BURIED WITH A HEARTBEAT

Gabriel stood over his former right-hand man, his gun pointed at the back of Marco’s head.

The old Gabriel—the kingpin who ruled through fear—would have pulled the trigger without a second thought. He would have left Marco’s body in the canal as a warning to anyone who dared cross his bloodline.

Behind him, the utility room door clicked open.

Clara stood in the doorway, wrapped in Evelyn’s coat, her wide hazel eyes watching her father. She didn't scream, but the silent plea in her gaze was louder than any gunshot. She had seen too much darkness already. She didn't need to see her father become a monster to save her.

Gabriel slowly lowered the weapon.

“Killing you is too easy, Marco,” Gabriel said quietly. “And it’s the old way. My daughter doesn't need a killer for a father. She needs a protector.”

Gabriel reached into his pocket, pulled out a thick encrypted flash drive containing the entirety of Salvatore’s money-laundering network, offshore accounts, and political bribes, and tossed it onto the floor next to Marco’s face.

“The federal task force has been monitoring my lines for six months,” Gabriel said. “They have this safehouse surrounded right now. In two minutes, you and Salvatore are going to federal prison for the rest of your natural lives.”