Page 98 of Vito

Creed heard back from Tag that his team and their tech expert confirmed that the man Creed saw wasn't Morales. Jesús, my contact in the Garcia Cartel, and Crispin had also confirmed this. Massimo had even flagged it with Glass, the FBI director, to be certain that Morales, Sophie's father, or any of the others involved hadn't risen from the dead.

So, either Creed just happened to see Morales's doppelgänger, or someone put the guy up to it to unnerve Creed or send us a message. We don't know at this point. However, Sophie is always well guarded. Creed is a protective and possessive man, and that will remain in place.

With that threat figured out, you'd think I'd be more relaxed. Especially since I had a toy to play with in my playroom—a low-level dealer we caught trying to sell tainted products in our clubs. That fucker is no longer among the world of the living, but I'm still agitated.

I know the reason. Eden.

I want to go to her; Ineedto go to her.

I don't know if it's because of what she revealed earlier today, but my guts are swirling. I had texted her earlier this evening, using the upcoming illegal gambling game as the reason, saying we needed to discuss some logistics. She replied, saying not tonight, but we'll talk tomorrow.

Now that I've finally confessed that I love Eden, everything I feel has become more potent—the want, the need to see and be with her.

I hate—fucking hate—that I can't see her whenever I want. That I can't go to her when she needs me. That we’re some dirty secret.

I can't openly love her and tell the world she's mine. I can't take her home and show her what a family truly is. I can't hold her in my arms while we sleep. I can't watch her sleep.

Raf comes back in from one of the hallways that leads deeper into the bowels of the basement. He and Mario had dragged the drug dealer away after I was finished with him. I've already cleaned up, using my special concoction that destroys blood. Raf had let me play by myself, sensing that I needed to slate my rage.

He's never asked me more about Eden, but I know he suspects something. He would've had questions and suspicions when he dropped me off with Eden after digging Cutt and Jax's grave. He's probably been calculating how long it's been since he knows that I've actually fucked someone—which was before Eden has arrived in the city. After the debacle in the library, that confirmed for him that I had previously cut Lexa and her blowjob requests off.

But… Don't ask, don't tell, right?

Raf and I are living by that motto right now, even though we have never had secrets.

"You okay?" he asks, going to the sink and washing his hands with our decontaminating soap.

I glance away but nod.

Images of finding Eden huddled in her office, breaking apart under the torrent of pain and memories of what her parents inflicted on her, rush through my head. My jaw clenches, and I have to give myself the pep talk of my life not to head straight to her apartment now that she's finished work.

Raf seems to want to say more as he dries his hands, but my phone ringing saves me from lying to my best friend.

The number and ID are blocked, and my tension increases. Few have my number, and I'm tempted to ignore it, but I answer.

"Vito, it's Axin."

I go stock-still—that Axin somehow has my number and at the tension in his voice.

"I need you to get to 915 Dumont."

I jerk like I've been stabbed. "That's across the street from Gilly's"

"You arenotto go in there."

"Did something fucking happen to Eden?" I shout. Raf looks at me with alarm and tosses the towel in the sink. "What the fuck is going on, Axin?"

I'm already running out the door and taking the stairs three at a time up to the parkade with Raf right behind me.

"She's fine. I'll explain once you get here. Donotgo into Gilly's. Do you understand me?" When I don't answer, Axin yells through the phone, "Do you fucking understand me, Vito?! You'll make this worse if you do."

What the hell is happening to Eden?

"Understood," I bite out, crossing the parkade to my car and yanking the door open. "I'm on my way."

Raf slams the passenger door shut, turning to me. "What happened?"

Shaking my head, I disconnect from Axin to call Massimo. I need to know what has happened at Gilly’s and the Chamber heads will know.

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