Chapter 7 - The Mother Who Had Been Watching from the Shadows
Gabriel could not move.
Years of grief had been built around the idea that his mother was dead.
Now she stood before him.
Alive.
Older.
Still his mother.
He crossed the church in 3 steps.
She embraced him.
He collapsed against her.
For a man feared throughout New York, Gabriel cried like the son he had never been allowed to be.
Naomi stood back.
Serena approached slowly.
“Mom?”
His mother turned.
Serena broke down.
They embraced.
Gabriel's mother held both children.
“I thought you were dead,” Gabriel whispered.
“I was dead to the world.”
“Why?”
“To keep you alive.”
She looked at Naomi.
“Your wife discovered too much.”
Gabriel nodded.
“She almost died.”
His mother closed her eyes.
“Then Adrian is accelerating his plan.”
“What plan?”
She sat.
“Control.”
Adrian had spent years collecting secrets.
He didn't want money.
He wanted to control the people who had it.
Gabriel's family had been the obstacle.
“Why now?”
“Because Gabriel became stronger than Adrian expected.”
Gabriel frowned.
“I was always in his way?”
“Yes.”
“Then why frame Naomi?”
“To isolate you.”
His mother looked at him.
“Adrian knew the only person who could make you doubt yourself was someone you loved.”
Gabriel looked at Naomi.
“I did.”
Naomi nodded.
“You did.”
He took her hand.
“I'm sorry.”
She squeezed once.
His mother continued.
“The archive contains enough evidence to destroy Adrian.”
“Then why didn't you use it?”
“Because evidence is not enough.”
“What else?”
“A witness.”
She looked at Naomi.
“Your father.”
Naomi went still.
“My father?”
“He didn't die in the accident.”
“What?”
“He escaped.”
Naomi's breathing stopped.
“He has been in hiding.”
“Where?”
“Canada.”
“Why didn't he come back?”
“Because Adrian found him once.”
Naomi covered her mouth.
“Is he alive?”
“Yes.”
Gabriel looked at his mother.
“Then we bring him home.”
She shook her head.
“Not yet.”
“Why?”
“Because Adrian has one final weapon.”
She looked at Serena.
“The boy.”
Serena stiffened.
“He has Lucas.”
“No.”
Her mother shook her head.
“The boy is bait.”
The real target was Naomi's unborn child.
Adrian believed the unborn heir could be used to control Gabriel.
Gabriel's face became cold.
“He will never touch my child.”
His mother nodded.
“That is why he is going to attack tonight.”
Rafael entered.
“Boss.”
“What?”
“Perimeter alarms just triggered.”
Gabriel turned.
“How many?”
“Twenty men.”
His mother closed her eyes.
“He is here.”
Adrian's voice came through the church speakers.
“Hello, family.”
Gabriel raised his weapon.
“Come out.”
Adrian laughed.
“You still think this is about you.”
“What do you want?”
“Naomi.”
“No.”
“You'll give her to me.”
“No.”
“Then your mother dies.”
Gabriel looked toward the altar.
His mother shook her head.
“No.”
Adrian continued.
“You have 5 minutes.”
Gabriel whispered to Naomi.
“Stay behind me.”
She nodded.
But she stepped forward.
“I'll go.”
“No.”
“If he wants me, we use that.”
Gabriel grabbed her hand.
“I won't sacrifice you.”
“You're not.”
She looked into his eyes.
“You're trusting me.”
Gabriel understood.
The old Gabriel would have ordered everyone into position.
The new Gabriel listened.
He nodded.
Naomi stepped into the open.
Adrian's men appeared.
Then a shot rang out.
Adrian fell.
Not dead.
Wounded.
Victor stood behind him.
Adrian turned.
“How?”
Victor smiled.
“You should have stopped checking the obvious doors.”
Gabriel moved.
Rafael disarmed Adrian.
He was finally captured.
But before they could secure him, Adrian laughed.
“You still don't understand.”
Gabriel stared.
“Understand what?”
Adrian looked at Naomi.
“The child.”
Naomi's hand moved to her stomach.
Adrian smiled.
“Your wife is carrying the wrong man's heir.”
Gabriel froze.
The room went silent.
Naomi looked shocked.
“What did you say?”
Adrian laughed.
Gabriel looked at Naomi.
For 1 terrible second, the old suspicion returned.
Then he saw her face.
Pure disbelief.
“No.”
Adrian smiled.
“Ask her.”
Gabriel's voice shook.
“Is it true?”
Naomi stared at him.
“Gabriel, I…”
She stopped.
Not because she was guilty.
Because she was terrified.
Adrian laughed louder.
May you like
And for the first time, Gabriel realized this was the lie he had been waiting to hear.
The lie that could destroy everything.
