Gabriel's words hang in the air like smoke from his cigarette. The predatory gleam in his eyes makes my stomach turn, but I force myself to nod.
"She is," I say carefully. "Chloe is... exceptional."
"Show me."
I pull out my phone with trembling fingers. The wedding photos are still there, even though seeing them feels like swallowing glass. I swipe to the best one—Chloe in her white dress, radiant and perfect.
Gabriel takes my phone and whistles low. "Jesus Christ, Ethan. No wonder you're so torn up about losing her."
"She was supposed to be my wife."
"And now she's with the courier boy." Gabriel's thumb traces across the screen. "What a waste."
The way he looks at her photo makes my skin crawl. But I need his help. I need his family's power.
"Come on," Gabriel says suddenly. "Let's go somewhere we can talk properly."
"Where?"
"My place. It's more private than the family mansion."
