Page 13 of The Last Ones Standing, Part Two

She wrinkles her nose. “Your secrets are safe with me,” she says with a smile.

“It’s not that. This place just doesn’t feel like you should be in it.”

She laughs. “Remember when I had no idea what it was?”

She still doesn’t fully know what goes on here. She thinks it’s for private sex parties. I’ve allowed her to learn bits and pieces over the last five years, but she still doesn’t know everything.

The dolls she’s come in contact with work for Gwen and the firm. According to her knowledge, I contract them out. Yet, she doesn’t know this is a hit house, only that I have girls in training.

I lean in and kiss her forehead. “I’m ruining you. Do me a favor and go wait out in the car. I’ll be out soon.”

“Are you about to get a blow job from one of your pretties or something?”

I roll my eyes and reach to pinch her nose between my knuckles. She makes this cute little rat face when I release her. “No, I’m going over to the bar to have a drink. Then I’m going to come out to the car so we can leave.”

“Okay, I want to finish this book anyway,” she says and turns to leave.

I go to the bar to make myself a drink. I have a bottle of grappa in hand when I look up to find Antonia Thompson heading for the bar.

“Toni,” I croon. “How you doing, gorgeous?”

“Hi, Gio. Can I get one of those?”

I lift a brow but pour her a glass as she takes a seat in front of me. She downs the glass and frowns. I smile as I look her over and think of her cousin I just hung up with.

Toni’s a pretty woman like Carleen. Only shorter and a bit thicker. Those amber eyes are the killer, they pull you in. Their deep, dark complexions are only a bonus to their pretty faces.

I look into her eyes and know in my gut she’s here to do her part. Something has come our way. Not that I don’t already know they’re coming. Her uncle came to me a few weeks ago.

While Talon can warn me, Toni can offer me the details I need to fix this situation. It’s why I wanted her in my pocket. In all honesty, I knew this would come now. It’s time to reveal all I’ve been up to, and this is just one more obstacle I’ll have to work around.

She leans into the bar. I place my elbows against it and lean into her. “It’s your brother—Dario. His name has been mentioned a few times this week. I’m trying to find out for what charges, but I thought you would want to know,” she says and licks her lips.

I push off the bar and wink at her. “Thanks, Toni. If you can get me the names of their rats, I’d appreciate that.”

She blows out a breath. “How did I know you were going to ask for that?”

“It was a part of our deal. You told me you’d give me anything for Kaden Alderman. I’m only making a simple request as I pull major resources to find this guy,” I say innocently.

It’s total bullshit. Jace found the guy a year ago. He’s a recluse living in the mountains all alone. He’s had a shit life, starting from when he knew Toni here. He hasn’t caught a break since.

I haven’t told her yet because I need her to come through when the time comes. I’ll give her that address, I just need her to do her part.

“I could go to jail for this,” she hisses.

I fold my arms across my chest. “Your cousin is Dario’s best friend. Now you wouldn’t want to see something happen to her best friend, would you?”

She sucks her teeth and purses her lips before waving for me to refill her glass. I fill it. She throws it back and looks around the empty space as if the feds are going to run out at any minute.

“You better find Kaden,” she sasses before reaching a shaky hand into her bag to pull a sheet of paper out. “I will deny I gave you this until I’m blue in the face.”

I smile at her and take the paper. I glance at the names and commit them all to memory, then ball it up and pull a tray from under the bar to place it in. I light the paper on fire and watch it burn like every cocksucker on it will.

“Gio,” Toni gasps. “I can’t get you a copy of that.”

“You don’t have to. I have a photographic memory.” I tap my temple. “It’s all in here.”

She side glances me. “You’re one bad motherfucker. I thought Uncle Kingston wasn’t one to play with.”

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