Page 60 of Vito

When I open my eyes, they're watching me. Likely curious about how I'm handling this.

"Are you ready?" Raf comes closer with the phone.

Taking a deep breath, I nod.

"Put it on speaker," Vito orders.

The phone rings twice, and then an accented voice—one with a unique blend of French, English, and German—answers.

"You're on speaker," I say before Ohith can say anything other than hello.

Vito frowns at my warning.

After a long pause, Ohith asks, "Are you alright, my girl?"

"Yes." I look around the kitchen. "But two intruders aren't. One is a Havoc Guardian; the other is Jax."

Ohith hisses out a breath. "Good riddance. Did you end them?"

"No," I say as both Vito and Raf watch me, listening intently, and no doubt wondering who the hell I just called for assistance with this shitfest. "Two members of the Santoro family are here. One of them finished them."

Another pause. "Is one of those men Vito Santoro?"

My gaze swings to Vito, who's frowning. "Yes. How did you—"

Ohith tuts. "Eden Dallas Fallen, did you really think your father would not know everything?"

Vito's frown deepens, probably realizing this voice doesn't sound like Peter Fallen's.

And I don't know how Ohith can know everything. I'm fucking clueless about most of what is happening, even with myself.

"Anyway,adopted-dad." I rub the middle of my forehead. "I need a clean team at the apartment over the bodega."

I chance a look at Vito. His blue-green eyes widen in surprise at my request and that I have someone on my speed dial—AKA some mysterious adopted father—to help me out.

"I'll send one immediately," Ohith says. "We'll have to do on-site prep for disposal."

I wince, not looking at Vito anymore, but I can feel his stare boring into the side of my head. Raf quietly mutters, 'Holy shit' under his breath.

"That way, the bodies can be transported more easily," Ohith continues, as if we're discussing the best way to cook a steak. "Your apartment is too public to carry out two bodies, even rolled up in something, and it will take too long to do the full disposal there."

Full disposal… AKA something like dissolving the bodies in acid. I wince again.

"The bodega is empty?" Ohith asks.

"Yes. At least it was when I got home." I look at Vito, who nods to confirm the bodega was empty when they arrived. I relay that to Ohith.

He clicks his tongue as he quickly plans. "I'll post another team to watch and make sure it stays empty for the duration of the process."

The process… For fuck's sakes.

I pinch the bridge of my nose. Why can't I live a normal life?

"We'll use a dump site outside of the city, well beyond the zone the Chamber would ever use."

Vito and Raf both look at me with undisguised surprise and increasing curiosity.

"Eden, once I get you the coordinates, can you go ahead and dig a grave so the transport team can dispose of them quickly?" Ohith asks. "That's the least risky, as you know."

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