Page 81 of The Last Ones Standing, Part Two

Okay, all right. Andiamo.

Chapter 30

Time to Speak Up

Nyla

It’s been a long day and a bath seemed like the logical thing to do. So here I sit with my headphones on in a bubble bath. I’m still reeling from the gift Gio sent to the house the other day.

I opened the big box, not knowing what to expect. My curiosity almost made me open it the other morning before the drive, but we were running late and as it was a work thing for Lizzy, I put it off. I’m glad I did.

Upon opening it, before leaving to come back here, I was floored by the gift inside. I spent about two hours in my feelings. Inside was a dollhouse.

I laughed at first until I looked closer at all the details. Inside sat a miniature me in the living room with what looked like Ming, Holly, Kamiko, and Alyona. Upstairs, inside the nursery, what I took to be a mini Gio sat with a little bundle in his arms and a mini Jace stood by the crib where another bundle rested.

The mailbox outside the house read Di Lorenzo-Sorensen residence. Three cars were parked out front. It was so realistic and detailed. It was the type of thing Gio would have done way back when. Before he started to harden and become the man I left behind.

There was also a CD player and a mix CD. “Here for You” by SWV was the first track that played. I’m listening to it now as I remember our first time. I’m also trying to figure out what that dollhouse means.

Suddenly, I can’t breathe. My eyes fly open and meet with angry hazel ones. Gio has me by the throat as he steps barefoot into the tub like a panther. He’s fully clothed as he hovers over me.

The look in his eyes and the presence of his big body say so much. He seems to be so much bigger than his six-five, two hundred and ten pounds in this moment. I’ve never seen him look at me this way—so much hurt and anger. With his hand still around my throat, he pushes my headphones back and leans into my ear.

“Do you feel that? That’s how I felt when I thought the only two people I truly trusted in this world betrayed me. I couldn’t breathe.”

He presses the side of his face against mine, nuzzling my cheek. “Why do you insist on pushing me?Me,” he growls. “The man who’s doing everything in his power to bend the world to fit you.

“You know me, you know I don’t tolerate lies. Why put Jace in danger, why act like I won’t snap and forget you exist? Why put my life in danger because I’m too busy thinking about you and your little games?”

He flexes his fingers on my throat. I grab his wrist and start to kick my feet beneath the water. I’ve never feared Gio, but the look in his eyes makes me question if this is my Gio. The dark cloud that sets in screams danger.

Jace enters the bathroom and places a hand on Gio’s shoulder. Gio doesn’t even look away from me as he holds a hand up to warn Jace off.

* * *

Gio

I lift a hand, not turning to Jace. “Get your hand off me. We’ve had our words. You and I have an understanding, she and I don’t.”

“Gio,” Jace warns.

I frown. “Back off. I’m not hurting her. If she lifted her hips, I’m sure either one of us would find her crazy ass wet.” I tilt my head to the side. “I’m right, aren’t I, Nyla?”

“Let me go, Gio.”

I crack the knuckles on my free hand. At this point, my pants are soaked through and my shirt is starting to get wet. I jump up right before she tries to send her knee into my groin.

“What’s wrong with you?” she hisses as she gasps for air.

“I don’t know,” I hiss back. “Tickets for public lewdness. Don’t you think it would have been better to warn me and not allow me to jump to conclusions of my own as it was thrown in my face?”

“I told you we didn’t fuck. Get over yourself. Just when I thought we could move forward.” She stands and glares at me. Water and suds cascade down her skin. “There’s no repairing this. I’m done.”

I pinch the bridge of my nose and close my eyes. “Sit back down, Ny. Finish your bath.”

“Fuck a bath.”

“Enough,” Jace growls. I turn to him and find him with his fists balled. “Sit down, Ny. This ends here.”

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