Page 114 of Inside the Sun

"Oh, right, now I remember… you’re the one who helped raise the new generation of the Ferros?" I say, trying to fake a smile, but it comes out crooked. It’s not exactly a compliment. Helping to raise Rocco to what he is now should be punishable by law.

Darien lets out melodious laughter. Or should I say oblivious, since he doesn’t catch my jab.

"You’re giving me way too much credit. The boys were with us for maybe a year each, tops. I didn’t really get involved, my energy couldn’t affect them. Alberto did all the work! These days, I’m more like a forgotten relative, rarely invited," he adds with a wide grin.

I really, really don’t want to talk to some random Ferro relative, so I make an effort to remember what Darien does and decide to let him talk.

"You have a charity, right? What does it do?" I ask, despite knowing it already. But people can talk about themselves for hours, and I really need a mental break.

"We offer free legal aid to pro-bono organizations like Second Chance. We also take on private cases of people who were harmed by unfavorably written marriage contracts. We give them both legal and financial support."

I stare at him blankly. I wish I could say,Dude, I'm very likely to be killed and you’re talking about some unfair contract shit?

Darien makes a subtle gesture with his hands and adds, "Anzo invites me to these banquets from time to time because he knows my charity needs all kinds of people to keep it going. Events like this are great for chatting folks up…" He shrugs like it’s just an innocent little pleasure, hunting for donors overhors d’oeuvres.

Unfortunately, his sweet voice does nothing to soothe my nerves. I just sit there, still in shock, dazed, and just nod politely, and let Darien talk about his last case, where he helped by offering legal support to some beta accused of killing four alphas. Supposedly they raped and killed his brother and it was revenge. With Darien’s help, Second Chance found some solution for him…

Listening to him with barely one ear, I observe Anzo, my eyes narrowed. The fucking pathetic capo spends the time at the banquet talking with Dante Moll, who’s giving him serious heart-eyes like he’s the love of his life.

They stroll around the garden paths, chatting. Honestly, I couldn’t care less about those fuckers’ conversation. The wholeBeta Empowerment movement could vanish tomorrow and I wouldn’t blink.

Hello, I’ve got way bigger problems!

Eventually, sometime after 11 pm, some of the guests start heading home. Others stay at the tables, gossiping, drinking, helping themselves to the free coke. Darien is also gone, finally.

Summer and I are left alone on our sofa.

It’s only then that I decide to ask him, "Does Darien know what’s really going on with us?" I keep my voice quiet enough that no one else can hear.

"No. Darien was friends with my brother, Moon. He’s somehow convinced Moon OD’ed and that me and Anzo got close after that."

"OD’ed? I looked online but the articles claim that there was a divorce and he moved away."

Summer presses his lips together and stays silent for a long moment. Then, in a whisper so quiet I have to lean in to catch it, he says,

"My brother ran away from The Sun. That’s why Anzo brought me here as a replacement."

He took Summer as areplacement? I swallow hard, that’s new information for me.

"Then why did he make you his husband? Why not just keep you around as his lover?"

"I don’t know."

A strange thought flashes through my mind.

Is this Anzo’s way of… keeping Rocco away? Rocco used to steal his lovers before Moon. And Moon managed to last here more than two years.

Was itonlybecause Anzo married him? Maybe marrying Summer is how Anzoprotectshim from Rocco? It’s just a theory… but potentially there’s something to it.

"Do you know where Moon is now?"

"No."

I figured. Even if he did know, he wouldn’t tell me. I already know too much. Can’t blame him for being careful.

Summer closes his eyes slightly, and suddenly says,

"My brother… he really had some feelings for Anzo. But it was a toxic relationship, and Moon kept struggling with substance use issues…"

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