Page 112 of Massimo

"Gotta go see about a butterfly," Ash growls quietly, then claps Vito on the shoulder. "Good to see you. " He dips his chin at me. "Keep me posted on what you need."

He turns on his heel, and Jerome follows him out, shutting the door behind them.

My interactions with Vito have been limited ever since my destruction of Pepe Russo in the playroom. We've both been occupied with our roles in leading our criminal family, and I know he and his team are scouring the streets for Mancini's other spy. But there's a subtle tension between us. I catch his guarded looks whenever we're together—either in public or at our family's estate for the regular dinners I've made sure to attend to avoid raising questions from my family.

The look he's giving me now is one that's trying to crack my head open to see my secrets inside. The conversation I've been expecting since that night in the playroom and my gruesome destruction of Mancini's spy is about to drop.

Inwardly, I prepare myself to keep my expression stoic and unreadable and plan my strategic responses.

"I've gotten ordained online," Vito says.

My mouth opens to respond but quickly snaps shut.

Thatwas not what I was expecting to be his opener.

The corner of Vito's mouth twitches, but his blue-green eyes are serious.

Keeping my expression unreadable, I regard him calmly. "Is this your way of saying you need more work? Since Gemma has agreed to take over the second-in-command position and you're returning to the protector role full time?"

My jab doesn't get his expected, taunting comeback. Instead, anger flashes over his features.

"Cut the fucking shit, Mass."

"Care to explain?" I deflect.

He shoots to his feet. He's not usually one quick to anger, but his nostrils flare, and he braces his scarred hands on my desk, leaning toward me. "I know you have the Mancini—" He abruptly stops and huffs a breath. "I know that you have Nova, Massimo. So quit cutting me out of this."

I knew the time would come when I'd have to tell Vito and Marco about my plan, but my protectiveness of Nova, coupled with the fact that they'd only see her as our enemy's daughter, kept me silent. I trust them with my life, but I can't risk any hostility or hate being directed at Nova—my own menacing, malicious actions toward her had already been enough. I'm working hard to redeem myself and earn her trust. And after learning everything she's endured at the hands of her father, I refuse to subject her to any more hell.

He studies me for a moment, then exhales sharply and walks over to the beverage cart. He pours himself a bourbon, a vodka for me, then returns—placing the glass in front of me before settling into the chair. As he takes a long sip, he watches me over the rim of his glass.

"I witnessed you go fuckingunhingedin the playroom, Mass." He pauses to give me a chance to speak, but I stay silent. "Like recognizes like. Game recognizes game." His eyes bore into mine. "You love her."

I jerk ever so slightly in surprise. But the truth of that statement slams into me like a hurricane making landfall and brings a tidal wave of clarity.

I do love Nova, and she's burrowed right into my soul. I've consciously stated I wasn't letting her go, but this is the first time I've intentionally acknowledged the full reason behind that.

"Massimo. After hearing everything that Russo confessed of how Nova was tormented, along with what Mancini did to her mother…"

His words trail off, and I know he's remembering everything we learned from the secrets Pepe Russo had spilled. About the ways Mancini psychologically abused and controlled Nova. And the heinous things that Mancini and his guards did to violate Miriana before they finally killed her.

Vito heaves a deep breath. "Do you think I wouldn't see that Nova is nothing like Mancini and his sons? I can see what she is to you, brother. Do you think that I'd not accept her?"

Hurt laces his words. Family is everything to Vito, as it is to me and Creed. "This is what our family does, Mass; we protect our own."

This was ingrained repeatedly in us over the years by both our parents.

"And if you love Nova, then she's family, she's our own."

My throat is so thick with emotion, I can't speak.

His eyes glisten with rare wetness. "That's why I got ordained online."

"What?" I finally choke out.

"You're guarding Nova's presence here more fiercely than the secrets surrounding the Holy Grail, even from your family. So, I know you wouldn't risk even a priest knowing you have her. But to protect her, you have to make her your wife." He spreads his arms wide. "I'm here for you, brother."

Somehow, I'm able speak through my shock. "Is it legit?"

---