Chapter 5 - The Poisoned Request
Norah stared at the wounded mafia boss in absolute disbelief.
Gabriel’s left arm was securely immobilized in a black sling, and fresh bandages peeked out from beneath his unbuttoned silk shirt.
Despite his weakened state, the raw, predatory energy radiating from him was utterly terrifying.
"You want me to cook for you right after you got shot?" Norah asked, bewildered.
"I need to regain my strength immediately," Gabriel stated firmly, walking slowly into the room.
"Marcus is actively mobilizing the Syndicate against me as we speak."
"If I don't appear incredibly strong and in complete control by tomorrow morning, my own capos will turn on me and slaughter me in my bed."
He sat down heavily on the edge of the massive king-sized bed, wincing slightly in pain.
"I had my men bring up fresh ingredients for the stracotto."
"But I need you to add this to the gravy before you serve it."
Gabriel reached into his pocket with his good hand and pulled out a small, unmarked glass vial filled with a clear liquid.
Norah backed away, her eyes locked onto the terrifying vial.
"What is that?" she demanded, panic rising sharply in her throat.
"It is a highly concentrated, slow-acting neurotoxin," Gabriel answered calmly, as if he were discussing the weather.
"It is utterly tasteless and completely odorless."
Norah felt the room spin violently around her.
"You want me to poison you?" she gasped in horror.
"Are you completely out of your mind?"
Gabriel shook his head, a dark, calculating smile forming on his pale lips.
"I don't want you to poison me, Norah."
"I want you to poison the three capos I am inviting to dinner tonight."
He placed the deadly vial squarely on the bedside table.
"I suspect at least one of them is secretly working for Marcus."
"I will serve them the stew myself."
"The toxin takes exactly four hours to shut down the respiratory system."
"Whoever runs for the antidote first is the traitor."
Norah stared at him, absolutely horrified by his cold, ruthless logic.
"I am a nursing student, Gabriel."
"My entire life is dedicated to saving people."
"I will absolutely not help you murder anyone."
Gabriel stood up slowly, the terrifying mafia boss finally dropping his polite facade.
"You don't have a choice in this matter, Norah."
"You are heavily involved now."
"If my capos believe you are simply a hostage, they will kill you just to spite me."
"If you show them that you are fiercely loyal to me, you might actually survive the week."
He walked toward the door, leaving the vial on the table.
"You have two hours to prepare the meal."
"Do not disappoint me."
The heavy doors clicked shut, locking her inside once again.
Norah stared at the vial of poison, her hands shaking violently.
She was trapped in a gilded cage, completely surrounded by ruthless killers, and now she was being forced to become one of them.
She walked into the penthouse kitchen, which was larger and more expensive than Benny’s entire diner.
The fresh ingredients were laid out perfectly on the marble counter.
She began to chop the vegetables, her tears mixing with the harsh sting of the raw onions.
She prepared the stracotto exactly as Rosa had taught her, perfectly balancing the thyme and the cinnamon.
When the thick gravy was bubbling fiercely on the stove, she picked up the glass vial.
May you like
She uncorked it, her hands trembling so badly she nearly dropped it.
But instead of pouring the lethal toxin into the pot, Norah poured it directly down the stainless-steel drain.
