I know perfectly well that these people wouldn’t have let it go; sooner or later they would have gotten to me, or to Alex, or to our families. For me this isn’t killing, for me this is clearing the world of something foul. A weed.
I straighten up and look at Ennio, who watches me with a subtle smile.
"Good job, Bay, you’re a natural. You officially cross over from being a victim to being a victor."
"There are three more on my list still waiting," I say firmly. "Will you help?"
"Well, I’ll consider it, because you’ve got potential. Just remember that your debt to me will keep growing."
"I’ll pay it back," I answer without hesitation.
Ennio leans over Matt, checking his pockets.
That reminds me of one rather crucial issue.
"Wait… what if he has his phone on him and someone tracks him here?"
Ennio shoots me a contemptuous, almost irritated look.
"I took care of his phone a long time ago. This isn’t my first time."
Relief floods me, and I let out a breath. "Good, because the police would track him by his phone location before anything else."
"A lesson for you: you always turn off your phone or get rid of it, or leave it somewhere you want the police to be looking. Cars can be tracked too, they all have modern satellite GPS now."
"Right," I mutter, staring at the body, which looks unreal to me, like something painted.
Ennio ignores it for now. "The roads have traffic cameras that take pictures. With those, the police can follow your route, so you need to know safe routes. Like this one, it’s a forest road, and there’s no traffic on it for long stretches."
I can’t ignore Matt anymore. The pool of blood is getting big.
"So what now… with him?" I ask in a grim voice.
"The bog," Ennio says matter-of-factly. "It takes everything and gives nothing back. Perfect solution."
"I take it you’ve used that method before."
"Yes. With the difference that I didn’t start with a fight, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t make them suffer."
"I’m sure you kicked their asses. You look like the type."
Ennio snorts. "I’m strong for an omega, but I know my limits. And alphas are alphas. That’s another important lesson, Bay. Know your abilities. Assess your opponent correctly. Always."
"Ennio," I say, suddenly serious.
He raises his brows.
"I… thank you for your help. I mean it. If there’s ever something I can do, as long as it doesn’t involve hurting any member of my family, I’ll help you."
He shrugs lightly. "For now everything’s fine," he says in a calm voice. "I took care of my enemies, and I’m focusing on my development in a different direction. I plan to climb higher in my family’s business, and the easiest way to do that is by being useful." He gives me a cynical smile. "Who knows, maybe one day I’ll become a capo myself."
"I have a feeling you will. You’ve got… whatever it takes to be one."
His face barely shifts when he asks, "Oh? And what’s that?"
"Instead of mindlessly increasing the number of enemies, you increase the number of people who owe you something."
Ennio laughs. Probably for the first time, and it sounds a little metallic, but honest.
