SUN #4
For a moment, I let myself believe in that fleeting fantasy, that my life could change, that it could go on, that it could actually be good. Sweet, true. That there could be love.
But that illusion has to vanish, and reality has to take its place.
Soon, we both fall silent.
Anzo gave me a month. Then, I have to give him Summer’s secret.
And after that? Who the hell knows.
Half an hour later, when I get back to my room, there’s something new waiting for me.
On the nightstand, there are two boxes. I slowly open the first one, feeling a wave of anxiety, and inside I find a vape pen I’ve never seen before; sleek, lightweight, and clearly unused.
Next to it is another box with two spare cartridges, still sealed, and a short USB-C charging cable coiled neatly beside them.
What the fuck? Did Ennio send me this?
For a while, I just stand there, staring blankly. I’m not a regular vape user, nor do I plan to become one, but I have to admit, the gesture is kind of… nice. Maybe even thoughtful.
Which makes me wonder: is Ennio as much of a psycho as Anzo and Rocco? These people seem to have layers. What’s on the surface is hard to read, and underneath, things are clearly a lot more complicated.
Still, I shouldn’t let myself be fooled by appearances. One thing’s for sure: he might’ve sent me a vape, but he’s not going to help me escape, or report my situation to the uncorrupted branch of the police.
So the kind gesture, however nice it might seem, is just that, an insignificant gesture. Like handing a flower to a starving man. It doesn’t really change anything.
I sigh, rolling the vape between my fingers. Should I use it?
For now, I can’t decide.
Maybe right before Anzo summons me to the black room? That would be a smart time to do it…
***
That evening, for the first time since I was locked in the black room, I show up for dinner.
Eliano’s surprised look welcomes me the moment I step through the door. I must look like hell.
Rocco sends me a predatory glare, his eyes are narrowed. Mauro stays glued to his plate like always. Luca’s expression is unreadable. Typical.
Ennio’s here too, but his face is as blank, cold, and detached as always, like some tax clerk staring at an empty spreadsheet. There’s a brief moment when I catch his gaze and try to give a small nod, intending to say thanks for the vape, but he looks away far too quickly.
For a second, I also catch Summer’s gaze. But he drops his eyes just as fast.
My chair is still there, waiting. I sit down in silence and start eating.
As usual, the table is mostly quiet, with only brief exchanges between Ennio and Rocco.
There’s a similar vibe between those two as there is between Ennio and Anzo. Rocco seems to respect his opinion. Maybe Ennio really is some kind of consigliere proxy? Seems a bit young for the job, but he’s well-educated.
From what I remember on the blog The Truth Only I Know , he holds a master’s degree with multiple majors, including Real Estate, Construction Management, Property Management, and Business Administration. Rocco and Luca, on the other hand, only have a bachelor’s degree in Business Management.
This time, however, they’re talking about the upcoming Senate election.
Rocco says Mark pretty much has it in the bag. Ennio argues that an omega named Tim Kellan, a former prosecutor, has a real shot too.
"If that happens, he’ll push hard to clean house in the police department," Rocco says, shooting a pointed look at Anzo, who keeps eating in silence.
I can only guess; if Mark Ferguson is their guy, then this Kellan would be serious trouble.
"Kellan has also good press, most news outlets are very supportive of him," Ennio adds.
Anzo keeps eating.
"Kellan’s distantly related to the Lowens," Eliano inserts himself suddenly.
No one responds. He goes on anyway:
"He’s the only brother of Sebastian Lowen’s second husband. You know, the one who co-owns The Omega Red Line Agency."
Still nothing. Total silence. Anzo ignores him, but Eliano doesn’t seem deterred.
"Polls show he has an advantage. He's an omega and Ferguson as an alpha has lower chances among omega and beta voters."
Eliano's tone is slightly provocative, as he peers at Anzo, but at the same time his body curls slightly as if bracing for impact.
Honestly, I’m rooting for anyone who’s not Mark Ferguson. If he gets into office, the Ferros gain another political ally.
And I know he beats Jared. So before I can stop myself, my big mouth blurts it exactly that:
"Ferguson abuses Jared."
The next second, a jolt of electricity rips through my body. I gasp and lurch back, my head slamming into the chair.
Then Eliano’s shaky, anxious voice breaks the tension:
"Can we at least not do this at the table?"
And then—
Eliano’s body seizes, just like mine did! He jerks back, then forward, and his head slams into the table so hard that cups topple and a plate cracks with a loud snap. One of the shattered cups slices his cheek open.
"For fuck’s sake, that’s too much," Luca hisses, clearly hitting his own breaking point with Anzo’s sadism. He reaches for his brother, trying to pull Eliano’s face away from the jagged edge of the broken china—
And that’s when Luca’s body convulses too!
Wow.
His massive frame gets thrown back, thank Fate it wasn’t forward, or he’d have smashed the table and shredded his face like Eliano just did.
Summer and I have temporary collars, at this point I'm pretty sure the rest of them must have something permanent in their bodies. Something just as effective, something that keeps them wired to Anzo, locked under his control.
Rocco lets out a loud, genuine laugh and folds his arms, clearly amused as hell by the macabre scene unfolding as Anzo punishes his brothers.
Ennio keeps eating his spinach ravioli, but his eyes are lowered; he does not watch his twitching cousins. If I were to guess, he does not approve of this, but he just chooses not to say anything.
Mauro and Summer sit still, stiff as hell, staring at their plates.
Holy fuck. What a messed-up family.
I lean forward, wrap my arms around Eliano’s back, and help him sit up. A shard of glass is lodged in his skin. I pull it out and wipe the blood from his face with one of the napkins the servers placed next to each plate.
Then I see he’s also bleeding from his mouth. He must’ve bitten his tongue.
"Don’t touch him," Anzo growls, and I pull my hand back. I’ve had enough shocks for one day.
I spent six days dreaming about sitting down for a meal like a normal person, and now, honestly, I’m wondering if I was better off in that damn cage.
Horror. Morbid show.
***
After dinner, Matteo escorts me back to the black room.
This time I vaped beforehand, so I feel a bit calmer, but Ennio obviously heard what I said pretty clearly. This isn’t the strong calming agent he had in his vape, it’s milder, something that takes the edge off but doesn’t numb me, so the effect is pretty superficial.
I almost wish I hadn’t complained about how strong his stuff was. It could’ve come in handy just now.
Just like before, I’m seated in the corner next to Summer.
This is my chance to tell him what’s going on. I haven’t spoken to him since the day Anzo locked me in that cage.
I keep my voice low, there are cameras in here.
"I just wanted to let you know that Anzo’s thinks I know what your secret is, or that I can get it out of you.
He offered to let me go if I betray you.
But I want you to know I’m not planning to do that.
Not even because I’m noble or anything. I just don’t believe he’d ever really let me go either way. "
Summer doesn’t say a word. He just stares at the floor. We sit in silence.
Is he regretting saving me back then? When Anzo hung me from the hook? Is he thinking maybe I should’ve just suffered because then his secret would still be safe?
I don’t have an opportunity to ask him since the door opens.
Anzo walks in and right away announces, "For the next three weeks, until mid-September, I’ll be in and out of the house. A number of matters require my attention."
I blink. Mid-September?
Wait, so is it already the end of August?
I got here in the second week of July. That means I’ve been here for five weeks already?
It’s hard to believe so many days have passed. I’ve been drowning in stress and pain and barely noticed.
"First, you’ll be granted a little more freedom than usual," Anzo continues, narrowing his eyes. "You’ll be allowed to go to the store, maybe even to a restaurant, with guards, of course."
He puts something on the table.
"These are collars with a locator device, in case you try to run."
I stare at him, stunned.
"The ones we have don’t already have that?"
Strange. Seems like something he doesn’t even need to explain. He could just put it on us anyway.
Anzo’s face remains unfazed. "Well, they had shorter range, pet. Now put it on."
I observe his face. There's something nefarious about it.
And why does he want me and Summer to get closer? To spend more time together, even outside?
Maybe he hopes that once I feel the temptation the free world can offer, I’ll be more eager to pull the secret out of Summer, using our time together?
Three weeks from now, he’ll ask me that question again.
And if I don’t answer…?