Chapter 8 - The Man Behind Sam’s Accident
Gunther doubled security.
Kayla hated it.
Two guards followed her everywhere.
Sam received four.
Gunther slept outside Kayla's guest-room door the first night.
She discovered him at dawn.
“You have eighty bedrooms.”
“I know.”
“And you're sleeping in a chair.”
“Yes.”
“That's ridiculous.”
“Probably.”
“Gunther.”
He opened his eyes.
“Go back inside, Kayla.”
She didn't.
Instead, she sat beside him.
Their shoulders touched.
Neither moved.
The next breakthrough came from Sam.
He remembered why Anthony had been near his car before the crash.
Anthony had tried to warn him.
He had discovered the cut brake line.
But Sam had driven away before Anthony could stop him.
The real saboteur appeared on security footage.
Mrs. Gable.
They finally had evidence.
But the greater shock came hours later.
Federal investigators identified Gabriel Sr.
Alive.
Living under an alias.
Gunther didn't celebrate.
He looked betrayed.
Kayla understood.
A dead father could be mourned.
A father who chose to disappear had to be confronted.
The federal prosecutor offered Gunther a deal.
Turn over the ledgers.
Testify.
Dismantle the criminal operations.
Keep legitimate holdings not tied to crimes.
Gunther agreed.
Victor stared at him.
“You're really doing this.”
“Yes.”
“For her?”
Gunther looked toward Kayla.
“No.”
Victor raised an eyebrow.
Gunther corrected himself.
“Not only for her.”
That evening, Gunther found Kayla packing.
“Where are you going?”
“Home.”
“No.”
She looked at him.
“You don't own me.”
“I know.”
“Then don't say no like that.”
His jaw tightened.
“You're in danger.”
“Because of you.”
The words landed hard.
Kayla regretted them.
But they were true.
Gunther stepped back.
“Yes.”
She expected anger.
Instead, he said:
“And that's why I won't ask you to stay.”
Kayla's hand stopped over the suitcase.
Gunther walked away.
“Gunther.”
He stopped.
She crossed the room.
“I didn't say I wanted to leave you.”
He turned.
The distance between them vanished.
Kayla kissed him.
Softly.
Once.
Gunther froze.
For a man feared across an entire city, he looked completely unprepared.
Then he touched her face.
Before he could kiss her back, Victor burst through the door.
“Gabe.”
Gunther turned.
Victor held his phone.
“They found your father.”
“Where?”
Victor looked at Kayla.
“Outside her apartment.”
May you like
And Gabriel Woods Sr. wasn't alone.
Mrs. Gable was standing beside him.
