Page 38 of The Last Ones Standing, Part Two

“I was going to wait until the morning, but I think you should know that guy went into the restaurant asking if we’re hiring. Apollo said the guy had on fifteen-hundred-dollar loafers. He doesn’t need a job from me.”

“Forgot about it. I have it under control. Get some sleep, you sound exhausted.”

“You sound like you need some rest too.”

I rub at my tired eyes. “Yeah. You might be right.”

“Good night, Gio.”

“Good night, Dario.”

I hang up and stare at Jace sitting in the living room. This has to stop. Ny is one thing, but Jace and I can’t be at each other’s throats like this forever.

What I do doesn’t work without the relationship we have. I trust him with my life and he the same. Jace acts on my thoughts alone most of the time.

“Jace,” I call and start for the living room.

“What?”

“You do know I’m trying this time? I’m going to do the right thing. She’s so stubborn.

“I couldn’t get there today, but that doesn’t mean I’m not listening to you. I hear you. I know what I need to do. I just have other shit going on too.”

“I know all of this, but we should have figured out something for this one time. It’s been a year. You know how she thinks.

“Listen, G, you and I talk. We’ve been having the hard conversations, but she hasn’t and she’s the one we both want. She’s the one who makes this work.”

“I’ll fix it.”

“I hope so.” He falls back against the couch and crosses his arms over his chest with a pout.

“Now who’s acting like a baby?” I snort.

“Fuck off.”

“I love you too, pussy.”

He smiles and flicks his hand under his chin at me. “I’ve got your pussy, but yeah, I love you too.”

Chapter 17

My Boys

Frances

I walk into Sylvia’s to the sound of blustering voices. When I enter the dining room, I find all my sons and her nephews around the table having breakfast.

“Oh, Dad,” Jacob croons.

I smile, it’s not often I have my boys all under one roof. While I have cared for and loved Ava’s boys as if they were my own, these boys here are my heart, my blood.

Moments like yesterday when Dante talked to me, looking for advice, are moments I long to have with my three. I’ve missed out on so much. I rub my chest at the thought of it. Sylvia floats into the room with pitchers of juice in her hands and a bright smile on her face.

“There you are. Come sit. We can eat as a family. We hardly get this opportunity,” she says.

I move to cup Jacob’s face and kiss his head. It’s good to see him. He looks well.

“What’s the occasion? What can I attribute this honor to?”

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