Chapter 11 - A Dangerous Closeness
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The fire crackled, throwing warm, dancing shadows across the cabin walls. Madeline realized her hand was still resting against Gabriel’s bandaged arm. She quickly pulled it back, her cheeks burning.
"I should... I should get some sleep," she stammered, taking a step back.
Gabriel didn’t break eye contact. His gaze dropped to her lips for a fleeting second before returning to her eyes. "There’s only one bed. You take it. I’ll take the couch."
"You’re injured. You should take the bed."
"Madeline." His tone left no room for argument. "Take the bed."
She nodded, turning toward the bedroom, but stopped in the doorway. "Gabriel?"
"Yeah."
"Why did you really buy my diner? And give me your mother’s clothes? Why are you protecting me?"
Gabriel stared into the fire, his jaw tight. For a long time, the only sound was the howling wind outside. "Because in my world, everyone wants something from me. Money, power, blood. You’re the only person who looked a loaded gun in the face and told me not to touch you."
Madeline swallowed hard. "Goodnight, Gabriel."
The next morning, Madeline woke up to the smell of coffee. She walked out to the kitchen and found Gabriel on a satellite phone, his expression thunderous.
"Find him, Dominic," Gabriel barked into the receiver. "Before Romano does."
He hung up and looked at Madeline. The domestic peace of the morning vanished instantly.
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"What is it?" she asked, her stomach dropping.
"Your brother," Gabriel said grimly. "Nathan just resurfaced. He tried to access a frozen bank account in downtown Chicago. He’s alive."
