Page 78 of Vito

"But he was trying to find out something or get some information."

That part is true. Otherwise, why the additional secret security camera and one that recorded audio?

"Gus said Aiken started on his woodworking a few months before he died… Was he more specific?" I ask.

"He said three months."

I drum my fingers on her thigh as I contemplate. "When I talked with Gus after Aiken died, he said your brother had told him a month before that if anything happened to him, Gus was to call a number. That's the number I called and got you."

"Aiken suspected he was in trouble." She asks the same question Gus had, "Then why did Aiken call you to tell you to call me?"

"To protect you."

She chews her thumbnail again, her brow furrowed. "Why didn't Aiken go to the Chamber if he thought he was being threatened?" She doesn't wait for me to answer. "Would Massimo know? Even though your father was still alive then, maybe he said something to him?"

"It's a possibility, but I feel Massimo would've at least alluded to that. According to him, the Chamber heads are as mystified as the rest of us of who killed Aiken and why."

Her eyes dart between mine. "Unless Aiken suspected it was a threat from one of the Chamber."

I've had that same thought. The predator and the protector in me raise their heads, sniffing the air for threats against Eden. I've always thought Aiken was murdered because of something he knew or saw.

But maybe it's solely because ofwhathe was—Gilly's owner-operator.

However, I can't figure out how that would be the strategic play. With Aiken eliminated, his chosen successor would step in. No one knew who that was beforehand, and the Chamber would have no control of who it was.

However, the unsettling thought of Eden being at risk won't leave me. "We need to take extra precautions for your safety."

"Wecan't do anything, Vito."

I want to punch and stab something, or someone.

"You can't spend more time here than you already do." She pushes off me, then paces her office. "Or hang around while I close up; or make sure I get home safely. People will notice."

She's right, and I feel useless and worse than frustrated.

"Then get Ohith involved," I demand. "Get him to assign a team for you—someone who would be unknown to anyone around here. It's too risky for it to be Axin; he'd be recognized. However, he can be the behind-the-scenes protection, using tech to watch and protect you without anyone even being aware. I'll be on-call if they need more assistance."

Thankfully, she contemplates it and finally nods.

I stand, and she comes to me. My mouth seeks hers, and I wrap her in my arms. Fear and a variety of other emotions I don't dare name rage inside me.

I feel an urgency that isn't fueled by lust, but by something more potent.

I need to touch and feel her. I need to smell her, to see her over me, under me. I need to know she's here with me in my arms. I need to know she's safe.

We don't move into the tunnel this time.

Her office is locked up tight like Fort Knox and is soundproof. No one knows I'm in here.

It's still a risk because Gilly's is open, but I'm willing to take it because right now. I feel like I'm making a stand.

Fuck the line that is supposed to separate us.

Fuck the Chamber and all the criminals in this city.

Eden is mine. Mine to have and to hold. Mine to cherish and worship. Mine to protect.

I break away from her only as long as it takes to spread the soft, plush blanket on the floor and gently lay her down.

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