Page 127 of Vito

I watch as two men fall to the sidewalk, blood pooling under them.

Frank runs to cover one of the front doors into the building.

Somehow, I know I've brought this risk here. Maybe they were watching Gilly's, and now that I wasn't protected inside the bar, they attacked me here.

I put Sophie, her unborn baby, Gina, and the rest of them in danger.

I turn back to Raf. "Tell Vito it's the cube. Aiken loved puzzles, and I think the cube contains something. And tell him I'm sorry that I have to break my promise."

"Ed," Raf rasps, realizing what I'm about to do. He lunges for me.

But I won't let Vito's family be harmed because I've brought this risk here to them.

I jerk backward, pivoting as I do so his hand misses me, and I run toward the front door.

Thundering steps are right behind me. "Frank, stop her!" Raf shouts.

But I hit the door before he can grab me.

Outside, the noise is deafening, but I raise my hands, running onto the sidewalk. I brace myself to be riddled with bullets, but someone yells, "Ceasefire!"

A wall of black—soldiers in fatigues, balaclavas, and gloves—rushes toward me.

I glance back as they surround me. Raf is yelling and running toward me, but I'm shoved into a van.

Immediately, I feel a prick on the side of my neck, and the world goes black.

Chapter 35

Vito

I'minMassimo'soffice,having just finished the call with Alberto to finalize everything for the recon op on Mancini and Novak. The teams are getting into position.

I pick up my cell from where I'd tossed it earlier and realize I had accidentally turned the ringer off.

Alarm ripples through me when I see there's multiple missed calls. The office door bangs open before I can see who has called me.

Massimo's large frame fills the doorway. He stops, and the tension coming off him is almost palpable.

Earlier, his eyes were hard and unreadable. But now… they're filled with worry.

"What is it?" I demand. A gnawing in my gut starts. "Did something happen at the ultrasound?"

He's silent and closes the door, making my anger join the party. "What the fuck is the matter, Massimo?"

"Eden has been taken."

His words knock my world off its axis. My vision morphs into a slash of red as I rush toward the door.

Massimo catches me, bracing his hands on my shoulders. But I'm a charging rhino, and he loses ground, even though he's bigger than me. He shouts, and the door opens for six of our men to rush in.

"Stand the.Fuck.Down!" I yell at them.

But they're here on the Don's orders, and he's top dog and who they'll listen to.

Regardless, I fight. I fight them, including my brother, as they try to control me.

I roar like an enraged beast, ready and willing to tear them limb from limb—any one of them who stands between me and Eden.

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