Page 121 of Gabriel

Raphael’s jaw tightened and I swallowed hard. Was I really going to defend the asshole? I sighed, because yes, I was. He’d had a rough day.

“Raphael couldn’t have known. Anya merely said there was a boy she liked and flat-out told me it wasn’t Jet.”

“I don’t need you to defend me, girl.”

“Watch it,” Kian growled.

“Listen, we can do this all day,” I cut in, trying not to tremble. “We can blame each other and blah, blah, blah. Your guards obviously didn’t report there was a man staying with Anya. Kian has his own organization to run. The bottom line is that Jet protected Anya when the attack hit. We should focus on the Triad and how to keep all of us safe.”

Damn good speech if I may say so.

Raphael’s nostrils flared.

“Are you suggesting I be okay with Jet taking Anya and not alerting anyone of their whereabouts? My brother lies wounded inyourterritory. Tell me, what part of this feels safe to you?”

“Well, how in the fuck were we supposed to know that the Triad was going to hit? Did you do some shady deal with them? Because we sure as fuck didn’t,” I snapped, then pinched the bridge of my nose.

Kian stepped forward, his hand resting on my shoulder. My parents and Mother Liana would always have my back, but Kian would kill his friends and enemies to defend me. It was amazing having him in my corner, and I was grateful for it.

“The marriage between Gabriel and Amara is a good solution,” Kian said calmly. “It’ll prevent escalations and strengthen our alliance. Jet and Elira are part of our family and part of that alliance too.”

Sailor lifted her sunglasses now, surveying all of us, and said, “But a union has happened already. Without our permission, I might add.”

Silence stretched so long you could have dropped a scalpel and it would’ve echoed like gunfire.

“All I have is a photo of Anya smiling happily after those two got hitched,” Kian grumbled. “I don’t know how, when, or why it happened.”

I groaned. Of course Anya’s parents would have learned—somehow, someway—that she and Jet had gotten married.

“It gives the Santos empire even more leverage,” Kian continued. “Jet’s the sole heir to the Volkov empire. Amara is the heiress to?—”

“I don’t give a shit what they have or will inherit,” Raphael roared. “You think I want my brother shackled in some backroom negotiation while he’s bleeding out in a hospital bed and wondering whether he’ll ever see again?”

Raphael stared at Kian like he’d lost his mind.

“No,” Kian replied calmly. “But like Amara said, if he agrees and?—”

“I think you’re trying to save these three and are willing to go to any length for it. I’m not letting my brother pay for your family’s fuckup. Because let’s face it, Kian, every one of those kids, the Satan’s twins and Amara, are ruthless savages that?—”

Oh, for fuck’s sake.

“I’m pregnant,” I blurted.

Another silence followed, this one more dangerous than the last.

“Wh-what?” It was the first time I had ever heard Kian stutter. It would probably be the last time too.

I smiled sheepishly, hoping he wouldn’t see the lie in my eyes. “Gabriel and I… Well, we’ve been circling each other for years. I never thought we’d… hmm… move on to the next step, you know. So I wasn’t prepared.”

Please forgive me, Gabriel.

Sailor exhaled slowly and stepped forward. “You’re pregnant with Gabriel’s baby?”

I met her gaze.

“Yes.”

“And if he’s never able to see again?”