Chapter 8 - The Man Who Finally Chose Trust
Lorenzo selected an abandoned ferry terminal in Staten Island for the final meeting.
Predictable.
Isolated.
Easy to defend.
Serafina studied the building plans while Gabriel drove.
“You’re smiling,” he said.
“Lorenzo thinks we’re coming through the front.”
“We aren’t?”
“No.”
Gabriel glanced at her.
“I’m learning not to question that expression.”
“Good.”
Costello had provided boats.
Luca coordinated surveillance.
Federal agents—receiving another carefully anonymous package—were positioned nearby.
This time nobody was fighting for territory.
They were trying to end the war.
Gabriel and Serafina entered through a maintenance tunnel beneath the terminal.
When they reached the upper level, they separated.
Gabriel hated it.
But he trusted her.
That was the point.
Lorenzo stood beside Cesare near the old boarding platform.
A pistol rested against Cesare’s head.
“You came.”
Gabriel stepped into view.
“Release him.”
Lorenzo laughed.
“Always the hero when it’s too late.”
“Maybe.”
Gabriel’s voice was calm.
“But I came.”
“Where’s Serafina?”
“Safe.”
Lorenzo’s expression changed.
“You were supposed to bring her.”
“No.”
“Then Cesare dies.”
Gabriel did not move.
“You won’t kill him.”
“Why?”
“Because he’s the only leverage you have.”
Lorenzo smiled.
“Serafina taught you that?”
“Yes.”
The answer irritated him.
“You were stronger before her.”
“No.”
Gabriel shook his head.
“I was easier to manipulate before her.”
Lorenzo’s smile vanished.
From the catwalk above, Serafina watched.
She had a clear path to Cesare.
Almost.
One guard remained behind Lorenzo.
She moved silently.
Below, Lorenzo began ranting.
About his father.
About inheritance.
About how Gabriel had been given everything.
“You inherited the Rossi name. Serafina inherited D’Agostino blood. What did I inherit?”
Gabriel answered.
“A choice.”
Lorenzo froze.
“And you made yours.”
Serafina disabled the guard.
Cesare saw her.
He did not react.
Gabriel kept Lorenzo focused.
“You framed an innocent woman because you wanted my chair.”
“She wasn’t innocent.”
Lorenzo laughed.
“She lied to you every day.”
Gabriel nodded.
“She did.”
Serafina heard him.
“She lied about her name. Her history. Her family.”
Gabriel paused.
“But I was the one who chose not to investigate before condemning her. That was mine.”
Serafina’s throat tightened.
No excuses.
No blame.
Gabriel had finally understood.
She moved behind Cesare.
Lorenzo saw Gabriel’s eyes shift.
He turned.
Too late.
Serafina pulled Cesare sideways.
Lorenzo fired.
Gabriel lunged.
The shot echoed.
Serafina screamed.
Gabriel fell.
For one terrible second, nobody moved.
Then federal agents stormed the terminal.
Lorenzo was tackled.
Cesare shouted.
Serafina dropped beside Gabriel.
Blood spread across his shirt.
“No.”
Her hands pressed against the wound.
Gabriel looked up at her.
“Baby okay?”
She stared at him in disbelief.
“You were shot and that’s your question?”
“Seems important.”
Tears filled her eyes.
“You idiot.”
His mouth curved faintly.
“I’ve missed you calling me that.”
“Stay awake.”
“Serafina.”
“No.”
“Look at me.”
She did.
“I love you.”
Her face crumpled.
“Then stay.”
Sirens approached.
Gabriel’s hand found hers.
“I’m trying.”
At the hospital, Serafina waited for three hours.
She refused to sit.
Luca finally forced a cup of water into her hand.
The surgeon emerged.
“The bullet missed his heart.”
Serafina closed her eyes.
“He’ll recover.”
Her knees weakened.
Cesare caught her.
Hours later, Gabriel woke.
Serafina sat beside him.
He blinked.
“You stayed.”
“Don’t make it dramatic.”
“I nearly died. I’m allowed one dramatic sentence.”
She laughed through tears.
Gabriel slowly raised his hand.
He stopped before touching her.
“May I?”
Serafina looked at him.
Then took his hand herself and placed it against her stomach.
The baby moved.
Gabriel’s eyes filled.
This time he did not look away.
Serafina covered his hand with hers.
“I’m still angry.”
“I know.”
“I still don’t trust you completely.”
“I know.”
“I may remind you of this for the next fifty years.”
A weak smile.
“I hope you do.”
She leaned forward and kissed his forehead.
Not his lips.
Not yet.
But Gabriel understood.
It was not forgiveness.
May you like
It was a door opening.
And for now, that was enough.
