******
Emery looked up at him, her eyes soft. “Why are you doing this, Gabriel? You don’t owe me anything.”
He hesitated, then said quietly, “Maybe not. But I want to.”
Their eyes met a moment heavy with something unspoken.
A loud bang shattered it.
Something hit the door. Hard.
Emery jumped up, clutching Adrian close. Gabriel moved fast, pulling her behind him.
Silence.
Then — another knock. Slow. deliberate.
Gabriel gestured for her to stay quiet as he approached the door.
He peeked through the peephole.
No one.
He unlatched the lock — just a little and found a small white envelope taped to the outside.
He pulled it off, closing the door again before opening it.
Inside was a single photo.
Emery. In the café. Holding Adrian.
Taken from across the street.
And beneath it
