Chapter 3 - Mrs. Moretti
Nora assumed she would return to her studio.
Gabriel disagreed.
“You cannot marry me publicly and continue sleeping above a bowling alley.”
“Why?”
“Reporters.”
“Why would reporters care?”
Gabriel handed her his phone.
A headline was already spreading.
MORETTI HEIR SECRETLY MARRIES VILLAGE BARTENDER
Nora nearly dropped it.
“How?”
“My family.”
“You've been married for forty minutes!”
“They work quickly.”
Nora stared at the photograph.
Someone had captured Gabriel helping her into his car outside City Hall.
His hand rested protectively against her lower back.
They looked convincing.
Too convincing.
Gabriel’s penthouse was worse.
Not because it was ugly.
Because it was enormous.
Nora stood inside the marble foyer.
“You live here alone?”
“Yes.”
“This place has the emotional warmth of an airport.”
Gabriel removed his coat.
“You'll have your own room.”
“I want coffee first.”
“Kitchen.”
“Where?”
Gabriel pointed.
Nora disappeared.
Two minutes later, something shattered.
Gabriel immediately entered the kitchen.
Nora stood staring at an espresso machine.
“What happened?”
“It attacked me.”
Gabriel looked at the broken cup.
“You dropped a mug.”
“Because your coffee machine sounds like industrial equipment.”
Gabriel silently stepped beside her.
He made the coffee himself.
Nora watched.
“You know how?”
“I survived childhood.”
She laughed.
It was the first time Gabriel heard it.
He stopped pouring.
Nora noticed.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
But it wasn't nothing.
That night, Nora discovered another surprise.
Gabriel had arranged for Maeve to be driven home safely from school.
She confronted him.
“You had someone following my sister?”
“Protecting.”
“She doesn't need protection.”
“She does now.”
Nora's anger disappeared.
“Because of you?”
Gabriel did not answer.
That was answer enough.
Nora stepped closer.
“What did I marry into?”
His expression hardened.
“Something you should stay away from.”
“Little late for that.”
May you like
“Yes.”
For the first time, Gabriel looked almost regretful.
