Chapter 7 - The Mafia Empire Wanted Gabriel Dead, but Norah Refused to Run Again
The assassination attempt happened outside the courthouse.
A single shot.
Gabriel dropped.
Norah screamed.
For one horrible second, she believed he was dead.
Then Gabriel moved.
The bullet had struck his vest.
He looked at Norah.
She was crying.
He took her face in his hands.
“I’m okay.”
She slapped his shoulder.
“You idiot.”
He almost smiled.
“You were worried.”
“I hate you.”
“No, you don't.”
She broke down against his chest.
He held her.
The attack changed everything.
Gabriel realized he couldn't protect his family by continuing to live like a criminal.
He asked Sloane for a deal.
Not immunity.
A formal cooperation agreement.
He would surrender control of the remaining organization.
Testify.
Hand over assets.
Help identify violent networks.
In return, his family would receive protection.
The process took months.
Norah stayed beside him.
They moved into a small house outside Boston.
No guards in the driveway.
No armored SUVs.
No armed men behind every door.
At first, Gabriel didn't know how to live.
He burned breakfast.
He couldn't assemble a crib.
He accidentally put the twins' clothes in the dishwasher.
Norah laughed.
“You're terrible at normal life.”
“I was good at other things.”
“Like what?”
“Intimidation.”
“Useful skill when changing diapers.”
He smiled.
Slowly, ordinary life became less frightening.
Gabriel learned the twins' routines.
He learned that their daughter smiled in her sleep.
Their son hated cold rooms.
Norah returned to art restoration.
She opened a small studio.
Gabriel helped renovate it.
One day, he arrived with flowers.
She looked surprised.
“What's this for?”
“Nothing.”
“That’s suspicious.”
“I thought husbands were supposed to bring flowers.”
“Did the internet teach you that?”
“Possibly.”
She laughed.
They were rebuilding.
Not pretending the past didn't exist.
Just refusing to let it control the future.
Six months later, Marcus testified.
Victor's network was dismantled.
Bianca entered witness protection.
She sent Norah one letter.
I'm sorry.
Norah forgave her.
Not because the betrayal didn't matter.
Because carrying hatred was exhausting.
Gabriel's mother entered rehabilitation and eventually moved nearby.
She spent hours with the twins.
She apologized to Norah.
Norah listened.
Forgiveness took time.
But it came.
Then one night, Gabriel found Norah sitting alone.
“What happened?”
She handed him a photograph.
It was from their wedding.
Three years earlier.
She was looking at him as though she already loved him.
“I remember this.”
“So do I.”
“I thought I was marrying a dangerous man.”
“You did.”
She smiled.
“Yes.”
He sat beside her.
“I'd marry you again.”
“Even after everything?”
“Especially after everything.”
She looked at him.
“I would too.”
He kissed her.
Their daughter cried from the nursery.
They both laughed.
“Duty calls.”
“Together.”
They walked upstairs.
The twins were awake.
Gabriel picked them up.
Norah watched.
Then she whispered:
“This is what I wanted.”
He looked at her.
“A family?”
“No.”
“A life.”
He smiled.
“Then let's keep it.”
But the peace didn't last.
One morning, Gabriel received a letter.
No return address.
Inside was a single photograph.
His father.
Alive.
Taken two weeks earlier.
May you like
On the back:
YOU NEVER FOUND HIM.
