Chapter 7 - THE TRAITOR AT GABRIEL'S TABLE
Gabriel gathered eight men inside his private dining room.
Every one of them had worked for the Russo family before Vittorio died.
Noelle watched from the adjoining library.
Marco stood beside her.
"This is a terrible idea."
"You told him that?"
"Twice."
"And?"
"He promoted me."
Noelle almost laughed.
Then Gabriel entered.
The room fell silent.
He placed the old phone on the table.
"My father left a message."
Nobody moved.
Gabriel studied every face.
"He said someone inside the family betrayed him."
A man named Carlo Russo leaned forward.
Gabriel's uncle.
Older.
Silver-haired.
Respected.
"Vittorio had enemies everywhere."
"Apparently he had one at dinner."
Carlo's eyes hardened.
"Careful."
Gabriel smiled without warmth.
"I am."
Noelle watched reactions.
One man appeared confused.
Another angry.
Carlo looked offended.
But another man near the end of the table looked frightened.
Salvatore Greco.
Former driver.
He slowly moved his hand beneath the table.
Noelle saw it.
"Gabriel!"
Everything happened instantly.
Greco pulled a gun.
Gabriel overturned the table.
Marco rushed through the library doors.
A single shot cracked.
Greco fell.
Alive.
Bleeding from the shoulder.
Gabriel crossed the room.
"Who paid you?"
Greco laughed weakly.
"You really think it was money?"
Gabriel grabbed his collar.
"Who?"
Greco looked directly at Carlo.
Carlo stood.
"What are you looking at?"
Greco smiled.
"Ask him about the hospital."
Gabriel froze.
Carlo's expression changed.
"What hospital?"
"The night Vittorio died."
Silence swallowed the room.
Gabriel turned to his uncle.
"You told me you were in Milwaukee."
"I was."
Greco laughed.
"No. You weren't."
Gabriel stepped closer to Carlo.
"Where were you?"
Carlo looked toward the exits.
That was enough.
Gabriel's men blocked them.
Carlo's shoulders dropped.
"I didn't kill your father."
"But you were there."
"Yes."
Noelle's pulse quickened.
Carlo looked suddenly twenty years older.
"Vittorio called me that night. Said he had proof against Pierce. Said someone was coming."
"Who?"
Carlo hesitated.
Gabriel's voice became deadly.
"Who?"
Carlo finally answered.
"Your mother."
Noelle stared.
Gabriel went completely still.
"My mother died when I was twelve."
Carlo shook his head.
"No."
Gabriel looked as though the floor had vanished beneath him.
"That's impossible."
"Your father lied to protect you."
"From what?"
May you like
Carlo's answer came almost as a whisper.
"From her."
