Page 51 of Vito

Mamma's eyes fill with tears. "La mia bella ragazza,my beautiful girl." Her voice shakes. "I am honored to accept such a gift."

She hugs Eden tightly. Eden's eyes are huge, both at the response and the fact thatMammadidn't need a translation and replied in English.

Eden laughs and hugs her back. "I see your son isn't the only one to have a few surprises."

But the moment ends too soon, and I see the second that Eden's defenses go back up for her to be Ed instead of Eden.Mammaalso senses it, and even though she looks dismayed, she knows the role of Gilly's head.

She cups Eden's cheek. "You honor me and my family with your presence here."

Eden steps back to put some space between herself and my family, no doubt acutely aware that the members of the Chamber are also here. The short, intimate moment with her among the people I love most is gone. I feel a pounding headache coming on as if Eden distancing herself has opened the floodgates for it.

"Would you like something to eat or drink, Ed?" Massimo asks.

"No, thank you. I can't stay long as Gus was getting slammed at the bar. I'll wait until you and the Chamber are ready for that debrief, then I should head back."

"We could do it right now, as I believe Lixin and Amazu need to leave shortly."

My anger flares that the Chamber and business are taking Eden from me. It's an irrational response, but powerful nonetheless, and I try to squash it before I lose control. Cursing myself for drinking so much without eating, I rub my forehead.

"Are you okay, Vito?" Eden asks.

The concern in her voice pleases me.

Fuck, I'm drunker than I thought.

"Just need some food to soak up this alcohol and maybe lie down," I say honestly. "I'll be in the library. Come find me before you leave, Eden."

Massimo isreallyeyeing me now.

"Okay," she replies hesitantly. As Massimo leads her toward his office, she looks over her shoulder at me until they disappear around the corner.

Mammahas a pleased look.

Creed frowns. "Brother—"

"I don't want to hear it," I snap and stalk away.

My head is starting to spin. I go down the hallway to the library, leaving the guests and my family behind, and close the door. I need to clear my head and get back in control before Eden comes to find me. I need to regroup.

After her meeting with the Chamber, when she comes in here, it would be ill-advised to push her up against the wall and finally see if she truly is unaffected by me.

And if shedoeswant me—and from what I had glimpsed in her office that night when her defenses were down told me she wants me as badly as I want her… Well, I'm not sure of my gameplan then.

Dammit, I need to clear my head of this alcohol fog and the pounding headache.

The room spins as I flop onto the sofa. I lay my head back. As I close my eyes, I plot out my plan for once I have Eden alone.

Get the the room to stop spinning.

Talk to her with a more level-head. Thank her for coming today.

Let her leave without pushing her up against the wall.

No, you goddamn idiot. You have her here. In your family's home.

Outside of the domain that rules the line drawn between us.

And I want to keep her here as long as possible. Even if I can't touch her.

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