Fernando entered his study with purposeful strides. Ricardo was already there, seated beside his beta, Étienne, both men waiting.
Étienne was the first to move.
He crossed the room and pulled Fernando into a tight embrace. "It's good to have you back," he said with unmistakable relief.
Fernando returned the hug without hesitation, patting Étienne's shoulder before stepping away. For a moment, just a moment the weight of absence lifted.
He moved straight to the head chair and took his seat.
"Updates," he said curtly.
Both Ricardo and Étienne immediately began filling him in.
"You captured one of them?" Fernando asked calmly.
Ricardo nodded. "Yes."
"He hasn't spoken yet," Étienne added shortly.
Ricardo and Étienne were his most trusted men. They had grown up together brothers in everything but blood.
"That's going to change," Fernando said quietly.
The edge in his voice made Étienne smirk.
Minutes later, they were in the dungeon beneath the packhouse.
