Page 100 of The Last Ones Standing, Part Two

I laugh but kiss her again. I feel when Gio steps into the room. I break the kiss and look up.

He moves into the room and kisses the top of Ny’s head before gesturing to me that it’s time to go. Ny places a hand on each of our backs as we walk out, only dropping her hands as we move out of reach. I look over my shoulder and smile at her.

She looks tired. I wish I could do some of this for her, but it’s going to be worth it in the end. I push my thoughts aside and grab my coat as Gio tugs on his.

“I need you to talk to the lawyer. When Dario asks about the indictment, he’s to tell him nothing. He can’t dig up anything and he has no details. Nothing,” Gio says as we enter the elevator.

“I’m calling in a Dollhouse payment?”

“Yes, we did him a favor last year.”

I nod, remembering the favor well. With my assignment for the night, I pull out the keys to the SUV as we reach the lot.

“This night needs to go by fast. She looks so tired. I hate we’re leaving,” Gio murmurs absently as I start the car.

“Yeah, I was thinking the same thing.”

He sighs. “Andiamo.”

* * *

Gio

“Looks like our friend is getting the job done,” I say to Jace as I point my glass toward Dario and a group of Carleen’s uncles.

“Good. I’ll find Hammerstein and pull his ear.”

I turn my head just as my grandfather enters the party. I wasn’t expecting him here, but this will work in my favor to get Dario to carry his ass to Sicily where Nonno has been staying.

Jace pats my shoulder before he walks off. Nonno stops before me and kisses both my cheeks. I give him a smile and return the gesture.

“How you doing,Nonno?”

“I’ll be better with a drink in my hand. I’ve been in America for almost two months and I’m just laying eyes on you. Yet I see your hand in so much I’ve been witness to. I have taught you well.”

“Tell me, what don’t I know, Michelangelo?”

I lift my drink to my lips and move closer to my grandfather to talk close to his ear. “Dario is getting ready to be a father, but he doesn’t know this yet. On top of that, I need him to leave with you for Sicily ASAP. I’ll get into why later. Let’s just say he has a rat and alphabet problem here that I need to snuff out.”

I pull away to find a stern look on his face. I know I haven’t been filling him in, but I’ve got this one. I’m handling my brothers.

“Tell me what you need from me.”

“I’ll get to that, but first, I have a question. Are you guys aware of an Irish situation I should know about? I’m hearing my name is in someone’s mouth.”

His frown grows. “The Don doesn’t want you worried about that,” he says firmly.

I lean back into his ear. “Ma can shove that bullshit. I’m not going to be blindsided. What don’t I know?”

“Non qui.”

“Then where?”

“Send a car for me tomorrow. We will talk then.”

I nod. He pats my cheek and strolls off.

Chapter 38

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