But only if I reach it.
Only if I cross the final line.
And I’m getting closer…
***
I wake to the sound of heavy boots, not from the hallway behind the steel doors, but from above, on the first floor. It sounds like several people are running across it in combat boots.
A jolt of nervous energy runs through me. I feel it physically; something’s changed. A spike of anxiety worms its way deeper than usual.
Ragnar has his eyes closed, but the second I glance his way, he opens them and says,
"About two hours ago, I heard a whole group leaving the building. This hall’s more or less under the garage. A bunch of cars left. Just one came back, and there are way fewer people now."
"You heard all that? I’ve got good hearing, but not that good."
"Yeah. I’m still a purple alpha, even if the color of my lines isn’t exactly purple," he grimaces. "I’ve got all the same traits."
I’m about to reply when the door suddenly swings open, and a group of men march in.
Two of them are dragging someone, and the next two are dragging another. What the hell?
Even though my body still aches all over, I force myself upright. I’m not about to miss a second of whatever the hell is happening.
Two of the cages open, and the dragged figures are thrown inside.
That’s when I recognize them.
Eliano.
And Mauro.
"What’s going on?!" I blurt, locking eyes with Matteo. He’s one of the guys who just dragged the Ferro brothers in.
But Matteo just shoots me a cold, disinterested look, then walks out with the others.
Mauro’s completely out cold. But I see Eliano stir slightly.
"Eliano!" I call out. "Wake up! What happened? Why’d they throw you in here?"
Eliano blinks and groans, then slowly sits up. There’s a red mark on his cheek. He pushes his dark, silky curls out of his face and scans the room. His eyes widen as he takes in the rest of us in the cages.
Then he exhales sharply.
"Exactly what I expected. The last bits of pretense are gone. Anzo’s crazy pissed. His stupid assassination attempt blew up in his face. So yeah, he snapped."
Ragnar and I just stare at him as if we’re seeing a ghost. Unbelievable… Anzo put his own nephews into cages!
Clearing my throat, I ask tentatively, "I heard he was organizing a hit on some public figure. You know who?"
"Oh yeah. Public Enemy Number One of every bitter-ass beta out there. The godfather and architect of the Beta Activation Program: Blue Lowen."
"Fuck!" I curse. I was so close to guessing that!
Everyone’s heard about the infamous CEO of Malden Pharmaceuticals, mostly because he supports a bunch ofcontroversial initiatives. Obviously, the Beta Activation Program is at the top of that list. Tons of activist groups, not just Beta Empowerment zealots, absolutely loathe the guy. My own eco-terrorist cousin Gabriel ended up in serious legal trouble over attacking a Malden lab!
The fact that Anzo went after someone that high-profile is pure insanity.
