Teddy’s expression softened.“I’ll take you right back.”
“Thank you.”Alan held out his hand.
As entertaining as it had been to see his mate shock Victor a few times, Alan couldn’t wait to get out of here.He knew that it would take a long time to find all the people Victor had been working with and stop them, but this part was over.Alan would never have to worry about Victor again.Victor was off the streets, and he was going to be stuck in a cell for a long time.He wouldn’t have the opportunity to hurt anyone else, which was what Alan had wanted when he’d agreed to do this.
Victor had thought he would hurt Alan, but instead, Alan had hurt Victor.Well, Matthew had, but it was the same thing since they were mates.Alan could still feel Matthew’s satisfaction coming through the bond, and while he was attempting to look like he disapproved of what Matthew had done, he really didn’t.
Matthew grabbed Teddy’s hand, too, and within seconds, the two of them were back in Rikar’s office.Rikar was waiting for them, along with a bunch of people Alan barely knew.They weren’t really there for him, and that was okay.
“What happened?”Rikar asked.
Alan opened his mouth to answer, but Nysys beat him to it, even though he hadn’t been in the coffee shop.Alan wondered how long he’d been there.When had he found out they were doing this today?
“It was so much fun,” Nysys said as he gestured with his hands.“Matthew used his ability to fry the bad guy.You should’ve seen him twitching on the ground.I’m pretty sure he peed himself.”
Rikar looked alarmed.“Matthew?”
Matthew shrugged.“Victor grabbed Alan and tried using him as a hostage.”
“That explains why you shocked him.Are you okay, Alan?”
Alan knew he was going to get that question many times over the next few hours.He wished he didn’t have to stick around, but he was sure that people would have questions.
“I’m fine, not even a scratch.”Alan took a sip of his coffee.It wasn’t as hot as he would’ve liked, but it was good anyway.“Got a coffee out of it.”
Rikar’s lips twitched as if he were trying not to smile.“I can see that.”
“Anyway, the enforcers have Victor,” Matthew interjected.“I’m sure they’re going to try to talk to him and get answers out of him once he’s done twitching, so they don’t need Alan anymore, do they?”
“You can take Alan home.If anyone needs anything from either of you, I know where to find you.”He paused.“I’ll call instead of coming over.”
Alan frowned, but Matthew didn’t hesitate.He was still holding Alan’s hand, and he pulled him toward the door.Alan was confused because he was convinced he’d have to debrief or whatever Dante and his team would call it, but instead, it looked like he was being allowed to leave.
There was no way he was that lucky, was there?
But no one tried to stop them when they left the office, then the house.Alan relaxed more as they left the house behind.It felt like leaving Victor behind, too.Alan didn’t think he’d ever have to deal with his ex-boss again, and if he did, it would only be to make sure that Victor paid for what he’d done.
Alan had been proud when Victor had hired him.He’d thought he’d be able to make a difference, and in a way, he had.It wasn’t what Alan had hoped for, but that only made it more satisfying.
Victor had tried to stop Alan, but instead, Alan had stopped Victor.
* * * *
MATTHEW KNEW THAT ALANwas okay.He’d been present for the whole mess.He’d seen what had happened, so he knew that Victor hadn’t hurt Alan.Matthew had made sure of that.Still, as soon as they reached his home, he dragged Alan into the living room and pushed him onto the couch.Alan seemed amused, but he went without arguing, watching as Matthew crouched in front of him.
Matthew ran his hands over Alan’s thighs.“Are you okay?”
Alan nodded.“I’m fine.You know that.You saw everything.”
“He didn’t hurt you?Even when he grabbed you or when I shocked him?”
“There’s not even a scratch on me.”Alan’s expression went soft, and he reached for Matthew.“I swear I’m fine, and it’s finally over.You don’t have to worry about me anymore.”
“I’m pretty sure I’ll always worry about you.”
“I guess that’s fair since I’ll always worry about you.I reallyamfine, though.Victor’s finally a thing of the past, and now, I can start looking forward.”
Matthew went cold.He and Alan still hadn’t talked about what came next for them.They should have, but they hadn’t had the time yet.They were bonded now, though.That meant that where one of them went, so did the other.
