Chapter 27 #2
"Hector!" My voice cuts through the sound of the water around the ferry.
"Move him somewhere else. He doesn’t need to be hovering here.
" I add a pointed gesture toward the crew member, not exactly discreetly.
There are probably some professional signals security teams use in situations like this, but I have no idea what they are.
He glances in that direction, following my line of sight, then looks back at me with amusement.
"That’s a crew member doing his job," he says. "We’re not clearing the deck just because you’re nervous, kid."
"Get him out of here," I repeat with a sharper tone, a growl almost breaking loose from my chest, though I rein it in, trying to be professional, for their sake.
Blue lifts his head from the tablet and looks over at us, picking up on the tension in my voice.
Hector gives a slight shake of his head, his gaze openly challenging.
"We’re not going to harass an older omega for doing routine work."
A brief silence settles. By all appearances, this is where I should back off. The rest of the security team is already looking at me like I’m an irrational jerk.
But I don’t let it go. I know my instincts too well, I recognize this pressure building at the back of my head.
Instead of continuing the standoff with Hector, I shift my focus inward and activate my five-second ability, keeping it running continuously, even if it costs me more energy and brings on a faint headache.
Minutes pass. The man keeps circling, wiping down nearby tables on the open deck with a rag, carrying trays of drinks back and forth.
Hector’s team ignores him completely.
And then it happens. The next five seconds unfold in my mind with perfect clarity. The crew member finally turns toward us with determination, holding a cup in his hand. His face is tense, then twists into something furious. I hear the shout, followed by the movement of his arm.
The heavy glass mug arcs through the air, filled with dirty mop water, flying straight for Blue’s head.
Now I have to act a split second ahead of it. If I move too soon, I’ll tip him off, and he’ll adjust the trajectory into something harder to intercept.
I ready myself to step directly into the line between them at the exact moment the man’s voice tears through the air, as he draws back and…
"This is your fault!" he shouts. "One of your drugs did this to my son! It damaged his glands, you bastard!"
The mug leaves his hand, aimed true, but I already know its path. I raise my arm at the right angle and strike it mid-flight, just enough to alter its trajectory so that it veers off, the water splashing across the deck and hitting… Hector, but missing Blue entirely.
For half a second, everything freezes. Then motion snaps back as my five-second window of precognition ends. Ruben and Lionel are on the man immediately, slamming him to the ground in a brutal takedown as he howls and struggles.
Rolf secures the area, pushing back the other crew members who start gathering. Voices rise around us, confusion spreading, but I’m only looking at Hector, my eyes narrowed in triumph.
Mop water drips from his perfectly styled hair and tailored jacket, and for the first time he doesn’t look so composed or arrogant. I point straight at him.
"You, kid. From now on, you follow my orders," I say loudly and clearly. "No delays, no arguments. You missed that. That’s a security breach."
His jaw sets, something flashes in his eyes, but before he can respond, Blue stands.
"Please, gentlemen," he says, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Hector. From now on, you report to Gabriel. This decision is not up for discussion."
Silence drops, and it’s heavy, like something physically weighing over us. Hector holds my gaze for a moment, then looks away first.
"Understood, Mr. Lowen," he says, giving a curt nod.
The man who threw the mug is dragged below deck, still struggling and shouting elaborate curses, but the noise quickly fades.
Ruben and Hector move to speak with the ferry captain, asking questions, coordinating with the police, handling what needs to be handled.
The incident may have been minor, but it could have ended badly. That glass could have hit Blue in the head, knocking him unconscious.
I notice Simon’s gaze on me and he mutters in a strange awe, "You’re a natural at this."
"Nah, they’re just not very good," I can’t help myself, I just need to add a jab at Hector.
"Thank you for your alertness, Gabriel," says Blue, and his eyes land on me with such intensity I blush. His praise is my whole reward, and it tastes sweet.
The rest of the crossing passes without major issues. No one questions me anymore. Pip and Simon keep glancing at me with wide eyes, something close to admiration.
Right before we dock, Hector hands both me and Blue earpiece communicators and, surprisingly polite, suggests we use them, emphasizing that they’ll allow us to stay in contact when needed.
After a moment’s hesitation, I agree, and we both put them on.
Then, unexpectedly, Blue turns to Simon and speaks quietly, but I hear it clearly.
"Get that man’s contact details. Discreetly. Don’t say I sent you. Just tell him you know good doctors who might be able to help his son."
"Yes, Mr. Lowen," Simon replies, blinking, slightly confused. "And what next? Are you pressing charges?"
"No," Blue says simply, and my eyes widen. "He’s a dad loving his son with his whole heart. And drowning in despair."
"Probably, but it doesn't change the fact that he committed a crime. He attacked you…" Simon mutters.
But Blue doesn't respond anymore, he just leans back over his tablet. I stand there for a moment, stunned. I wouldn’t be that lenient myself. Throwing heavy glass at someone’s head is a real threat.
Why is Blue letting it go? Does he actually feel sorry for the man?
That’s when I catch Hector’s gaze.
He’s standing nearby, and he must have heard everything with his alpha hearing. He’s looking at Blue with barely concealed contempt, like he sees that decision as weakness, not strength.
I feel the rage rise in me again, my jaw locking up. Because I see it the opposite way. To me, it looks like strength. Like restraint. Like being a bigger person. Hector’s contempt feels like the actual weakness.
When we dock, everything moves efficiently. We step off the ferry onto a narrow pier. A transport ATV is already waiting, the driver watching us approach.
I shift a little closer to Blue, scanning the shoreline and the nearby buildings, aware of the security team behind me and the fact that they’re waiting for my slightest mistake.
But I’m not gonna make one. I stay sharp as I take my place in the vehicle.