And suddenly, I don’t even know why, the words just fall out.
"I’m sorry for what I did." A short pause. "This isn’t me, this isn’t my life, it’s not what I wanted, I just… fell in love and lost my way because of it. I screwed up."
"You shouldn’t be apologizing to me, Gabriel, but to the people who were hurt."
I press my hands to my face. "I know, and I think about them every day, many were burned, some badly, two of themhave scars on their faces, young omegas who’ll carry those marks forever on their cheeks, their necks…"
"They won’t," Blue says coolly. "I made sure they received an experimental therapy developed by our lab. In fact, that very lab you burned was part of the project. They were conducting treatments that restored their skin, and I personally covered the cost. None of them has any burn scars left. I couldn’t allow innocent people who came to work for my company to suffer because of a group of vile extremists."
Something breaks out of me, half pain, half relief, dear Fate, that’s… good, that’s so good to know.
"That’s… wonderful. Thank you. I’d want to beg them for forgiveness, but at least I can hold on to the fact that my actions didn’t leave permanent damage."
"Oh, they did. Everything leaves a mark, Gabriel. Trauma is harder to treat. Being trapped in a burning building, suffocating, convinced it’s your last moment, that stays with people."
"You’re right, if I could turn back time I would, but I can’t, so all I can do is make sure I never put anyone in danger again, that’s my lesson."
I lower my hands and say,
"If that’s all, can I go now? I don’t feel comfortable, and even if I deserve this, I don’t have the strength to sit through more of it today. I came to this fair hoping for something better, not more torture."
I stand again, but Blue cuts in.
"Out of my five minutes, you still owe me two. Sit down and let me finish."
"What else could you possibly say? I apologized, Mr. Lowen. I’d apologize to those people too, but…"
"That’s not what I want to discuss. Three weeks ago there was a bombing attempt on me. The twenty-third attempt on my life."
That comes out of nowhere.
I want to tell him that he’s clearly doing something that makes people hate him, but I keep it to myself, determined to get this over with.
"I read on your profile that you have significant combat skills and strong qualifications in cybersecurity, both of which could be useful to me. I want to buy your marriage contract so you can serve as my bodyguard."
If a jaw can hit the floor, mine just did, I stare at him, blinking like an idiot.
"You want to give me a job?"
"You could call it that. Twenty-four hours a day, staying close to me and protecting me."
It still doesn’t compute. "Say that again, because I must be hearing things. A guy who was part of an organization that hated you and took part in an attack on your company is supposed to be your bodyguard, do you hear how that sounds? Is this a joke, or some new kind of punishment?"
Blue’s face doesn’t change. "None of that. Storm told me something about you that made you the right choice."
Silence falls, I swallow hard. "What?"
"He said you have a particular gift. Something very unusual."
I don’t answer.
"But I’m a scientist. I test before I believe."
"Why would I tell you my secret—"
"I already know it. Now it’s time to test it."
He stands, and I freeze.