Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan) novel Chapter 2564

Giles let out a chuckle. “Gab, you’re a straightforward guy, so I won’t beat around the bush either. I want you and Alvis to treat me like family here at Citadel—give me a place to lay low, don’t meddle in my business, and if you can throw in a few perks, all the better.”

Gab’s expression remained cold. “Fine. But Citadel isn’t run by the old guard anymore. If you want to stay, you play by our rules. Break them, and maybe I’ll let it slide—but Alvis definitely won’t.”

Giles gave a mock sigh, his tone light and half-joking. “If we stick to your rules, my people will starve! But rules are made by men, aren’t they? If you wanted to, you could cut me some slack with a word.”

Gab’s gaze hardened. “And what are you offering me in return? Just one turncoat who used to work for me?”

Giles grinned. “Oh, it’s not just Sean. I’ve brought you a real treasure today.” With a sly glance at his companion, he gave a subtle nod. The man returned it and slipped out of the room.

Moments later, the door opened again. Three women entered. The first two walked straight to Giles. The last one made her way toward Gab.

Bruce blinked in surprise. The girl looked strikingly familiar.

She wore a sleek black dress that hugged her curves, and her features were both alluring and stunning. Long, wavy hair tumbled over her shoulders, giving her an air that was at once innocent and dangerously enticing—so much like someone from his past.

Giles, arm draped around another woman and a cigar dangling from his lips, grinned. “Her name’s Tina, my goddaughter. She’s been with me for ten years—I’ve spoiled her like my own.”

Tina, clearly nervous, dropped into a half-curtsy before Gab, her wide eyes bright with a mix of shyness and seduction. She poured him a drink, both hands offering it up. “Gab, I’m Tina!”

Gab’s gaze was icy as he studied her. “Who gave you that name?”

Tina blinked, feigning innocence. “I’ve always been called Tina. I don’t know who named me.”

Giles’s smile faltered, but he quickly forced a laugh. “That girl was unforgettable, Gab—nothing more to it. I’d never pry into your business. I just thought you’d appreciate the gesture.”

Gab looked up. “Citadel doesn’t just belong to Silver Valley anymore—it’s part of the Mystoria Federation now. I can’t make promises on my own. Why not bring Alvis here, and we can hash things out as a trio? It’ll be faster.”

Giles hesitated, an awkward smile on his wrinkled face. “You’re joking, right? Alvis is so secretive, he won’t show up for anything. How would I get him here?”

“Then we have nothing more to discuss.” Gab tossed the napkin aside and stood, his face expressionless, yet somehow making the air in the room grow heavy. “My people—even if they betray me—are mine to deal with. Anyone who touches them ends up like Martin did.”

Gab turned, fixing Giles with a steady, measured stare. “And trust me—it won’t be pretty.”

Giles’s lined face twitched, a flicker of fear in his eyes. He said nothing.