Chapter 4 - GABRIEL
Adrian refused to open the front door.
"Nobody comes into my house without permission."
I almost laughed.
Gabriel's voice came through again.
"Police are four minutes behind us. Open the door."
That changed the room.
Adrian looked at his security chief.
"You called police?"
The man shook his head.
I said, "I did. Indirectly."
Adrian turned toward me.
"How?"
"You never noticed my watch."
His face went blank.
Gabriel's company ran executive protection, crisis response, and corporate security in five states. His officers outside were licensed, armed, and under strict orders not to enter unless someone inside faced immediate danger.
My other brothers had come with him.
Marcus, a corporate litigator.
Julian, a forensic accountant.
Ethan, a trauma surgeon.
Daniel, a cybersecurity founder.
Adrian had always mocked my Christmas cards with five signatures.
"Your mystery brothers," he called them.
Now the mystery was at his door.
A guest named Senator Brooks shouted, "Open it, Adrian."
Another man added, "You locked us in here."
Adrian's father finally moved.
"Son, open the damn door."
Adrian looked around and realized the audience had changed sides.
He ordered security to unlock it.
Gabriel entered first.
He wore a dark coat, no tie, and the expression he used when emotion had become too dangerous to show.
His eyes found me immediately.
Then the rope.
Then the crop in Adrian's hand.
Gabriel stopped walking.
"Untie her."
Adrian tried to recover.
"This is a family matter."
Gabriel's voice stayed calm.
"She is my family."
Ethan moved toward me with a medical bag.
Adrian blocked him.
That was a mistake.
Not because Ethan hit him.
He did not.
He simply said, "Move," while two uniformed police officers entered behind Gabriel.
Adrian stepped aside.
As Ethan cut the rope from my wrists, Gabriel looked at Adrian.
"You have no idea what you just did."
Adrian laughed weakly.
"She's my wife."
May you like
Marcus answered from the doorway.
"Not for much longer."
