They were about to leave Susan's house, but a harsh wind blew past them, and Gael closed the door again. "It's too cold outside. You didn't bring any thicker coat with you, did you?" he asked.

When she shook her head, he went outside and retrieved a thick coat from the back of his car, jogged back inside, and gave it to her.

"What about you?" She tentatively held the coat.

"I'll be fine. I'm used to the cold."

"Don't be silly. You'll get sick." She pushed the coat back towards him.

"Now, you don't have to fight over a coat. Wait here," said Susan as she disappeared into a closet down the hall. When she came back, a coat hung on her arm. "Here. Take this, Dear. This has just been washed. I haven't been to Esmea in a really long time, but I know your state doesn't get as cold as New York. You'll freeze."

Angela's heart warmed at the gesture. She had no chance of declining as the older woman began to put it around her. "Oh, thank you, Susan. I'll make sure to bring this back before we leave tonight."

"Nonsense. Don't worry about it. You can have it." Susan pulled Angela for a hug and patted her back so lovingly that she couldn't help but sink into the grandmotherly care. "It's really nice to meet you, Angela. I'm so glad you came to visit."

Angela smiled bashfully. She was nervous before meeting the other, but now that she got to know her, she wished they had more time. "Me, too. I'm pleased to meet Gael's grandmother."

Before Susan let go of the hug, she whispered into her ear, "My Santi is a good man despite his...activities. He may look tough, but his heart is also fragile. Please take care of my grandson."

Warmth settled in Angela's chest, and the urge to whimper came over her. She bit her lip to stop herself and smiled broadly instead. "Take care of yourself, Susan."

Gael and Angela left the brownstone after he embraced his grandmother for a long time. Then they drove towards the busy street. A couple of minutes into the ride, he glanced at Angela and asked, "What did she tell you before we left?"

She turned to him, a mischievous grin slowly appearing on her face before looking at the road again. "She told me to be cautious of you and not let you bully me—even gave me permission to smack you if you did."

He drew his brows together, his expression telling her that he did not believe a word she just said. "She did not say that. You're so full of shît."

Angela burst into laughter, appearing so childlike as she refused to tell him exactly what his grandmother told her. Gael chuckled, reaching his hand towards her and giving her a pat on the head that made her cheeks flush. The gesture was so innocent and warm that she liked it.

As they drove towards the north, he told her that they would go around the neighborhood and he would show her places he frequented when he was younger. He wanted to bring her to Williamsburg and show her the house he grew up in and where he always stayed whenever he was in town. But just as they reached the Brooklyn Bridge, his phone rang.

Gael glanced at the screen of the phone he placed on the dashboard where the name "Empire" flashed. He knitted his brows as he pulled the car to the curb and answered the call. "Speak."

She watched the annoyed expression on his face, wanting to reach out and touch the crease between his brows to soothe it.

"Why the hell are you calling me for that, Ruth? You're the manager. I hired you to take care of things—" He paused. "Who?" Another pause and his brows furrowed deeper. "I don't care who he is. Throw him out if he's causing trouble."

The other line spoke, and he let out a frustrated groan as he bit out, "Fine. I'll be there in ten."

She tilted her head to the side when he ended the call. Her voice was gentle when she probed, not wanting to add to his already gloomy mood. "What's going on?"

Gael sighed as he ran a tired hand down his face and glanced at her. "There's trouble in one of my clubs. I don't usually handle things personally but apparently, a client is causing a wreck, throwing my name around and refusing to leave. I need to go and check it."

Angela saw his apologetic look, and she nodded. "It's okay. It's not like I have somewhere else to be. I'll just tag along wherever you need to go."

He looked hesitant as he studied her face. He didn't want to bring her to such places to avoid exposing her to an unexpected circumstance. However, a part of him wanted to show her his other side of the world...because so far, she'd only seen some of the better sides. If—and he was hoping it wouldn't be the case, but if ever, would she run when she does? He really wanted to know. But at the same time, he feared to show her.

Wordlessly, Gael pulled the car away from the curb and sped off. Several minutes later, they turned into a parking lot in front of an establishment that had signage above that read, "The Phantom's Empire". He stopped right in front of the entrance like he owned the place—well, he did, in fact, own it.

Without turning off the engine, he held the door handle and told her, "Lock the door and don't come out. Wait for me here. I won't be long."

Angela shook her head, and her hand flew to his arm to stop him. "Nuh-uh. Absolutely not. You're not leaving me inside this car, Gael." When he didn't respond and only looked at her, she insisted, "I'm coming with."

Seeing as he didn't have a choice, he nodded. "Fine. Stay close to me and don't look at people in the eyes. Don't talk to anyone either. Got it?"

She fought the urge to make a sassy comment but thought better. He looked friggin' serious, and she was reminded that he was mafia. Her brows drew together as she agreed without saying anything, catching him muttering something in Italian before he got off the car as if he was already regretting bringing her with him to his club. There was just no way in hell that she'd stay in the car while not knowing what's going on inside. She'd be more worried if she waited by herself.

Gael and Angela entered through the double doors, several guards bowing to him and then taking their coats. There was something different about Gael's stance as she stared at his broad back. He looked cold and arrogant like he was the king of the place. Again, she reminded herself that this was his territory.

The reception area of the club was luxurious just like the exterior. A host stood behind a long desk with her head lowered. Gael didn't spare her a glance and turned to the right to enter the club.

Another woman who looked like she was in her mid-thirties waited by a podium. She wore a body-hugging black dress, and her head was also lowered. "My apologies for calling you over. I would have handled it myself, Phantom—"

"Don't call me that," he said in a cold tone.

"But—"

"Where?" He cut her a glance, and she flinched.

She straightened up and gestured to the left. "Right this way."

Angela couldn't see Gael's full expression as she was standing behind him, but the way he acted around these people was something she hadn't seen before. Her heart began to race as she took careful steps following them. It was strange that she felt the urge to shrink herself, yet couldn't wait to see what would happen. He hadn't glanced behind him to check on her, and she wondered if he had forgotten that she was with him. But she kept quiet and did not interrupt as they walked past a bar, then towards what seemed like a more exclusive area of the massive fancy club. There weren't many patrons as it was still early, but she assumed it was packed in the evenings.

Angela looked around. The superclub was swanky and smelled of leather, cigar, and sandalwood with a hint of citrus. She could imagine Gael in this place while wearing one of his dark custom-tailored suits, looking so dashing and dangerous as he watches the whole area from the third floor.

She felt the curious glance of the woman leading them, but as Gael told her, she didn't meet the woman's eyes, so she kept her gaze at his back and followed them up the stairs. They entered an even posher section that had another bar on the second floor. Just as they landed, a woman dressed in a signature dress, who sat next to a drunken man, got to her feet and her face brightened upon seeing Gael.

"You're here!" She ran forward and threw her arms around Gael. "I miss you."

Angela's calm heart began to race and the violent urge to rip her off him nearly consumed her. 'Who the hell is this bish?' she hissed in her head.