Chapter 3 - The Gathering Storm
The next morning, the sprawling penthouse felt like the calm center of a raging hurricane.
Gabriel had been awake the entire night, making encrypted phone calls and mobilizing his soldiers.
He was currently standing by the floor-to-ceiling windows, intensely watching the rain pour over the city skyline.
Leah walked slowly into the main living area, gently holding a cooing Noah against her chest.
She looked different this morning, her face glowing with a soft warmth that captivated Gabriel.
"He is very hungry today," Leah smiled, feeding the happy baby a warm bottle of milk.
Gabriel turned away from the cold glass, his intense expression softening as he looked at his nephew.
"You have a natural instinct with him, Leah," Gabriel observed, his deep voice echoing in the large room.
"I always wanted to be a mother, but I was always too busy just trying to pay my rent," Leah admitted shyly.
Gabriel slowly walked across the room until he was standing just inches away from her.
He gently reached out his hand, softly tracing the edge of the fading bruise on her delicate cheek.
"You will never have to worry about rent ever again, Leah," Gabriel promised fiercely.
"I am going to destroy the monsters who did this, and then I am going to give you the life you deserve."
Suddenly, the heavy oak doors of the penthouse swung open, shattering the quiet moment.
Ethan rushed into the room, his black suit dripping wet and his face tight with urgent panic.
"Boss, the Volkov syndicate somehow found out that the baby is alive and inside this estate," Ethan reported rapidly.
"They are mobilizing a hit squad to breach the front gates within the hour."
Leah gasped in terror, instinctively wrapping her body protectively around the innocent child.
Gabriel did not panic; his face transformed into a mask of pure, unadulterated rage.
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"Take Leah and Noah to the underground panic room immediately," Gabriel commanded, racking the slide of his tactical pistol.
"I am going to personally walk downstairs and slaughter every man who steps foot on my property."
