Chapter 6 - The Safehouse
My beat-up Honda Civic coughed and sputtered as we drove an hour outside the city limits into the dense woods of Illinois. Gabriel gave me directions from the passenger seat, one hand pressing a fresh bandage to his side, the other resting on the baby carrier in the back.
“Take the dirt road on the left,” he said.
We pulled up to a massive, hidden cabin surrounded by security cameras. As we parked, Gabriel entered a code into a keypad, and the heavy metal doors unlocked. Inside, it was a fortress stocked with weapons, medical supplies, and cash.
I set the twins down on a massive leather sofa and finally broke down. I dropped to my knees, burying my face in my hands. The adrenaline crashed, leaving only exhaustion and the reality that I was completely ruined.
Gabriel knelt beside me. He didn't offer empty platitudes. He reached out, his large, warm hand cupping my cheek, forcing me to look up at him.
“I am going to buy you ten bakeries,” he said, his voice a fierce, low vow. “I am going to rebuild your life, Clara. I swear it on my children.”
I looked into his storm-grey eyes and saw no lies. Just raw, unyielding determination.
May you like
“Why me?” I whispered.
“Because when you could have called the cops and washed your hands of a bleeding stranger, you opened the door. You fought for me.” His thumb brushed away a tear on my cheek. “Now, I fight for you.”
