Blue lifts an eyebrow slightly. "Of course, Gabriel, I couldn’t let Jacob down, especially after what happened, and the rest of the dev team will be here in a few days to continue finalizing the details of the program, but my part is done."
I nod.
The three of us head toward the exit, and this time there’s no need for security. The place is empty now, no crowd waiting for us, so we get into the limousine in silence and start heading to the airport.
On the way, Blue returns a few calls that must have come in while he was in the meeting.
One of them is to Jacob.
Blue asks the driver to pull over at a small parking lot, then steps out of the car to take the call with his brother.
I watch him through the window.
He walks far enough away that we can’t hear anything, but when he comes back about ten minutes later his expression is worse than before, almost crushed, his face chalk-white.
"Hey," I whisper, "It'll be all right. It always is, in the end." I send him a small, reassuring smile. "You’ll manage. I believe in you."
Blue’s eyes rest on my face for a brief moment. He parts his lips like he’s about to say something, but then he stays silent, his energy almost gray.
The ride goes on in silence for a long stretch, and just when I think he’s not going to bring it up, Blue finally speaks.
"Thank you, Gabriel."
I blink, not sure at first what he means, but then he says his next words so quietly that it’s almost just the movement of his lips, which means it’s clearly intended only for me. Simon won’t hear it.
"I stand by what I said back then. Even if the whole world ends up hating me… your opinion matters the most."
The effect those words have on me is immense, like something warm spreading through my chest.
But then…
…I suddenly realize it’s because, at this moment, he doesn’t have the strength to keep up that wall around himself or conceal what he feels; for a second, his hidden emotions break through, and I catch a surge ofhurtflowing through the Bond.
Blue’s heartbroken!
I’m almost sure Jacob has unloaded his anger and bitterness on him. He lost his son, and it’s hard not to connect that to the fact that the attack was meant for Blue.
Does Blue’s family hold resentment toward him, leaving him feeling twice as alone, cornered from every side by blame and hostility?
I swallow, then without caring that Simon is right there, I slide down onto my knees next to Blue and lower my head like a knight before his king.
It's the second time I do it publicly, manifesting my reverence, but I simply don't care if this looks funny to Simon.
"I… I’ll always be there for you, Mr. Lowen, by your side. No matter what. My loyalty is uncompromised. And will be forever."
Blue reaches out and rests his hand on the top of my head, as if giving me his blessings, his fingers sliding into my hair, and that same deep, almost overwhelming shiver runs through me again, the one that makes it hard to even breathe, that strange Pull that always starts when he touches me… I don’t understand how he does that, or why it affects me this much, but it just slips out…
"I love you…" I mouth the words very quietly, hoping only Blue can hear them. His hearing is better than a beta’s, after all.
Our eyes meet. Did he let out a small, barely audible gasp? Hard to tell, but his eyes are locked on mine now.
Still, I need to keep it subtle because Simon is there, staring at us with his mouth slightly open.
Aware of how awkward that looks to him, I pull myself together and straighten up, losing the contact with Blue’s hand, which almost physically hurts, and I clear my throat.
"That is… um, I respect you a lot, Mr. Lowen."
"Thank you, Gabriel. It’s deeply appreciated," his tone official again.
