Page 25

Chapter 25

Eden

After Vito left through the 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.

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 the overlord rules 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 is nasty .

"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."

"You think I can focus on Betty while I'm worrying about this?" he grouches and nudges his chin in Amazu's direction.

"Fine," I grouch right back. "But after I talk with him, you're leaving. Hear me?"

I don't give him a chance to disagree before I stalk out from behind the bar toward Amazu's table.

He's glowering into his glass, but looks up as I approach. His dark eyes are hard and watchful. "Meg ratted me out," he mutters.

"You know bar policy doesn't allow full bottles at the table, so why are you bothering my waitstaff by even asking?"

"We fucking pay for it." His nostrils flare. "You should just do as we say."

This time it's my nostrils that flare, and I let him see how pissed off I am. Leaning my hands on the table, I speak, hard and cold. "Excuse me? You want to repeat that, but first, check your fucking attitude." I cock one brow as I stare him down.

He breaks first and swipes a hand over his mouth. "Shit. I'm sorry, Ed. It's the goddamn whiskey."

"Not accepting that as an excuse."

"Christ, are you my mother?"

"With your homely mug, I'd never admit to it if I was."

He grunts a laugh. "Just bring me a drink, Ed."

"You have a full one." Then I add before he can protest, "I'm not overserving you. You're not getting shitfaced-hammered here." I sit down in the chair across from him. "What are you doing, Amazu?"

He looks away. "We're not friends."

"Thank Christ for that."

"Don't pretend like you care."

"I don't care. I just don't need the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control breathing down my neck."

"You're just like your brother."

Compliment or insult? I'm not sure.

"I'm sure Aiken didn't want them breathing down his neck, either."

He turns back to me. "Are you like him?"

His question catches me off guard, but I answer truthfully. "I didn't know Aiken. Not for a long time."

He shakes his head, looking down. "Hard to believe you didn't know about being his successor." He looks at me through lowered lashes. "Do you have one?"

I stiffen but try not to show it.

"It's only been a few months; you probably don't, do you? You need someone who's the right fit, yeah? And that takes time."

Unease slithers down my spine. "These questions aren't appropriate, Amazu. You, as a Chamber leader , know that."

His face caves as he realizes the boundary he overstepped. "Shit. I better switch to beer."

I stand, and he reaches for my forearm but lets his hand drop. "I really am sorry. It's just that Gilly's… the owner-operator succession… everything…" He sweeps his arms. "It's like some secret society or something. I'm just curious."

I level him with a steely stare, and he grimaces. "Should I call Bill?" I ask, referring to his second-in-command.

"Why? So the bastard can get a shot in at me?" A dark look passes over his face before he schools his expression.

Is he staying here because he's… scared? Avoiding some conflict within his gang?

"Anything I need to be made aware of, Amazu?"

"No," he mumbles and pushes the glass of whiskey to me. "Just bring me a beer, would you?"

"Gilly's is neutral territory," I remind him.

"I know." He looks up and shakes his head. "Everything's fine. Just bring me a beer. Please," he tacks on like an afterthought.

"If you're staying here, the drinks will be served slower." I grab the unfinished whiskey and go back to the bar.

Gus wipes the counter, trying to make it look like he wasn't watching the interaction. "Everything okay?"

"Have you heard anything about shit going down internally with the Fire Clan?" I dump the unfinished whiskey down the sink and grab a beer. Cracking it, I signal Meg to pick it up when she's free.

"Not really." Gus frowns.

I don't tell Gus about the rest of my conversation with Amazu because with how antsy he is tonight, he'll be stuck to me like glue.

"He's switching to beer. Get out of here, Gus."

"Ed…"

"Gus." I pinch the bridge of my nose. "Just get the hell out of here."

His mouth twitches, and he musses my hair. "So much like your pig-headed brother." My chest tightens. "I'll go if you agree that Ambrose will walk you to your car."

"You shittin' me?" I grouse, but seeing the stubborn tilt of his chin, I cave. "Fine."

"And he stays watching until driving away."

"For Christ's sakes, you want me to text when I get home, too."

"That would be greatly appreciated."

I huff a laugh. "You're a pain in my ass, old man."

He pats my cheek. "I know, kid. I know."

"Enjoy your date," I toss out as he's leaving, and he smirks, then he's gone.

My gaze lingers on the door, contemplating Gus. He cares about me like he did Aiken and loves this bar just as much as Aiken did. That's why I named him as my successor. I worked with a lawyer that Ohith trusts—cutting Ms. Cunningham loose was one of my first tasks as Gilly's owner-operator—to put my own succession plan in place.

Contrary to what Amazu said about it being too early to identify or find a good-fit successor, I had quickly chosen Gus. It was a no-brainer in my mind. Plus, with how Aiken had died, I didn't want to risk a power vacuum happening here if no successor was named.

Maybe it was the thought of Aiken's murder, the full moon, or Gus's angst, but I pull out my phone and text Axin.

Everything good out there?

His response comes in even before I can lock my phone.

All quiet. Something up?

Gus was on edge

Any particular reason?

Don't worry about it

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

wink emoji

You don't do emojis

Just did

Christ… stop

LOL

Good lord. 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."

I'm searching his face to see if there's a joke, but his expression is flat.

Then he claps Ash's shoulder. "Do I get to ride bitch on your hog?"

"Not fucking likely," Ash says in his low, gravelly voice. "Let's go. I got better things to do than be your chauffeur." He grips the back of Amazu's neck and leads him out.

Massimo watches them go, then turns to me. "He say anything?"

Usually, I wouldn't have a tell-all with one Chamber leader about another and what I heard, but this feels like it needs to be shared. I give him the rundown of my earlier conversation with Amazu. Massimo's brows pull together more and more until they're basically touching once I'm finished.

"If there's some internal gang shit brewing, I need to know, Massimo."

"Not that I'm aware of. But if I hear anything, I'll let you know ASAP. Back to the successor questions… Did he threaten you?"

"No."

He looks over his shoulder at the door. "I better go help Ash. Have a good night, Ed."

"Massimo."

When he turns back to me, his face isn't in the usual serious look that's been stamped into place since he's taken over as Don of the Santoro family. Without that serious look, he reminds me of Vito, which reminds me that Vito is going behind his brother's back. He's betraying someone he loves and is loyal to, all because of me.

That brings a truckload of guilt. The Santoros are a close, loving family. They are fiercely loyal and look out for each other.

Vito's comment about faking our deaths echoes in my head. I can't let Vito sacrifice what he has with his family. I can't let him make the mistakes I did with Aiken.

But that's a not-right-now problem.

"I need to know about anything that could affect my staff's safety."

"You have my word."

"Thank you."

"Have a good night, Ed."

Massimo leaves, and I'm left wondering what exactly happened here tonight.