Page 27 of The Last Ones Standing, Part Two

As usual, Bethany comes over to spread her awesome cheer. I roll my eyes and tune out. Her voice is like nails on a chalkboard. I glare at her as I think of all the ways I’d love to torture her.

Dario leans into me. “Why do you look like you’re imagining a murder?”

I lean into his ear. “I just might be.”

He chuckles and pats me on my back. I refocus on Gio, moving pawns right before my eyes. He’s a master at this. I once thought myself to be one too, but my strings have gotten tangled, and I don’t know if I’ll get them straight again.

Chapter 12

It’s Been Too Long

Jace

“Rest, I’ll lock up. I’ll tell Dario to check on you,” I say to Carleen before I turn to leave.

I’m still pissed about Tony C. and the Ny situation. The more I think about it, the more pissed I get. I lock up with the spare key I have for Dario’s place and head down for the SUV.

Enough is enough. I need both Gio and Ny to get over their stubbornness. Riccardo isn’t a big enough threat for her to be out of our lives. I want her home.

I climb in the SUV, wishing I’d ridden my bike to clear my head a bit. Turning the car on, I then dial her number and I wait for her to answer.

I toss my head back and close my eyes. As I get lost in thought, I can almost smell her and feel her soft skin beneath my palms. If I try hard enough, I can feel her tight pussy gripping me.

“Hello,” she answers.

I take in a sharp breath. “Hey, baby.”

“Hey, Jace. What’s up?”

“Why are you in Chicago? When are you coming home?”

“How’d you find me?”

“A man in love will always find the one he loves. Come on, Ny. It’s me. There’s not a place on earth you can hide away from me.”

“It was Alyona,” she deadpans.

I chuckle. “Doesn’t change what I said.”

“Same here. You know when I’ll come back. When he asks, I’ll return.”

“Ny, this is tearing me up. I miss you, baby. I want to see you. We all need to talk.”

“You know where I am. If he won’t ask me to come back. You come to me.”

“And break his trust?”

“No trust has to be broken.”

“Oh, baby. You don’t understand how much I miss you.”

“Really, Jace?” She laughs.

“Really, baby. I’m going to spend hours eating your pussy when I get my hands on you.”

“Oh my God, what’s gotten into you?”

“We’re not kids anymore. I’m forty-two, not sixteen. I’ve learned to speak up for what I want. I want you to come home.”

---