Chapter 9 - JudgmentGabriel turned his back on the panicking crowd and looked down at Daniel, who was now weeping on his knees.
"Please, Clara," Daniel sobbed, looking directly at me as I stood safely at the foot of the stage. "Tell him... tell him not to do this. We worked together!"
I stepped closer to the stage, looking up at the man who had nearly destroyed my life, stolen my dignity, and attempted to murder my unborn child.
"You told Gabriel I betrayed him," I said, my voice steady and cold. "You carved me open like an animal in a basement. Did you really think there was any place on earth where you could hide from the consequences of that?"
Daniel opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out.
Gabriel didn't waste another breath. With a swift, merciless motion, he drew his pistol and pressed the cold barrel directly against Daniel’s forehead.
"This is for my empire," Gabriel whispered. "And more importantly... this is for my family."
Bang.
The shot echoed through the empty ballroom, silencing the last remnants of treason in Chicago forever.
Gabriel slowly lowered the smoking gun, sliding it back into his holster. He turned around, walked down the steps of the stage, and stood right in front of me. The terrifying mob boss melted away, leaving only the man who loved me more than his own life.
He dropped to one knee right there on the blood-stained carpet, gently placing his warm palm against my swollen stomach.
"Is he... is he okay?" Gabriel asked, his voice trembling with a vulnerability he never showed anyone else.
May you like
I rested my hand over his, feeling our baby kick softly against his palm.
"He's fine," I smiled softly. "He's a fighter. Just like his father."
