Page 136 of The Last Ones Standing, Part Two

I spin to look him in the eyes. “She has you? What happens when she learns who you are? What if this doesn’t work out? You can’t just go around orchestrating people’s lives in whatever way you want. That’s my sister, G. She’smyresponsibility. Damn it, Gio.”

His nostrils flare. “My mistake was hiding you away. Leaving you on the outside for so long, you don’t see all that I see. What makes me great at what I do and who I am is the fact that I people-watch. I read everything about them.

“Your sister’s breath hitches whenever Dante enters a room or he gets too close. Her eyes light up when he talks to her and if he gives her a compliment, she looks like she’s going to turn into a puddle of goo.

“When Dante looks at your sister, there’s a fire that returns to his eyes. He gets lost in thought, staring at her. He’s been possessive over her since before he knew he was attracted to her. I watched the moment he went from being intrigued to being in love.

“Now come and help us fix this because crying in the shower isn’t going to get anyone anything they want. And what I want is to know she’s okay,” he snaps.

“Don’t you bark at me. You did this.”

“Which is why I’m trying to fix it. I’ll see you in the kitchen.”

With that, he turns and walks his big ass out of the shower, back flexing as he goes. He has the nerve to be annoyed.

“I’ll see you in the kitchen,” I mock once he’s out of sight. “Fucking puppet master.”

* * *

Gio

“I’m making French toast, you want some?”

“Yeah, thanks,” Ny replies. “What’s the plan?”

“I think you should head over there. Spend some time with her. That will cheer her up,” Jace says.

“He has a point. Remember what you told me you used to do with her? The mirror and confidence stuff?”

“Yeah, I can do that. I’ll stop and get her an outfit.”

I smile. “I have bags waiting for you by the front door.”

She tilts her head and looks at me. “What’s the second stone, Geppetto?”

I wink at her. “We don’t want this all to be for nothing. Get me footage of her. I think it’s time Dante has a new view of what’s before him.”

“I’ll go check on my sister. I’m going to put a smile on her face.If,and that’s a big if, I get her to record, what makes you think I’m going to send it to you?”

I look her in the eyes and pull a face. “Lizzy is half my damn age. I’m not going to watch the shit. I’m just going to text it to Dante to get his head out of his ass.”

She gives me that sly smile of hers. “I’ll think about it.”

I roll my eyes. I know she’s not done with the attitude. I’ve already placed a standing order for roses for the week. Two dozen a day. At least this week she doesn’t have to pretend to be annoyed with me.

The sacrifices we make for those we love.

Chapter 57

AGift

Gio

I walk into Dante’s dining room to find him and Lizzy eating with Bella like a little family. It brings a smile to my face. He already looks happier.

“No, no, don’t stop eating. I just have something I want to drop off to Izzy if she has a minute,” I say as Dante wipes his mouth and goes to stand.

I look to Lizzy and she has a brow raised at me. She caught that I called her Izzy. Good, she’ll understand I want to talk in private.

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