Chapter 3 - A DIFFERENT KIND OF MAN The next morning, Boston woke beneath a pale winter sky.
Harper worked quietly.
She polished silver.
Changed linens.
Organized the library.
She tried to convince herself the previous night hadn't happened.
Then she found an envelope beside her breakfast plate.
Inside was enough money to pay Noah's rent for three months.
She immediately went looking for Gabriel.
He was in the library, standing before a wall of books.
"I can't accept this."
"You already did."
"I don't want charity."
"It's not charity."
"Then what is it?"
"Insurance."
She frowned.
"Against what?"
"Against you making desperate decisions because you're hungry."
Harper stared at him.
Nobody had ever spoken to her like that.
Not with pity.
Not with possession.
Simply... respect.
"You scare me," she admitted.
Gabriel nodded.
"Good."
She blinked.
"But not because of what you think."
He stepped closer.
"I want dangerous people to be afraid of me."
His gaze softened.
"I don't want you to be."
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then Harper noticed the bandage around his hand.
"You need that changed."
"I'm fine."
"You're bleeding."
"I'm fine."
"You sound like every stubborn patient I've ever treated."
His eyebrow lifted.
"You were a nursing student."
"Yes."
"Then perhaps I should listen."
She smiled despite herself.
May you like
It was the first smile Gabriel had seen from her.
And it stayed with him long after she left.
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