Chapter 6 - The Terms of Engagement
Sadie slapped his hand away, stepping back with a glare that could have melted steel.
"I am not your property, Rossi! If you want to break my brother's legs, go ahead, see if I care! But don't you dare treat me like some kind of collateral!"
Gabriel didn't look angry. In fact, the corner of his mouth twitched upward in faint amusement. He crossed his arms over his chest, leaning casually against the edge of his desk.
"Spunk. I like it," he said smoothly. "Most people in this room piss their pants when I raise my voice. You yell back. It’s refreshing."
"I'm serious," she growled. "What do you want? Name your price. Realistically."
"Realistically?" Gabriel’s expression turned business-like, the mafia boss replacing the observant stranger. "Your brother owes ten thousand dollars in cash, plus interest. He signed a legally binding promissory note with one of my front companies. If I tear up that contract, he walks free. No broken legs, no collectors, clean slate."
"And what’s the catch?" Sadie asked, narrowing her eyes. "What do I have to do?"
"You move in with me."
The office went dead silent. A clock ticking somewhere on the wall sounded like a sledgehammer.
"I... what?" Sadie blinked, convinced she had misheard him.
"You move into my estate on Rittenhouse Square," Gabriel repeated calmly. "For three months. You act as my personal assistant, my companion for high-society events where I need someone who won't flinch, and you live under my roof where I can ensure you're safe."
"Safe from what?"
"From the men who were in that alley three weeks ago," Gabriel said, his gray eyes turning winter-cold. "They know someone interfered with the hit. They don't know who yet, but my informants tell me they're sniffing around South Philly bars. If they find the girl who kissed me... they won't just kill you, Sadie. They’ll make it hurt."
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Sadie felt the breath leave her lungs. The room seemed to spin. "You're using me as bait?"
"I'm keeping you alive," he corrected sharply. "In my house, behind my gates, surrounded by my men, nobody touches you. In exchange, your brother's debt is wiped clean, and you never have to pour another glass of cheap gin at The Rusted Anchor again."
