Page 117 of Gabriel

I sagged into the nearest chair, every muscle in my body collapsing under the weight of that one sentence. Relief hit like a wave, and I was dizzy from it. He’d live, and that was the most important thing.

“But his eyes—” I whispered.

“We don’t know yet. It might be temporary.” Kian’s voice was measured, but I heard the undercurrent of concern he wasn’t letting show.

“What was the explosion about?” I asked, terrified to learn the truth. If Jet had set it up, I didn’t think I could ever forgive him.

“It was the Triad.”

Surprise and shock washed over me.

“The Triad? What do they have to do with any of this?” I breathed. “I don’t understand. Did Jet get involved with them?”

Kian’s expression darkened. “I think it was revenge aimed at me.”

“And Jet?”

He shook his head. “The explosion had nothing to do with him.”

“So where are they?” My voice cracked. “Did the Triad take them?”

“My intel points to no,” he gritted. “Jet knows this area as well as me, he knows exactly how and where to move to avoid detection. We lost their trail five miles from the house.”

“But why run if he had nothing to do with this explosion?” I questioned.

He paused. “It’s hard to understand Jet’s motives. All I can hope is that he took Anya somewhere safe.”

“But that won’t matter to Raphael Santos, will it?” I said. “His brother’s been hurt. His daughter’s been kidnapped. On your turf.”

Kian didn’t answer immediately.

He crossed the waiting room, hands clenched behind his back. His jaw flexed, his eyes flicking toward the clock like he could feel time running out.

“He’s en route,” he said finally. “Private jet. He’ll be here in less than six hours.”

My stomach dropped.

“Jesus.”

“I gave the Santos family my word, Amara. They brought Anya here on my promise of safety. And now?” He stopped pacing and turned to face me fully. “Now the heir to their empire is in surgery, and their daughter is missing because a member ofmyfamily took her.”

I flinched at the emphasis. He considered Jet his family, therefore Jet’s actions reflected on Kian. On all of us, really.

“They’ll see it as betrayal,” he continued. “An act of war. I don’t need to tell you what happens if this spirals.”

“No,” I said quietly. “You don’t.”

Kian took a step closer.

“I can’t undo what’s already happened.” He glanced at the hallway, then back at me. “But I can offer something that buys us time and maybe even peace.”

My brows knitted. “What?”

He was watching me like he thought I’d understand before he even said it, but I didn’t. Not really.

“You’re going to marry him,” Kian said, and my breath caught. “You’re going to marry Gabriel Santos.”

I stared at him, trying to find the words.