Page 123 of Vito

I miss my brother so goddamn much, it's a physical hurt.

I've never found anything else that Aiken created; only this piece and the wooden cube I gave Gina.

Aiken always loved puzzles. When Fenton and I were young, he'd give us things to solve—riddles, metal wire puzzles where we had to get the ring off, or wooden shapes he crafted that we had to figure out how they fit together.

Just like the wooden inlay behind his desk and the cube he made.

His love of puzzles and meticulous nature were evident in his succession planning—the triggered email, the details to piece together, and the revelation of the successor.

Too bad his biggest puzzle is the one of his death.

I stand and rest my head against the cool wooden panel on my wall. "Talk to me, Aiken."

But just like I did to him all those years, he remains silent, and my plea goes unanswered.

Chapter 34

Eden

MemoriesofAikenwithFenton and me roll through my mind like an old movie reel.

They remind me of all that I've lost and what I forced Aiken to lose. They remind me of my guilt, regret, and shame.

Those emotions further remind me of Vito and my weakness for him. Why couldn't I have just stayed away? He could be killed because of me if we're discovered.

You'll take him away from those he loves. You'll make his family lose so much, just like you forced Aiken to. You're weak.

No, you'renot, sis.

Maybe it's my exhaustion and angst talking, but Aiken's voice is in my head.

Finally, my big brother talks to me. I choke back a sob and press my forehead to the desk.

I'm your protective big brother. Ever since I failed you and Fenton, I've tried to do my best to protect you.

"You didn't fail us," I whisper. I press my forehead to the desk, not wanting him to leave. "Talk to me, Aiken. Please."

But it's memories of Fenton that pushes forth. Her angelic smile and innocent giggles.

"Again, Aiken!" she squeals.

"Ssh, little pipsqueak." He musses her hair.

My thirteen-year-old self rolls her eyes. "No one can hear us."

Fenton and I snuck out of our beds one night when Aiken came home for the holidays. My older brother was working in his woodshop, but our parents didn't like us to come out here because of all the sharp tools. Plus, we were supposed to be in bed, not outside in the middle of the night.

"Be quiet, and you can watch me work."

I sit on the worn-out sofa, and Fenton curls against me, her long lashes fluttering closed almost immediately. She sleeps against me, and I watch Aiken with rapt fascination as he planes and sands all the small, intricate pieces of wood.

"It's like a puzzle, Ed. The best and most important things in life often are. I like to make these wooden intricate treasures and hide things so that when the puzzle is solved, there's a reward at the end."

My head snaps up, forcing me out of my memory.

…hide things so that when the puzzle is solved, there's a reward at the end.

I spin around, staring at the woodwork inlay.

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