Page 57 of Vito

I sit on the edge of the tub and fist my hair.

Why the hell do I care about some woman sucking Vito's cock?

Suddenly, I hear something over the noise of the shower. I lift my head, listening intently over the running water.

There's a song playing.

The only source to play music in the apartment is my phone—there's no radio, TV, or computer. My phone is in the kitchen, and I had silenced it for calls and texts.

I slowly stand, listening to the song with a shiver of alarm rippling down my spine. The song playing is one of Aiken's favorites:Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody. I programmed that song as an alert if there were any security system breaches here.

Which means someone is trying to get in… or is already inside.

Keeping my eyes on the open doorway, I move to the cupboard under the sink and open it as quietly as I can. The hinges don't make a sound, and I grab the knife and gun that I had stashed in there after I moved in.

I've hidden weapons all over the apartment. I was always safe when I lived with Ohith; however, he instilled caution and to be prepared and ready for anything. Since returning to San Francisco and becoming Gilly's owner-operator, my need for being prepared has only amplified.

I tighten the silencer on the gun and double-check the action and the magazine to ensure it's fully loaded, then take the safety off. I raise the gun in my right hand and use my left hand, which fists my knife, to steady my gun hand.

Crouching low, I move to the open doorway and listen, trying to block out the sound of the song/alarm notification still playing on my phone.

Even though I don't know what awaits me outside of the bathroom, I can't stay in here. If I do, I'll be pinned in with no exit and no place to take cover.

I keep low, my weapons ready, and move like a stealth cat out of the bathroom. The song hits the part with the lyrics, 'Mama, I just killed a man,' making a foreboding shiver run down my spine.

I'm fully expecting to be attacked, but I make it to the kitchen island, which tells me the intruder is in a bedroom or the front entranceway or hasn't gotten in yet. I keep low and position myself with the island at my front and the fridge and stove at my back, and I wait.

It doesn't take long to hear the rustling of a jacket and the quietthudof boots walking. The song is still playing, but my hearing feels supersonic as I sit in the dark. The only light on is in the bathroom, and the water is still running, so the intruder likely thinks I'm in the shower.

From where I'm sitting, though, if they turn around at the bathroom door and look back to the kitchen, they could see me from that angle, even in the shadows. I shift in my crouched position to move around the island.

There's a noise to my right, and I realize too late there aretwointruders—men based on their shape and size.

I pivot quickly, and without hesitating, I fire my gun as the guy lunges for me. The silent bullet hits him in the stomach. With a pained grunt, he falls on me, taking me to the floor with him.

I'm trapped under his weight; the gut shot wounded him but didn't instantly kill him. He's sucking in, trying to breathe, but is still trying to get his hands around my throat.

"Give no quarter,"Ohith's warning fills my head.

My gun is trapped between us, and I work to get it free. My biggest immediate threat is the guy on top of me, and I fist my knife, swinging it to stab his back. He grunts and jerks, and I do it again, spurred on by his weakening fight. The quiet sounds of our grappling will draw the attention of the guy by the bathroom, who's my next worry, especially since I'm pinned under this guy's weight.

I can hear the other guy moving closer as I breathe heavily and finally get my gun free. I have to reach over the guy on top of me, and I hold the gun steady, ready to shoot as soon the other intruder comes into view.

Everything feels like it's in slow motion.

The lights from the bathroom and the streetlights illuminate the dark, and the other intruder comes into view.

It's Jax.

My brain doesn't have time to process any other info before his neck suddenly gapes wide open with a slash that looks like a psychotic grin.

Blood sprays out, and Jax drops to the floor. His eyes are wide, staring right into mine as he chokes on his blood.

The now-still body on me is wrenched off, and instantly, I feel the cold from my soaked, bloody clothes.

I'm free, and I struggle to my feet.

And stare.

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