Page 47 of The Last Ones Standing, Part Two

They came to us too damaged. They’re both volatile and unpredictable. They lack discipline and leadership qualities. However, they’re two valuable soldiers.

Total opposites in every way, they still managed to bond with each other and become real-life versions of Harley Quinn. Gio calls for them for the crazy shit they do. His way of sending a message.

This Silvio Jr. definitely pissed him off. I can tell you now his murder is going to be ugly.

“Can you sign here for me?” one of the transport guys asks, holding out a clipboard.

“Sure,” I say and take the pen from him to scribble across the line.

“Thanks, ma’am.”

I frown at him calling me ma’am, but my attention is pulled as the jet pulls into the hangar. I shoot Gio a text to let him know the plane has arrived.

I tossed and turned most of the morning, knowing I was so close to the guys and yet we were so far apart. I’ve analyzed the way Gio looked at me, wondering if I had made a mistake.

However, when Jace texted for me to call him for my assignment, I had to ask myself how much had changed. I’m a soldier like the others. I’m here so Gio can build his empire. It’s what he’s always wanted.

My phone pulls me from my thoughts. I look down and lift a brow.

G:Make it messy.

I don’t think Asia and Nadine know how to do things any other way. I look up in time to see them coming down the stairs. Asia, being the tallest of the two, is out front.

The guns on this chick are something serious. Watching her body shred as she started to train was impressive. That football player who used to whip her ass would never.

One look at her now and he’d probably shit his pants. He broke her down, but I took pleasure in building her back up.

As crazy as these two are, they are still two of my favorites. Nadine looks up from her phone and smiles. I would never underestimate that smile or the little woman who owns it. Nadine is petite and lethal.

“Hey, Master Ny,” she croons as she pulls me into a hug.

“Hey, Nad.”

“I was surprised to get the call,” Asia says. “The collector hasn’t had us do local work in ages.”

She’s right. Their skills have been used differently from the others. The hit services they provide are international and earn better than a lot of the things we have going. I run all their work through Gwen. Gio didn’t want the kick up from what they earn, but Gwen insisted on the partnership.

It’s how Lizzy and I became part owners of the firm. It’s Gio’s cut, but he won’t touch it and has insisted all funds go into our accounts.

With Gwen running point, these two are as good as ghosts. I think they both like it that way. I know I do. Having them in a normal environment wouldn’t last for long. They get jumpy.

“He needs you now,” I reply to Asia.

“Then we thank him for the opportunity. What do you need?”

I point to the backpacks on each of their bikes. “Ming packed what he asked for. You guys know what to do with it. You’re going to locate this guy.”

I hand over a name and address and hold up a picture of Silvio Jr. on a burner phone. “That’s a trap house he’s been hiding in. Catch him there and turn his lights out. Gio wants it messy.”

“Anything else?” Asia asks.

“A drone will be there for confirmation.”

“You got it, boss,” Nadine sings and straddles her bike.

I sit there grinning as the two take off. No one comes for my family. All Jace had to do was mention Dario and Dante, I didn’t even ask for details. If Gio intends to clean the board and cover it in blood, the dolls and I are at his service.

“My work is done here. Now to figure out how to wake a baby assassin turned grown chef,” I say to myself and place my helmet on my head.

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