Page 25 of Vito

"The blood was all Aiken's, though," he continues and glances at me. "Nothing under his nails or in the broken skin on his knuckles. His tox screen was clean."

"Sounds like more than one attacker," I deduce. "They sealed up; wore gloves. They were professionals."

He shoots me a sharp side-eye look. Living with Ohith did have some perks, and I picked up some things over the years.

"That's my read, too," he finally says.

I look out the window as he turns down the street that leads to Aiken's place. People are still milling about as the nightlife is just starting to wind down.

"They wanted him to be found. Killing him at Gilly's means something."

Again, Vito studies me hard. "That's my read, too."

He pulls to the curb, and I look at Aiken's apartment. It's the whole second floor above a bodega in the Mission District. My eyes burn as I stare at my dead brother's residence.

The leather seat cracks as Vito shifts. Schooling my face back into my impassive mask, I turn to him.

"The Chamber is doing their investigation. Gus and I are committed to helping you in yours, Eden."

I narrow my eyes. "And I'm supposed to trust you? Just like that?"

"No. You're too smart for that." He taps my forehead, and the quick touch shoots electricity through me. "I can see you're street smart, as well as deductive and strategic."

"Why would you help me?" I ask, ignoring his compliment, which pleases me way more than it should.

"Aiken was a good man."

"Good men have died before. Maybe even by your hands."

It isn't an accusation, just a statement. He's unfazed.

"The people who have died at my hands were not good people, Eden."

"No one is wholly good or wholly bad. Including you. Me. My brother."

"The fact remains that I'll help you."

"Whether I want your help or not."

He nods.

I grit my teeth. "I stand corrected: you're apushyfucking cunt."

He chuckles, but stops me when I move to get out. "Watch your back, Eden."

It isn't a threat… Concern laces his voice and covers his face.

"I've been watching my back for nine years, Vito. It's what I do." I close the door and walk away.

Chapter 9

Eden

Aiken'shomelaysbeforeme. Well, I guess it's my home now.

Open-concept kitchen and living room. Dark cupboards, marble countertops, and stainless-steel kitchen appliances. The front windows in the living room face the street. Nice furniture, but none of it looks overly used, except for an oversized chair.

The place is clean and neat, which doesn't surprise me because Aiken always immediately cleaned up after himself.

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