Page 56 of Vito

"What?" I stop myself from punching Massimo's desk when I realize Gus said 'old'; however, that only tempers my angersomewhat. Then I realize what it means if Gus even brought this up. "Did he hurt her? Say something to upset her?"

"She told him to fuck off and get out."

"Wait… He came into Gilly's? She dated someone from our world before taking over Gilly's?"

"She just told me a bit because we were slammed, but it was back when she was younger and had left home. She dated the guy briefly; he was looking to prospect with the Havoc Guardians back when she ditched the dick. I've never seen the guy before so I'm pretty sure he never made it to prospecting with them."

"What happened?"

"The guy came in with that asshole Cutt. They both were high on coke and tried to stir up shit with her. She kicked them out." He sighs. "She hid it well, but I could tell it rattled her. So when we slowed down slightly, I convinced her to go home and take a breather."

I know Cutt's type well, and my gut rolls with worry.

Eden had dealt with him in the bar previously—and rightfully so—but he'd be humiliated and out for blood if he could get it. Normally, he'd not be so stupid to hit at Gilly's owner-operator, but Cutt has a reputation for being a psychopath when snorting his brains out. Add in an old, disgruntled boyfriend who fancies himself as a biker but never could make the cut… I suspect he'd have something to prove himself, especially if Eden told him to fuck off in public.

I stride toward the office door and yank it open. "Is that guy and Cutt still there?"

"What?" Gus asks, then understands what I'm asking. "You don't think…?"

"When did she leave?"

"Twenty minutes or so. Just a second." I hear Gus go back into the barroom, asking people if Cutt and his friend are there.

Raf is in the front of the house in the sitting room withMammaand our family who's still here. He sees the tension on my face and immediately moves to me.

"You need to drive me to Eden's.Now." Thankfully, he doesn't question me; he just nods and grabs his jacket. I kissMamma's cheek when she follows Raf into the foyer and gives me a questioning look.

Over the phone, Gus swears and sounds increasingly frantic. "They're not here, Vito. You don't think… Cutt… He wouldn't. Fuck, what did I do? I was the one to tell her to go home!"

"Call her, Gus." She won't answer a call from me. "Tell her to watch her back, just in case. I'm headed over there now."

I run out the door. Maybe I'm feeling guilty and desperate to see Eden and am making up the sick feeling in my gut, but I'm not going to risk it.

Chapter 17

Eden

Couldthisdaybeover already, for Christ's sake?

I want to shower and bury my head in the pillow, maybe sleep for a week. In a coma. That way, I won't see some bitch, who I want to kick in the cunt, on her knees sucking Vito off.

I press my fingertips into my eyes hard enough to make dots and starbursts appear, which help to block out the vivid image.

Why do I give a shit?

And why do I want to believe Vito and his stupid-ass story?

I glare at the beer in my hand and decide I don't want it. I put it back in the fridge and slam the door. The kitchen falls back into dark shadows, illuminated only by the streetlights from outside. But I like the dark; that way, I don't have to look at myself.

Rubbing my face roughly, I take my phone from my back pocket and check it again. My heart does a weird clenching thing when there are no missed calls or texts from Vito.

Why do I care that he hasn't tried to call me since I stormed out?

Angry at myself, because I'm a goddamn idiot, I turn my ringer off and toss my phone on the island, then stalk to the bathroom.

Slamming my hand on the light switch, I turn on the light. Ignoring my reflection in the mirror, I lean in and turn the shower on. Rage flows through me, making me want to punch and kick and destroy something.

The bodega I live above was dark when I came home, which means I have the two-story building to myself. No one is down there to hear me if I screamed and punched out my rage.

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