Page 89 of Vito

"Have you come clean to him yet?"

My eyes snap to Creed's.

I know what he's referring to. In the two months since we buried Cutt and Jax, Creed hasn't asked anything. He didn't ask questions when he picked up Eden's vehicle in the industrial area that night, and she stayed with Raf and me, even though it was sketchy as shit.

"It's nothing that will endanger the family."

Lies.

But I'm too far gone with Eden to back away now. I can't. Ever.

I meant what I said to Eden—that we should leave this city and world behind. My chest caves thinking about abandoning my family, but if it's the only way to keep her safe and have her, I would.

Creed's jaw shifts as he studies me. "Is Eden okay?"

My brows pull together in confusion.

"Sophie has a high emotional intelligence," he explains. "She mentioned Eden almost seemed distressed when she realized she was pregnant. It was just a momentary flash, but Sophie was sure she didn't imagine it."

Fucking hell.

"I don't know why you're asking me, baby brother," I deflect with a neutral voice.

"Vito… Come on. This is me." He leans against his desk. "That day ofPapà's funeral… I was there. When you came out of the library. I saw your face when you came out to chase after her, brother."

Had I loved Eden even then and been too blind to see it?

If Creed had seen it on my face when I raced after Eden in a panic, that would explain why he gave me the 'pep talk'.

"I'm not asking what's all happened, Vito. And neither Sophie nor I will say anything to another soul about this, including Mass. I know you're smart, but there will be a time soon when you need to choose your path."

My decision is made of which path I'll choose if forced to.

Torment rises within me. I don't want to lose my family, but I would if it meant keeping Eden.

His eyes shine with emotion as if he knows. "Or you use circumstances to your advantage and forge a new path."

"Always with the cryptic bullshit," I growl.

He laughs lightly. "It's just an idea. I actually have no fucking clue how you'd do that in reality."

I cup the back of his neck. "Thanks for having my back, baby brother."

"You've always had mine. And when it came to Sophie, you didn't hesitate or let me down. I'll be forever in your debt." He pushes back to look me in the eye. "Just no crazy shit, okay?"

I grin. "Baby brother, do you even know me?"

Chapter 25

Eden

AfterVitoleftthroughthe secret passageway when he finished destroying me in the best ways possible, I got my quivering body back into functioning order. It took a hot minute for me to settle my resting bitch face mask back into place as I was still reeling from re-living my traumatic past. However, I felt stronger after sharing my dark secret with Vito.

I'm also still reeling that he plans to get a vasectomy.

We can't have a future together, but he still wouldn't back down when I brought it up again before he left. He just cupped my face and promised we'd figure it out.

If his plan of figuring it out is faking our death and leaving this life,his family, behind, I can't let him do that. His family needs him; they deserve him, and vice versa.

---