Chapter 18 - The Ultimatum
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Gabriel survived the surgery, but barely.
For three days, Madeline didn't leave his bedside in the sterile, underground mafia clinic. She slept in a hard plastic chair, her fingers loosely tangled with his cold hand.
On the fourth day, the doors swung open, and the heads of the Costello syndicate's five allied families walked in. Dominic stood at the front, looking grim.
"Miss Harper," Dominic said quietly. "We need the room."
Gabriel, pale but awake, shifted on the bed. "She stays."
An older, silver-haired boss stepped forward. "Gabriel, Victor Romano is dead. But his family is demanding retribution. They have declared all-out war. They will burn Chicago to the ground unless we meet their terms."
"What terms?" Gabriel demanded, his voice weak but commanding.
"They want the emerald ring back. And they want the girl who wore it," the boss said, looking at Madeline with disdain. "Hand her over, and the Romano family signs a peace treaty. Keep her, and thousands of our men will die in the streets."
Madeline’s breath hitched. She looked at Gabriel.
"No," Gabriel snarled, trying to sit up, only to wince in agony. "She is untouchable. The ring stays, and she stays. Anyone who says otherwise can deal with me."
"You are weak, Gabriel," the older boss warned. "The syndicate will not bleed for a waitress. You have twenty-four hours to make the right choice, or the families will make it for you."
They filed out of the room, leaving a heavy, suffocating silence behind.
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"I won't let them take you," Gabriel promised, his grip tightening on Madeline’s hand. "I'll burn the city myself first."
Madeline smiled sadly, brushing a lock of dark hair from his forehead. "I know you would."
