Chapter 2 - Ten Thousand Dollars
Three weeks later, Sadie's brother disappeared.
Dean missed work.
Then he stopped answering his phone.
At 6:42 that evening, Sadie received a message from an unknown number.
Your brother owes $180,000. Midnight. Belladonna Club.
Attached was a photograph.
Dean sat in a chair.
His face was bruised, but he was alive.
Sadie called immediately.
A man answered.
“Bring the money.”
“I don't have $180,000.”
“Then bring what you have.”
“Who is this?”
The line disconnected.
Sadie had $1,840 in savings.
She borrowed from Frank.
Sold her mother's jewelry.
Maxed out two credit cards.
By eleven thirty, she had ten thousand dollars.
At 11:58, she walked into Belladonna.
The private club occupied the top floors of a restored bank building near Rittenhouse Square.
Nobody asked for her name.
They already knew it.
A man in a black suit escorted her upstairs.
Sadie's hands tightened around the envelope.
“Where's Dean?”
No answer.
They stopped before double doors.
The guard opened them.
“Mr. Rossi is expecting you.”
Sadie froze.
Rossi.
She entered.
A man sat behind a massive walnut desk.
Dark hair.
Black shirt.
Tattoos visible at his wrist.
Cold gray eyes.
Gabriel.
He looked up.
Recognition appeared immediately.
Sadie forgot how to breathe.
Gabriel leaned back.
“Well.”
“You.”
His mouth curved.
“That's an interesting greeting.”
“You're a mafia boss?”
“I prefer businessman.”
“You got shot in an alley!”
“Occupational hazard.”
Sadie slammed the envelope onto his desk.
“Where is my brother?”
Gabriel's amusement disappeared.
“Sit.”
“No.”
“Sadie.”
“Don't use my name like we're friends.”
“We've technically kissed.”
“You were dying.”
“I've had worse first dates.”
She stared at him.
Gabriel gestured toward the chair.
“Sit.”
Something in his voice changed.
This time she obeyed.
He opened a folder.
“Dean Hayes borrowed eighty thousand dollars six months ago.”
Sadie's face drained.
“He said it was fifteen.”
“He borrowed again.”
“For what?”
“Sports betting.”
Sadie closed her eyes.
“Of course.”
“Then he tried paying me with money stolen from one of my businesses.”
Her eyes opened.
“What?”
“That is why the debt became one hundred eighty thousand.”
Sadie pushed the envelope toward him.
“There's ten thousand.”
Gabriel didn't touch it.
“Keep it.”
“I don't want charity.”
“It isn't charity.”
“Then what is it?”
“You saved my life.”
“That doesn't erase Dean's debt.”
“No.”
Gabriel stood.
Sadie instinctively stepped backward.
He walked around the desk.
“But it changes what I'm willing to do about it.”
“Where is he?”
“Safe.”
“Let me see him.”
Gabriel studied her.
Then pressed a button.
The door opened.
Dean stumbled inside.
“Sadie?”
She rushed toward him.
“You idiot.”
Dean hugged her.
“I'm sorry.”
“You're always sorry.”
Gabriel watched silently.
Dean saw him and immediately lowered his eyes.
“Mr. Rossi—”
“Your sister came here carrying ten thousand dollars she doesn't have.”
Dean swallowed.
“I'll pay everything.”
“With what?”
“I'll figure something out.”
Gabriel stepped closer.
“No. You won't.”
Sadie moved between them.
“What happens now?”
Gabriel looked directly at her.
“Your brother works off what he stole.”
“For you?”
“Under supervision.”
“For how long?”
“Until I'm satisfied.”
Sadie shook her head.
“No.”
Gabriel's eyes narrowed.
“No?”
“You said I saved your life.”
“You did.”
“Then here's what I want.”
Dean whispered, “Sadie, don't.”
She ignored him.
“Let him go.”
Silence filled the office.
Gabriel walked toward her until only a few feet separated them.
“You're asking me to forgive one hundred eighty thousand dollars.”
“I'm asking you to remember that alley.”
“I remember every second.”
“Then prove it.”
Gabriel's jaw tightened.
Finally he said, “Your brother leaves tonight.”
Dean stared.
“What?”
“But,” Gabriel continued, “he never gambles in this city again. He never borrows from anyone associated with me. He never enters one of my establishments without permission.”
Dean nodded rapidly.
“Yes.”
“If he breaks those rules, your favor is spent.”
“I understand.”
Gabriel looked at Sadie.
“Do you?”
She nodded.
Gabriel stepped aside.
“You can go.”
Sadie took Dean's arm.
At the doorway, Gabriel spoke.
“Sadie.”
She turned.
“You forgot your money.”
She looked at the envelope.
“Keep it.”
“I don't need it.”
“Neither do I.”
She walked out.
Gabriel watched the closed door.
His consigliere, Marco Bellini, emerged from the adjoining room.
“You just erased a six-figure debt.”
Gabriel poured himself a drink.
“She saved my life.”
Marco smiled.
“That isn't why.”
Gabriel looked at him.
Marco's smile disappeared.
“Understood.”
May you like
But they both knew it was true.
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