Chapter 2 - Shadows in the MansionThe Moretti mansion was a fortress masquerading as a home. Built on a sprawling estate in upstate New York, it was surrounded by electrified fences, patrolled by armed guards, and equipped with a security system that rivaled the Pentagon's. Emma had always known her employer was wealthy, but the whispers among the staff painted a much darker picture. La Cosa Nostra. The Boss of Bosses.
She dried her hair, changed into a clean, modest black skirt and a white blouse, and made sure the triplets were eating their dinner under the watchful eye of Maria, the head chef.
When Emma approached the heavy oak doors of Gabriel’s study, her stomach twisted. She knocked once.
"Enter."
The study was dimly lit, smelling of rich mahogany, expensive scotch, and rain. Gabriel was standing by the floor-to-ceiling window, looking out at the dark estate. He had discarded his suit jacket. His white dress shirt was unbuttoned at the collar, revealing the faint edge of a dark tattoo on his collarbone. He looked lethal, exhausted, and incredibly lonely.
"Sit," he commanded without turning around.
Emma sat on the edge of a leather wingback chair.
"I read the note," Gabriel said, finally turning to face her. He walked to his massive desk and poured a single glass of amber liquid. He didn't offer her any. "My wife wrote it shortly before she died. She knew her cancer was terminal, and she knew I would try to sterilize this house of all emotion to protect myself."
"I am so sorry for your loss, Mr. Moretti," Emma said softly.
Gabriel’s jaw tightened. "Pity is useless to me, Miss Brooks. What I need is loyalty. For eleven months, I have watched caregivers try to keep my sons quiet so they wouldn't disturb me. You are the first one to realize that the silence is what was killing us."
Emma swallowed hard. "They are wonderful boys. They just need to be allowed to be toddlers."
"You broke protocol," Gabriel said, stepping around the desk, stalking closer to her like a predatory cat. "You took them outside without the designated security detail. You accessed a restricted storage shed. In my world, mistakes like that cost lives."
"Your world?" Emma challenged, her protective instincts flaring. "This is a home. Not a battlefield. If you want them to feel safe, you have to stop treating them like targets."
Gabriel stopped inches from her chair. He leaned down, placing a hand on each armrest, trapping her in. His face was so close she could smell the scotch on his breath and the crisp, masculine scent of his cologne. His dark eyes bore into hers, searching for hesitation. He found none.
"You are very brave, Emma," he murmured, his voice a low, dangerous rumble. "Or very foolish. Do you know who I am?"
"I know you are Leo, Lucas, and Liam's father," she replied steadily, refusing to break eye contact, though her pulse was hammering in her throat. "And I know that whatever you do for a living is tearing you apart."
Gabriel’s eyes flared. For a split second, the ruthless mafia don faded, and a grieving, exhausted man looked back at her. The air between them suddenly felt thick, heavy with an electric tension that had nothing to do with anger.
Suddenly, the heavy oak doors burst open.
"Boss," a voice barked.
Gabriel straightened instantly, his hand dropping to his waist. Standing in the doorway was Matteo, his underboss and oldest friend, looking grim.
"What is it?" Gabriel snapped.
Matteo glanced at Emma, his expression guarded. "We have a problem. The Boston meet was a setup. The Colombos intercepted the shipment. And worse... they tracked your motorcade. They know you're back at the estate. We just found a drone hovering over the eastern perimeter."
Gabriel’s demeanor transformed entirely. The vulnerable father vanished. The Don took his place.
"Lock down the compound," Gabriel ordered, his voice like cracking ice. "Move the boys to the safe room. No one enters or leaves."
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He looked down at Emma. She was pale, finally realizing exactly what kind of danger she had stepped into.
"Miss Brooks," Gabriel said coldy. "Welcome to my world. Go with Matteo. Do exactly as he says, or you will die tonight."
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