Chapter 14 - Before the CouncilThe decision to bring five-year-old children to a meeting of the underworld High Council felt insane, but Gabriel explained the brutal logic of his world.
"In the syndicate, weakness invites attack," Gabriel said as he helped Henry button his formal vest in the master dressing room. "If I hide them, my enemies will think they are my weakness—a target to be exploited. If I present them as my heirs, protected by my entire empire, they become untouchable."
I sat on the velvet ottoman, watching Gabriel interact with our sons.
In just forty-eight hours, the boys had transformed from cautious strangers into shadow-like reflections of their father. Julian was currently trying to mimic Gabriel’s proud stance in front of the full-length mirror, while Ben was asking Gabriel endless questions about his pocket watch.
"What if something goes wrong, Gabriel?" I asked, my voice laced with worry.
Gabriel walked over to me, kneeling on the floor in front of the ottoman just as he had done in the ballroom. He reached out and took my hands, his thumb gently tracing the knuckles.
"Marco and thirty of my best men will lock down the Plaza Hotel," Gabriel promised. "You and the boys will be surrounded by a wall of steel. I will walk into that boardroom, crush their doubts in ten minutes, and walk back out to you. I swear it on my life."
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"I lost you once to this world, Gabriel," I whispered, tears brimming in my eyes. "I can't lose you again. And I won't let them lose their father."
Gabriel leaned forward, resting his forehead against mine. "You won't lose me, Claire. Five years ago, I fought for territory and power. Tonight, I fight for my family. That makes me impossible to defeat."
