Page 160 of Inside the Sun

Rocco snorts. "You’re the one who should worry least. Your whole chunk of the business is clean. You could walk away tomorrow and live like a normal businessman. Also, Ennio could cut ties if he needed to. Me and Vincenzo? Not so lucky. But it’s fine. I’ll manage. I just need to stay the hell away from this fucking assassination."

Like an idiot, I listen, still clueless about who they’re talking about. I’d hoped they’d drop a name, but the only thing Rocco said was that the target’s a very public figure, someone short. That narrows it down to about a hundred people. The current president is an omega and barely above five feet tall. So are a bunch of big-name politicians and party leaders.

Then I remember they mentioned someone they called ‘the leech’. The one who’s been winding Anzo up. Could it be…Dante? Maybe. But it could just as easily be any other mafia-sponsored lapdog.

I sense the conversation’s closing and quickly step away from the door, my pulse spiking from the flood of emotions.

But I have a specific reason to be here. Even more important, or at least myheartthinks so.

I rush away from the door and knock quietly on Eliano’s door.

He opens up immediately and lets me in.

We’re standing face to face, and I’m looking at him like he’s about to reveal the biggest news in the universe.

"Well?" I can’t take the suspense anymore. I catch myself nervously swaying from one foot to the other. Again, I see that strange mix of surprise and curiosity flash across his face at the way I’m acting.

"Well. Bonzo said the gardener’s dad called them. Apparently, the guy got into a serious motorcycle accident. Crashed into another car. He was in critical condition when they brought him to the hospital. For a while, it seemed pretty bad, they didn’t know if he’d make it. But this morning, he woke up! So maybe, it’s not that serious."

It takes everything I have not to let my face show just how relieved I feel. But I am, fuck. Thank Fate.

"Oh… so maybe he’ll come back. You know, to handle the spider mite situation," I mutter.

"Looks like it. Spider mites are no joke. You never know which direction they’ll come from. Maybe the one you least expect," he says like it’s a joke, but something about it sounds oddly… pointed.

"Yeah." I take a step back and put my hand on the doorknob. "That’s a good point. I was worried they’d completely take over the yucca," I mumble, looking off to the side.

Eliano makes a vague gesture with his hand, like he’s shooing away windblown spider mites.

"Thanks…" I whisper and quickly step out, praying Luca and Rocco don’t suddenly show up in the hallway. I really don’t need more drama today.

But there is news to deliver, so I head straight to Summer's room.

I knock, then pause, listening to the sounds behind the door. There’s something kind of odd, like someone vigorously shaking out a blanket or something. Then silence.

A moment later, the door opens.

Summer stands in front of me, cheeks flushed, wearing just a T-shirt.

"Were you jerking off? Sorry if I interrupted."

He blushes deeper. "No, nothing like that. What’s going on?"

I sigh. "Okay, listen, don’t freak out. Eliano told me Ragnar had a motorcycle accident. It was serious, but he pulled through. I’m guessing it’s because he’s a purple alpha, those guys heal fast."

Summer stares at me with wide eyes, his lips trembling.

"A motorcycle accident… just yesterday?"

"Yeah, yesterday. He was unconscious, but he came to this morning. Your parents were the ones who called in and said he wouldn’t be coming to work. That’s what Eliano said, anyway."

"Oh… unconscious?" Summer hesitates, tilting his head and boring his eyes into my face, but then shakes it off, whatever it was, and clasps his hands over his chest.

"Whatever. Thank Fate he made it! Otherwise, we’d all be screwed," he whispers cryptically.

I press my lips together, the pain’s back. I only hear what I want to in his sentence.

"Speak for yourself. I’m screwed no matter if he’s alive or not."

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