Page 204 of Inside the Sun

I notice Ragnar’s plates finally receding completely. But his clothes are still torn to shreds. I figure trying to flag down a car isn’t our best bet. We look way too crazy.

Right then, we see a bus coming up the road from the direction of the beach. Just a regular city shuttle bringing tourists back and forth.

Unexpectedly, Eliano speaks up.

"Sorry, but this is where I leave you, guys. I need to get as far from this place as possible and forget everything about my old life. I’ll take that bus. Good luck to all of you."

I see Mauro hesitate like he wants to stop him, but he doesn’t. Maybe he understands?

Eliano puts a hand on his shoulder.

"Good luck, brother. Don’t ever go back to that cursed fortress. I’m sure Rocco’s gonna take over, and he’ll be even worse than Anzo."

Mauro just firmly nods and gives his hand a quick squeeze.

Eliano steps into the road and waves the bus down. When it stops, the youngest Ferro brother raises a hand one last time, gives us a quick wave too, and climbs aboard.

Mauro gestures for Ragnar’s phone again.

"I also need to go. I’d like to send a message to someone. I need to re-log into my account for a moment."

"You got someone who can come pick you up?" Ragnar asks.

"Yeah. I’ve been preparing for a long time. I have a plan for exactly this kind of situation."

Ragnar watches him for a second, then nods.

"Alright. Go ahead."

Mauro walks off to the side and starts typing something on the phone.

It’s only then that Ragnar and I finally really look at each other.

There’s still this atmosphere of rush and'what we need to do now, we may still be in danger’in the air, as nothing really has settled, so I try to stay alert and focused, despite the protests of my beaten-down body.

"Did we actually escape?" I dare to ask, my voice cracking. "Did that miracle we talked about actually happen?"

His face is swollen and scraped up. But there’s the faintest smile there, a little sad, but with a glimmer of real, palpable hope.

"Yeah, Sun. We made it."

"What about Rocco? If he takes over the business, he might decide it was our fault his family got hit so hard. What if he wants revenge?"

Ragnar stays quiet for a moment. "I think before he even considers doing anything, he’s got way more pressing things to deal with, like making sure he clears himself of any connection to the attack on Blue Lowen. That gives us time. Time to prepare, just in case."

Silence falls. Ragnar keeps his eyes on the road, brow furrowed, the crease between his eyebrows deepening.

Something in me is rising. Quickly. Before I can stop myself, words fly out of me,

"I want to go to my parents’ house," I say, my voice cracking. "I need to see my dad. I need to see him!"

Let’s be honest here—I feel completely wrecked, my lips trembling as the emotions spill out of me. It’s embarrassing, but I don’t give a fuck.

Ragnar’s face immediately softens. With the hand that had been supporting Summer’s back, he reaches out and gently brushes my cheek.

"Of course, Sun! Do you want me to come with you? Or would you rather we stay somewhere else and wait with Summer?"

"No!" I blurt out. "We’re True Mates. We’re supposed to stay together. That’s how it works, isn’t it?"

---