Chapter 7 - THE BROKEN CANE
“Gabriel,” Marco breathed, taking a step back.
Gabriel climbed down the iron ladder, never taking his eyes off his brother. He wasn't alone. Behind the SUVs, three more cars pulled up, blocking Marco’s men in. Gabriel’s loyal captains stepped out, heavily armed.
The ambush at the docks had failed.
“You thought Enzo was the only one playing a double game?” Gabriel said, his voice cutting through the rain. “Enzo sold me out to Vincent, yes. But my men intercepted Vincent’s communications two hours ago.”
Gabriel walked toward us. He looked at me, saw the gun in my trembling hand, and saw Enzo bleeding on the ground. A look of profound respect crossed his face.
He gently took the gun from my hand. “You kept her safe. I owe you my life, Elise.”
He turned to Marco.
“Where is Vincent?” Gabriel demanded.
Marco gripped the silver cane tightly. “He’s gone, Gabriel. You survived the docks, but the Commission is already voting. Vincent told them you went mad, that you murdered Camille. They’re stripping you of your title tonight.”
“Then I’ll take it back,” Gabriel said. He nodded to his captains. They moved in, disarming Marco’s men without a shot fired. They were outnumbered and they knew it.
Gabriel walked up to Marco. For a long moment, the two brothers just looked at each other.
“She was my wife, Marco,” Gabriel whispered, the heartbreak finally showing through his iron exterior. “She baked your favorite cake for your birthday. She loved you.”
“She was a distraction!” Marco shouted, his facade breaking. “You were getting soft, Gabriel! You wanted to go legitimate! You can’t run this family as a businessman! Vincent knew it. I knew it!”
Gabriel didn't yell. He didn't strike him. He simply reached out, grabbed the silver wolf’s head cane, and brought it down across his knee.
The thick wood snapped with a sharp crack, exposing a hollowed-out center.
A small, tightly rolled scroll of parchment fell out into the puddles.
Marco lunged for it, but Gabriel kicked him back and picked it up.
Gabriel unrolled it. His eyes scanned the document, and a bitter, hollow laugh escaped his lips.
“What is it?” I asked, stepping closer, holding Sophie against my side.
“It’s a ledger,” Gabriel said. “A list of offshore accounts. Vincent didn't order the hit on Elena because he wanted to save the family’s criminal empire. He ordered it because Elena found out he had been stealing from the Commission for a decade. She was going to expose him.”
He looked at Marco with pure disgust. “You didn't kill my wife to protect the family, Marco. You killed her to protect a thief.”
Marco stared at the ledger, his face crumbling. Vincent had played him, too.
“Take him away,” Gabriel ordered his men.
As they dragged Marco off, Gabriel turned back to me. The storm was beginning to break, the first light of dawn creeping over the city skyline.
“It’s over,” Gabriel said softly. “Vincent’s theft will be given to the Commission. They’ll hunt him down themselves.”
He knelt in front of Sophie. “You’re safe now, bambina. Daddy’s got you.”
Sophie threw her arms around his neck, burying her face in his shoulder. “Elise shot the bad man.”
Gabriel looked up at me. “I know she did.”
He stood up, carrying Sophie, and gestured for me to follow him to his car.
“Where are we going?” I asked.
“Home,” Gabriel said. “To pack.”
I froze. “To pack?”
“The Commission will want peace, but I’m done,” Gabriel said, his voice resolute. “I’m handing the family over to the captains. I’m taking my daughter and I’m leaving this life behind. And Elise...”
May you like
He stopped by the car door, looking at the scarred wrist I had stopped trying to hide.
“I would like you to come with us.”
