Chapter 4 - The Confession in the Dark
Evelyn Thorne didn't flinch. The mask of corporate benevolence shattered instantly, replaced by a cold, hardened expression that belonged in a prison yard rather than a board room.
She reached into her designer blazer with terrifying speed.
“Gabriel, look out!” I screamed, diving across the corner of the table.
Before Evelyn could clear the small, silver-plated snub-nosed revolver from her holster, Gabriel moved with terrifying, predatory grace. He vaulted across the mahogany table, slamming his forearm into Evelyn’s chest and driving her hard against the wood-paneled wall.
The gun clattered from her grip, sliding across the polished floor until it hit my shoe.
Evelyn gasped for air, her face turning pale as Gabriel’s hand clamped around her throat, pinning her effortlessly against the wall. His fingers didn't tighten enough to crush her windpipe, but the threat of lethal violence hung in the air like ozone before a lightning strike.
“You miscalculated, Evelyn,” Gabriel whispered, his voice dangerously low. “You thought you could bleed my company dry, hand the port authorities over to the syndicate, and frame an innocent accountant to take the fall.”
Evelyn let out a harsh, broken laugh, blood trickling from the corner of her mouth where she had bitten her lip during the impact. “You think I acted alone, Gabriel? You think I had the leverage to manipulate your shipping lines for two years?”
Gabriel’s eyes narrowed. He glanced sideways at Marcus Vance, who sat frozen in his chair, sweating profusely.
“Marcus,” Gabriel said, his voice dropping an octave.
“No—Vince, I swear to God!” Marcus stammered, throwing his hands up in panic. “I didn't know she was going to kill the girl! She told me it was just a financial restructuring! She said we were selling our shares before the federal indictment dropped!”
Evelyn sneered, glaring at Marcus with utter contempt. “Coward. You wanted the payout just as badly as I did, Marcus. You wanted to buy out Cross Logistics from the ashes when the Feds closed in.”
Gabriel slowly lowered his arm, releasing Evelyn. She slid down the wall, landing in a heap on the carpet, breathing heavily. Two security guards stepped forward, hauling her to her feet and slapping steel cuffs around her wrists with practiced efficiency.
“Take her to the lower vault,” Gabriel ordered without looking at her. “Hold her there until federal marshals arrive at dawn.”
“And Marcus?” one of the guards asked, eyeing the shaking COO.
“Marcus is going to pack his office,” Gabriel said coldly. “Then he is going to board a private cargo flight to a country that does not have an extradition treaty with the United States. If he ever sets foot in North America again, his life expectancy will be measured in seconds.”
Marcus practically fell out of his chair, scrambling toward the exit on all fours before the guards yanked him up by his lapels and dragged him out of the room.
When the heavy doors clicked shut, the private dining room felt eerily empty.
Toby stood near the entrance, shivering, his eyes wide with shock as he looked at me. “Harper… oh, God, Harper, I’m so sorry. I didn't mean to—I got mixed up with the wrong guys at the poker club, and then they said if I didn't sign those papers—”
I didn't let him finish. I crossed the room as fast as my bruised leg would allow and threw my arms around his neck, burying my face in his shoulder.
“Shut up, Toby,” I choked out, tears finally breaking free. “Just shut up and don't ever play poker again.”
“I won't,” he sobbed, hugging me back tightly. “I swear I’m done. No more debts. No more cards.”
Gabriel stood a few feet away, watching us with an expression that was impossible to read. The harsh, ruthless mob boss exterior had settled back over his features like armor, but there was a subtle softening in the lines around his eyes.
“Your brother is free to go home, Harper,” Gabriel said quietly. “My driver is waiting downstairs to take him upstate to a secure family ranch where no one will ever find him.”
Toby looked nervously from Gabriel to me. “Are you coming, Harps?”
May you like
I looked back at Gabriel, then down at my bandaged leg, realizing that my world had irrevocably changed.
“Go ahead, Toby,” I said softly, managing a weak smile. “I need to finish my audit.”
