Page 93 of Vito

I got you covered. Closing will be at the same time?

I'm good. Don't worry

It's a full moon

Jesus. Not you, too

You don't do emojis

Just did

Christ… stop

LOL

Goodlord. LOL? From Axin?

Go do something productive

TTYL

Oh, and… Thanks

I got your back

Who would think I'd get choked up and the warm-fuzzies from a ghostly, scary-looking dude whose longest career included chopping up bodies? But Ohith is my adoptive father, and Axin is my adoptive uncle. Family.

If I asked them, they'd protect and help me fake my death. Less certain about Vito, but I'm pretty sure I could convince them to come around.

But we're not going down that path,I vow.

The rest of the night is fairly quiet. A couple of new criminals in town get a bit rowdy and handsy with Meg, but surprisingly, it's Amazu who intervenes and reads them the riot act. He stays on beer, grumbling about how I could let him have them more frequently.

The door to the bar opens, and my eyes automatically check who has entered my domain and assess whether they're a threat. For the second time today, Ash and Massimo walk in. They incline their chins at me and head straight for Amazu.

They sit at his table, leaning in close while talking and looking serious. Amazu looks like he's primed for a fight as he stands and jerks his elbow from Ash's grip.

He walks to the bar and leans heavily against it. "These assholes are making me leave."

Ash cracks his knuckles. "You texted us, asking to get picked up, dick."

"Did not," Amazu grouses, then frowns, turning back to me. "Did I?

"How the hell would I know?"

He snorts. "Always such a line in the sand with you, Ed."

"That's the way of our world, Amazu. Go home and sleep it off."

He slaps a wad of cash on the counter. "I want to tip Meg and the rest of the staff. They work hard. You, too. That 'nuff?"

I never take any of the tips myself, but I count what he gave to cover his bill and nod. "Very generous, thanks. Go sleep it off. Make sure you tip your drivers."

I have no idea why he called his Chamber co-leaders instead of a cab. Maybe they're like brothers in some fraternity, his ride-or-die. But I'm curious about it and why two showed up.

"Definitely will tip my drivers." He cackles, then sobers. "At least they don't want to kill me."

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