"They got him. Clearly, they had a mole or… maybe there was a traitor, someone from the capo’s inner circle. The detective didn’t give me any details, for obvious reasons. I’m just reading between the lines. The person provided the detective with a recording of a conversation where all the specifics were discussed. So, they have it all on tape, word for word. Ferro’s entire plan to get rid of me."
"Wow! That’s a hell of a piece of news! But honestly, I couldn’t be happier. Anzo Ferro is a fucking psycho. I’ve heard all kinds of rumors about him… Isn’t he, like, part cyborg or something?"
"Yeah. He took over the family in a bloody coup against his own brothers. Lost an entire arm in the process. That was about fifteen years ago. Ironically, one of Malden Pharmaceuticals divisions provided some of the biomechanical tech used to build his prosthetic."
"So… does this mean your problems are over, Blue?"
Blue took a deep breath and made a skeptical expression.
"I would be far too optimistic to say that. Ferro has four sons."
"Aren't they adopted?"
"Yes, they are the children of one of his brothers. That brother had cut ties with the family after finding his True Mate. Ferro saw that as a betrayal and killed him… Then he raised these kids himself. Can you believe the nerve? Supposedly, he completely brainwashed them. But since their names didn’t come up in the recorded conversation, they weren’t arrested."
"So basically, the mafia isn’t going anywhere," I muttered bitterly.
"Of course not. Probably Rocco is taking over. Or Luca. The two youngest are less likely to be involved. Organized crime isn’t that easy to get rid of. But I can still hope, at least, that maybe none of them are as obsessed with destroying the Beta Activation Program as Ferro was."
"I don’t care about the program. I hope they’re not so obsessed with killing you."
Blue let out a dry, bitter laugh.
Then he hesitated before adding, "But with the mafia, it might not even be about the BA Program anymore. It could just be about revenge. Their adoptive father was arrested because of me, they might feel like they have to take me out to prove they’re not weak."
Was he being paranoid? Or did he actually have a point? I studied him for a moment.
"You need to hire even more bodyguards," I muttered, swinging my legs off the lounge chair. It was already lunchtime; I should get going anyway. I’d spent way too much time discussing these depressing topics.
"I have so many already that I’m starting to wonder if it’s even the right approach. Bodyguards are a weakness. They can be bought."
"That’s true… but I honestly don’t know what else you could do. Anyone can be bought. Or threatened."
Blue nodded slowly, noticing that I was getting ready to leave.
He also stood up and put the tablet aside.
"Yeah, but that’s just my fate. I’m not gonna live my life making compromises. It’s all or nothing, Sariel. All or nothing."
We locked eyes for a moment.
His striking sapphire-colored eyes suddenly looked… strangely sad. I stared at him for a while. It was almost unbelievable that he was forty-two, his face strangely youthful. He had access to the best labs, the most advanced anti-aging treatments, the most cutting-edge tech out there. No wonder he looked like this.
"I’ll stop by again in a week or so," I muttered.
Blue was… probably the closest thing I had to a friend. We had a bit of a love-hate relationship, constantly giving each other shit, but we also stuck around each other. We were the only single ones in the family, which made our lives play out a little differently from everyone else’s.
Blue nodded, then smirked slightly.
"And you… don’t overthink, Sariel. Stay busy. It helps keep your head clear."
I stood there for a second, staring at my hands, the backs of them dusted with faint mint-colored freckles. Then, out of nowhere, almost without my control, I blurted out,
"Don’t you ever wish someone would love you?"
Boom. Silence. Heavy silence. I knew this was one of the very few questions that could actually get a real reaction out of Blue.
My uncle slowly turned away, glancing toward the skyline.
