Chapter 7 - LEO RINALDIFour months passed.
Autumn became bitter.
Norah’s wrist ached when weather changed.
She remained on staff.
But life inside the estate had shifted.
People no longer treated her like Gabriel’s possession.
Not entirely.
Mostly because Gabriel had made the new rules apply to everyone.
One Tuesday evening, Leo Rinaldi arrived.
Twenty-eight.
Recently inherited his father’s territory.
Too much cologne.
Too much confidence.
Too little judgment.
Gabriel tolerated him out of loyalty to Leo’s late father.
Norah served drinks in the billiard room.
Leo complained about union negotiators demanding five percent more on a transit contract.
“We make an example of the shop steward.”
Gabriel lined up a pool shot.
“No.”
Leo blinked.
“No?”
“You negotiate.”
“They’re weak.”
“They’re organized.”
Gabriel struck the cue ball.
“And unlike you, they understand consequences.”
Leo flushed.
Then noticed Norah.
“Sweetheart. Whiskey.”
Norah prepared it.
When she handed him the glass, Leo ignored it.
Instead, he caught her left wrist.
Casually.
His thumb rubbed over the pale line where the cast had ended.
“You’re pretty quiet.”
Norah’s body went rigid.
She pulled back.
Leo held on.
“Let her go.”
Gabriel’s voice remained calm.
Leo laughed.
“Relax.”
“Let go.”
Something in Gabriel’s face changed.
Leo released her.
“It’s just a maid.”
Norah felt Gabriel’s anger before he spoke.
Then, unexpectedly, he did not threaten Leo’s hands.
He said:
“She told you no with her body.”
Leo frowned.
“She pulled away.”
Gabriel placed his cue on the table.
“You held on.”
“So?”
“So you are leaving.”
“Gabriel—”
“The transit deal is over. My office will renegotiate without you.”
Leo stared.
“Because of her?”
“No.”
Gabriel’s eyes turned cold.
“Because a man who cannot understand a simple boundary is too stupid to represent me in negotiations worth millions.”
That humiliated Leo more deeply than violence would have.
Norah saw it immediately.
Leo left.
Later, she found Gabriel alone.
“You didn’t threaten to mail his hands to his mother.”
“I’m improving.”
She laughed.
The sound surprised them both.
Gabriel stepped closer.
Carefully, he tucked one loose strand of hair behind her ear.
He waited before touching.
Norah did not move away.
His knuckles brushed her cheek.
Her heartbeat changed.
“Gabriel.”
It was the first time she had used his first name.
His hand stopped.
Something passed between them.
Not ownership.
Not gratitude.
Something more dangerous.
Then Gabriel lowered his hand.
“Good night, Norah.”
May you like
He walked away.
And one week later, Leo Rinaldi sent three armed men through the kitchen doors.
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