Page 29 of Vito

"What's your gut telling you, Eden?"

I chew on my bottom lip. "That it's possible Aiken had hidden surveillance. But why didn't he mention anything in the email? Everything else was outlined and laid out."

"That's a valid question. One neither you nor I, unfortunately, can answer. However, I guess you'll be hunting for secret cameras, then. But don't take any unnecessary risks."

His warning brings Vito to my mind—the tempting but forbidden fruit I need to ignore.

"Stay safe, daughter."

"I will," I promise.

After I disconnect the call, I stare at the empty beer bottle. I can almost hear Aiken telling me to deal with it now instead of leaving it on the counter. He was such a meticulous and creative person, but so predictable in so many ways.

"Fine, brother. You're a real pain in my ass," I mutter, grabbing the bottle and finding the empty box by the back door.

Turning off the lights, I walk down the hallway to the spare bedroom. Aiken's is the master bedroom, but I can't sleep in it. Even after I change the bedding and clean out his clothes, I don't think I can sleep there.

Too many ghosts and regrets.

My duffel bag sits where I tossed it before the funeral. I push it off the bed, strip down, and crawl under the sheets.

In the dark, a blue-green-eyed god appears in my head, and I groan in frustration.

"You'll have to bend over."

My cooch throbs.

My hand pushes between my legs, and I'm not surprised that I'm wet. The mere thought of Vito Santoro does something truly wicked to me.

I have an ever-growing to-do list, but tomorrow, getting a vibrator is top of the list. Because that's the only way I can let Vito, that fucking cunt, be associated with my dripping one.

Chapter 10

Vito

2 months later

It'sbeenfifty-ninedays.The Chamber cleared Raf and me for any involvement in Aiken's death or guilt of any kind, but we're no closer to finding Aiken's killer.

Babbo's health continues to decline. It's November now, and I'm not confident we'll have him at Christmas.

Word is out about our father's decline, and the reins have fully been handed over to Massimo. Our enemies are pushing and testing with the change in leadership to check for any weaknesses, which means I'm busier than ever.

Music thumps in my playroom while I 'play' with the piece of shit I have down in the basement.

The Czech mafia soldier hangs from his wrists, wrapped in chains from the ceiling. His screams and wails are diminishing, so Raf lowers the music, knowing that I love to hear my enemy'spain. This piece of shit is about to pass out on me again, so I slap his face, making spit and blood fly from his lip and nose.

"Wakey, wakey, Havel," I croon, getting right in his face. "Now is not the time for sweet oblivion."

Havel doesn't even try to lift his head. But his breathing tells me my slap has dragged him back to his hell.

Raf chuckles, leaning against the wall, twirling a toothpick in his mouth. "You want me to hit him with another shot of Epi?"

Before I can decide, the door to my playroom opens, and Massimo walks in. His dark brown eyes lock on me before they flick to our prisoner. His face is cold, hard, and filled with wrath and hate.

Massimo often is unreadable, but with this piece of shit, he's an open book.

Our family doesn't participate in or condone human trafficking in our territory, and the Chamber stands behind that as well. This stupid Czech soldier was not only trespassing into our territory but was transporting cargo not allowed.

---