Page 116 of Vito

"Keep looking in your office for anything else that Aiken may have left or hidden."

"I've been doing nothing else for the past five months," she huffs. "I am convinced Aiken didn't just watch and erase thedaily feeds from his hidden camera. He violated both Gilly's and the underworld's laws by installing one that recorded audio. He did that for a reason, and I'm certain he kept the recordings. I just have no idea where he'd save them."

Her mouth twists with frustration. "I thought his wooden wall inlay would be the best bet; however, I haven't found any other secret panels. But I guess if he uploaded the recordings to a server, there wouldn't be anything physical to find in his office."

I grip her waist, pulling her to me. "I love you. Remember, Ohith, Axin, and I have your back."

She stands on her toes to press her lips to mine. "You be careful, too." When I grab my phone and start walking up the stairs with her, she cocks her brow at me. "What? You need even these few additional seconds of my time?"

I smirk and slap her ass. At the top, I push her into the railing. "Massimo gave me a direct order as my Don to stay out of Gilly's. That means I can't have my eyes on you there. Promise me you'll do everything you need to keep yourself safe."

"I promise, you fucking cunt," she rasps.

I position the top of her head under my chin, willing myself to let her go rather than hoisting her over my shoulder and carrying her away, out of this city, forever.

If I have to do that, I will, I vow.

Kissing the top of her head, I let her go. She types in the code on the keypad and opens the hidden door to her office.

Both of us freeze. Someone is pounding on the outside of her office door.

"Shit." She steps inside, turning to me. "Go."

Like hell, I want to snarl.

"Vito. Go," she hisses as the pounding continues, and she pushes the passageway's door shut.

I can't go into her office with her, but I stop the door from closing tightly with the toe of my boot. Turning off the light onmy phone so the passageway falls back into darkness, I listen as she goes to the other door and disengages the lock.

"What the hell, Amazu?" Eden snaps.

What thefuckis he doing here?

My predator instincts roar to life, and I have to fight not to barrel in there and shove my gun down that bastard's throat.

"What took you so long to answer the door?" he demands. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. I told Gus I didn't want to be disturbed by anyone, and that includes you." I can hear the snarky annoyance in Eden's voice, but because I know her so well, I can also hear the underlying wariness. "Amazu, get out of my office. I only do one-on-ones in here with my staff."

"Always that line with you, Eden."

I stiffen like someone shoved a cattle prod up my ass. No one in the criminal world calls her Eden.

"It'sEd," she says coldly. "And that line is there for a reason. Now get the fuck out of my office."

He huffs. "I just wanted to make sure you're okay after last night."

I hear Eden moving around. I haven't heard the other door close, so I imagine she's kept it open—for appropriate conduct and to keep an escape route if needed. She also has weapons hidden in there, and I picture her making sure she's close to one. Amazu isn't aggressive or threatening, but we're both on edge.

"I'm fine," Eden says firmly. "If you're that concerned, let's take this conversation into the bar."

Amazu grumbles, but I hear the leather of his jacket creaking like he's gotten up from the chair. "Just a second, Ed. I want to ask you about the wooden inlay behind your desk. It's quite the craftmanship. Did Aiken do that?"

"I'm assuming so," she replies indifferently, but again, I hear the wariness underlying her tone.

"It's exceptional work. Did he make other things?"

"I don't know." She sounds impatient now. "Let's go; we can talk out in the barroom."

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