Chapter 5 - The Night Gabriel Chose Me
The hidden room contained more than documents.
It contained a recording.
My father's final conversation with Gabriel.
I pressed play.
Dad's voice filled the room.
“You can't protect her forever.”
Gabriel's younger voice answered.
“I can try.”
“No.”
A pause.
“Promise me one thing.”
“What?”
“If they come for her, take her and run.”
Gabriel was silent.
Dad continued.
“Forget the network.”
Another pause.
“Forget revenge.”
Gabriel finally spoke.
“I can't.”
“You have to.”
“I can't abandon you.”
“You're not abandoning me.”
My father's voice became softer.
“You're saving her.”
The recording ended.
I cried.
Gabriel didn't touch me.
He waited.
Then I turned toward him.
“Why didn't you leave with us?”
“Because your father died before I could.”
“And afterward?”
“I was trying to find who ordered it.”
“You spent seventeen years searching?”
“Yes.”
I wiped my face.
“You could have told me.”
“You were happy.”
“I would have wanted the truth.”
“I know.”
“Then why?”
“Because your father made me promise.”
I laughed bitterly.
“Everyone gets to decide what I can handle except me.”
Gabriel stepped closer.
“No.”
“What?”
“Not anymore.”
His eyes held mine.
“From now on, you decide.”
Something inside me broke.
I leaned into him.
He wrapped his arms around me.
For the first time, I let myself cry against his chest.
He held me like he had been waiting years to do it.
No urgency.
No demand.
Just warmth.
That night, I slept at his house.
Nothing happened.
He gave me his bedroom.
He took the couch.
At three in the morning, I woke from a nightmare.
I found him asleep on the couch.
“Gabriel.”
His eyes opened instantly.
“What happened?”
“I had a dream.”
He sat up.
“About your father?”
I nodded.
He pulled a blanket over me.
“You're safe.”
I whispered, “How do you know?”
“Because I'm awake.”
I smiled through tears.
He smiled back.
Then I fell asleep sitting beside him.
The next morning, I woke with my head against his shoulder.
He was awake.
He didn't move.
I looked up.
“How long?”
“Two hours.”
“You didn't move?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“You looked comfortable.”
My face heated.
“You could have woken me.”
“I could have.”
“But you didn't.”
“No.”
We looked at each other.
Then I kissed him.
It was small.
Almost accidental.
But it changed everything.
Gabriel stared at me.
“That wasn't part of the plan.”
“I know.”
“What are we doing?”
I smiled.
“I don't know.”
He touched my cheek.
“I do.”
“What?”
“Trying not to fall in love.”
My heart stopped.
“Is it working?”
“No.”
I laughed.
Neither of us heard Wade approach the room.
He stopped.
Then quietly backed away.
An hour later, the entire security team somehow knew Gabriel Costa was in love.
He denied it.
They pretended to believe him.
Then came the message.
DARIO HAS YOUR BROTHER.
We rushed to the city warehouse.
Dario Bellini stood inside.
Leo was tied to a chair.
Bianca stood beside him.
Dario smiled.
“Francesca.”
“You wanted me.”
“Yes.”
“Let Leo go.”
“No.”
Gabriel stepped forward.
“You're making a mistake.”
Dario laughed.
“You're already making one.”
His eyes moved to me.
“You've become attached.”
Gabriel's face hardened.
“That doesn't concern you.”
“It concerns everyone.”
Dario pulled a folder from his coat.
“Your father wasn't killed because of the ledger.”
I stepped forward.
“Then why?”
“He discovered who really controlled the city.”
“Who?”
Dario looked at Gabriel.
Then at me.
“Your grandfather.”
I froze.
“My grandfather died years ago.”
Dario laughed.
“That's what everyone thought.”
My heart slammed against my ribs.
“Where is he?”
Dario smiled.
“Close.”
Gabriel's eyes hardened.
“Stop playing.”
Dario looked at me.
“Your grandfather is alive.”
Then the lights went out.
When they returned, Dario was gone.
Leo was unconscious.
And Gabriel was holding a note.
COME TO THE OLD HARBOR ALONE.
BRING FRANCESCA.
The name at the bottom was one I had never expected to see.
May you like
Antonio Moretti.
My father's father.
