. We were smiling through our tears when Marcus neared us.No words passed between them. Marcus put a hand on my mother’s shoulder. Mom patted it repeatedly in a comforting way. That was enough between them. A new bond has been formed. Afterward, the doctors came and explained to Marie the rehabilitation and therapy she would be undergoing. “Sometimes, it
Charles POV“Divorce? You wanted a divorce?”I looked at Jenna, my wife of eight years, after she sprung the talk of divorce, catching me unawares.“Just sign this, please.”She sighed when I did not take the divorce papers she thrust my way.“Why?” I asked inanely.Jenna’s features hardened.“You know why. This is not working anymore, Charles.”My eyes explored her face, looking for something.&nbs
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