31. Piper

31

PIPER

A loud bang echoes through the house. I'm paralyzed with fear and confusion. We're all looking around, even Gabriel. The two more shots ring, and Gabriel drops to the floor.

My ears are ringing from the sound. I can't wrap my brain around what's happening, but all I can think about is my daughter. I whip my head around, searching for her frantically.

I spot Elysse clinging to Matteo, her arms wrapped tightly around his waist as she buries her face against his stomach. He cradles her head protectively, shielding her eyes from the grisly sight of Gabriel's body.

I rush over to them, desperate to hold my daughter and know she's safe. I reach for her as two other men enter the house. They must be Elio's men. I don't care who they are or that they've killed Gabriel. Elysse is all that matters. Elysse and Elio.

I look for him. His eyes are on me and Elysse as he talks to one of the men while the other checks Gabriel.

It's then I notice he has a police uniform on. He's taking his mic and talking into it. "Dispatch, we have a hostage situation with shots fired. One suspect down. Need medical on scene ASAP."

The cop's gaze falls to Gabriel's lifeless body and the growing pool of blood surrounding his head. He approaches, leaning down to check for a pulse.

After a moment, he shakes his head and speaks into the radio again. "Suspect is deceased. Cancel medical."

I'm still reeling from the shock of everything that's happened when I feel strong arms wrap around me from behind. I tense for a split second before Elio's familiar scent envelops me and I relax into his embrace.

"Are you okay? Did he hurt you?" Elio's deep voice is laced with concern as he turns me to face him, his eyes scanning my body for any sign of injury.

I shake my head, my voice trembling as I respond. "No, I'm okay."

His gaze drops to my cheek where Gabriel hit me earlier.

"Daddy." Elysse's little arms reach up to him.

He picks her up, holding her close. "You're safe now. You both are. He's never going to threaten you again." I hear the quaver in his voice. I imagine he's thinking about how he nearly lost everything, just as I'd been thinking.

After a moment, Elysse pulls back slightly, her tearful gaze finding Elio's. "I knew you'd come and save us. Just like you did before."

"I'll always come for you and your mom. No matter what."

Tears fill my eyes as the reality of his words sinks in. After years of living in fear, of enduring abuse and torment from the man who was supposed to love and protect us… it's finally over.

I bury my face against Elio's chest as sobs rack my body. His arm tightens around me, and he presses a kiss to the top of my head and then to Elysse's. "Shh, it's okay. I've got you. I'm never letting anyone hurt either of you ever again."

"We need statements," one of the men says.

"Let me take them away from him." Elio nods toward Gabriel.

Elio leads us to the living area.

"How'd the police know to come?" I ask. It seems odd that Elio would call them considering his line of work.

He takes a deep breath, glancing around to make sure no one is within earshot before he continues. "I know them." His eyes are intent, telling me there's more to the relationship. Finally, it dawns on me that they're on Elio's payroll. I suppose that should bother me, but I'm aware that no business, organization, or political group is free of corruption.

"I didn't order him to be killed, if you're worried?—"

"I didn't think of that." In my mind, I'm thinking thank God they got there when they did.

"I wanted Gabriel on police body cam. That way, if he survived, we had proof of his violent tendencies."

I'm impressed. "You thought of that?"

He arches a brow, and his lips twitch up slightly. "Why does it sound like you're shocked I could think of it?"

I smile. "I'm not. I just… well, I am impressed."

"You don't have to worry about my getting in trouble. They have him on body cam, and Jones pulled the trigger." He rubs Elysse's back as she continues to cling to him in his embrace.

I glance at the police. "It doesn't look like I would have worried even if you did kill him. If they work for you."

"Having cops working for me helps, but it's not foolproof. This was better."

I swallow hard, trying to process everything he's telling me. I'm sad that it had to come to this, that Gabriel couldn't be a better man. But I'm relieved that he won't be threatening us again.

"And if the police hadn't shown up in time?" I ask, almost afraid to hear his answer. "What would you have done then?"

Elio's gaze hardens. "I would have killed him myself. I told you, Piper. I'll do whatever it takes to keep you and Elysse safe. No matter the cost."

I nod, knowing he's earnest in his commitment to our safety. The fact that I'm the cause of today's terror fills me with guilt. If Gabriel's demise was going to be the outcome anyway, I shouldn't have tried so hard to be diplomatic.

There are so many things I've done wrong, starting with not telling Elysse's school not to let her go with Gabriel. It never occurred to me that he'd get her now that he didn't have to. Calling Gabriel probably motivated him to take action. I should have listened to Elio and just not done anything. Instead, I butted heads with Elio and brought us to near destruction.

"We need to give statements," Elio says as one of the policemen steps up to us. "It's best if we do it at the station. You and Elysse don't need to be here now, and we shouldn't do it at my place. It might raise questions."

I nod. "Will it take long? I'd like to get Elysse home."

"We'll do our best to accommodate you," the policeman says.

"I'll drive them over," Elio tells him. He leads us to the car, carrying Elysse. He puts her in the back as Matteo climbs into the driver seat.

Before I slip in next to her, I press my hand to Elio's chest. "It's all over?"

His eyes are soft. "Yes, baby. It's all over."

I give him a quick kiss, only later wondering if I shouldn't have in front of the law enforcement men. Would that raise questions?

Then I climb into the backseat, taking Elysse's hand.

We're free.