Chapter 10 - The Unbroken Circle
Two weeks later, the war with Julian Vance never happened.
Before Vance could make a move against Sadie, Gabriel’s intelligence network dismantled North Side operations from the inside out, freezing Vance’s assets, arresting his key lieutenants, and driving him out of Philadelphia for good. The city belonged to Rossi, and the shadows were quiet once more.
Back at the Rittenhouse Square estate, the sun streamed through the study windows, illuminating a scene that would have shocked anyone who knew the ruthless mafia boss.
Dean Hayes—sober, employed, and wearing a surprisingly clean suit—was sitting nervously on the edge of a leather chair, holding a cup of coffee.
Gabriel sat behind his desk, signing a final paperwork release document. He slid the folder across the mahogany wood.
"Your debt is cleared, Dean," Gabriel said calmly. "And I've secured you a logistics job in Pittsburgh. A bus leaves at noon. Don't miss it."
Dean swallowed hard, looking at the mafia boss with undisguised terror, before nodding rapidly. "Yes, Mr. Rossi. Thank you. I won't let you down. I swear." He scrambled up and rushed out of the study, eager to put as much distance between himself and Philadelphia as possible.
The heavy oak doors clicked shut, leaving Gabriel alone in the grand office.
A moment later, the side door opened, and Sadie walked in. She was wearing a simple cream sweater and jeans, her hair falling loosely around her shoulders, holding a tray with two cups of fresh coffee.
"Was that my brother?" she asked, setting the tray down on the desk.
"On a bus to Pittsburgh," Gabriel replied, leaning back in his chair and pulling her down onto his lap. "He's officially out of your hair."
Sadie wrapped her arms around his neck, a soft, genuine smile touching her lips. "And what about me? Am I out of your hair?"
Gabriel caught her hand, kissing the inside of her wrist where her pulse beat wildly against his lips.
May you like
"Never," he murmured, his gray eyes shining with fierce, eternal devotion. "You kissed a dying man, Sadie Hayes. And in my world, that means you're stuck with me for life."
She leaned in, resting her forehead against his. "Good thing I don't plan on going anywhere."
