Chapter 3 - The Sanctuary
We emerged miles away from the estate, stepping out of a drainage tunnel into a heavily forested area.
A sleek, armored SUV was already waiting in the shadows, its engine purring quietly in the night.
Gabriel’s most trusted enforcer, a giant of a man named Dante, opened the rear door for us.
"The estate is compromised, Boss," Dante said grimly as Gabriel slid into the passenger seat.
"Take us to the safe house in the mountains," Gabriel commanded, reloading his weapon.
I sat in the back, cradling Mateo, who had finally fallen into a peaceful, nourished sleep.
The drive took hours, winding up steep, dangerous mountain roads until we reached a fortress-like cabin completely hidden by the trees.
Once we were safely inside, Gabriel locked every deadbolt and turned to face me in the dim light of the living room.
"Tell me everything about the man at the door," he demanded, his tone leaving no room for negotiation.
I sat down on the leather sofa, holding Mateo close, and let the painful truth spill from my lips.
I told him about the abuse, the gambling debts, and the terrifying night Marcus pushed me down the stairs.
Tears streamed down my face as I described the unbearable agony of delivering my silent, stillborn daughter.
Gabriel stood completely still, his jaw clenched so tightly it looked carved from granite.
He walked over, kneeling on the floor directly in front of me and his sleeping son.
He gently reached out, wiping a tear from my cheek with his thumb.
"He took your child from you," Gabriel whispered, a lethal promise lingering in his dark eyes.
"And tonight, you saved mine."
I looked down at Mateo, feeling a profound, undeniable bond tying my broken heart to this fragile boy.
May you like
"I will protect you both," Gabriel swore.
"Marcus is a dead man walking."
