Chapter 7 - The Garage He Couldn’t Buy
Six months later, Marino Auto looked almost exactly the same.
That had been intentional.
Frankie repaired the roof.
Replaced the heater.
Bought two new lifts.
But she kept the cracked concrete near bay one because her father's boot prints were still faintly visible in one corner.
Leo worked there every weekday.
And attended a gambling recovery program every Thursday evening.
His debt was nearly half repaid.
Victor Salerno was awaiting trial on fraud, extortion, conspiracy, and financial crimes tied to multiple companies.
Several Costa businesses had been investigated.
Gabriel had paid enormous fines.
He hadn't complained once.
At least not where Frankie could hear him.
Which annoyed her.
Because Gabriel Costa had developed a habit of appearing at Marino Auto.
Sometimes with legitimate reasons.
Usually without them.
On a Friday afternoon, a black luxury sedan rolled into bay two.
Frankie walked over.
Gabriel stepped out.
She stared at the spotless vehicle.
“What's wrong with it?”
“Noise.”
“What noise?”
“Intermittent.”
She narrowed her eyes.
“Describe it.”
Gabriel considered.
“Mechanical.”
Frankie stared.
“Get out.”
“I'm already out.”
“Out of my garage.”
He smiled.
Leo walked past carrying a toolbox.
“Hey, Gabriel.”
“Leo.”
Frankie pointed after her brother.
“Stop being friendly with him.”
Leo shrugged.
“He helped save the garage.”
“He also owns your debt.”
“Technically Vanguard Financial does.”
Frankie stared.
Leo disappeared quickly.
Gabriel leaned against his car.
“I have something for you.”
“No.”
“You don't know what it is.”
“If it's expensive, no.”
“It isn't.”
“If it's jewelry, absolutely no.”
“It isn't.”
“If it's another ridiculously expensive espresso machine—”
“Your employees like that machine.”
“My employees are traitors.”
Gabriel handed her an envelope.
Frankie hesitated before opening it.
Inside was a property document.
She read it twice.
Then looked up.
“What is this?”
“The adjoining parcel.”
Frankie's eyes narrowed.
“You bought Peterson's warehouse?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“To protect access to your property.”
“I don't need protection.”
“No.”
Gabriel stepped closer.
“But you need parking.”
Frankie blinked.
He was right.
She hated that.
“What do you want?”
“Nothing.”
“Gabriel Costa doesn't spend two million dollars for nothing.”
“Three point four.”
Frankie stared.
“That isn't helping.”
Gabriel smiled.
“The property remains mine. Marino Auto receives permanent access rights at one dollar annually.”
Frankie lowered the paper.
“Why?”
Gabriel looked at her.
The joking disappeared.
“Because six months ago you walked into my penthouse covered in motor oil and told me no.”
“That impressed you?”
“Everyone tells me yes.”
Frankie went quiet.
Gabriel continued.
“You weren't trying to impress me. You weren't trying to manipulate me. You weren't even particularly concerned about surviving the conversation.”
“I was concerned.”
“You hid it well.”
“I was furious.”
“That was obvious.”
Frankie smiled.
He stepped closer.
“You protected your father's garage. You protected your brother when he didn't deserve it. And when you discovered information that could destroy powerful people, you didn't sell it.”
“What are you saying?”
“That I respect you.”
Frankie raised an eyebrow.
“Dangerous territory.”
“I'm not finished.”
“That's usually when you become annoying.”
Gabriel ignored her.
“I also enjoy arguing with you.”
“That's because something is wrong with you.”
“Probably.”
“And?”
“And I haven't had coffee anywhere else in four months.”
Frankie stared.
“You've been coming here for me?”
“The coffee is terrible.”
“It really is.”
“Frankie.”
She looked at him.
For perhaps the first time since they'd met, Gabriel Costa looked slightly uncertain.
That fascinated her.
“What?” she asked.
“Dinner.”
She blinked.
“You're asking me?”
“Yes.”
“Like a normal person?”
“I'm attempting it.”
“No bodyguards at the table?”
“They'll be outside.”
“Gabriel.”
“Fine. Across the street.”
“No business.”
“Agreed.”
“No discussing Leo's debt.”
“Agreed.”
“And you don't get to buy the restaurant because you dislike our table.”
He paused.
“That seems unnecessarily restrictive.”
Frankie laughed.
Gabriel smiled.
“So?”
She pretended to think.
“One dinner.”
“One.”
“And if you're unbearable?”
“You'll leave.”
“No.”
Frankie stepped closer.
“I'll insult you in Sicilian.”
Gabriel's smile widened.
“There it is.”
“What?”
“The reason I asked.”
Frankie shook her head.
“You really are insane.”
“Possibly.”
She started walking toward the office.
Gabriel followed.
Frankie stopped.
“Where are you going?”
“Coffee.”
“You said it's terrible.”
“It is.”
“Then why drink it?”
Gabriel looked directly at her.
“Because you're here.”
Frankie stared at him for a second.
Then rolled her eyes.
“That was terrible.”
“You smiled.”
“I absolutely did not.”
“You did.”
“Go sit down, octopus.”
Gabriel laughed and headed toward the office.
Leo leaned out from behind a car.
“Did you just agree to a date with Gabriel Costa?”
Frankie pointed her wrench at him.
“Finish the brakes.”
Leo grinned.
“You did.”
“Leo.”
“I'm going.”
He disappeared.
Frankie stood alone for a moment beneath the faded Marino Auto sign.
Her father had built the place with his hands.
Leo had almost lost it.
Victor had tried to steal it.
Gabriel Costa had possessed enough money to buy it ten times over.
But in the end, the most powerful man Frankie had ever met had learned the one rule her father had taught her before she was tall enough to reach a workbench.
Some things weren't for sale.
Frankie entered the office.
Gabriel had already poured two cups of terrible coffee.
He handed one to her.
“Friday at seven?”
“Seven-thirty.”
“Seven.”
“Seven-fifteen.”
Gabriel considered.
“Deal.”
Frankie took the cup.
“Look at you. Learning negotiation.”
“I had an excellent teacher.”
She smiled.
Gabriel raised his coffee.
“To Marino Auto.”
Frankie tapped her cup against his.
“To poor lending judgment.”
He laughed.
Outside, the old blue sign moved gently in the evening wind.
The garage was still hers.
Leo was finally rebuilding his life.
May you like
And Gabriel Costa—the man everyone else feared saying no to—had discovered that Frankie Marino's no was exactly what made him want to stay.
THE END
