Chapter 19
Lara
Waking up, it’s to find Gabriel asleep in one of the armchairs for the third morning in a row. He has his feet propped up on the side of the bed, his arms crossed over his chest.
I stare at my boss as the last sleep clears from my head.
During the days, Nisa and Murat kept checking in on me, and at night Gabriel’s been taking over.
As if they were all worried I’d die if they left me alone.
Even Alya Hanim visited me, telling me about the flowers she wants to plant and what TV show she’s currently watching.
My chest fills with warmth, and I’m overcome with emotion. Especially because Gabriel has been so kind to me. Not once did he snap at me, and he even held me whenever I coughed so severely I had no strength left in my body.
It felt good being able to lean against him.
It felt good having his arms around me.
My eyes drift over his mussed hair and the dark scruff on his jaw. His arms look strong, the lines of muscles visible now that he’s not wearing a suit but a t-shirt. The fabric stretched tightly over his chest.
Curiosity trickles into my heart, along with the gratefulness I feel toward this man who cared for me instead of letting me die.
I’ve never felt any kind of interest toward a man until now.
But Gabriel’s my boss, and I’m just a maid in his house.
I shove the curiosity deep down, and it’s just in time because Gabriel’s eyes open, and he catches me staring at him.
I quickly sit up and self-consciously pat a hand over my wild bed hair.
“How do you feel?” he asks, his voice deep and hoarse with sleep.
There’s a burst of heat in my stomach, and I quickly press a hand to my midsection to stop the sensation. “Much better. I can work today.”
I’m not going to lie, I will miss all the attention. There were moments it felt like I was dying, but it felt amazing having everyone caring for me.
It felt like I was a part of a family.
“You’ll return to work when I say so,” he mutters as he stands up. Picking up the thermometer, he checks my temperature. When he reads the result, a smile forms around his full lips that has me gaping at him like a fish out of water.
“No fever,” he praises me, making my own mouth lift into a smile, then he gives me a look of warning. “You’ll only return to work on Monday.”
That’s another four days!
Not wanting to upset Gabriel in any way, especially now that things are so good, I nod. “Okay.”
What am I going to do in bed for four days?
I watch as Gabriel walks to the door, still not used to seeing him in sweatpants and a t-shirt. He looks different from when he’s dressed in a suit. He’s more approachable and not cold like when he’s the head of the Turkish mafia.
Right before he pulls the door shut behind him, he glances at me again, and my stomach does a weird flip-flop.
It’s just gratitude.
Not long after Gabriel has left, the door opens again, and Nisa comes in. “Gabriel Bey says you’re much better today,” she beams as if it’s the happiest news she’s ever heard.
“Evet,” I answer, trying to use more Turkish words.
“Good. I hope it means your appetite has returned. You’re losing all the weight you gained.”
My stomach grumbles, and I slap my hand over it.
Nisa lets out a chuckle while she fluffs out a pillow. “I’ll prepare breakfast and bring a tray up to you.”
My eyebrows draw together. “Do I really have to stay in bed? It’s all I’ve done the past three days. Can’t I keep you company in the kitchen?”
She shakes her head. “You’ll stay in bed. Tomorrow we’ll see about you moving around.”
Reluctantly, I slump back against the pillows, my eyes following Nisa out of the room.
With plenty of time to think, my thoughts are filled with everything that’s happened. What it was like growing up in Tymon’s house. How much I miss my mother, now that Nisa has reminded me of how it feels to be cared for.
The ups and downs since I started working for Gabriel. Whenever he got angry with me, he never hurt me. He’s taken care of me while I was sick and didn’t discard me like trash.
I turn onto my side and bury my face in a pillow, emotions whirling inside me until they spill from my eyes.
Silently, I shed a few tears because there’s one thing I’ve realized the past three days – Gabriel is not Tymon. He won’t kill me if I’m sick, beat me if I make a mistake, or threaten me with death just for the sadistic pleasure it gives him.
Gabriel really cares about his employees, and I’m one of them.
Thank you, God.
Having been deprived of any kind of affection for so many years, I don’t know how to process all the appreciation pouring into my heart. These people have become very important to me, and I’ll do anything to stay with them.
I find myself crying for the cold years I had to endure and the blessings that have come into my life.
All because of Gabriel Demir, I no longer have to just exist. Instead, I get to live and experience all the goodness life has to offer.
I owe him everything.
The most intense feeling I’ve ever felt fills my chest. I press a hand to my heart and manage to stop crying. My gaze rests on the armchair he spent the night in, and I remember all the times he got up to help me, how gentle he was, his voice soothing and patient.
Slowly the corners of my mouth curve up.
He might not be my prince, but he’s definitely my savior. I’ll spend the rest of my life thanking him. I’ll never disobey him.
Not out of fear but because of loyalty.
Chapter 20
Gabriel
I arrive at the club just in time for the conference call with the rest of the Priesthood.
It’s been a while since I heard from any of them, and I assume it means business is going well for them.
Opening my encrypted laptop, I go to the application Viktor, the head of the Bratva, created. His ally and best friend Luca, the head of the Italian mafia, had to go to Italy for business, so we couldn’t meet in LA like we usually do.
One by one, each of the men signs into the chat. Viktor is first, followed by Nikolas, who’s in charge of a Greek syndicate, then Liam, the head of the Irish mafia, and lastly, Luca.
“Gentlemen,” Luca says as he gets comfortable in a chair.
I’ve only joined the Priesthood for the peace treaty it ensures. The last thing I want is to go up against one of these men, and forming an alliance with them was the better option. It also brings in more money, so I can’t complain.
“How’s business?” Luca asks.
“It’s quiet now that the Sicilians have been dealt with,” Liam answers.
Nikolas nods. “Yeah, no problems on my side.”
“How’s married life?” Viktor asks with a chuckle.
Liam fucking grins from ear to ear. “Good.”
“My wife hasn’t tried to kill me, so I’m taking it as a win,” Nikolas jokes.
I’m not one to chat about idle things, so I just listen.
Suddenly Viktor says, “I hear you attacked Tymon Mazur?”
My eyes flick to his face on the screen. “I did.”
Interest flickers in all the men’s eyes. It’s Luca who asks, “Why?”