Chapter 7 - The Trial That Could Destroy Them Both
The trial became the biggest criminal case in the city's history.
Gabriel surrendered everything.
Bank accounts.
Properties.
Businesses.
Names.
He confessed to crimes.
He refused to confess to crimes he hadn't committed.
Emily testified.
So did Evelyn.
Emma.
Mercer.
Luca.
The evidence inside Emily's pendant proved the existence of the criminal network.
Matteo became the primary target.
But he disappeared.
He had escaped Europe before the arrest.
The prosecutor wanted Gabriel imprisoned for life.
Emily fought.
Not because she believed Gabriel was innocent.
Because she believed people could change.
Gabriel's lawyer asked:
"Why are you defending him?"
Emily answered:
"Because I know what he did."
The lawyer looked surprised.
"And?"
"I know why he did it."
"Does that make it acceptable?"
"No."
"Then why?"
She looked toward Gabriel.
"Because the man who committed those crimes isn't the only man he can become."
The statement spread through the media.
Public opinion shifted.
Gabriel accepted a negotiated sentence.
He would spend three years in federal custody.
His legitimate businesses would be transferred into a foundation.
Illegal assets would be seized.
He accepted all of it.
On the day he was taken away, he told Emily:
"Don't wait for me."
She smiled through tears.
"Too bad."
He laughed.
"I'll write."
"Every day."
"Every day."
She kissed him.
The doors closed.
Then Emily got a message.
One word.
"Marseille."
She knew.
Matteo.
He still had her sister.
Emma had disappeared.
The police wouldn't help.
So Emily went.
Alone.
At the old harbor warehouse, Matteo was waiting.
Emma was tied to a chair.
Emily walked inside.
"Let her go."
Matteo smiled.
"Gabriel isn't here."
"I know."
"Then why are you calm?"
"I'm not."
She stepped forward.
"I'm furious."
Matteo laughed.
"You sound like your mother."
"You should have listened to her."
He raised a gun.
Then another voice came.
"Put it down."
Gabriel.
Emily turned.
He stood in the doorway.
Free.
But only temporarily.
He had been granted emergency release because the police discovered the escape route leading to Matteo.
Matteo looked shocked.
"You."
Gabriel smiled.
"You made one mistake."
"What?"
"You thought she was my weakness."
Matteo looked toward Emily.
Gabriel continued:
"She's the reason I survived."
Gunfire erupted.
Matteo fled.
Gabriel chased him.
Emily freed Emma.
Then they heard an explosion.
The warehouse began collapsing.
Emily screamed:
May you like
"Gabriel!"
She ran toward the smoke.
