Page 135 of The Last Ones Standing, Part Two

The silence on the other end kills me. I shouldn’t have done this. There had to be another way.

“Don’t cry, Liz. You’re beautiful and amazing. I’m so sorry,” I nearly sob.

“Thanks, Ny. I need a minute. I’ll call you back.”

“I love you, Liz. Everything I do is for you.”

“I know. I love you too. Later.”

I shake with my tears as she hangs up. Jace tightens his arms around me. I feel like complete shit.

“You know he’s right. It had to be this way. Dante will swoop in like the protector he is, and everything will fall into place,” Jace whispers.

“In theory, but this is her real life, her real feelings.”

“I wish I could stay with you, but I need to go. Trust me, he’s not going to allow this to last long. He loves your sister like his own.”

I scoff but bite back my retort.

* * *

Gio

“How did it go?” I ask as I climb into the SUV so we can meet up with Dante to go see Gustloff.

“They’re both hurting,” Jace grumbles.

I ball my fists. I didn’t want to hurt either of them, but this had to be done. “I’ll take care of that. If Dante does his part, I won’t have to do much.”

Jace grunts. “Angelo will be where you want him by Monday morning.”

“I can’t wait for Dante to beat his ass,” I mutter. “And Gustloff, he knows his orders? We’re not going to have a problem tonight, are we?”

“We shouldn’t. I made sure he got to talk to Adrian this morning like you asked. I think he’ll comply.”

“Good, good.”

“You don’t think the death threat is a little too much?”

“Not at all. This is Dante, that shit is going to fuel him. Just watch.”

He grunts and falls silent. I know he’s thinking about Ny like I am. Lizzy is on my mind too. I rub at my chest. I know I did what’s necessary. It will all be worth it in the end.

Chapter 56

My Sister

Nyla

I stand in the shower with my arms wrapped around my middle. I didn’t get much sleep last night. I kept hearing Lizzy’s voice on the phone. I’ve already called her twice this morning. She’s not answering.

My head hurts from crying. I should be protecting my sister, not breaking her heart. I’m questioning myself on so many levels.

“From the first time I met Lizzy, she stole my heart and made me want to be her big brother. To protect her and boost her confidence. The way she looks at my brother. That’s how I know we did the right thing,” Gio says in my ear as he wraps his arms around me. “Come on, stop crying and come talk to us. We need to make a plan to fix this and get the two of them together.”

“I’m not worried about your brother. I want to make sure she’s okay. Are you forgetting she once wanted to kill herself?” I bite out.

“No, I haven’t. I also know this is not the same Lizzy. She has me and she’s in a happier place.”

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