"How much can we trust them?" Gabriel asked in the quietest whisper, his soft touch feeling like a reassurance that Claire was safe even if it was an illusion.
Claire looked back at him in surprise.
"Aren't you friends with Jacque?"
"Yes, and I didn't know about any of these."
"That's true." Claire nodded in thought. "I do not know." She admitted with sudden realisation. "What do you suggest?"
"As we're in a stalemate, we need to put some ground rules."
Claire was silent before she looked around warily recognising that although they were in one of the most unlikely parts of the city, it was still possible that someone will overhear.
"Perhaps we should have this conversation in private."
Gabriel nodded. "Let's go back inside, see what they're doing, listen to what they have to say, and then…" he rubbed his forehead as it started aching.
Claire nodded in agreement.
"Do you think we should have our own plan?" Claire asked quietly at which Gabriel nodded.
"I don't think I trust anyone right now."
"I'm sorry."
"I know." Gabriel reached his hand over and stroke her cheek with the same gentleness as before. "I'm sorry for yelling."
"I understand. Yell as much as you need to. Please."
"Oh, Claire…"
"I still don't condone smoking."
"I'll try not to." Gabriel promised. "And I do not condone your drinking."
"I will try not to."
"That's good."
Gabriel straightened up and offered his hand to Claire. They held their hands tightly as they've made their way back inside of the building.
"I thought he might've already gotten to you." Pierre remarked while he looked up from some papers as they entered the room.
"So… what's the plan? What are you doing? What have you done already?" Claire spoke first.
"My natural response would be to send you both to Antarctica to keep you out of reach but you are both stubborn so the second option is to keep you reasonably safe while we deal with the mess." Pierre grumbled before he pointed at the wall with tenths of the pictures. "Take a note. They are all the Group X members or pawns."
"Group X?" Gabriel asked as he furrowed his brows wheres Claire walked up to the pictures and studied them attentively. She recognised some of the faces on the wall. There were baristas, lawyers, janitors in the courthouse, receptionists.
"Michael Moore has been found to be involved in what we now know to be Group X."
"Wasn't it mafia?" Claire mumbled curiously.
"Not exactly. It's more like a terrorist organisation. They have been known globally by another agency which shared the information with us. Group X targets the rich and influential to gain power. They are suspected to meddle in elections, politics, laws, and even economics of the entire countries." Pierre sighed. "Not like he didn't deal with mafia as well. Money laundering might have been on the list anyways, on top of other local activity."
Claire and Gabriel listened to everything Pierre had to say before Pierre started to increase in worry at their stoicism since they returned back to the apartment.
"Do not try to bait him in." He said in a warning tone.
"He might still be unaware of my new identity. I am going to use accounts of Elise Cooper for any transactions."
"I can arrange for a safe transfer of money if you need it but I'd highly encourage you to hide behind your new identity."
Claire nodded feeling a knot in her stomach. As the night grew, they left the apartment and walked to the hotel. Neither could bare the family. Claire went back to her old ways, as she grew aware that being near the people she loved was increasing their chances of harm. She was silent as she sat on the edge of the bed. She didn't look behind at Gabriel who took off the metal brace and his tie, before sitting down on the other side of the bed.
Gabriel didn't let the evening overshadow that he had Claire back. He shifted across the bed to sit behind her and with the utmost gentleness he reached for her hand, squeezing it tightly. He leaned in and with his shaking hand that he still struggled with, he moved Claire's hair off her neck and then he placed a kiss after the kiss. Claire relaxed her shoulders and laid down beside him, having him hold her tightly as she started to drift to sleep.
"I'm sorry, cuore mio." She uttered again as she squeezed Gabriel's hand in return.
"Shush, Claire dear, shush." He spoke softly into her ear. It was the most troubled but yet comforting of nights.