Chapter 12 - A Glimpse of Peace
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Oblivious to the deadly alliance forming in the city, life inside the Salvatore compound felt like a beautiful, fragile dream.
It was a Sunday afternoon, and the Miami heat was broken by a cool breeze rolling off Biscayne Bay. Clare sat on a plush lounger by the massive infinity pool, watching Maya splash happily in the shallow end, wearing a bright pink swimsuit.
Gabriel emerged from the house, wearing dark swim trunks and sunglasses, carrying a perfectly swaddled Leo against his chest. He looked relaxed, the heavy burden of the syndicate temporarily lifted from his broad shoulders.
He sat down beside Clare, handing her a glass of iced tea before expertly adjusting his son’s sun hat.
“You’re getting good at that,” Clare smiled, bumping her shoulder against his.
“I have a very strict teacher,” Gabriel smirked, his dark eyes sparkling behind his lenses.
Maya paddled to the edge of the pool, splashing water onto Gabriel’s legs. “Gabriel! Come swim!”
Gabriel didn't hesitate. He gently handed Leo to Clare, stood up, and executed a perfect, sweeping dive into the deep end, surfacing near Maya with a loud roar that sent the little girl into a fit of hysterical giggles.
Clare watched them play, holding Leo close to her heart. This was the family she had always dreamed of. A man who was fierce enough to protect them, yet gentle enough to play monster in a swimming pool with a child who wasn't even his own blood.
Later that evening, after the children were asleep, Gabriel pulled Clare onto the balcony of his master suite. The city lights glittered across the dark water like fallen stars.
He wrapped his arms around her from behind, resting his chin on top of her head.
“I’ve finalized the paperwork,” Gabriel murmured softly into the night air.
“What paperwork?” Clare asked, leaning back against his solid chest.
“I transferred a significant portion of my legitimate real estate holdings into a trust. In your name, and Maya’s,” he explained. “If anything ever happens to me, you will both be entirely secure. You will never have to run again.”
May you like
Clara turned in his arms, looking up into his face. “Nothing is going to happen to you, Gabriel. We’re safe here.”
He smiled sadly, kissing her forehead. “In my world, peace is just the deep breath you take before the war begins.”
