Page 83 of Gabriel

“Of course, everything’s fine. Did she say why she’s worried?”

Mom’s laugh sounded somewhat forced. “You know her, she’s always scared something is happening.”

I sighed. “Yeah, unfortunately it’s the side effect of her name and power.”

“It is,” Mom agreed. “But she isn’t often wrong either.”

“I swear I’m fine.” It was best not to comment on Mom’s latter statement. “You and Dad would be the first people I’d call if I wasn’t.”

“Good, I’m glad to hear it.” I could hear the smile in her voice. Two heartbeats passed before she continued. “You know, sometimes I worry about you having to take over for your father. I wish… I don’t know… I know you’re capable of doing it, I just wish you didn’t have to.”

It wasn’t the first time she’d voiced those thoughts. She was happier being the pillar, Dad’s helper, and thought I would be too. She might be right, but there wasn’t an alternative, so it made no sense to ponder on it. But Mom sure did enough for the both of us.

“Well, unless you marry,” she added pensively.

I groaned. “Mom, really?”

“Well, it’s a thought. I know you’re independent and strong, and you can take over for your father all on your own, but it’d be easier with a husband by your side to share the load.”

My sexy Colombian prisoner flashed in my mind, but I instantly shut it down. Marriage wasn’t on my agenda, and I certainly wasn’t going to entertain it while going through thismess. Besides, I was fairly certain I’d extinguished any chance I’d had with Gabriel when I kidnapped him.

“I know you want me to find what you have with Dad,” I said slowly, “and I hope it’s in my cards one day, but it’s nowhere on the horizon right now so…”

“But you’re open to it?” she questioned.

“Yeah, sure,” I stated matter-of-factly, although I wasn’t so certain that I was. But it was what my mom wanted to hear, and her next words confirmed it.

“I’m glad you’re keeping an open mind.” Her voice practically bubbled with delight and it made me smile. “With the right person beside you, it makes all the difference.”

“I know, Mom. I see it every day with you and Dad.”

“You’ll find that too,” she stated confidently. “I just want you to be happy.”

I chuckled. “I don’t need a man to be happy.”

“Of course not,” she said quickly. “But an equal partner is nice.”

We exchanged a few more words and then I ended the call with a small smile, but my reprieve was cut short when my phone buzzed again.

Mother Liana: FaceTime me.

I groaned, not wanting to talk to her.

The universe, with its impeccable timing, had chosen this precise hour to unleash everything at once.

I drew in a steadying breath, squared my shoulders, and then I tapped the button.

Her face flickered onto the small projection panel embedded in the wall. Liana appeared as she always did: posture flawless, expression composed, every inch the embodiment of regal poise. But beneath that calm exterior, a quiet intensity simmered.

“Amara,” she said. Her voice carried that familiar clipped edge, but beneath it was the warmth that’d kept me alive for the first five years of my life.

“Hi.” I smiled brightly.

“I’m worried about you three.”

Just for a breath, I froze. My mind leapt to conclusions. Had she found out about Gabriel? Had something slipped? But then I remembered: she believed Jet was with us. That illusion, at least, was intact.

“You’ve been wandering the world long enough,” she continued, her eyes narrowing just slightly. “Why don’t you all come home?”