Her grandfather's expression grew serious. When he didn't respond after a while she thought he wasn't going to answer. She was just about to tell him he didn't need to answer when he spoke. "Since you are my granddaughter you deserve to know."
She turned to face her grandfather and placed her hand on his and squeezed gently.
"It started thirty-seven years ago, before I met your grandmother," he began. "I worked deep undercover in Marseille, France as part of the Organized Crime Division. It was my first big job. We were trying to bring down one of its biggest crime syndicates in the area. It was dangerous, but I thought I could handle it. I was young, and overconfident"
Her grandfather paused, his gaze growing more intense…more distant.
"My cover was blown, and when I got home, I found my wife and child bleeding to death in our bedroom."
The words landed like a slap. Kiara froze, unable to breathe.
His voice cracked, and tears welled up in his eyes. "I rushed them to the hospital but it was too late. A few months later, I transferred to Los Angeles, trying to escape the pain. I wanted to find a fresh start. I got a job as a community liaison officer. Seemed simple enough."
Kiara's eyes filled with tears. She opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. Her grandfather nodded, his eyes reflecting a deep understanding of the unspoken words between them. He placed a hand over hers.
He swallowed hard as he continued, "After two years in, I met your grandmother and fell in love, got married and had McKenzie, life was great."
A shadow crossed her grandfather's face, a regret flashed in his eyes.
"Under special request of my supervisor, I was asked to go undercover again. It had been seventeen years. I thought I was safe so I said yes."
She watched as her grandfather's jaw ticked.
"I was able to infiltrate the target's circle, a woman named Elena. She was smart, cunning, and ruthless. She tried to seduce me, but I played it off, told her she was too good for me. She backed off. I thought it worked. She found out who I really was and dug into my past. Said I was the son-in-law of the Don in Marseille."
"At first I didn't believe her. My wife told me her father was dead. But, Elena provided photos and recordings. She also provided a picture of my wife and I on our wedding day. She didn't care that I no longer had ties to him, that my late wife, the Don's daughter, had already passed away. She knew that if other underworld leaders found out who I was, they'd kill me, Sarah and McKenzie without asking any questions."
His voice hardened. "She saw an opportunity and blackmailed me into working for her and her organization. I had to go rogue, abandoning my badge and family, fleeing the country and joining Elena. There was a warrant out for my arrest, and the threat that if they caught me, they'd lock me up and throw away the key."
Kiara gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. "Grandad..."
His eyes were filled with pain. "I thought I could find a way out, protect them without giving in. But Elena was always one step ahead. I couldn't risk it. I had to stay away, had to make them believe I was gone for good. It was the only way to keep them safe. I couldn't lose my family again."
He looked down, tears streaming down his face. "Not a day went by that I didn't think of them. I wanted to come back, to hold them, to tell them everything. But I couldn't. Eight months ago, I discovered the devastating news that your grandmother had been killed by Alejandro. My heart shattered. I always hoped that when I freed myself from Elena's grasp that Sarah and I would reconnect. And then I learned your mother was on the run with Jasmine, and I couldn't stay away any longer."
Her grandfather's voice grew fierce, his sorrow transforming into anger. "After twenty years under Elena, I knew all the ropes and had made my own contacts. I knew I had to act. I launched an operation of my own. Sleepless nights planning, calling in every favour. When the time came, it was like a whirlwind. My team and I infiltrated the base under the cover of darkness. We moved fast, taking out her guards one by one, until I finally confronted Elena.
"She was shocked for the first time since I'd met her. She was caught off guard. But she didn't go down without a fight. She was a formidable opponent, but I was fueled by twenty years of rage and a daughter and granddaughter who needed me. I killed Elena, took down her entire operation, and everyone who was loyal to her. It was the only way to get back to them, to protect McKenzie and Jasmine, and to avenge your grandmother."
Her grandfather's eyes blazed with intensity as he continued, "And now, I'm here. I'm here to help McKenzie and my granddaughters in whatever capacity they need me and to fix the relationship between me and my daughter, to make things right."
Kiara reached out, gripping her grandfather's hand tightly. "And what about the police? What if they find you?"
He squeezed her hand. "I'm not the same person I was twenty years ago. I'm no longer afraid of the police. No jail here could hold me, but I need to keep a low profile. The other crime leaders in the area can't know I'm here or that McKenzie is my daughter. She's been through enough. She doesn't need any more enemies."
Kiara's grip tightened, her eyes wide with concern. "What are we going to do, Grandad?"
Her grandfather leaned in closer, his voice a low, reassuring whisper. "When I reunite with McKenzie and Jasmine, the three of you will leave the country immediately and head back to Marseille where you'll be safe. Once I know you're secure, I'll focus all my energy on taking down Matteo and then Alejandro, like the dog he is.
This fight isn't over until they both pay for everything McKenzie went through."
"And what about Dad? Who's going to protect him?" Kiara asked, her voice trembling. "I can't lose him again." She lowered her eyes, fighting back tears.
He pulled her close and kissed the top of her head. "I've got someone keeping an eye on him," he said softly. "After all, he's my granddaughter's father, which makes him family. But, once everything goes according to plan and everyone is safe I don't see why Dwayne can't visit you."
"Thank you," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
As Kiara leaned into her grandfather's embrace, she felt a sense of comfort wash over her. Despite the turmoil surrounding them, his presence offered solace in the storm.
Kiara lifted her head, her eyes meeting her grandfather's, "Do you think Mom didn't reach out to me because she wanted to keep me safe?"
"Yes. No parent wants to be away from their child, but if being away keeps them safe then it's a sacrifice we're willing to take. Your mother loves you, never forget that."
Kiara nodded, reflecting on how her grandfather and mother had faced similar fates, being separated from their loved ones and forced to stay away to protect them. She hoped she would never find herself in such a situation, especially now that she had just gained four new family members.
"I have something for you," her grandfather said.
Intrigued, Kiara pulled away a bit, "What is it?"
With a small smile, her grandfather reached into his pocket and pulled out a weathered Swiss army knife, engraved with the initials G.T. As he extracted the blade it gleamed softly in the dim light, hinting at the countless stories it held.
"This was my grandfather's," he explained, his voice tinged with nostalgia. "He was a hunter, and this knife has seen more than its fair share of adventures. Something about you reminds me of him."
Kiara's eyes widened in awe as she accepted the treasured heirloom. "Thank you," she said softly, her fingers tracing the intricate design. "I'll cherish it always."
Her grandfather returned her smile. "We've been chatting for quite some time, I'm sure you're tired. Let's call Dwayne, get you something to eat, and then you can rest."
Her grandfather pulled out his phone from his pocket. As he dialled her father's number Kiara felt thankful for being one step closer to reconnecting with her parents and sister and also the unexpected surprise of discovering a grandfather she never thought she'd meet.
Yet, she couldn't shake the feeling that darker times lay ahead for her family, and that they would have to weather even greater challenges before finding the peace they so desperately sought.