Chapter 8 - The Trap Springs
Claire’s breath caught in her throat. She stepped back, her hands curling into fists at her sides. "You investigated me?"
"I investigate everyone who breathes under my roof," Gabriel replied without a shred of apology. "You're a wild card, Claire Donnelly. You walked into a fortress with fifteen thousand dollars in your pocket and a sick mother in Astoria. In my world, people like that don't exist by accident."
"I am not a spy!" Claire hissed, keeping her voice low so Lily wouldn't hear. "I am a substitute teacher trying to keep my mother alive! How dare you weaponize her illness against me?"
"Because the agency that sent you—Pembrook—has a rat in its coordination office," Gabriel said, stepping closer, his imposing frame towering over her. "Evelyn Vance has been selling my family's security details to the Russo syndicate for six months. She placed the last three nannies here to watch us. She tried to stop you from coming last night because you weren't part of their plan."
Claire stared at him, the color draining entirely from her face. "An... an inside job? The nannies?"
"Yes," Gabriel said coldly. "And right now, Evelyn Vance thinks you're struggling so hard for cash that she can buy you."
As if on cue, Claire’s phone—sitting on the nightstand beside Lily’s bed—buzzed violently.
Claire walked over slowly and picked it up. The screen flashed with an incoming text message from an unknown number:
“Did you secure the package? Drop the master suite security codes in the lobby trash bin by midnight, and I’ll double your mother’s hospital payment. Don’t be stupid, Claire.”
Claire held the phone out, her fingers trembling as she showed the screen to Gabriel.
May you like
Gabriel looked at the text, and a terrifying, bone-chilling calm settled over his features. The CEO, the dock owner, the shadow king of New York Harbor woke up all at once.
"Well," Gabriel whispered, a dangerous edge to his voice. "It seems we have a reply to send."
