Page 128 of Vito

They go for my weapons first, the smart fuckers, and steal those from me, but I still have my fists and feet. I land punches and kicks, holding nothing back. I fight them as if I'm fighting my worst enemies.

There's seven of them, but I'm a determined, unhinged motherfucker.A fucking cunt.

But they're well-trained and like flies on shit. And they wisely didn't come to this fight with their own weapons. Massimo would've known I'd commandeer any I could get my hands on and send these men,ourmen, our family's loyal soldiers, to the ground to get to Eden.

Massimo shouts at me, but I can't hear—or don't want to hear, maybe—over the roar in my head and the beast noises I'm making.

When they finally pin me to the wall—it takes five of them—Massimo grips my face. "Listen to me, brother."

His eyes lock on mine. A darkness that I rarely see fills them. Understanding fills them, too; he finally understands that I really love Eden.

"I promise you, Vito. We'll get her back."

"Who?" My voice is hoarse from my bellows of rage and the fear seizing control inside me. "Who. Took. Her?!"

"We don't know yet."

Jesus motherfucking hell.

This makes me feel more ill because if we don't know who took her, then we have no idea where to start searching or how to get her back.

"Does Crispin and his team have anything for security footage?"

"The CCTVs were taken out, but they're working on getting footage from other cameras."

My guts roll and I clench my fists. "I need to call Axin."

There's a collective intake of breath from our men. There's only one Axin in our world, and dead or alive, he and Ohith are legends.

My lip peels back with a snarl.

If the fight we just had didn't remind our men, then my look of menace and malice will.

I'm Vito fucking Santoro. The one who protects his family and walks on the edge of a blade; who easily sheds the skin of humanity to become the unhinged beast the rumors whispered about.

Hell, some of these men have been in my playroom to witness it firsthand.

If any of them do anything to threaten Eden, they'll see me spiral down to unleash new levels of hell on them.

"If youevermention Axin's name with Eden's," I seethe, "I'll flay you alive, one inch at a time, taking my time as you beg and scream for death. Once your skin is gone, I'll start on your muscles. Then I'll feed you your flesh until you choke to fucking death."

They all look me square in the eye and none of them back away.

I know I have their word.

But even though I have their word, six of our men witnessed my reaction to Eden—Ed, Gilly's owner-operator, who's neutral and off-limits—being taken.

Massimo turns to them. "Everything you've witnessed, seen, or heard doesnotleave this office," he says, cold and firm. "As your Don, that's adirectorder. Defy me, and I'll not only not stop Vito from making good on his promise, but I will hold you down myself while he does it."

None of them flinch, and they calmly nod.

There's a commotion outside the office, and the door opens again.Mamma'sface is distraught and pale as she enters with Raf, Creed, and Sophie.

Creed ushers Sophie to the sofa, making her sit as she wrings her hands. Massimo nods toward the door, and our men leave.

I might look cold and calm on the outside, but I'm hot and raging inside with fury and panic. I need to get to Eden.

But first, I need details. Massimo was right about stopping me from running blindly to go for her. My first and only instinct was to move, to do something, to race to Eden. But in my blind panic, logic wasn't present; I have no idea where she is. Not only would I have likely gotten myself killed before I could reach her, but I would've been a madman loose on the streets.

---