Chapter 3 - A TANGLED WEB
Gabriel’s mind raced. In the underworld, timing was everything. If he reacted too aggressively right now, Frankie Falcone would know he had struck a nerve. If he did nothing, he placed Emma and his daughters in immediate jeopardy.
"Marco," Gabriel said, keeping his voice dead calm. "Have two of our men casually walk the perimeter with the attack dogs. Make sure Falcone’s SUV realizes they’ve been spotted, but don't draw weapons. Let them retreat for now."
"Understood, Boss," Marco replied, rushing out to execute the order.
Through the window monitor, Gabriel watched as the black SUV slowly backed away and disappeared into the morning fog of New York. But Gabriel knew this was just a scout mission. Frankie Falcone didn't do anything without an ulterior motive.
Gabriel stood up, smoothed his tailored suit jacket, and walked down the grand marble staircase toward the nursery.
When he pushed the door open, the atmosphere shifted completely. The room was bathed in bright morning sunlight. Sophia was sitting on a soft rug, happily banging wooden blocks together. Lily was sitting in a low armchair, her small hands holding a cup of warm milk.
Emma was kneeling beside Lily, softly singing an old lullaby as she gently massaged the little girl's right leg. She wasn't using the cold, mechanical techniques of the physical therapists; her touch was warm, intuitive, and reassuring. Lily’s leg muscles, usually tight and spastic from stress, were completely relaxed.
"Mr. Moretti," Emma said, startled. She immediately stood up, adjusting her apron and smoothing her hair. "I’m sorry, I was just... helping Lily stretch before her morning meal."
Gabriel walked closer, his presence commanding yet restrained. He looked down at Lily, who looked up at him with her wide, serious hazel eyes.
"You don't need to apologize, Emma," Gabriel said softly. His voice lacked the harsh edge he used with his syndicate associates. "In fact... I watched the surveillance footage from last night."
Emma’s face went pale. She instinctively reached up to touch the collar of her shirt, her posture stiffening. "Mr. Moretti, I... I was only trying to help. The clinical exercises were scaring her. I noticed she responds better to music and play..."
"She took four steps," Gabriel interrupted quietly.
Emma paused, her brown eyes searching his face. "Yes. She did."
"No doctor has managed that in two years," Gabriel said. He walked over to Lily, kneeling down so he was at eye level with his daughter—something he rarely did because the pain of seeing her struggle usually overwhelmed him. "Lily... sweetie?"
Lily looked at her father. Slowly, timidly, she extended her tiny arm and touched Gabriel’s cheek with her warm palm.
A crack formed in Gabriel’s icy armor. For the first time since his wife died, a tear slipped past his dark lashes.
"Thank you, Emma," Gabriel murmured, keeping his eyes on his daughter.
"She has so much strength inside her, Mr. Moretti," Emma said, her voice filled with genuine warmth. "She just needed someone to show her that falling down isn't the end of the world."
Gabriel stood up and turned to face Emma directly. The gratitude in his heart was real, but so was the danger looming outside his gates. He stepped closer, lowering his voice so the children wouldn't hear.
"I know who you are, Emma," Gabriel said gently. "And I know about the mark on your neck."
Emma froze, all the color draining from her cheeks. Fear—pure, cold terror—flashed across her face. "Please... Mr. Moretti... I didn't mean any harm. I'm not working for them! I hate them! My mother..."
"I know," Gabriel cut in, placing a steady, reassuring hand on her shoulder. "I know your father was Thomas Brooks. I know what the Falcones did to him. And I know why you need this job."
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Emma stared at him, tears welling in her eyes. "Are you going to fire me?"
"No," Gabriel said firmly. "I'm going to protect you. But you need to know... Frankie Falcone was outside my gates twenty minutes ago. They know you are here, Emma. And they will try to use you to break me."
