Page 160 of Vito

The bar quiets down, and everyone turns to the one who asked that curious question.

Well, it's curious to them, but not to me. This is who Ohith said he had waiting in the wings, just in case.

Zara, a woman with ebony skin who leads the Sirens, a group of women who go after people who abuse and hurt children, steps forth. "Who is he, Ed? And I'm not talking about your biological sperm donor."

I side-glance at Massimo, but he's unreadable as usual. I wet my parched lips. "Ohith."

There's a collective hiss that moves through the room, like a snake slithering through, as the leaders suck in sharply.

Sean frowns, glancing around at the others. "He's dead."

"Faked his death. Axin, too," someone calls from the back.

"Is that supposed to be a threat?" Ivan scoffs. "To sway our vote?"

"You'd be a fucking idiot to vote against Ohith's daughter," Amir mutters. He lifts his hooded eyes to me and winks.

"It's obvious which way Zara's vote will be cast," a man with greasy, long hair sneers. "Leave it to a woman to be swayed by the prospect oflove."

Zara weaves her way through the crowd toward him. She looks like a cross between a runway model and a femme fatale.

"Oh, Draco." She drags a long nail down his cheek. "You're just being a whiny little bitch because I dealt with two of your men who had a nasty habit of sending their women and kids to the hospital."

"Fuck you, bitch." He jerks, and his lanky hair moves as one piece.

I clear my throat. "This is Gilly's. No bloodshed allowed on premises," I remind them.

Zara smirks at me over her shoulder, then turns her back on Draco, unconcerned.

"So much like your brother, Ed. He regularly told me the same thing." Her beautiful face turns somber. "Love has nothing to do with my decision. Aiken was a good man; he did everything to maintain the integrity of this institution. I appreciate your honesty, Ed, and coming forth, even at your peril, that you can no longer remain impartial and unbiased.That'sthe reason Aiken's kin has my vote."

That opens the dam. One by one, leaders come forth and give their support. The support might be because of the Santoro's calling in favors or fear of Ohith, but I won't flip my middle finger at that.

Eventually, the room falls silent. Everyone, except two, has given their vote.

Ivan and Sean.

It needs to be unanimous.

I see the hunger for power swirling in the depths of Ivan's eyes.

He takes his time looking at each of the Chamber leaders. "I want a seat."

"Fuck no," Dom snarls. "You're a cunt."

Ash grunts a laugh, thumbing the corner of his mouth, eyeing Ivan. "There's not a seat available at the table."

Ivan pulls himself up to his full height. He's not a small man, but not as large as Massimo or even Ash and Dom. "My gang is just as strong as the Fire Clan."

"Careful," Bill growls.

Ivan huffs. "It's true. Over the years, things have changed. The Chamber needs toevolve. If you're asking us to give the finger to tradition here at Gilly's, then why the fuck not the Chamber?"

"Because six members doesn't allow for voting purposes," Sile interjects.

Sean steps forth, catching the power-hungry bug. "Then have a seventh."

Massimo's hands flex. "The Irish aren't next in line, if that's what you're thinking, Sean."

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