Chapter 8 - THE TRAITOR AT HIS TABLE
The warning made Gabriel question every friendship he had built since his father's death.
But one name stood above the others.
Adrian Rossi.
His younger brother.
The man who had helped Gabriel take control of the family businesses after Vincent's supposed death.
The man who knew his schedules, his security arrangements, and the location of every property he owned.
Harper watched Gabriel reread Elena's letter.
"You think it's Adrian?"
"I don't know."
"Then don't treat him like he's guilty."
Gabriel looked at her.
"You're defending a man you've never met."
"I'm asking you not to become the person Mitchell said you were."
That stopped him.
For the first time since entering her life, Gabriel looked genuinely ashamed.
"You're right."
He called Adrian and asked him to come to the house.
Two hours later, Adrian arrived looking exhausted.
He was thirty, with Gabriel's dark eyes and their mother's gentle smile.
He smiled at Harper.
"You must be the woman who turned this city upside down."
Harper managed a small smile.
"And you must be the brother who never answers his phone."
Adrian laughed.
Then Gabriel showed him the letter.
His expression collapsed.
"Where did you get this?"
"Noah."
Adrian sat heavily.
"I hoped this day would never come."
Gabriel went still.
"You knew?"
Adrian nodded.
"Not everything. But I knew Dad might be alive."
Harper felt her stomach tighten.
"Since when?"
"Three years."
Gabriel's voice dropped.
"You let me visit his grave."
"I was trying to protect you."
"From our father?"
Adrian shook his head.
"From what he'd do if you discovered the truth before we could prove it."
Gabriel stepped closer.
"Who is we?"
Adrian hesitated.
Then he pulled a flash drive from his jacket.
"Me and Elena."
Harper stood so quickly her ribs protested.
"You've seen my mother?"
Adrian looked at her with regret.
"Yes."
"Where?"
"I can't tell you. Not yet."
Gabriel slammed his hand against the table.
"Enough secrets."
Adrian didn't flinch.
"Then listen carefully. Mitchell has been working for Vincent. Every missing shipment, every stolen dollar, every forged document was part of their plan."
"To do what?"
"Take control of your companies. Vincent believes you turned everything he built into something weak."
Gabriel gave a humorless laugh.
"Because I stopped some of his criminal operations?"
"Because you wanted the family legitimate."
A distant alarm began ringing.
Leo rushed into the room.
"Security breach. Someone just entered the east grounds."
Gabriel looked toward the monitors.
A black SUV had stopped beside the garden wall.
One man stepped out.
Then another.
The second wore a charcoal coat and walked with a familiar limp.
Gabriel felt his blood turn cold.
His father.
Vincent Rossi looked directly into the nearest security camera.
Then he raised his phone.
Gabriel's screen lit up.
May you like
A message appeared.
Son, I've come to collect what belongs to me.
