Chapter 5 - Flour and Gunfire
Three days after the gala, the reality of Gabriel’s violent world came knocking on Mara’s doorstep.
It was 4:00 AM, and the bakery was filled with the warm, comforting scent of fresh brioche and roasting coffee. Mara was working alone in the back kitchen, her apron covered in flour as she rolled out dough on the large wooden worktable.
Suddenly, the heavy metal back door burst open.
Gabriel stumbled in, clutching his side. His suit jacket was shredded, blood soaking through his white shirt, staining his broad chest red. Behind him, two heavily armed Castiglione hitmen pushed into the doorway, their guns raised.
Mara didn't hesitate.
Years of heavy baking had given her explosive upper-body strength and razor-sharp instincts. Before the lead hitman could acquire his target, Mara picked up a industrial forty-pound bag of whole-wheat flour from the rack beside her and hurled it with full force straight into his face.
The bag exploded upon impact. A blinding white cloud filled the small kitchen, suffocating the attackers and blinding them instantly.
As the hitmen coughed and stumbled blindly, Gabriel drew his silenced pistol from his holster and fired two precise shots into the cloud. The hitmen collapsed to the tile floor with heavy thuds.
"Mara!" Gabriel gasped, leaning heavily against the stainless-steel counter, his face pale with shock and blood loss.
Mara dropped her rolling pin and rushed to his side, catching his heavy frame as he swayed. "Gabriel! Oh my God!"
"I'm sorry..." Gabriel rasped, his eyes fluttering as he pressed his hand to a deep graze along his ribs. "They ambushed my convoy... I couldn't lead them to my house... I had to protect you..."
"Shut up," Mara sobbed, her flour-covered hands pressing firmly against his wound to stop the bleeding. "You brought a gunfight into my kitchen, you stupid, arrogant mafia boss!"
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She helped him sit down against the wall, ripping off her clean apron to press it against his side. As Gabriel looked up at her—sweat on his brow, blood on his hands, and pure devotion in his eyes—Mara realized with a terrifying shock that she wasn't just panicked for her safety.
She was deeply, hopelessly in love with him.
