LUCA
It’s almost funny how they completely ignore me, just leave me lying in the corner. Ragnar carries Summer in his arms, Sun follows him, and so do Mauro and Eliano.
Guess they figured out Ragnar did actually knock me out.
I wait a few minutes before I get up and look around.
Anzo is still naked, still unconscious on the floor. I pick him up and move him to the center of the room so the agents can spot him easily.
But I also dress him. I pull on his boxers, then pants, and button up his shirt over his scarred, battered chest.
I hate this man so much, and yet a part of me sees something else in him. I could’ve become a monster too. I was just one step away.
And I’ve stood by too many times, letting Rocco do unspeakable things. Deluding myself into thinking I was a bit less of a demon than he was. Subconsciously, I followed my father’s path: standing idly by, comforting myself with the thought that it wasn’t me doing it. Fixating on that excuse.
Even though I tried to stay out of the family’s illegal business, focusing mostly on training and leading our soldiers, I remained a silent witness to one crime after another. And I did nothing to stop it.
So do I really have the moral high ground to judge Anzo?
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 day everything changed.
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 much time 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, two places.
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.
Anyone else would have to blow it open, and that would give my mate enough time to escape.
I turn the final dial and step into the basement of the second house.
Upstairs, I catch the scent of porcini mushroom soup, my favorite.
He always makes it at least once a week, waiting for me to come home.
Smiling, I walk into the kitchen. He’s there, at the stove… my love. My True Mate.
I brought him here after years of pain and struggle.
I saw him when he was at his worst, addicted, married to a man who treated him like a trophy. A toy. A tool.
But he’s mine now. And forever.
He turns to me with a matching smile. He knows it’s me.
The kitchen wall’s covered in monitors. He can see the driveway, the beach, the tunnel entrance.
This house is a fortress. Reinforced, protected from every angle, in case anyone ever tries to find out who lives here.
But maybe… soon… it won’t have to be a secret anymore? At least, I hope so.
My mate greets me, his eyes are sparkling joy. I walk up to him and wrap my arms around him tight.
Our mouths meet in a kiss full of heat. He tastes like mushroom soup.
When we pause for a second, he glances down and says, "What the hell happened to your clothes? Your pants are shredded!"
"I fought another purple alpha today. A special one. Silver."
And I give him a loaded smile.
"Oh, right. Ragnar! I take it everything went well? According to plan?"
"Perfectly. Just like you predicted."
I raise my hands and run my fingers over his beautiful face, slipping them into his long silver hair that flows all the way down to his hips.
I love the color; rare and striking. Like the silver chains people hang on Christmas trees in winter.
He lifts his eyes to meet mine, and all the love and happiness in his soul pours out at me.
"I love you," I say. Every cell in my body tells him the same. Every breath I take is for him.
"And I love you, Luca. Always."
"All the roads led them to happiness… just like you said," I whisper it as I kiss his forehead.
His eyes shine with endless joy, but after my words, they fill with tears… tears of relief.
I loved those eyes from the very first time I saw them. They had me under a spell.
One is golden, like there’s a tiny sun burning inside it.
The other is silver… like the moon .
THE END