“Don't Touch Me!” She Cried—The Mafia Boss Froze When He Recognized the Ring on Her Finger

The air in the room vanished. Madeline stared at Gabriel, searching his stormy eyes for a lie, but all she saw was a terrifying, hollow truth.

"My mother... she couldn't have," Madeline whispered, her knees suddenly weak. She sank onto the edge of the bed. Gabriel let go of her hand, stepping back to give her space, though his presence still commanded the room.

"Eleanor Harper," Gabriel stated, pulling a small dossier from his pocket and tossing it onto the mattress. "Born Eleanor Vane. She wasn't just a seamstress. She was a housekeeper. Specifically, my family’s housekeeper."

Madeline looked at the file but didn't touch it. "She never mentioned working for a wealthy family."

"She worked for us right up until the night my mother was assassinated by the Romano syndicate," Gabriel said, his voice chillingly calm. "The safe was emptied. The ring was taken. And Eleanor vanished."

"You think my mother was a thief? A murderer?" Madeline’s voice rose, anger cutting through her shock. "She was gentle! She worked herself to the bone to raise Nathan and me!"

"I think," Gabriel leaned in, bracing his hands on his knees so he was eye-level with her, "that people do desperate things for money. And now, your brother has stolen three hundred grand from me. It seems stealing from the Costellos is a family tradition."

Madeline slapped him.

The sound cracked through the quiet room. Gabriel’s head snapped to the side. A red mark bloomed on his pale cheek.

He didn't move. Slowly, he turned his head back to face her. A dangerous, dark amusement flickered in his eyes.

"You have spirit, Miss Harper. I'll give you that."