Page 90 of Vito

When I can't hide in my office anymore, I place the inventory order, then go back into the barroom and join Gus behind the bar.

"Headache better?" he asks, mixing Meg's drink orders while she chats with a Havoc Guardian named Breaker.

"Yep." I don't need him to ask more questions, so I go the deflection route. "You can head home, Gus. It's past the end of your shift."

We kept the routine that he and Aiken had: Gus does the opening shift, and I do the closing. Periodically, though, I have to make Gus leave in the evening because he worries about history repeating itself.

He side-eyes me, the scar at the top of his nose puckering with his frown.

"Ambrose is closing with me tonight," I remind him.

Gus places the last drink on the tray for Meg. She smiles at me before hoisting the tray, and Breaker nods at us before he leaves. Gus studies me, and I feel my tension escalate.

Does he know about Vito and me? Knows what just happened in my office?

He glances around, then turns so his back is to the patrons. "What the hell was that with the Chamber?"

Oh yeah, right…that. Almost forgot about that.

I have no idea what the hell that conversation was supposed to achieve, and I tell Gus so.

His frown deepens. "Something feels off. It's a full moon."

Aiken was murdered on a full moon.

"We've had full moons since I started, and nothing has happened. Stop being superstitious, old man. Get out of here. Ambrose is closing with me," I remind Gus again.

He turns back to the face the barroom and scans the patrons. "Tensions are high tonight."

I look around the barroom, easily picking up on what he means. Hugo is sitting at a table with two young guys rumored to be part of a hotshot car heist team that's new to town. Based on their expressions and body language, they don't appreciate theoverlordrules that the Saints enforce, but if you heist or move cars in San Fran, then you either follow the rules or disappear.A table close to them has the leaders of two small gangs who've been fighting over territory, likely trying to come to a resolution that doesn't end with one of their factions, or both, being wiped out. Gilly's provides a safe space for these talks to happen on neutral ground.

Gus leans his head to the other side of the barroom. "Amazu stayed after the other Chamber leaders left. He's drinking heavily."

My gaze tracks to where Amazu sits alone at a table. There aren't any other members of the Fire Clan in the bar, which is odd because there are usually a few with Amazu. He usually drinks beer, but he's got a full glass of what looks to be whiskey—no ice or mix. From my five months of experience here, a drunk Amazu can be nasty. Amazu drunk on anything other than beer isnasty.

"What's up?" I ask Gus, watching Meg talk to Amazu.

"No idea. But watch yourself."

"Gilly's is neutral territory."

"Your brother thought so, too." He huffs. "I'm going to stay."

"No, you're fucking not. You got a date tonight, remember?"

The gruff man who could be my father blushes. He actually blushes. I chuckle, pushing him out from behind the bar. "I'll be fine."

Meg comes back to the bar and places her empty tray on top, chewing her lip.

"What is it?" I ask her.

She leans closer and speaks quietly. "Amazu wants me to just bring him the bottle."

"I'll deal with this."

Meg sags in relief, and Gus catches my arm. "Ed."

"I'm the owner-operator, old man." I soften my tone because my comment could've been taken as insulting, like I'm trying to put him in his place. "I got this, Gus. Go on your date."

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