Page 117 of Vito

I listen as her door closes, and she uses the lock to seal her office. I consider going into her office to wait for her, but my buzzing phone stops me. I unlock it and see a text from Massimo. My blood runs cold as I read it.

Call me immediately

Silvestro Mancini was spotted in San Jose with Simon Novak

Mother. Fuckers.

I close Eden's secret door, turn my phone's light back on, then rush down the stairs. Hitting the bottom, I break into a sprint.

Silvestro Mancini—a Don of a non-'Ndrangheta family, in our territory, without permission. One who is considered a rival afterBabbomade him look like a fool and shut down one of his flesh-peddling rackets years ago. With the leader of the Czech mafia, who's an enemy of the Santoros.

Add to it that these two factions and men are supposed to be bitter enemies themselves.

My gut tells me things are about to get bloody.

This, on top of the threat to Eden, is the last thing I need, but I'll let my predator—myunhingedside—come out to play to protect everyone I love.

Chapter 32

Vito

We'reinMassimo'sofficeat the estate instead of his residence. He doesn't want us at his place much these days, but I won't push him on that right now.

His office is a command center, buzzing with menacing energy as we plot battle.

Massimo is on the phone with Gabe standing close by him.

Daniele, our bloodhound who can ferret out intel and people who don't want to be found, hunches over her laptop.

Crispin, the head of our tech team, operates all the computer equipment, some of which show aerial views of what I'm assuming are our enemies' positions.

ZioMarco, minus the icy light blue eyes, reminds me so much ofBabbothatit hurts. He's ready for the field—strapped with weapons and wearing a bulletproof vest under his dress shirt. He shrugs into his suit vest and jacket.

I shake my head. "You guys and the goddamn monkey suits."

He smirks at me, buttoning up his jacket. The material is snugger than usual, but loose enough not to restrict movement."Nipote." Nephew. His eyes scan the room behind me. "Where's Raf?"

"I told him to stay with the protection teams for Sophie's ultrasound." Besides myself, there's no one more I trust with that job. "Which I can't believe Creed is still allowing to go ahead, given this development."

"Sophie has some cramping and mild spotting," Massimo says, coming up beside me. "Otherwise, Creed wouldn't risk it."

"Fuck, is Triple S and the baby okay?"

"Mamma's with them, helping to keep them both calm. She had the same experience with all of us." Massimo's dark brows furrow, showing his worry. His phone rings, and he glances at it. "It's Alessio; he's calling me back to give me whatever he can on Mancini. Excuse me."

I turn toZioMarco. "Update me."

"Come," he says. "Alberto is on the screen with Crispin."

Alberto Romani, Raf's uncle, is our Capo for the San Jose area.

We walk over to the bank of computer screens, and Crispin nods at me, his knee bouncing up and down. It's always like he's drank three energy drinks, but he speaks with a contradictory, slow drawl.

"Vito." Alberto dips his chin in hello when I come into view on the screen. His Italian accent is heavy, and his bushy brows are pulled together.

"Catch me up, boys."

"It's Mancini," Crispin confirms.

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