Chapter 7
The top floor of the Continental Hotel was an impenetrable fortress of marble, glass, and armed men. Gabriel had bought out the entire floor two years ago under a shell corporation, preparing for a day he hoped would never come. Now, the luxurious suites were filled with the exhausted, sleeping forms of thirty children.
In the primary suite, the soft glow of a table lamp illuminated the exhaustion on Rose's face. She had spent the last three hours helping Martha bathe the younger children, bandage their scrapes, and feed them warm meals rushed from the hotel’s private kitchens. Gabriel stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows, staring out at the city skyline, a glass of untouched whiskey in his hand.
"They are all asleep," Rose said softly, walking into the main living area. She had discarded her stained apron, wearing only her simple black dress.
Gabriel did not turn around. "You did well tonight, Miss Bennett. Most people would have shattered in that warehouse."
"I told you, I grew up in the South District," Rose replied, stepping closer to the glass. "I’ve heard gunfire before. But I’ve never seen someone walk into it the way you did."
Gabriel finally turned, his sharp, intimidating eyes analyzing her. The loose strands of wavy hair hung over his forehead, making him look tired, yet infinitely dangerous. "What Serena did to Martha… it wasn't just cruelty. It was a distraction. She wanted me to make a scene at the gala, to storm out unprepared."
"Why?" Rose asked, her brow furrowing.
"Because the Romanovs have been trying to kill me for three years," Gabriel explained, his voice low and measured. "Serena’s father owes them millions in gambling debts. She sold the orphanage property to them as payment, and threw in my head as a bonus."
He walked over to a heavy mahogany desk, picking up a sleek black cell phone. It had been vibrating constantly for the past hour. The screen displayed Serena’s name, accompanied by frantic, unread messages pleading for him to call her back.
"She realizes the hit failed," Gabriel murmured, staring at the screen. "She is panicking."
"What are you going to do?" Rose asked, her voice trembling just slightly, betraying her fear of the man standing before her.
Gabriel set the phone down. He looked at his heavy wristwatch, the polished metal gleaming in the dim light. It was two in the morning.
"I am going to finish the gala," Gabriel said coldly. "Marcus."
May you like
The massive enforcer stepped immediately into the room from the hallway. "Yes, Boss."
"Leave ten men here to guard the floor. You and the rest are coming with me," Gabriel ordered, buttoning his suit jacket and adjusting his collar so the sharp tattoos on his neck were fully visible. "We are paying a visit to the Vale Estate."
