Chapter 6 - The Trap at the Velvet Room
Victor’s arrest did not destroy Gabriel’s organization.
But it changed it.
For three weeks, accountants worked through hidden companies, false invoices, and stolen shipments.
Men Gabriel had trusted were removed.
Legitimate businesses were separated from operations he intended to shut down.
Harper watched much of it from a distance.
She returned to work.
That surprised Gabriel.
“You could leave,” he told her one Tuesday.
They stood outside the Velvet Room after closing.
“I know.”
“I can find you another job.”
“I know.”
“Then why stay?”
Harper shrugged.
“Maybe I like being a waitress.”
Gabriel looked genuinely confused.
“People can like their jobs?”
She laughed.
“You should try one someday.”
“I have a job.”
“You have an empire.”
“Same thing with worse hours.”
Harper smiled.
The bruise had faded.
The fear hadn’t disappeared as quickly.
Some nights she still woke expecting Trent’s key in the lock.
Sometimes a man raised his voice in the restaurant and her body reacted before her mind could.
But Trent was awaiting trial for assault and financial crimes connected to Victor’s scheme.
The protective order remained in place.
Harper had rented a small studio.
Her name alone was on the lease.
That detail mattered more than the size of the apartment.
Gabriel walked her toward his car.
“Harper.”
“Yes?”
“I need to tell you something.”
“That sounds ominous.”
“I’m changing things.”
“What things?”
“My organization.”
She folded her arms.
“Because Victor betrayed you?”
“Partly.”
“And the other part?”
Gabriel looked toward the city.
“I watched you call the police on Trent.”
“So?”
“You were terrified.”
“I was.”
“You did it anyway.”
Harper waited.
Gabriel continued.
“I’ve spent fifteen years telling myself fear was how you controlled chaos.”
“And?”
“You showed me fear can control people for years without ever fixing anything.”
She studied him.
“What are you saying?”
“I’m leaving certain parts of my business behind.”
“Certain parts?”
“I’m not becoming a florist tomorrow.”
“Shame. I think you’d look great arranging tulips.”
Gabriel smiled.
A real one this time.
Harper’s expression softened.
“But?”
“But it will take time.”
“Then take time.”
“I don’t expect you to wait.”
“For what?”
Gabriel went silent.
Harper suddenly understood.
“Oh.”
“Yes.”
“You’re asking me out?”
“Badly, apparently.”
“You terrify half the city and this is what makes you nervous?”
“I’m not nervous.”
“You just adjusted your cuff three times.”
Gabriel looked down.
Harper laughed.
He sighed.
“Dinner.”
She became serious.
“Gabriel…”
“You can say no.”
“I know.”
“And nothing changes.”
“I know.”
“No gifts. No drivers unless you ask. No people watching your apartment.”
Her eyebrow rose.
“Were people watching my apartment?”
“For three days.”
“Gabriel.”
“They’re gone.”
“Gabriel.”
“I was concerned.”
“You were being insane.”
“That too.”
She shook her head.
Then looked at him.
“One dinner.”
His expression changed.
“One?”
“If you’re terrible company, there won’t be two.”
“I’ve been told I’m excellent company.”
“By employees?”
“Yes.”
“Doesn’t count.”
He opened the car door.
Harper stopped.
“And I pick the restaurant.”
Gabriel looked almost offended.
“Why?”
“Because you own this one.”
“I don’t own every good restaurant in the city.”
“How many?”
He hesitated.
“Gabriel.”
“Seven.”
Harper stared.
“Fine. I’ll find an eighth.”
She got into the car.
Gabriel closed the door.
May you like
For perhaps the first time in his adult life, Gabriel Costa stood on a sidewalk smiling for no strategic reason whatsoever.
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