Page 103 of Vito

Dom eyes the interlinking wood inlaid into the wall behind my desk. "That's a beautiful piece, Ed. Excellent craftsmanship. Do you know who did it?"

"It was here when I took over."

"Did Aiken do it?" Lixin asks.

"Not sure when he would've found the time." The lie rolls off my tongue without me consciously deciding to tell it. I'm unsure why I'm keeping this part of my brother to myself.

I realize my mistake too late as Massimo regards me. He knows I lied as I had told his mom that Aiken had done it and made the cube I had gifted to Gina in honor of Tommaso when he died. Thankfully, he doesn't call me on it right now.

The Chamber leaders file out of my office, and I shut the door behind me.

As we walk through the barroom, Lixin and Dom still protest that they don't think I should stay here. I ignore them as we check the security screen monitoring outside to ensure no one is waiting to ambush them. I basically shove them out the door, mumbling goodnight and re-engaging the locks and the securitysystem. Hurrying back to my office, I lock it up tight. I pull out my phone, chancing to text Vito without our code.

I'm staying here tonight. I need to sweep my office

Don't chance it

The last thing I want is to sleep on the sofa alone. What I really want is to ride Vito's cock, then tumble into a blissful sleep in his arms, his heartbeat in my ear. But we need to not take stupid risks. Especially now.

Was the attack because someone suspected or knew about Vito and me? But if so, why the ambush? And why was I the only one targeted?

My phone buzzes, and my heart clenches when I read Vito's message.

This is killing me, baby. All I want and need is you

You know I'm right

Get some rest

You too

I delete the texts, knowing that if someone wants to, there are ways to retrieve them. We need to do better; no more stupid risks.

But that's a later problem. Sleep weighs me down, and I pull a blanket over me. Gus will lose his mind, and I'm sure he'll be my shadow for the foreseeable future.

Fucking full moonsis the last thought I have before sleep claims me.

Chapter 29

Vito

Rafsitsonthesofa as I pace the office at the estate while we wait for Massimo.

He hasn't peppered me with questions after finding out about Eden and me. I know he's brimming with curiosity about how we pulled it off without anyone having a sniff. As well as wondering what the hell has gotten into me. I've always been a one-and-done guy, never did a relationship. Never did complicated.

But his worrying trumps his curiosity.

Worrying if I might be six-feet-under soon. Worrying, like me, that the attack on Eden was because someone found out about the two of us.

I stop pacing and turn toward my right-hand man and best friend. "I don't know what will happen—"

“Vito.” He rises from the sofa. "Just take it one step at a time and don't do anything reckless."

I clench my jaw because what I'm about to do isn't just reckless; it's dangerous and maybe a bit insane.

The office door opens, and Massimo fills the doorway before pushing inside. Creed follows him and closes the door. When I called Massimo, he told us to meet here rather than at his private residence.Mammaand Triple S are still sleeping.

My brothers look like polar opposites at the moment—Massimo, still in his suit, hair smoothed back; Creed, hair mussed, sweatpants, a T-shirt, and bare feet.

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