Page 122 of Vito

Gus sits rigid in his chair. "Why the hell hasn't a Chamber meeting been called, Massimo? We need to escalate protocols if there's an increased threat against Ed."

Massimo somehow knows that I know all about Vito's suspicions about the Chamber. His face turns cold and dark, but he gives a subtle nod to warn me off sharing that with Gus.

Which I have no intention of doing, anyway.

"Thank you for informing me about these links, Massimo. We'll take it from here."

"Ed." Gus snaps his head to me. "You can't be serious. This needs to be addressed. You're at increasing risk, kid."

Massimo's phone rings, and he frowns after glancing at the screen. "My apologies; I need to take this." He stands and answers, "Mamma, is everything okay at Sophie's ultrasound?"

I watch Massimo walk out the door, and my eyes move to the security monitor on my desk. Gus is trying to convince me that we need to notify the other Chamber leaders as I watch Massimo on the phone. His tension decreases rather than increases as he talks to his mother, and I return my attention to Gus.

"We have it handled, Gus." I shoot down involving the other Chamber leaders without telling him why. "It will look bad if Gilly's and Santoro business are overlapping."

He snaps his mouth shut with a frown. Then he leans his elbows on my desk, regarding me with concern. "If it comes out that you didn't disclose this overlap, that will look bad as well, Ed."

I relax back in my chair, resting my right ankle on my left knee. "It's my call, Gus."

He rubs his hand over his gruff face. "I'm worried about you."

"That's the guilt talking." I inwardly wince as I half-gaslight him. His guiltistalking, but he cares about me and is worried. And I'm using that to twist his attention away from poking too deep into why I don't want to involve the other Chamber leaders.

Massimo comes back into my office. I raise my brows in surprise, as I thought he would've just left. I'd gotten the sense that he'd told me all he came to tell me.

"My, uh, mother insisted I say hello to you from her."

A smirk tugs my mouth. The large, ruthless Don—who controls a vast criminal empire—does his mother's bidding. It's fucking adorable. They really are the mafia version of theBrady Bunch. They're close-knit, loyal, and loving.

I can't let Vito lose that.

I won't,I vow.

I know I promised Vito I'd be careful, but I also know I'll break that promise in a heartbeat if I have to choose him over myself.

I can't have him.

No matter that Vito vowed he'd find a way for us to be together—reallybe together—I don't see how we can without him having to give up his family. So, if I have to sacrifice to save him or any of his family members—because I know they mean the world to him—I will.

"Mammaalso asked me to thank you once again for the gift after our father's funeral," Massimo said, referring to the wooden cube Aiken had made. He looks at the interlinking wooden pieces inlaid on the wall behind me, then back to me. "She carries it with her everywhere."

I place my hand over the bullet on the leather strap around my neck that's hidden under my shirt, feeling the gift Tommaso had given me after Aiken's death. "Tell Gina I say hello." My voice is thick with emotion.

Massimo dips his head. "Stay safe, Ed." Then he leaves my office.

Gus's green eyes are keen as he regards me. "You okay?"

No.

Massimo's message about the cube has brought all my complicated feelings about Aiken bubbling to the surface. I'm having trouble keeping it together.

This, on top of what happened last night, my lack of sleep, and Vito—the forbidden love that's been doomed from the start—and the possibility that he could lose everything, including his life—is too much right now.

"I just need a minute, Gus." I blink, trying to force back the well of tears that want to push forth.

Concern etches his rugged face, but he rises. "Take all the time you need, Ed."

The door clicks shut behind him. I stand up from my chair and brush my fingers over Aiken's artwork inland into the wall. The smooth interlinking pieces of wood are cool to the touch.

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