The air in Captain Howard’s office was damn near suffocating.

Mike Lowery leaned against the wall, jaw tight. Marcus Burnett had his hands raised like a man begging the heavens for strength. And there—right in the middle—was YN. Her curves poured into that outfit like sin wrapped in silk. Heavy, perfect, commanding attention without trying. Her round, juicy ass had every head turning, though no one dared linger too long. Chubby cheeks, sweet innocent eyes… yeah, she looked like a good girl. But she had the devil’s cartel lord wrapped around her little finger.

And today?

Well, Captain Howard had just found out.

Captain Howard (voice rising with each word):
"You’re telling me—you—my daughter, my baby girl, the light of my goddamn life, is dating Armando Aretas? That cold-blooded, murdering, six-foot-four psychopath?! Are you out of your mind?!

He paced the room like a storm, hands flailing, rage pouring out of every breath.

Captain Howard:
"The same man who once skinned a man alive in Tijuana?! The one with bodyguards in Armani suits and blood on his teeth?! The cartel lord, THE ARM—"

He paused. Hand to chest. Deep breath.

Captain Howard (growling):
"You’re grounded."

Mike coughed. Marcus shook his head. And YN? She just looked down at her phone… knowing damn well that Armando—cold, ruthless, dangerous Armando—was probably already on his way.

Because the second he found out YN’s dad raised his voice at her?

Someone was going to bleed.