a.My Stepfamily Sold Me to a Mafia Boss for $50,000—Then His Security Camera Put Them in Prison...

The morning following the wedding offered no luxury of a quiet honeymoon. By 6:00 AM, the grand study of the Costa estate was transformed into a tactical war room. Maps of the city’s underground shipping routes covered the mahogany desk, flanked by encrypted laptops displaying financial ledgers and satellite intelligence.

Gabriel sat behind his desk, his sleeves rolled up to his elbows, exposing the dark ink of his tattoos and the faint silver scars from battles long past. Leo stood beside a whiteboard, pinning photographs of known underworld figures.

Nora entered carrying a tray of strong black coffee. She had traded her elaborate gown for comfortable trousers and a tailored blazer, her hair tied back neatly. She set the tray down and pulled up a chair beside Gabriel.

"The fire at the North Port warehouse was arson," Leo reported, tapping a photo of a scorched iron gate. "Accelerant was placed at three structural points. The medical supplies were completely destroyed. Financial loss is around four million dollars, but the real hit is to the Foundation's reputation. The press is already asking questions about security breaches."

"It's not about the money or the press," Gabriel said coldly, staring at the coin left on his wedding night. "It's a message. Julian Vane is trying to signal to the rest of the city's factions that the Costa empire is vulnerable."

"Julian Vane?" Nora asked, leaning forward. "The younger brother?"

"The exiled brother," Gabriel corrected. "When I took down his father, Julian fled to Eastern Europe with whatever funds he could siphon off. He was weak, reckless, and addicted to chaos. I left him alive because he was a coward. A mistake I won't repeat."

"He didn't act alone," Leo added grimly. "We tracked the origin of the parchment used in the threat letter. It wasn't imported. It was purchased three days ago from an art boutique downtown—paid for with a credit card linked to a shell company owned by Richard Sterling."

Nora’s blood ran cold at the name. Richard Sterling. Her father’s younger brother—the man who had stood by silently while her stepmother sold her off like chattel.

"My uncle," Nora said quietly, her eyes flashing with a mix of betrayal and indignation. "He lost his gambling debts six months ago. He was desperate."

"He partnered with Julian," Gabriel concluded, his fingers tracing the rim of his coffee cup. "Julian brings the violence; your uncle brings local knowledge and access to our public front through the Sterling family's remaining legal connections. They think that by striking at you, Nora, they can compromise my judgment."

Nora stood up, walking toward the large glass windows overlooking the restless ocean. She placed a hand against the cool pane. "They think I'm still the weak girl in the rain. They think I'm your weakness, Gabriel."

Gabriel rose from his chair, walking up behind her. He wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her back against his broad chest. His warmth enveloped her, steady and comforting.

"They are half right," Gabriel whispered in her ear. "You are my heart, Nora. But what they fail to understand is that protecting my heart makes me ten times more ruthless than I ever was before."

"We can't just defend ourselves," Nora said, turning in his arms to look him in the eye. "We need to hit them where they don't expect it. Uncle Richard is a coward. He acts out of greed and fear. If he teamed up with Julian, he’s terrified of what Julian will do if he fails—and equally terrified of you."

"What are you suggesting?" Gabriel asked, a faint gleam of pride touching his eyes.

"We use his fear against him," Nora replied smoothly. "He thinks he's hiding behind Julian's men. Let's make him realize that Julian can't save him from us."