"Clear," I say, as my scenarios show me only silence.
Ennio nods, the other alphas regrouping with us, all of them composed, heart rates up but not super high, like a unit that knows exactly what it’s doing.
"Nice work," I say, adding with a faint smirk, "you guys are pros."
"No kidding," Ennio replies, holstering his weapon.
I knock on the door where I know Blue and Edgar are. "It’s clear, Blue! You can let me in."
There’s a brief pause, then the sound of a latch, and the door opens, with Blue standing there, free from the restraints that had him tied up before, and somehow already wearing his glasses again!
Edgar is on the floor nearby, tied up with the same metal wire they used on me, perfect for restraining alphas, and he’s… unconscious.
"Looks like you stayed busy," I say with a wide grin as I step inside, Ennio and his men following. "Blue, I don’t know if you’ve ever met Ennio Ferro in person, but he’s the one who did us a favor and wiped out the entire NFH group. Impressively, all on his own."
Blue’s eyes meet Ennio’s, and there’s this feeling again, of uncanny similarity between them, both omegas with a presence that feels stronger than several alphas combined, both at the top of their fields, even if physically they’re very different, Blue smaller and more delicate, Ennio taller and built like someone who trains constantly.
Ennio is the first to extend his hand. "Our families haven’t always been on good terms, but I’d like to change that. Consider this my offer of peace."
Blue glances at the hand. Despite the fact that he doesn’t like handshakes, this time he makes an exception, and they clasp hands.
"I accept your offer, and I appreciate your help, Mr. Ferro. By saving me today, you’ve taken a meaningful step toward repairing our past relations."
Ennio nods.
"That leaves the matter of the bodies."
"Don’t worry about that. I have good connections with the military and the police, they’ll handle it. I can guarantee neither you nor your men will face any consequences."
"Good. Then we’re done here," he says curtly, and glances at me. "Good luck."
"Thank you. I appreciate it," Blue says.
And I also reach out my hand to exchange a firm handshake.
"Thank you, Ennio. And, by the way, you should consider competitive marksmanship."
Ennio snorts. "Too safe for my taste, no adrenaline."
"If you say so, take care!"
"See you around," Ennio says, giving a small signal to his men, and the five of them head out.
That leaves just me, Blue, and the unconscious Edgar on the room floor.
For a moment we just look at each other, then I let out a loud gasp and pull him into a tight embrace.
There’s a brief silence, his fingers gripping my shirt at my chest.
"Forgive me Blue, I beg you… I’m so deeply sorry… Seeing him touch you like that… I thought my blood was going to explode," I mutter.
Blue lifts his head, and I meet his eyes before my gaze drops to his lips.
"I apologize, I really do. But I didn’t see another option, Blue. I came up with that crazy plan, it was like a fucking three-dimensional chess match, a sick puzzle, I needed to risk it… But I knew one thing, Edgar was the key to winning, not Marcel. He had to be taken out of the equation…"
Blue smiles widely.
"That was the correct assessment, Gabriel! You nailed the puzzle. And you made the right call. Like I said earlier, you were the card I chose to play, and you didn’t disappoint."
