Chapter 4 - The Breach
The name Moretti sent a shockwave through the room.
Salvatore Moretti was the ruthless boss of the rival Syndicate operating out of North Chicago—and the uncle of the man Gabriel had put at the bottom of Lake Michigan for impregnating Isabella.
Gabriel’s expression changed instantly. The gentle warmth in his eyes vanished, replaced by an terrifying, lethal coldness that made Elena’s blood run cold.
"Protect Isabella and the baby," Gabriel commanded Carmine, his voice as sharp as a razor. He turned to Elena, catching her by the shoulders. "Stay in this room. The doors are reinforced steel. Do not open them for anyone except me or Carmine."
"Gabriel..." Elena gasped, fear clutching her chest as distant gunfire echoed through the estate grounds. "Be careful!"
A shadow of a smile touched Gabriel’s lips at her concern. He pulled a small, silver 9mm pistol from a hidden drawer beneath the medical desk and pressed it into her hand.
"Do you know how to use this?" he asked.
"I... I grew up in Appalachia," Elena stammered, her fingers wrapping around the cold grip. "My dad taught me."
"Good," Gabriel whispered, kissing her forehead gently before pulling away. "If anyone breaks through that door who isn't us... shoot them."
He turned and strode out of the room, drawing two weapons from his waist, disappearing into the dark corridor as the heavy steel doors slid shut and locked automatically.
Inside the medical room, Elena was alone with Isabella and tiny Leo.
Isabella was shaking uncontrollably in her wheelchair, clutching a rosary to her chest. "They've come for Leo," she wept. "Moretti knows the baby is alive! He wants to destroy my family's bloodline!"
"Shh, Isabella," Elena said, setting the gun on the desk beside the incubator and rushing to Isabella’s side. "Gabriel won't let them near this room."
Outside, the mansion erupted into war.
Automatic gunfire rattled through the stone corridors. Explosions shook the floorboards, sending plaster dust falling from the ceiling. Elena stood over Leo’s incubator, her body acting as a human shield, her hand resting on the grip of the pistol.
Fifteen agonizing minutes passed.
Suddenly, the gunfire outside stopped. A heavy, suffocating silence fell over the house.
Elena held her breath, her eyes fixed on the steel door.
Clank.
The magnetic lock disengaged. The heavy door began to slide open.
Elena raised the pistol with both hands, aiming it directly at the opening, her finger tightening on the trigger.
A tall figure stepped through the smoke.
It was Gabriel.
He was covered in soot and blood—none of it his own. His white shirt was torn at the shoulder, and his eyes held the dark, terrifying high of a battle survived. He froze when he saw Elena standing over the incubator, aiming the pistol directly at his chest with unwavering determination.
Slowly, the tension left his face. He let out a low, breathy laugh.
"Lower the weapon, Elena," Gabriel murmured, stepping into the room and closing the door behind him. "The breach has been cleared."
Elena lowered the gun, her knees suddenly giving out. Gabriel moved like lightning, catching her before she hit the floor. He lifted her into his arms, pulling her tight against his chest.
"You're safe," Gabriel whispered into her hair, his heart beating wildly against her cheek. "You're safe now."
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Elena wrapped her arms around his neck, burying her face into his shoulder, smelling the rain, gunpowder, and sandalwood. In that moment, surrounded by violence and blood, she realized something terrifying.
She was falling in love with Chicago’s most dangerous man.
