Page 73 of The Last Ones Standing, Part Two

“I’ll tell you what. Talk to Ms. Di Rienzo. If she approves it, she can take the day.”

I saw the way his fine ass looked at her the first time we ran into him. Like he was going to eat her. His laugh rumbles through the phone and I swear it reminds me of Gio.

“See,bella, it’s settled, you are mine for the day. Thank you, Nyla. I owe you when I see you again.”

“Mmm, take care of my friend, or I’ll put your head in a box and ship it to your family before I visit them to deliver the same fate.”

“Non devi preoccuparti per me. Se faccio a modo mio, saremo una famiglia,”he says and hangs up.

I sit staring at my phone as I let his words sink in. I’m not worried about him, but what does he mean by… if he has his way, we will be family? Sure, I think of Holly like a sister, but I can’t see her sharing that with him.

I shrug it off as my lids get heavy. Holly can handle herself. Besides, I like the guy. I got good vibes from him, and Holly needs someone who can put a smile on her face. Love isn’t done with her.

“Um, what makes you so sure Ava will say yes, Mr. Gianni Beneventi? I’m going to have to find out more about you, buddy,” I murmur to myself and yawn.

* * *

Gio

“At least she’s home,” Jace says as we pull into Dante’s courtyard.

“Yeah, for now.”

Jace parks and I go to step out of the car. The lights are on in the front of the house. Jace rounds the SUV and follows me. As we jog up the front steps, I pull out my key to the house to let us in.

We move through the foyer and head for the living area where the lights are shining. As soon as we step into the room, the scent of alcohol nearly blows me over. Dante is sprawled out on the couch, knocked out, snoring.

“Should we wake him?” Jace asks.

“No. Hand me that throw over there.”

I take the throw he hands me and toss it over Dante. He squints his eyes open, peering at me drunkenly. I run a hand over his hair and lean to kiss his forehead.

“Sleep. We’ll take care of this later.”

“What do I tell my daughter?” he slurs.

“We’ll figure that out later. Sleep.”

“This is my fault, Gio. Everything I touch turns to shit.”

I furrow my brows. I’ve always known Dante has blamed himself for our mother. However, I’m getting a glimpse now of how deep that damage runs.

“Bullshit. You have done great with Bella, and you’ve done amazing with the business. Both businesses. I’m not going to allow you to take on other people’s bullshit and mistakes.

“I’m going to snap you out of this shit once and for all. You’re your own man and you make shit happen. You got me?”

“Yeah, I got you.”

“Sleep this off. Call me if you need anything. I’ll inform the staff to watch over Bella for the day.”

“Thanks, Gio.”

I kiss his head again and turn to leave, shooting off a text to Dante’s house manager. Jace follows me out the way we came. Once outside, we climb back into the SUV. I’m bone tired, but I’m going to fix it all.

“Enough of me cleaning up this mess for him.”

“You’re talking about the list?”

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