Fermented Desires

Too Close to Breath

"You want to turn the house into a bunker."

Hudson stood firm in the center of the living room, his arms crossed like a barricade built out of pride and fury. His voice cracked through the room. "You waltz in after disappearing for years, and your first move is calling us incompetent? Bold."

Nikko didn't blink. His tone dripped with disdain, voice tightening like a pulled trigger. "If that perimeter of yours gets her killed, your ego won't be enough to carry the guilt."

"Alright," Cameron interrupted with a sigh, running a hand through his hair. "Let's not turn this into a testosterone showdown."

Neither man moved.

Ashton stepped between them, palms up like a referee. "Let's talk plans. Nikko, what do you want to do?"

"Full surveillance," Nikko said. "Real cameras with off-site backups, motion sensors on all entrances, and someone watching the feeds 24/7."

Hudson didn't blink. "We already have perimeter cams and motion alerts linked to my phone. If anyone even thinks about stepping on the porch, I get a ping."

"And what if you're asleep? Distracted?" Nikko asked, eyes sharp. "What if he doesn't knock, Hudson? You think Leo plays fair?"

"I don't sleep," Hudson replied flatly. "Not with her in danger."

Isabella, seated on the edge of the couch, rubbed her temples. "Seriously, you guys..."

"Nikko, you don't even live here," Cameron pointed out. "You drop back in from the dead and act like we've done nothing this whole time."

"I didn't fake my death," Nikko growled. "And I didn't say you weren't trying. I'm saying it's not enough anymore."

"I agree," Hudson said, his voice tight. "But we're not turning this place into a war zone. She needs to feel safe, not suffocated."

"Then let's make it safe," Nikko snapped.

"I need all of you to chill," Isabella cut in, her voice loud and final. "I am not going to sit here while you guys fight over who gets to protect me harder."

That earned a snort from Cameron and a reluctant smirk from Ashton.

"I want the security," Isabella said. "But I want to feel like a person, not a prisoner."

A long pause passed before Hudson finally said, "Fine. We do both. His tech. My watch."

Nikko nodded. "Deal. But if I see a vulnerability—"

"You'll what?" Hudson challenged.

"I'll fix it," Nikko answered coolly. "Because this isn't about pride. She's my sister."

Cameron exhaled. "Then let's protect her. Together."

---

Later that afternoon, Isabella stepped outside to breathe. The argument still echoed in her ears—Hudson and Nikko snapping at each other while the rest of the house buzzed with tension. She needed space.

The Arizona sun pressed down hard, casting long shadows across the porch as she stepped barefoot onto the walk. The quiet outside contrasted too sharply with the chaos inside.

As she made her way to the mailbox, something caught her eye.

A single white rose.

Her heart stopped.

No card. No ribbon. Just the bloom—elegant, haunting.

She swallowed hard, picking it up with trembling fingers.