Page 21 of Vito

"Bourbon," he says again. "You'll have to bend over."

A sarcastic barb is on my tongue, but then I get it. "To the right or the left?"

His lips twitch. "Left."

"Just so you know, this isn't me bending over for cock… even if you are one."

I push away from the bar, bend down, and grab a bourbon bottle from the bottom shelf. Whistling as I stand and look at the label. "That's some premium tastes, Mr. Santoro."

"A woman who knows her bourbon." He looks pleased. "And I'm not Mr. Santoro; that's my father."

I pour him the bourbon, watching the dark amber liquid flow out of the bottle, which I know retails for a couple of grand. "Am I serving stolen alcohol in my bar, Vito?"

He looks innocent but keeps quiet.

"You really are a fucking cunt, aren't you?" I really should watch my mouth, especially given the dangerous company I'll be keeping now.

He doesn't look pissed off, though. In fact, he looks… delighted.

After he drops five bills on the counter, he lifts the glass. "Not stolen; it'sdiscounted, Eden."

"It's Ed," I firmly remind him.

He smiles. "Thanks for the drink, Eden." Then he turns and walks his magnificently sculpted ass and rippling back—evident under his well-fitted suit jacket—back to his table.

I don't know which emotion is winning—anger at his cockiness or lust.

The rattling of bottles jerks me back to attention as Gus puts three cases of liquor on the bar. I really need to get this Vito Santoro situation under control.

Ignoring Vito, and refusing to give in to the urge to glance at where he sits, I help Gus unpack the bottles.

He wipes the sweat off his brow with the back of his hand. "I can call a staff meeting tomorrow for you to go over the changes you're making."

I lean my hip against the ice machine. "Are there changes that need to be made?"

"Not really. I just thought…" His brows furrow, puckering the scar at the top of his nose. "Well, I guess a few things could be tweaked and improved."

"I'm not the 'let's sweep it all away and start from scratch' kind of person, Gus. I want to keep what works, but also, we can change what's not working."

He nods, but I can see the relief on his face, too.

"The only thing I won't tolerate is anyone getting handsy with the staff. Or doing drugs on the premises—that includes customers and staff."

"Those are both things I can support. The handsy part…" He frowns. "Your brother had the same rule; however, it can get dicey to implement sometimes."

"My place, my rules." I shrug. "Anyone who doesn't like it or won't follow them will be given two choices: leave or meet the end of my bat."

His eyes widen, then he smiles. "Aiken always was a brilliant lad. There's no doubt he made the right choice for his successor. I look forward to working for you, Ed."

Chapter 8

Eden

IkeepAiken'sstrictrule that everyone is out by two AM. However, I'm okay with Gus and Ambrose sticking around for the final closing. Not only because I'm new and a female, but because Aiken's habit had given his murderers an opportunity.

"Go," I order Gus and Ambrose, who hover by my side after we lock up. I point at the car waiting at the curb. "My Uber is here."

"Stubborn, just like her brother," Gus mutters, but he and Ambrose leave, walking around the corner to the back, where their vehicles are.

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