Chapter 6 - DINNER WITH THE DEVIL
Three days later, the East Wing of the Costa Estate felt like a fairy tale world to Tessa.
Her private suite was larger than her entire Harlem apartment, featuring a king-sized bed with Egyptian cotton sheets, a marble fireplace, and a terrace overlooking the rose gardens. Her mother had been successfully transferred to the best medical facility in the state, receiving world-class treatment that had already begun to ease her pain.
At 7:30 p.m., a light knock sounded on her door.
Marco stood outside, wearing his usual dark suit. "Ms. Reed. Mr. Costa is waiting for you in the formal dining room."
Tessa stepped out into the hallway, wearing a simple, elegant dark-green velvet dress that had been delivered to her room earlier that afternoon. She had left her dark hair loose over her shoulders, her natural beauty shining through now that the exhaustion had cleared from her face.
When she entered the grand dining room, a long oak table stretched across the room, lit by crystal chandeliers.
Gael stood near the head of the table. When his eyes caught sight of her in the velvet dress, his breath caught visibly in his throat.
"You look... extraordinary, Tessa," Gael said, his voice husky and low.
"Thank you," Tessa said softly, taking her seat across from him.
The dinner was an exquisite five-course meal served by silent, professional staff who kept a respectful distance from Gael at all times. Tessa noticed how the staff never handed Gael a plate directly; they placed everything on silver trays on the table, hyper-aware of their master’s strict physical boundaries.
As they ate, Tessa decided it was time to collect on her third condition.
"Tell me about Rossi," Tessa said, setting her glass down.
Gael’s fork paused in mid-air. "Rossi?"
"The man whose wrist you broke at the club the night we met," Tessa said, her dark eyes looking at him searchingly. "You promised no lies."
Gael set his fork down, dabbing his mouth with a linen napkin. "Rossi is a human trafficker and a narcotics distributor who attempted to bribe my managers into using my shipping docks to smuggle illegal substances into the city."
Tessa’s eyes widened. "And what did you do?"
"I broke his wrist because he touched me," Gael said plainly. "And then I handed his entire operation over to the federal authorities while seizing his warehouse assets to ensure his syndicate collapsed."
Tessa blinked, stunned. "You... you gave him to the feds?"
"I run a legitimate logistics network, Tessa," Gael explained, leaning back in his chair. "Do I use violence when my territory or my people are threatened? Yes. Am I a lawless butcher? No. My family built this city's trade routes. I protect them from men like Rossi and Donati Moretti—men who poison children for profit."
Tessa looked at him, realizing that the "mafia boss" the media whispered about was far more complex, disciplined, and honorable than the rumors suggested.
Gael slowly stood up from his chair. He walked around the long table until he was standing beside her seat.
"Our hour begins now, Tessa," Gael said softly.
Tessa turned her chair to face him. She looked at his face—at the tight, exhausted lines near his eyes that showed he still hadn't slept properly.
"Sit down, Gael," Tessa said gently, using his first name for the very first time.
Gael sat down on the velvet ottoman beside her chair.
Tessa took a deep breath, reached out, and slowly rested both of her hands on his shoulders.
May you like
Gael let out a long, shuddering gasp. He tilted his head back, allowing his dark hair to rest against her knee, his eyes closing as a look of pure, transcendent peace washed over his features.
For sixty minutes, they sat together in the warm candlelight—the untouchable king of the city, resting like a peaceful child against the flower girl who held his world together.
