Chapter 6 - The Rat in the House“The cup was poisoned,” I said, my voice echoing off the mahogany walls of the study.
Vincenzo’s hand froze on his gun. He looked at Gabriel, then back at me, his eyes narrowing with deep suspicion. “Poison? What is this nonsense? Are you out of your mind, girl?”
“Smell the tray,” I commanded, stepping back, lifting the remaining two cups. “Check the residue in the sink downstairs. Someone put bitter almond extract in the espresso pot meant for Mr. Rossi.”
Gabriel stood up slowly from his desk. He didn't yell. He didn't panic. He walked around the mahogany barrier, stopping just inches from where I stood holding the silver tray. His gray eyes searched my face, looking for deception, fear, or hesitation.
He found none.
Gabriel turned to Vincenzo. “Take the tray down to the basement lab. Have our chemist analyze the dregs immediately. If she’s lying, throw her in the river. If she’s right... find out who touched that pot.”
Vincenzo took the tray, his expression grim, and hurried out of the room.
Rico remained by the door, his hand resting casually on his weapon, watching me as if I were a venomous snake that had just slithered into the room.
Gabriel walked back to his desk, picked up a clean handkerchief, and wiped the coffee off his shoe. He didn't look at me while he spoke.
“You knew,” Gabriel said quietly. “You knew it was poisoned before you brought it up here.”
“I smelled the almonds when I was pouring it,” I replied, my hands finally beginning to shake now that the immediate danger had passed. “I had a choice: let you drink it and watch the family tear itself apart, or break a cup and deal with your temper.”
Gabriel looked up, a dark, dangerous intensity burning in his gaze. “You risked your life by bringing it up here at all. You could have run out the back door the moment you smelled it.”
“And leave Don Salvatore unprotected in a house with a killer?” I shot back, my voice rising in sudden, adrenaline-fueled anger. “I might be a paid employee, Mr. Rossi, but I’m not a coward.”
Before Gabriel could answer, the study door flew open.
Vincenzo rushed back inside, breathing heavily, holding a test tube with a dark liquid residue.
“Boss,” Vincenzo rasped, looking directly at Gabriel. “She was right. Potassium cyanide. Enough in that single cup to stop an elephant’s heart in ten seconds.”
Gabriel’s face went completely blank. The temperature in the room plummeted twenty degrees.
“Who had access to the kitchen between three and four o’clock?” Gabriel asked, his voice dead and emotionless.
“Only the new scullery boy,” Vincenzo swallowed hard. “Marco. Hired last week on a recommendation from the Brooklyn docks.”
“Find him,” Gabriel ordered, his voice echoing like thunder in the enclosed space. “If he’s still in the city, bring him to me breathing. If he’s already crossed the river... bring me his head.”
Vincenzo nodded once and vanished out the door.
Gabriel turned his full attention back to me. The dangerous syndicate boss was gone, replaced by a man who suddenly realized how close he had come to losing everything. He took a slow step toward me, closing the distance until I could feel the heat radiating from his chest.
“You saved my life,” Gabriel said, his voice dropping to a low, rough murmur.
“I saved my job,” I lied, trying to steady my breathing. “And my medical insurance.”
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A faint, rugged smile touched Gabriel’s lips—a smile that made him look less like a crime syndicate heir and more like a man who was finally learning how to feel.
“Insurance doesn't cover assassination attempts, Tessa,” Gabriel murmured, reaching out to gently brush a stray lock of hair away from my forehead. “You’re going to need a raise.”
