He held back a little.He didn’t want to kill Victor.
Actually, that was a lie.He did want to kill Victor, but he couldn’t.Dante needed Victor alive and in one piece because he hoped to get more information on the labs and the people Victor worked with within the company.Unfortunately, that meant that Matthew had to be careful.
It didn’t mean he couldn’t crisp Victor up a bit.
The air smelled of ozone and burning hair.Matthew controlled his lightning, grinning when Victor screamed.He knew how to make it uncomfortable enough that Victor would think twice about grabbing his mate next time.
Victor pushed Alan forward.Matthew was still too far, so he wasn’t there in time to keep Alan from falling.Thankfully, Alan hadn’t been standing alone.Hansen suddenly appeared, grabbing him and keeping him on his feet.Alan turned to smile at him gratefully, but Hansen was already ushering Alan away.The enforcers rushed past them, headed toward Victor, and since Matthew wasn’t supposed to hurt them, he gave Victor one last blast before letting go.
Victor slumped forward as Dante reached him.Dante watched the man drop to the floor without trying to help him, not even when Victor’s head hit one of the chairs.He was staring down at Victor as if he were a particularly disgusting insect that he wanted to squash.
Matthew was all for that if it was what Dante’s heart told him to do.
But Matthew didn’t actually care about what would happen to Victor.He cared about his mate, so as soon as he was close enough, he pulled Alan into his arms.Hansen let Alan go, nodding at Matthew and stepping away.They were still too close to Victor for comfort, but Matthew would blast him again if he tried anything.He doubted Victor would.Hell, he doubted Victor would get up from the floor anytime soon.Matthew had been a bit too enthusiastic, and he suspected that the enforcers would have to carry Victor out.
Oops.
“Are you okay?”Matthew asked Alan.That was the only thing that mattered.
Alan nodded.“I’m fine.I just didn’t expect it.”
“I’m sorry if I scared you.”
“Oh, I didn’t mean that.I meant that I didn’t expect Victor to grab me.”
“You should have.We all should have.”
“I can’t say that you’re wrong.”He shuddered.“I hate this.”
“I’m pretty sure Victor hates it more than you do.”
They both turned to look at Victor, who was twitching on the floor.He groaned and reached for Alan, but it was easy for Alan to sidestep him.He looked at Matthew, and Matthew wondered how he’d gotten so lucky.Fate couldn’t have chosen a better mate for him, and he’d make sure that Alan never regretted choosing him.
“What now?”Alan asked.
Matthew wished he had an answer to give his mate.
* * * *
ALAN WAS SAFE.HE’Dknown he would be safe even if Matthew couldn’t get to him, but he was relieved to be in his mate’s arms.He hoped he’d never have to do anything like that ever again because he wasn’t sure he’d survive the pressure.
But it was over.Victor had confessed to what he’d done, and Dante and his enforcers were taking him into custody.
As soon as he stopped twitching, anyway.
Alan had been stunned when he’d realized what was happening.Victor’s body had jerked, and Alan had smelled burning flesh.He hadn’t expected it, and it had puzzled him for a moment until he realized it was his mate.
Matthew had been there to save him.
Alan couldn’t say he didn’t think Victor wouldn’t have hurt him.Of course he would have.He thought nothing of hurting people, including people close to him.Alan knew he’d never actually been Victor’s friend, but even if he had been, he suspected that Victor would have only thought about himself, what he could gain from the situation, and how he could make it out in one piece.
Alan wasn’t sure he would.
“That was impressive,” Mason said as he poked Victor’s leg with a foot.Victor jerked, causing Mason to yelp and jump away.
Matthew rolled his eyes.“He’ll be fine.”
Mason eyed him.“Are you sure?Because he doesn’t look like he’ll be fine.”
