Page 53 of Vito

Her eyes widen before they narrow, and she yanks her arm out of my grip. When I make to grab it again, she hisses, "You're making a scene."

"I don't care. Just listen, please."

"Well, I fucking care, you goddamn asshole."

For some reason, I'm relieved she didn't call meafucking cuntright now.

"I'd rather not end up dead like my brother. Now, back the fuck off." She yanks her door open.

Visions of her lying in a pool of blood like Aiken dance in my head.

"Eden." I sound desperate, but I'm beyond caring.

"This is nothing, Vito. There's nothing here," she motions between her and me, "so go back inside to Lexa and finish what you started." She glances over my shoulder, and her lips press tightly shut. Then she gets in her car, slams the door, and guns her engine.

I watch her drive away until I can't see her vehicle anymore. I turn and spot Raf, who looks sick, standing there with Massimo.

Massimo's face is an unreadable mask. "We need to fucking talk."

Chapter 16

Vito

Massimohasmeinhis office for two hours. First, he lectures me and tries to get me to talk. Then, he makes assumptions. Pretty much all of which are correct.

I admit nothing. I say nothing.

But everything he says, I know, is true.

Anyone here could've noticed my behavior. Hell, Lexa could've heard me whisper Eden's name as I orgasmed—I only hope she was moaning loud enough that it drowned it out. Anyone could be making their own deductions. Even rumors could be deadly. To Eden. To me. It could even mean risk to Massimo.

I crossed the line and didn't even get the sexual gratification as a result.

I can tell myself that's why I'm pissed off.

But that doesn't explain why I feel sick—and it's not just because of the alcohol.

Massimo leans against his desk while I sit on the ivory-colored sofa. "After Aiken's funeral, when you and I sat in Gilly's before the successor announcement, I could tell you were interestedin her." Massimo pauses, giving me an opportunity to defend myself. "You're trying to tell me that just went away when you discovered she was Ed?"

I finally break my silence.

"Have I ever given you any indication I was acting inappropriately toward Gilly's owner-operator?" If I call her Eden now, that won't go over well. "Have you ever witnessed anything?" He frowns, keeping his eyes on me, and I hang my head in my hands. "I was drunk, brother."

Two truths and a lie. Hopefully, he doesn't read into the fact that I hang my head to avoid his eyes while I lie.

It isn't a lie that I was drunk; however, implying my drunkenness is the reason I acted the way I did around Eden is a lie.

"I need to know, Vito. Have you fucked her?"

I lift my head, ready to pour all my honesty into my answer, thankful he didn't ask a different question. Like 'do you want to fuck her?' or 'do you think you can keep your dick out of her in the future?'.

"No, I haven't, brother. I swear onBabbo."

He sucks in a sharp breath, then nods. "The Chamber heads and their people all left as soon as the debrief with Ed was over."

Reading between the lines: 'you're fucking lucky no outsiders were here to witness that shitshow'.

"Watch yourself in the future," he growls, then stalks out.

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