Page 40

Chapter 40

Vito

My world was red and filled with screams.

Just like the unhinged beast inside me loves when it's allowed to play.

Ohith and I let Dom and Ash have some fun. Massimo had declined; I know if he had let himself have a go, he wouldn't have been able to stop.

Then Ohith and I got to work. And work we did. He's a smaller man, quiet and refined. But damn , is he sadistic. We worked well together, my future father-in-law and I.

We had an hour, and we made every second count. The memory of Eden's injuries and the emotional and psychological pain they caused her all demanded my worst. And when I heard more of the details of what these motherfuckers had admitted and said to Eden in that room, that brought me to a whole new level of unhingedness.

I'm covered— painted —in their blood and stand in front of a pile of bloody flaps of skin. These are the tattoos we carved from Amazu, Lixin, and Novak. And they had a shitload of tattoos between the three of them.

I undo my jeans, take out my dick, and piss all over the pile, feeling contentment at further desecrating their flesh. Raf hands me a bottle of lighter fluid—that we may or may not have used to light Lixin's hair on fire, then hit him with the fire extinguisher because we couldn't let the fucker die too quickly.

But I digress.

Raf hands me a bottle of lighter fluid that I spray all over the pissed-on, bloody pile of tattooed flesh and flick a match to light it all on fire.

Lixin is dead. Amazu is dead. Novak is dead. The marks of their betrayal against us are burning and melting.

But a reckoning is still coming. My gut swirls with nausea that Eden could be taken from me yet.

As much as I appreciate Dom and Ash being here to help, their presence is a complication. We didn't technically need their help—not with our crew of a hundred versus thirty—but they deserved to be here because of the treachery against the Chamber.

Even if I hadn't pulled that stunt of claiming Eden in front of everyone on the factory floor, they had witnessed the lengths I went to avenge her.

They know I've obliterated the line drawn between our kind and Gilly's owner-operator.

Now, we need to face the music and see where we'll land—either returning to San Francisco, safe and sound, or going on the run.

Ohith steps to my side. Knowing what's at stake, he glances at Ash and Dom and then turns to me.

"You did well, son. Axin, our team, and I will take it from here. You need to go to her."

Go to her. Go to Eden. I want nothing more in the world.

But I can't go to Eden yet because Ash and Dom are now in front of me. Massimo joins us, standing beside me to face them.

Tense moments pass as they stare at me, making Ohith and Massimo shift closer.

Dom hooks his thumbs in his jeans, looking nonchalant, but I know that's when he's most lethal. He has a knack for making you think he's your best friend—you'll never know he's plotting your death until he strikes. "So, how long have you been crossing the line into forbidden territory, Vito?"

Now that they know the truth, I decide for full disclosure.

"Since Babbo 's funeral. I hadn't crossed the line yet when we ended Cutt and Jax; it was after," I say to Ash

"That sort of experience can bind two people." His face is impassive. "But you can see how this… complicates things. Gilly's owner-operator can't be fucking one of us. There will be an upheaval with any or all criminal factions."

My hands fist at his classifying what Eden and I have as only fucking .

"My daughter," Ohith explicitly refers to Eden that way to remind who she is to him, "will step down from Gilly's."

I swing my head to him. "You don't get to make that call for her, Ohith."

Gilly's is Aiken's legacy, which he left for Eden. Yes, she'd have to give up Gilly's if we ran; but if we don't have to run, she deserves the choice of what do to with what her brother left her.

There's understanding in his eyes. "Son, Eden came back to find Aiken's murderers and to get justice for him. That's the only reason."

"She still gets a say," I insist, and after a moment of studying me, he nods.

Dom rocks back on his heels. "Succession of Gilly's doesn't happen that way. It's upon death."

"Eden is a major reason we were able to save the Chamber." Massimo breaks his silence and openly sides with me. "And that benefits every criminal faction in our city because we keep the environment ripe for profits and success, rather than warring and destruction. There's a way we can work with this so neither Eden nor Vito are harmed."

Ash shakes his head. "I'm not seeing it." He looks at Massimo, then Ohith, and finally me. "But I'm willing to try and figure it out." He turns to Dom.

Dom runs his tongue along his bottom lip, regarding me. "I like you, Vito. I like Ed, too. There's going to be a time, likely soon, that I'll need to call in this favor."

I nod, and Massimo adds, "You'll have whatever you need, Dom."

"That's a bold statement, Mass." He whistles, then shakes his head, his levity fading. "But we have our work cut out to convince the new leadership of the Triads and Fire Clan to agree to this."

If the Chamber wasn’t united before trying to convince all the other leaders of the criminal factions in San Francisco, it was doomed before it started.

But the evidence on the USB of Lixin and Amazu's treachery will help convince Bill and Sile to ‘see our side of reason’—I’m not above manipulation in order to keep Eden safe. The evidence only proves they were working against the Chamber, not the details we uncovered today. But from Massimo's look, I can tells he'll use everything we’ve found out to our advantage.

"That sounds like a tomorrow problem, gentlemen, no?" Ohith cocks his brows. "We have a helluva lot of bodies to deal with."

"Lead the way, old man." Ash grins.

Ohith barks a laugh. "I've heard the Havoc Guardians have taken over some of the contract clean-up work. Hopefully, you're using some of my tried-and-tested methods."

Dom loops his arm around Ohith's shoulders as they're walking away. "So, I may have heard some fanboy nearly fainting in your presence that you're none other than the famous assassin, the Black Ghost."

Massimo and I watch them walk away. "You're not out of the woods yet," he warns.

"Ohith and Axin are prepared for Eden and me to leave from here."

Massimo sucks in sharply, twisting around to stand in front of me. He grips the back of my neck. "I promise you, we'll figure this out. Don't do anything rash. You'll get your happily ever after." He jerks me closer, pulling our heads together. "I fucking promise, Vito."

I grip the back of his neck, too. "I don't want to abandon our family, but Eden's safety comes first."

"I know, brother," he rasps and backs away. "I'll figure this out. Go shower and go to Eden."

"Such a bossy motherfucker."

He grins. "Nah, just a grumpy one."

But there's something unresolved.

"Mancini," I spit his name.

Massimo's grin falls, and darkness crosses over his face. "He'll pay. Soon . I promise that, too."

My jaw tightens. "That death ring popped up again, with Mancini connected to it. He can't be allowed to live long, Mass. Creed will lose his goddamn mind once he finds out about this."

"We're not going to tell him."

"Brother—"

"Think of Sophie," he insists. "This will increase her stress. That's the last thing she needs, especially since she already had a scare with the cramping and spotting."

"Creed will go ballistic on our asses if we keep this from him."

Massimo shakes his head. "Not us, me . I'm making this call as Don. As your Don, Vito, I'm giving you a direct order."

"Jesus, Mass—"

"It's an order," he growls, his brows pulled tight before he eases. "You and Raf ensure the security for both Sophie and Creed is covered, over and above what Creed already has in place."

I shove my hand over my hair, reminding me that I'm covered in blood and it's drying and sticky. I need a shower and then my woman.

"Fine," I relent, even though my gut tells me this is the wrong play.

Massimo turns to go, but I call to him, "Thank you. For everything." My voice is thick with emotion. The family is everything to me, and it means absolutely everything that Massimo himself is here, plus allowed our family's resources to fight and get Eden back.

"Eden is family now, and family protects family. That's what we Santoros have lived and died by for generations, brother."

"Thank you," I force out.

"Go," he orders huskily.

I don't need to be told again.

When I stalk to the door that leads out of the open main area of the factory to the showers, Axin is there waiting.

"How is she?" I demand.

"She's strong." He sees I need more. "Shaken up, but steady. She's waiting for you." He examines me from head to toe, covered in gore.

"Yeah, I know. Shower first."

"Come with me." He turns on his heel and leads me with his slight limp down the hall into a large room filled with a long wall of shower stalls.

He holds a plastic bag open, waiting for my soiled clothes. I had taken my tactical vest off earlier, and I remove my shirt now. Next, I kick off my boots and strip off my jeans, which stick to my thighs as the blood dries.

"Guess you're all going to get an eye full." Naked, I shove it all into the plastic bag.

Axin grunts a laugh. "On the bench is a duffel bag with a change of clothing for you, including boots. You'll find it all fits."

I walk into the shower and turn it on. I don't wait for it to warm up before stepping in because I want to get to Eden as fast as possible.

Axin tosses me a bottle. "Use that to break down the blood."

I use a similar concoction; it's extremely handy. After squirting a healthy amount into my palm, I lather up and start to scrub every inch of myself.

"There's a towel with the duffel bag. I'll wait outside." Axin walks out with the plastic bag of my clothing that will be incinerated.

"Man of few words," I mutter, as I clean myself as quickly as fast as possible.

Once I'm finished, I dry off and dress quickly. Axin didn't lie—the clothes and boots fit perfectly. This shouldn't surprise me; Ohith and Axin are men who pay excruciating attention to detail. I imagine after they found out about Eden and me, they had my measurements and weight down to the inch and ounce for their plans of how they'd get rid of my body after killing me for putting Eden in danger.

As I walk out, I'm grinning. Axin waits in the hallway, and I hand him the towel and duffel bag.

"What are you smiling about?" His white-blonde eyebrows pull together, and he starts to walks to where Eden waits for me.

"Oh, just wondering if I call you Uncle Axin."

He chokes on a laugh. "Never took you for a jokester."

I swing my arm over his shoulders. "I reserve that for family."

He side-eyes me and huffs. "I'll see to decontaminating the shower." He stops at a closed door but puts his arm across it to stop me. "You will love her, do everything to protect her, and treat her right."

It's an order as much as it's a threat. But I don't need to be ordered or threatened.

Despite that, I promise, "You have my word, or you have my life, Axin."

He studies me, then his mouth curls into a smile. "Welcome to the family, Vito."

I clap him on the back and open the door. The room looks like it was once an office; the only thing remaining is a big desk.

Eden looks up as soon as I walk in, her hazel eyes skating over my body to check me over. I can see her relief.

The blood and grime are cleaned off her face, and stitches close the gash on her cheek. The bruising is worse now, and she winces slightly as she moves.

As much as seeing her is the balm to my ravaged soul, the sight of what they did to her and knowing she's in pain makes my beast roar for more of their blood. If I had a supernatural power, it would be to bring my enemies back to life so I could torture and kill them over and over again.

Gus and Frank don't move from her side and look at me warily. We were all on the same page, racing here and battling to get Eden back, but now the reality of them knowing about Eden and me is stark and dire.

"Frank and Gus, please give Vito and me a minute."

Frank shifts his weight between his feet. Gus looks between Eden and me, the scar puckering on the bridge of his nose with his frown.

"Ed… I don't think—"

"It's okay, Gus." She takes his hand. "Please."

Normally, Eden would just snark a sarcastic reply about being the boss or level him with that frigid 'don't fuck with me look,' but she's softer right now because of Gus's pained guilt at her being harmed.

"Aiken knew what he was doing, Gus."

He shakes his head. "He wasn't intending for you and Vito, kid."

"You're right. But he trusted Vito to be smart, figure things out, and do the right thing. He trusted Vito."

Gus's jaw flexes as he looks between her and me. Then it's like a gruff father finally relenting and giving his blessing. "Frank, let's go."

"Thank you for all you did today," I tell Frank as he walks past me. He dips his chin and pats my shoulder.

Gus stops in front of me. It's a moment before he speaks. "Aiken called you."

"What does that say to you, Gus?"

This is the same conversation we had after Aiken was murdered.

"That you could help him in a way I couldn't. You could help him in a way no one else could. You could help Ed."

Protect… Tell… The box.

And Aiken had planted the clue with me about how to open it without destroying the valuable contents inside. Why he did that instead of just giving Eden the details in the triggered email is unknown and likely never to be known.

"And I did." I rest my hands on Gus's shoulders. "And I will. Always. Whatever it takes."

His keen green eyes study me. Then he smiles and walks out without further protest.

The door closes, leaving Eden and I alone. We stare at each other across the room.

Then her face crumples, and she chokes back a sob. I suspect she's been withholding the tears from everyone else, but with me, she can always let go. She makes to move to me, but I get to her first.

I want to ravage her roughly, stamp my claim all over her, while at the same time worship her with so much reverence she sobs from pleasure and emotion.

But the sight of her and knowing she's in pain—physical, emotional, and mental—makes me choose gentle.

I carefully frame her face with my big, scarred hands. Hands that just did monstrous deeds; hands that have made so many bleed and scream.

"I got you, baby. Let go."

She collapses into me, another sob catching in her throat. I hold her while she cries for the brother she lost, now knowing the details of why. While she cries for what she was forced to experience at the hands of those four pieces of shit. I rock her, rubbing her back, murmuring soft, gentle words.

When her tears finally cease, she hiccups. Which makes her laugh and hiccup again.

Her hands push under my shirt and run over the planes of my stomach, chest, and back. She's transitioning from needing me for emotional support to needing me.

"Please, Vito." She rises on her tiptoes and presses her lips to mine. "Please."

I'm wary of her injuries. I feel her split lip, and I know it isn't just her face that is hurt and bruised.

"Let me worship you." I rest my hands on her waist. My intention is to lead her to the desk so I can lay her down and feast on her sweet cunt.

She fists my shirt, spins us, and slams me against the wall, and a shocked laugh pushes out of me. "No, Vito, I want you to fuck me. Fuck me like you own me."

"Eden—"

"Please." Her voice catches, and she shakes her head. "I need it hard, and like you'll never let me go. Like you'll never let anyone take me from you."

Desperate. Frantic. Claiming.

"No one ever will take you from me. Never again," I growl. Fisting her hair at her nape, I pull her head back. "Everyone will know you're mine ."

Her eyes flare with worry and concern because we still need to figure out how to survive 'our outing,' but that's a not-now problem. She tilts her head further back to fully bare her neck to me.

"You're fucking mine, Eden."

I attack. Her neck will wear the marks of my claiming her. I'm incensed, determined to mark her and somehow cancel out the bruises and cuts those motherfuckers put her on.

She's mine, and everyone will fucking know it. My reputation is well-known; everyone knows I'm the unhinged protector of my family. They'll know that if they ever try for Eden, I'll be their worst nightmare. The psychopath who stalks them and paints the world red with their blood.

Her hand is between us, working frantically to undo her jeans. I shove them down, and she kicks them off. As she works even more frantically to get mine off, I drive two fingers into her, making her cry out.

She's wet and ready for me. She's already fluttering around the fingers that just did unspeakable things to her offenders. Her right leg starts to shake, and she's breathing raggedly. Her hands have stopped undoing my jeans. One grips my shoulder, while the other wraps around my forearm as I finger-fuck her.

Her nails dig in as she pulls to get me closer, and her hips frantically grind against the palm of my hand. Chasing, demanding , that orgasm.

"That's it. Take what you need. Take everything, Eden."

Her pupils are blown wide when she opens her eyes. "Oh, god." Her right leg is shaking so badly it's not even supporting her. "Vito," she cries.

I spin us around so she's against the wall, using it and my body to hold her up. Carefully watching her face to ensure I'm not hurting her or pushing on any tender spots on her torso.

She's not showing any signs of pain or distress, so I thrust my fingers in and out harder. The sound of her wet, soaked pussy nearly makes me come in my jeans.

Her head thrashes. "Vito…" She chokes on a moan. "Want…" Her hand leaves my shoulder and resumes undoing my pants. "Cock."

"You want my cock, baby?" I nip and suck her ear.

"Your fucking… beautiful…" She gets my zipper down and reaches inside to wrap her hands around my iron length. "God-like…" She pulls me out of my jeans and jumps. "Cock."

I impale her as she wraps her legs around my waist. How the hell did I ever think I could be one-and-done with this woman?

Every time, it's like the first. Every time, it's heaven.

I swallow her scream as she crests and orgasms after two strokes. Her back arches, and I swear she stops breathing. She drags in a ragged breath. Another hoarser scream rips from her while she continues to clench and ripple around me as I fuck her like I own her.

I slam into her, violent and brutal, needing to mark her on the inside as well. Each thrust is savage and vicious as she claws at me to get closer and rides the swell toward another release.

"This is going to be the last time I have to fuck you up against a wall."

"I like you…" she moans and digs her fingers into my shoulder, "fucking me..." her face falls into the crook of my neck, and she grips my head, "against a wall."

"Like I said, have to, baby girl." My fingers dig into her ass as I fuck her with abandon, but still watch that I'm not hurting her. Her shirt is still on, which is probably for the best right now, not to see her bruises. "Because from now on, you sleep in my bed, and we fuck whenever and wherever we want."

"Vito," she cries, and she sounds scared.

I slow my mad thrusts and transition into softer, deep, strokes. Transition from fucking her to making love to her. "It's you and me, Eden. Forever. Wherever we need to go to have that."

She shakes her head, then lifts it to look at me with tears in her eyes. "Own me and take me higher. Harder."

I kiss her tenderly, careful of her split bottom lip.

"Please," she whimpers.

I gently suck her bottom lip into my mouth, suckling it and running my tongue over the cut. "Don't ever fucking break your promise to me again, Eden."

Never will she put herself in harm's way again.

"I had to. Your mom… Sophie and the baby…" She cups my face. "They're your family."

" You're my family," I rasp.

Tears bead on her eyelashes. "I love you."

I still. My heart hammering, my cock throbbing.

I know she loves me and has told me in her special love language many times but hearing her say those words nearly makes my chest explode.

"You're still a fucking cunt." She smiles, and I huff a laugh. "But I love you so goddamn much it scares me."

My jeans have fallen around my ankles, and I kick them off. Gripping her tight to me, I carry her over to the desk. She locks her ankles behind my back when I sit down. I'm still buried deep in her, but neither of us moves as we stare at each other.

"Marry me," I breathe. "Be my one-and-forever."

This isn't how I planned to ask her to marry me. I hadn't allowed myself to even think or envision that version of forever until I was racing to San Jose to get her.

But it feels perfect.

I've just slain our enemies who dared to hurt her. I'm buried deep inside her. She's in my arms, where she forever belongs.

She blinks back tears. "You're such a fucking cunt," she whispers, hoarse and raw, and starts to move on me. She groans, tilting back her head. "It's unbelievable and indescribable how you feel inside me."

"Is that a yes?" I slam up to meet her downward movement, and her eyes roll back in her head.

"Fuck," she moans when I do it again.

"Answer me, Eden," I command darkly, gripping her hips to still her on top of me. "Or I won't let you come."

"You dick," she gasps.

I chuckle and bite her chin. She tries to move on me, to top me, but I hold her still. I can feel a pulse in her pussy.

Her eyes are playful with that snarky fire I love so much. "If I say yes, do I get your cum?"

Holding her still, my hands shift to pull her ass cheeks apart. "Oh, you're my little cum slut, hmm?"

Her mouth parts into a little 'O,' and the pulse in her pussy is stronger.

"And where would you like me to put my cum?"

"In my sopping wet pussy." She tries to move on me again.

"Wrong answer. Not until I have the vasectomy."

Her eyes widen at the reminder of my insistence on getting that procedure to protect her from ever feeling that horrendous pain of loss again.

"How about after I make you come two more times, then you get on your knees with your hands behind your back, watching me fist this beautiful, god-like cock, and I'll spray your mouth, chin, and those fucking amazing, glorious, magnificent tits?"

"Oh, sweet fuck." Her pussy clenches.

"All you need to do is say the word, baby."

Her eyes are a luminous, beautiful hue of hazel. Her face is gorgeous and soft. "I love you, Vito Santoro. Of course, I say yes, you unhinged, fucking cunt."

"Sweetest words of my life."