Chapter 4 - The Traitor's Voice
The heavy, suffocating silence following the gunfire was absolutely agonizing.
Gabriel slowly raised his head over the edge of the reception desk. The street outside was quiet. The armored SUV had pulled right up to the shattered front doors of my ruined studio.
"Gabriel," a smooth, arrogant voice echoed from the street.
It was Marcus Moretti. Gabriel’s uncle. The man who had orchestrated the hit.
"Step out of the studio, Gabriel," Marcus called out, his voice dripping with toxic confidence. "The building is completely surrounded. My men have the back exit blocked. You surrender the Chicago territory to me right now, and I let the old woman and the pretty little dance teacher live. If you don't, I burn the building down with all of you inside."
My blood turned to absolute, freezing ice.
I looked at Gabriel. The terrifying, untouchable mob boss was entirely trapped. His security chief was outgunned, his grandmother was hiding behind a desk, and I was just an innocent civilian dragged into his bloody family drama.
"Don't you dare surrender to that rat, Gabriel!" Rose hissed from the floor, clutching her purse. "I did not raise you to negotiate with cowards!"
Gabriel didn't answer his grandmother. He looked directly into my eyes. The cinematic realism of his profound, overwhelming guilt was breathtaking.
"I am so sorry I brought this to your door, Claire," Gabriel whispered softly.
May you like
He slowly stood up, raising his hands, completely surrendering his weapon. He was going to sacrifice his life and his empire to save us.
👉 Gabriel prepared to walk out the door, but the quiet dance instructor was about to reveal a secret that would level the playing field.
