"Gabriel, thanks for last night," Casaio said, shifting upright against the pillows. "Did you begin the interrogation?"
"Not yet," Gabriel replied. "That's not my place. It's yours."
"Good," Casaio exhaled, relief flickering across his face. "If you had, I'd have been upset with you."
"You should be upset with yourself," Gabriel countered, his eyes narrowing. "You escaped a bullet aimed at your heart. If it had landed true, it would've been fatal."
Casaio's lips curved into a faint smile at his brother's uncharacteristic concern. "This isn't my hot-headed brother speaking," he remarked softly, amusement laced with gratitude.
"Hey, I'll admit it. I was a bad person," Gabriel said. "And I hate to say it, but… I do feel guilty about it."
Casaio only smiled in response, his expression playful, almost teasing, as if Gabriel's sincerity amused him.
