Chapter 5 - The Price of Protection
The arrests did not end the problem.
They created new ones.
By morning, news of Wexler’s corruption was spreading through Chicago.
Federal agents seized accounts.
Businesses were searched.
Names leaked.
Gabriel’s enemies smelled weakness.
Ella learned this when she woke in Gabriel’s guest suite.
He stood beside the window.
“You’re staring,” she said.
“I’m thinking.”
“That usually looks more threatening?”
He turned.
“You’re leaving Chicago.”
Ella sat up.
“No.”
“It’s arranged.”
“No.”
“A plane leaves at six.”
“Cancel it.”
Gabriel’s jaw tightened.
“This is not a discussion.”
“Then stop discussing it.”
“You nearly died last night.”
“And you think putting me on an airplane fixes that?”
“It removes you from the target.”
“Tyler?”
“Goes with you.”
“My job?”
“Gone.”
“My apartment?”
“Compromised.”
“My life?”
Gabriel didn’t answer.
Ella threw back the blanket.
Pain crossed her face.
He immediately stepped forward.
“Don’t.”
She slapped his hand away.
“You don’t get to save me and then decide what happens to me.”
“I’m keeping you alive.”
“You’re controlling me.”
Gabriel froze.
The accusation hit harder than she expected.
Ella softened slightly.
“You live in a world where everyone obeys you.”
“Yes.”
“I don’t.”
“I noticed.”
“Then ask me.”
Gabriel stared.
“Ask you what?”
“What I want.”
He looked almost uncomfortable.
Finally:
“What do you want?”
“To stay.”
“Why?”
“Because Tyler needs to testify. Because Wexler’s financial network isn’t fully exposed. Because I understand the accounts better than anyone.”
Gabriel’s eyes narrowed.
“And?”
Ella hesitated.
“And I trust you.”
Something shifted in his expression.
“That may be the worst decision you’ve made.”
“Worse than walking here with a stab wound?”
“Comparable.”
She smiled.
Then the bedroom door opened.
Leo entered without knocking.
“Problem.”
Gabriel sighed.
“Of course.”
“Barlowe escaped federal custody during transport.”
Ella’s smile disappeared.
Gabriel became completely still.
“How?”
“Inside help.”
“Where is he?”
“We don’t know.”
Ella’s phone buzzed.
Everyone looked at it.
A photograph appeared.
Her apartment.
Taken minutes earlier.
Then a message.
YOU TOOK EVERYTHING FROM ME. NOW I TAKE EVERYTHING FROM HIM.
Ella slowly looked at Gabriel.
“He thinks I’m yours.”
Gabriel’s voice was quiet.
“You are under my protection.”
“That isn’t what he means.”
Silence.
Leo looked away.
Gabriel approached her.
“What do you think he means?”
Ella met his eyes.
“That hurting me hurts you.”
Gabriel didn’t deny it.
May you like
That frightened her more than anything.
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