Page 61 of The Last Ones Standing, Part Two

He places his hands on my hips and ghosts his lips across mine, releasing a sexy groan, then takes in a deep inhale. “You come first. You always come first,” he rumbles as he searches my face with his intense hazel gaze.

“That’s a lie, Gio, and you know it’s a lie.”

“No, it’s not. That’s what you don’t seem to understand. It’s all for you.”

He leans in to my ear and brushes his lips against it. “Stop fighting me, baby. We can’t make our daughters if we’re fighting. I only want my children made in love,” he whispers.

When he pulls away, the first tear slips down my cheek. I look up at him with my brows furrowed and my lips parted from the gasp I released from hearing his words. He captures my lips with the most searing kiss I’ve ever had.

My toes curl in my boots and I release the front of his shirt to wrap my arms around his neck. He palms my ass and pulls me into him as he devours my mouth. I’m so confused. Our daughters? This is not the Gio I left behind.

I whimper into his mouth and pull away. He places his lips against my forehead. I shake my head to clear it.

“That’s low, Gio.”

“When have you known me to ever be cruel to you? Everything has changed. Let me show you. Come home.”

“I… I—”

I jump at the sound of the door closing. Looking around Gio, I see Jace standing by the door. My heart sinks. Here we are in our bubble while he’s on the outside. That’s not how things should be.

I place a hand on Gio’s chest and look up into his eyes. “My family asked me to spend the day with them doing charity. I’ve been hiding in here with Jace most of the day. We should do this later.”

“Later when, Ny? I’m here. I’m ready. Why are you being so stubborn?” Gio growls.

His phone rings, but he ignores it at first. We’re caught in a stare off for a beat. His phone stops, but Jace’s starts.

He picks it up and murmurs across the room for a bit. “G, you’re going to want to call Ming back.”

“We’re not done,” Gio says to me as he pulls out his phone and walks away.

I run a hand through the front of my hair. Can I be honest and say I’m terrified? Whenever I get what I want, my world implodes. I’m thrown back in time to losing my parents. I want to go into the corner and rock like a small child.

Jace comes and wraps his arms around me. He kisses the top of my head and gives me a squeeze. I turn and bury my face in his chest.

“We all have to let go of the pain at some point. He has his part in this, but it’s not all him. Some of the blame you’re placing on his shoulders doesn’t belong there.”

I know he’s right, but I’ve been hiding in the comfort of when life made sense for so long I don’t know how to compartmentalize anymore.

“Come on, let me feed you. Then we can help out and do our part,” Jace says.

“What did Ming want?”

“Do you really want to know?”

I roll my eyes. Probably not. I shrug and decide to leave this one alone.

* * *

Gio

“I’ve been doing as you asked and watching for Adrian Gustloff to show up in the system. They’ve got him.”

I don’t share that Talon already informed me he’d be picking him up. I need Ming to tell me everything she’s learned. When people know you’re aware of something, they start to leave details out. I need to know everything.

“Federal custody?”

“Yes, his father has lawyered him up, but it doesn’t look like he’s gotten him the best,” she replies.

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