Chapter 4 - The Man Outside Callahan House
Three weeks passed.
The marriage developed strange routines.
Nora worked evenings.
Gabriel appeared at Callahan House around midnight.
Always the same booth.
Always black coffee.
He never demanded special treatment.
Never brought business into her club.
And every night, Nora found herself watching the door around eleven fifty-five.
Then one Thursday, Gabriel didn't arrive.
Instead, Martin Caldwell did.
He cornered Nora near the basement stairs.
“You think marrying Moretti makes you untouchable?”
Nora backed away.
“I think stealing from criminals makes you stupid.”
Martin grabbed her wrist.
“You don't understand what your father was involved in.”
Nora froze.
“My father?”
“He discovered where Moretti money was moving.”
Martin leaned closer.
“And he kept records.”
“What records?”
Martin smiled.
“The reason Gabriel married you.”
Nora’s stomach dropped.
“He doesn't care about Callahan House.”
Martin tightened his grip.
“He thinks your father hid something here.”
A voice came from behind him.
“Remove your hand.”
Martin released Nora instantly.
Gabriel stood at the end of the corridor.
No jacket.
Black shirt.
Sleeves rolled to his forearms, exposing dark tattoos Nora had never fully seen before.
He looked at Martin.
No shouting.
No threat.
That somehow made it worse.
Martin retreated.
Gabriel let him leave.
Only because Nora had asked him not to start a war inside her father’s building.
When they were alone, she faced him.
“Was Martin telling the truth?”
Gabriel said nothing.
“Gabriel.”
“Yes.”
The answer hurt more than Nora expected.
“You used me.”
“At first.”
She slapped him.
Gabriel's head turned slightly.
He didn't retaliate.
Didn't even raise his voice.
Nora's eyes filled.
“What does that mean?”
Gabriel slowly looked back at her.
“It means I came downstairs because marrying you solved a problem.”
He stepped closer.
“I stayed because leaving you became one.”
Nora's breath caught.
But she was too angry to forgive him.
“Get out.”
Gabriel stood motionless.
May you like
Then nodded.
And left.
