Chapter 6 - The Shadow at the Gate
The atmosphere in the room shifted instantly. The warm, quiet sanctuary evaporated, replaced by an electric tension so thick it made the air hard to breathe.
Gabriel stood up slowly, his face instantly transforming back into the cold, ruthless mask of the mafia boss. "Silva," he muttered, his voice dripping with disgust. "On my property? Bold of him."
Maya’s face drained of all color. She dropped her teacup onto the tray with a loud clatter, her eyes wide with fresh panic. Jimmy Silva.
Gabriel noticed her reaction immediately. His dark eyes locked onto her pale, trembling face. "You know him."
Maya couldn't speak. She just nodded slowly, her chest heaving as terror gripped her once more.
"Why does a residential cleaner know a low-level loan shark like Jimmy Silva?" Gabriel demanded, stepping toward her.
"My... my ex-husband," Maya stammered, tears spilling down her cheeks as she pulled Leo and Chloe behind her. "Ryan took twenty thousand dollars from Silva's people six months ago to pay off a gambling debt. Then Ryan ran away. Left us with nothing. Silva tracked me down three weeks ago. He said... he said if I didn't pay him by Friday, he would take my kids, or..." She choked on her own words, unable to finish the sentence.
Gabriel stood completely still. His jaw clenched so hard a muscle twitched in his cheek.
Jimmy Silva was a rat—a vicious, petty enforcer who preyed on the weak in Westchester because he wasn't smart or powerful enough to compete in Manhattan. Gabriel had tolerated Silva’s existence only because the man paid his small percentage to the syndicate on time every month.
But coming to Gabriel’s private estate, threatening a mother in his territory, and interrupting his evening?
That was an insult Gabriel would not tolerate.
"Victor," Gabriel said softly, his voice dangerously quiet.
"Yes, Boss?"
"Bring Silva up to the main courtyard. Let him through the gate."
Victor blinked, clearly surprised. "Inside the gates, sir? You want him on the grounds?"
"I want him right outside this front door," Gabriel ordered, his eyes never leaving Maya's face. "And tell the perimeter guards to block the exit drive behind his vehicles. Nobody leaves until I say so."
"Understood," Victor said, turning instantly to carry out the command.
Maya reached out, her hand trembling as she grabbed Gabriel’s sleeve. "Please, Mr. Russo! Don't let him see my children! If he knows I'm here—"
Gabriel looked down at her hand on his jacket, then up at her terrified eyes. He reached over and gently removed her hand, holding her fingers in his firm, warm grip for a brief second.
"Nobody touches anyone in my house, Maya," Gabriel said, his voice an absolute promise. "Stay in this room with your children. Do not open the door until I come back."
May you like
He turned to his desk, pulled the black 9mm automatic weapon from the bottom drawer, checked the clip with a smooth, practiced click, and slid it into his shoulder holster beneath his suit jacket.
Then he walked out of the study, closing the heavy oak doors behind him.
