Don Take Your Love To The Deep Sea Chapter 02
Gabriel’s smug grin vanished.
Just then, the front door swung open. His cold expression shifted in a heartbeat. He deliberately shouldered past me, his shoulder slamming into mine, and rushed to the door to steady Serena by the elbow.
“Serena? What are you doing here?” His voice was thick with worry. “The floor is a mess. Watch your step. You could get hurt.”
Serena reached out toward me, as if to help, and then stumbled. Gabriel caught her hand immediately. They stood there, fingers laced right in front of me, the matching engagement rings on full display.
When Serena noticed me staring, she pulled her hand away with a practiced, panicked look.
“Today was my prenatal appointment… I’m so sorry, Chloe. Did I interrupt something? I’ll tell Gabe to come see you after we’re finished today.”
Gabriel took her hand back and pressed his lips to her knuckles.
“Why are you explaining yourself to her? She’s been snapping at everyone lately like she’s off her leash. I don’t even want to look at her face. Let her rot here.”
His gaze flicked to me out of the corner of his eye. Seeing no reaction, he slammed the door and walked out.
My broken finger was still throbbing with a dull, rhythmic ache. I picked up my documents and headed for the hospital.
The moment I stepped into the lobby, I saw them again.
Gabriel Salvatti. The second son of one of the oldest Families on the coast. A man who had grown up being taught that a Salvatti does not bend his knee to anyone outside the Table.
He was on the tile of a public hospital lobby, one knee down, in a bespoke Brioni three-piece, gently massaging Serena’s calves. He was handling her like a piece of the Sistine Chapel.
I had no desire to watch. I turned toward the orthopedics wing.
Serena was waiting for me in the hallway.
When she saw me, a flicker of hesitation crossed her face, quickly replaced by resolve.
“Chloe.” She stepped into my path. “I think it’s best if you stay away from Gabe while I’m pregnant. The baby needs his father’s full attention. You love Gabe so much. I know you wouldn’t want anything to happen to his child. Right?”
Then she pulled out a thick stack of bills. Right there in the crowded hallway, she pressed them into my arms.
“Take this. Consider it… compensation.”
She didn’t lower her voice. I felt the weight of a dozen curious stares. I heard someone behind me whisper “mistress”.
Serena flinched theatrically at the murmur. Her voice dropped to a stage whisper.
“Oh, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean for them to hear.” She grabbed my hand, the same way she used to at Choate when she wanted a favor.
“Please. Just stay away from Gabe for a while. The baby needs a father.”
In the middle of the crowd’s whispered judgment, I raised my hand and slapped her across the face.
“Serena. Aren’t you tired of playing the victim? You took him. Enjoy the prize and shut up.”
Heavy footsteps thundered behind me.
Serena collapsed onto the tile, tears streaming down her face on cue. “Chloe, I’m sorry. I said the wrong thing.”
Gabriel rushed over and hauled her up. When he turned to me, his eyes were black with loathing.
“Chloe Moretti. Have you completely forgotten what Family you were born into? A Moretti girl raising a hand to a Cavallo girl carrying a Salvatti child. In public. Do you have any idea what your father is going to hear tonight?”
His voice dropped to something colder.
“Get on your knees and apologize to Serena. Right now. Or I swear on my grandfather’s name, you will not walk out of this building on your own.”
