Page 155 of Forged

Gabriel nods once.

“I was recruited by Sera Corrigan six months ago.”

The name hangs in the air like smoke.

“I don’t need the whole fucking story again, Gabriel. I want to know why you were after The Blackwater Key,” Enzo says impatient.

“She wanted control over the financial arteries. With that crucial weapon, she could destabilize Maravilla’s operations across the Midwest and redistribute the money. She was killing their members one by one in the background, but she wanted to completely shut them down. I think we all know that with no money, Maravilla’s organization would crumble.”

Enzo studies him carefully.

“And the Marchetti family?”

Gabriel shakes his head. “I had no clue that the Marchetti family would be tied into the downfall until I was well within the operation. I thought I was just retrieving the Key to take down Maravilla. I had no idea it would take down your family’s business as well.”

I begin to pace. I have so many goddamn questions for this man, but there’s one that waits heavy on my tongue.

“Tonight—” Enzo continues. “How did you know to be there?”

Gabriel hesitates, then says, “I didn’t know Falco would be there.” He looks at me. “But I knew Lars and Neomi would be and I wanted to see them.”

Enzo leans over the desk, hands gripping the edge. “So, you’re still tracking them?”

Gabriel nods. “If I’m being hunted, then I want to be sure that if each day could be my last, that I got to see them one more time.”

My chest aches with his words.

“Why didn’t you come to me the second you knew things changed between us?” I run a frustrated hand through my hair. “And if you couldn’t do that, why the fuck didn’t you come to me as soon as you knew my family—including me, the man you supposedly loved—would be included in the fall?”

Gabriel’s eyes lock onto mine, “I was afraid. Afraid that I would lose you, that Sera would trigger the emails.”

I huff out a heavy breath. “Did she send them?”

Gabriel nods slowly. “Yes. I’ve been in hiding. Moving hotels, changing names, doing what I can to stay hidden. But you know that already, with the tracker in me.”

“Fuck,” Enzo whispers. “I heard word a couple of weeks ago, but I hadn’t seen anything with my own eyes yet.”

I feel sick with fear. Gabriel has a price on his head.

“Lars, I love you and Neomi so much. I need you to knowthat these past few weeks have been hell for me. But please understand that I would rather die at the hands of the people that now hunt me than have the two of you in danger.”

The room is covered in a heavy cloak of silence after his words. I can feel Enzo’s eyes on me as I pace the room. Scenarios run through my mind. The danger he faces, life with him and life without him.

“Is there anything—and I mean fucking anything else—that you need to tell me?” I bark out in frustration.

Gabriel swipes away the moisture from his eyes. “No, I’ve given you the truth. And if you could ever forgive me, I’ll do everything I can to help protect you and give you all of my communications with Sera. Whatever you need, I’ll do it.”

I give him a single nod, lips pressed into a firm line.

“Enzo, can you leave me with Gabriel, please?”

Enzo taps his desk and walks to the door. Before he closes it behind him, his attention is pinned on Gabriel.

“Whatever Lars decides, know that I’ll be watching you like a goddamn hawk. If I feel one bit of suspicion, if I see one odd move, I’ll make sure you die a slow and painful death.”

Gabriel raises his chin. “Understood.”

The click of the door closing follows, leaving Gabriel and I in the room alone. I plant my feet, arms crossed.