Colt and Joe had already sent him her location. Or more so their location. Who knew that Mikaella Sandoval Cervantes would tag along with Chloe at the right time he so badly wanted to appear back in her life?

It was merely killing two birds with one stone. His car parked on an alley just between some buildings, he watched her sister in law prance from one store to another with her friends. It surprised him that Mikaella was also in Chloe's groupie. Quite frankly, the entire time he had spent with her, Mikaella never seemed one to be with the crowd. She liked being carefree and independent kinda like a man solo army. No matter, it didn't matter. She didn't matter.

Killing his engine he got out of his car, straightened his leather coat and kicked the car door shut with his leg. Time for action.

Crossing the road, he was able to catch up with the group of women before they yet again visited another boutique.

"Marcus!" Mikaella was the first to gasp out. It always amazed him how her eyes lit up everytime she saw him. And everytime Mikaella looked at him with those big doe eyes of hers, guilt overrode him. She trusted him. Considered him as her friend.

"You!" And the next screeching remark came from the Chloe Grayson.

"Y-you know each other?" Mikaella asked her eyes moving back and forth from Chloe to Marcus.

"I'm her..."

"He's my brother in law. I cannot do this now, Marcus. Not today. Not this week"

Mikaella looked confused and Marcus going on with the charade lowered his head in shame noticing Mick's converse shoes. Come to think of it, she had worn a casual tee with ripped jeans, her hair up in a ponytail and even though he didn't want to say it. She looked divine.

"I'm not here to fight,"he started.

Chloe angrily looking at him spoke plainly,"Then why are you here? To blame me yet again for my sister's death yet you...you are to blame! You cared about your stupid job than you did with Ruby!"

He was about to snap. About to lose his cool and angrily shout that her fiance was the one to blame not him. He had lived with guilt since Ruby died but why did anyone put all the blame on him? He had suffered enough hadn't he? Not accompanying Ruby to that clinic would always haunt him but why was all the blame game directed towards him.

"I'm...I'm here to apologize. We were all at fault for Ruby's death and I guess me coming here is to wish you all the happiness in your marriage. Ruby would have loved to see you happy and I'm here to wish you all the happiness on her behalf,"he spoke hoping that she would buy the whole good guy act.

"No amount of happiness you wish on me could bring my..."

Chloe started and all seemed lost until Mikaella intervened.

"I-I can say for sure what's going on but I know both of you. Chloe you are the most charming and loving person I've met and Marcus. You have been judged, misunderstood and I know you blame yourself for your wife's death so let's end it here. I didn't know Ruby but one thing I know is that she would be thrilled if her two favorite humans got along,"she paused smiling sluggishly,"so are you gonna shake it off or?"

"Plus he's kinda hot,"one of Chloe's friends gesture giving Marcus the googly eyes to which he mentally declined her advances.

"Hey Kia. Eyes off, it's my brother in law we are talking about" Chloe huffed before throwing in the towel and slowly gesturing her hand towards Marcus.

With a grin, he lay out his hand, the handshake with Chloe starting as a beginner of what was to come.

"Well I better get going. See you around ladies" he waved feeling a bit modest infront of the ladies that eyed him like a snack.

Well all except Chloe and Mikaella.

"Ooh no no. We need a man's opinion and since you are here, you'll have to do"

And that was how ladies and gentlemen, Marcus ended up cooped up in a tiny boutique with Mick watching Chloe one by one try on one dress after the other.

"So this is why ladies take long shopping? How many gowns do I have to sit back and watch?"

"Plenty" Mick said and just from her tone, he could tell she was mad. Every joke for the past thirty minutes he had thrown at her hadn't aroused any smile or giggle from her.

At times she hard to read. Like the time at Griffin's party, she had acted like a mean spoilt brat but when he got to talk to her that night everything just came easy. She was easy to talk to and had somehow made him to open up in years.

"If this is about Chloe-"

"It's dang right about Chloe. You didn't tell me you both are family!"

"I don't remember you asking me if I knew her"

"No kidding. So how long have you known Chloe is the fiance of the guy you beat up?"

"Yesterday. It was written all over the morning newspaper, my sister in law marrying a Cervantes. Isn't that something? Like fate playing games with me"

"You make it seem like a bad thing. She's happy and you said you would be happy for her right?"

And when she finished with a genuine smile, Chloe came out of the dresser with another gown that seemed to small for her.

"Marcus, what's your take on this one?"

The dress was definitely not made for her and there wasn't a nicer way of telling her that.

"The sleeves are too puffy?" He said so doubtful that the answer would appease her.

"They are, aren't they? I guess I'll have to go back to the first dress" And Chloe stomped back to the dresser frustrated.

"It seems lying is your strongest suit"Mikaella joked after Chloe was out of earshot.

"How do you tell a one week to be bride that she's fat? You have to agree with me, no dress in this boutique agreed with her figure"

And Mikaella laughed. Her laughter echoing in the room.

"You are a terrible person. She is not fat,"she continued laughing,"and I can certainly see why you both don't get along"

And before he could agree with her. Agree that he was indeed a bad person, Mikaella's eyes drifted to the guy standing behind Marcus.

"Roman. W-What are you doing here?"

And she stood up before her husband told they were leaving. Mikaella being as stubborn as she was refused to comply with what he suggested to which Roman lashed out and although Marcus was supposed to be happy they were growing apart, he wasn't. Part of me seeing Mikaella jump from the bastard's outburst felt the need to protect her.

"I think it was clear when she said she doesn't want to leave, Mr Cervantes," Marcus barged in their conversation.

"This doesn't concern you, deputy" Roman spoke and God damn it, Marcus so badly wanted to take his revenge on him right there

"Aah, but am afraid it does" Marcus challenged him.

Standing up and going to where Roman stood, he leaned in his right ear,"whatever you feel right now, it's nothing compared to what I fucking felt. I'm not just gonna leave her bleeding in a car on some road, no suree, not even close. Maybe I'll chop her little fingers one by one..."

And that was like adding fuel to the fire, Roman leaped on him and they both fell to Mikaella's feet, both men throwing one punch after another.

"Roman! Stop! Both of you, stop! Marcus, stop!" She cried and like an obedient pup, Marcus stopped before the security guards came to take Roman off him.

Seeing her cry, shaken by the whole ordeal and how he had responded so fast to her pleas meant only one thing,

Mikaella Sandoval Cervantes had become his weakness and pretty soon she would jeorpadize his plans.