and bloodstained face creating an eerie contrast to the sterile luxury of the hotel room. He was no mere bodyguard. Michael was a man of ex

not out of love, but to recruit him into the Martinez Family's fold. He wanted Michael's dea

under the pressure of Michael's presence. "Michael,

tone was calm, indifferent, as if nothing out of the ordinary had just occurred. "A major client is coming next month to discuss a partnership. You're expec

matter if you're powerful, Michael?" He scoffed, his disdain pal

rd and threw it onto the floor at Michael's feet. "Alright, alright," he said, his voice thick with scorn. "I know what you want. This card's got

't contain herself any longer. "Ryan, shut up!

, then bent down and picked it up. The

just a poor man. Money is what drives him, not you. You'll suffer with him, Hazel

. Without warning, she slapped him across the face with all

and twisted it, his grip sharp and unforgiving. "Ge

, and her breath was knocked from her chest. Tears of frustration welled in her eyes. She kicked and

g presence filled the room. Michael's cold, unwavering gaze

chment. His gloved hand shot out, gripping Ryan by the back of the head,

s Michael slowly, deliberately

screamed, his voice cra

ored. "President Wood, I'll be wai

tion, Michael slammed Ryan's face in

an

kening crack of bone against wood, a

tighter, lifting his head again before bring

through the room, a hig

solid wood. Blood sprayed across Michael's face, but he didn't even flinch. He r

or. Every scream, every brutal slam made her stomach turn. The smell of blood filled t

ood and terror. Ryan's body lay motionless on the floor,

the bloodied mess that had once been Ryan, his face as cold and emotionless as ever. Without a word,

odied face was terrifying, but what struck her the most was the cold, detached look in h

a step toward her. The words left her mouth before she could stop them, her fear o

raced, her mind spinning with horror. What would he do now? Would he

ot up her ankle. She stumbled, a cry of pain escaping her lips, and would h

into his arms. Hazel's heart skipped in panic. She

going to do to her? Was he going to throw her out of the b

punishing. His eyes, dark as the night, flickered with som

d in a low, emotionless voice, as if he were discussing something t

nd panic. She didn't know whether to trust him or fear him more. Was this

cked his black card toward them without a glance. "Open a bottle of win

he sound of Michael's words, his eyes flickering i

face remained unreadable. Hazel could only cling to h