Page 164 of Vito

Sophie is nearing the end of her pregnancy, but she's like the energizer bunny, which is making Creed nearly lose his shit. He's such a fucking cinnamon roll when it comes to her, but his dominant side still wins and he gets her to rest.

My family knows about Eden's horrific and traumatizing past. However, being around Sophie and helping make a difference in children's lives has helped Eden work through much of what she avoided as a coping mechanism for so many years. We'll have to see what happens once Baby Santoro arrives, but my family is all ready to help Eden if she needs.

That's what family looks like for the Santoros. The mafia version of theBrady Bunch. Family takes care of family.

Deep laughter cuts through the room, and I glance in its direction and watch Ash and Dom with their new wives. Two ruthless, lethal men brought to their knees by finding their queens—and who are sisters to boot.

Dom called in his favor for backing Eden and me with the Chamber shortly after the vote at Gilly's with all the city's criminal leaders. Favors are a strong currency in our world; however, even if we hadn't owed Dom a huge favor, the Santoros would've backed him solely based on what he was aiming to do and bring down.

My eyes shift to Army and Bane, part of the Havoc Guardians' Council, and their new wives. We're all here tonight to celebrateBabbo's birthday—the first one since we lost him.

Creed and Sophie are still firmly on the non-mafia, civilian side of the line and usually have little interaction with criminal factions; however, we're all here in honor of Tommaso Santoro. Also, Creed and Sophie have a bit of a soft spot for the HavocGuardians as they played a pivotal role in saving Sophie, plus the MC is a huge supporter of Hope's Legacy—using only clean money earned from one of their many legal businesses, of course.

There's a commotion in the doorway to the open-space family room, andMammamoves to greet the newcomers—Raf with Pix and Digits, who is the MC's tech genius.Mammahugs them all, and Raf kisses both her cheeks. Then, he looks down at the violent, psycho little pixie beside him—looking at Pix like she makes the world spin on its axis—before he lifts his eyes to mine.

He doesn't give a shit that I caught him mooning over Pix and makes his way across the room. I pour him a glass of bourbon and hand it to him.

"Everything good?" he asks.

I'm standing apart from the group. Not because anything is wrong, but because I'm observing the motley crew of our family and allies coming together to honorBabbo.

"Everything's perfect."

He clinks his tumbler to mine. "Tommaso would be happy."

I scan the room again, taking in everyone here:ZioMarco, Andro, our cousin Gemma, Gabe—who is as much family as Raf—and Massimo, standing with his tiny queen by his side. We are all here with our strongest allies.

This is our family, and family was everything toBabbo.

"Yeah, he'd be in his glory right now." I smile, and my eyes fall on my wife.

Raf sees where my attention has fallen. "Aiken would have loved that you love Eden so much."

I swallow hard against the emotion that's closing my throat at Raf's words. "His three words changed my life, brother."

Vito, call Ed.

I had given a dying man his last wish. I had protected her, used the clue he planted in my head about the cube—or as he hadsaid his last words,the box—and how to open it safely. I was the criminal in this city he trusted to do the right thing.

Pix grins at me from across the room, then looks at Raf with an arched brow. He's instantly at attention, and I chuckle, finishing my bourbon.

"Something you want to say?" Raf growls at me.

"Nope." I smirk. "I gotta take a piss, so why don't you go tend to whatever that is." I nod toward where Pix and Digits are chatting withMamma.

He grunts, then leaves without another word. Chuckling, I walk across the family room and go down the hallway to the washroom.

Closing the door, I undo my jeans, pull my dick out, and brace my hand against the wall as I relieve myself. I remember the day Ohith and I destroyed Lixin, Amazu, and Simon Novak, and pissing all over their cut-off tattoos before setting them on fire. The satisfaction I still get from desecrating their flesh that way makes me smile.

Once I'm finished, I tuck my dick back in my jeans, zip up, and wash my hands. As I open the bathroom door, I'm hit by a hurricane.

Brunette, shoulder-length, wavy hair flies as soft, full lips crash to mine, and the most sinfully curvy body presses against me, pushing me back into the washroom.

I kick the door shut and push Eden up against it. My palm goes to her throat to hold her in place as my free hand gets her pants undone. "Needy for me, baby?"

"Yes," she gasps.

When I get her pants off, she grips my wrist and guides my hand down over her pussy. I love how she takes control and owns what she wants. I push two fingers in. She's wet and ready, and I catch her moan with a punishing kiss.

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