Page 94 of Vito

I'm searching his face to see if there's a joke, but his expression is flat.

Then he claps Ash's shoulder. "Do I get to ride bitch on your hog?"

"Not fucking likely," Ash says in his low, gravelly voice. "Let's go. I got better things to do than be your chauffeur." He grips the back of Amazu's neck and leads him out.

Massimo watches them go, then turns to me. "He say anything?"

Usually, I wouldn't have a tell-all with one Chamber leader about another and what I heard, but this feels like it needs to be shared. I give him the rundown of my earlier conversation with Amazu. Massimo's brows pull together more and more until they're basically touching once I'm finished.

"If there's some internal gang shit brewing, I need to know, Massimo."

"Not that I'm aware of. But if I hear anything, I'll let you know ASAP. Back to the successor questions… Did he threaten you?"

"No."

He looks over his shoulder at the door. "I better go help Ash. Have a good night, Ed."

"Massimo."

When he turns back to me, his face isn't in the usual serious look that's been stamped into place since he's taken over as Don of the Santoro family. Without that serious look, he reminds me of Vito, which reminds me that Vito is going behind his brother's back. He's betraying someone he loves and is loyal to, all because of me.

That brings a truckload of guilt. The Santoros are a close, loving family. They are fiercely loyal and look out for each other.

Vito's comment about faking our deaths echoes in my head. I can't let Vito sacrifice what he has with his family. I can't let him make the mistakes I did with Aiken.

But that's a not-right-now problem.

"I need to know about anything that could affect my staff's safety."

"You have my word."

"Thank you."

"Have a good night, Ed."

Massimo leaves, and I'm left wondering what exactly happened here tonight.

Chapter 26

Eden

Evenwiththehightensions in the bar tonight, it was quiet. No bloodshed—just the way Gilly's is supposed to operate.

Ambrose, though, has inherited Gus's superstitious wariness. He's a big guy; ex-military who still sports the standard military buzz cut after a decade. We're the only ones left at Gilly's, and I've just finished closing. I fist my keys, walking to the door with him as my shadow,righton my heels.

"Ambrose," I warn, glancing back at him, and he shrugs. Gritting my teeth, I set the alarm, exit, and lock up Gilly's. "Goodnight."

"Nice try, Ed." He motions for me to walk down the wide pathway that leads to the sidewalk and street.

I point at my car parked on the street down from Gilly's. Two vehicles are in front of it, and no one's around. "I'mrightthere."

"Gus's orders."

"And who is Gus's and your boss?" I snark. But I'm tired and not ready to pit in for an argument just on principle. "Pains in my ass, the lot of you," I mutter, making Ambrose chuckle.

Sighing, I walk to my car with Ambrose slightly behind me. I'm about to tell him to walk beside me, but I hear him grunt in shocked pain, and his body hits mine. I stumble forward with his body weight almost taking us both down and feel wetness on my neck.

My brain instantly connects the dots: Ambrose has been shot.

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