Page 228 of Inside the Sun

We were all born into this fucking family. None of us had a real chance. None of us found a way out of that cycle. Or at least, not an easy one.

I glance at my uncle’s face, oddly still, almost peaceful. Just to be sure, I check his pulse.

Then I grab his jacket and toss it over my shoulders without putting my arms through the sleeves, since it’s too tight anyway. Mine’s too torn up, but I don’t have time to find a replacement.

Still, it’s better than showing up looking like a scarecrow.

I step outside, and hear footsteps in the hallway, the agents. My hearing is sharp enough to catch how close they’re getting. I know they’ll be in the inner courtyard in minutes.

I speed up. The gazebo’s empty now. The others are gone. I pull the hidden lever and head down the stairs. The hatch closes behind me.

Last time I used this tunnel was ten months ago. The dayeverythingchanged.

I listen for a second. Nothing. The tunnel’s clear. At the far end, I stop again, straining to hear, but they must’ve moved away from the cliff already.

I step out and immediately veer right, toward a secret trail that hugs the shoreline and leads to a small dock. I sniff for a second, catching the remnants of their scents. I figure they went through the woods toward the main road, which means I can’t follow them that way.

Listening to the waves and the cry of seagulls, I walk along the edge.

The stress begins to bleed out of me, my head becomes clear. Now my situation will change, Rocco will be in charge with Ennio as his advisor. Vincenzo's role will probably increase. It means no more electric shocks, but the necessity to deal with my bloodthirsty brother. I silently promise myself to spend as muchtime away from The Sun as possible, without Anzo and his weird ‘shared meals’ idea it will be quite easy.

My business is pretty separate from the rest, so I won’t have to report to Rocco too frequently.

Fifteen minutes later, I reach my destination. At the dock, I pull out my phone and call an Uber.

Twenty more minutes and I’m on my way home.

Unlike my brothers, I haven’t lived in the fortress for a few years now.

Anzo didn’t love that idea from the beginning, he liked having us all close where he could keep tabs, but after enough pushing, he agreed.

Besides, part of my work demands a lot of mobility, so he finally caved and let me buy a place of my own. Actually,twoplaces.

My house is in a classy neighborhood. The people who live there aren’t tied to the mafia or any other criminal operation. Mostly retired businessmen, the kind who moved here because the beach is nearby.

I chose this quiet place years ago, the moment I uncovered something… extraordinary.

I started planning everything with precision, every little detail meant to secure both me and one very special person: my True Mate.

That’s why I have two homes in this neighborhood, separated by about two hundred yards.

Between them are two other properties whose owners have no idea there’s a tunnel deep beneath their foundations, yes, another tunnel! A harmless little Ferro family hobby, but extremely useful.

It took me almost a year to dig it out.

Two hundred yards is no joke when you're going underground, and trying to stay discreet.

Lots of rock had to be drilled through. But patience is an art I’ve mastered. Being a purple alpha also helped.

I built it so I could go straight from my basement through a hidden door, so well hidden, I doubt anyone would ever find it, and reach the second house without ever stepping outside.

The tunnel’s rigged with motion sensors the whole way, so whoever lives on the other side always knows if I’m coming, or if someone else is. In case of danger.

Now I head down that same tunnel, in total darkness.

At the end, I reach a reinforced door. I’m the only one who knows the code.

And the final lock requires a level of strength only a purple alpha can generate.

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