Page 14 of The Last Ones Standing, Part Two

“I’m going to ask for one more favor. Can you slow this down for me?”

“I can try. I’ll do my best.”

“That’s all I ask, sweetheart,” I say and turn on my best smile.

“Let me get my ass out of here.I need that favor, Gio,” she sings the last part over her shoulder as she saunters out the way she came.

“I’ll call you.”

She lifts a hand and waves. Jace walks by her as she exits. I lock eyes with him as I silently fume. All the names on that list were names that link to Dante, not Dario. They’re after the wrong twin.

Someone has to know this. However, if you look at the pecking order of the family, Dario is much higher than Dante, so I don’t think they care. I care and this ain’t happening on my watch.

* * *

Jace

I love how happy Lizzy gets over books. Ny loves to read too, but Lizzy is next level in a bookstore. I think Gio just loves to spoil her because he’s missing Ny as much as I am.

“Oh, I’ve been meaning to buy this one,” Lizzy says as she plucks up another book.

I already have my arms full of the second stack she’s made so far. Gio won’t deny her a single page. She places two more books on my pile.

“Don’t you have that one?” Gio teases as she picks up another.

“You know what?” She starts to chew on her lip. “I was thinking that I might. I’m not sure though.”

Gio laughs. “I was joking.”

She shrugs and picks up another to read the jacket. I turn and head to take this stack to the counter where the girl who knows us takes them to place with the others. I head back for Gio and Lizzy, checking my phone for messages.

I’ve been texting with Ny today, trying to see where her temper is. I know she’s not ready to return and Gio isn’t ready for her to come back either. That doesn’t stop me from missing her.

“What the fuck did you say?” I hear Gio hiss. I lift my head to find him in some guy’s face.

“Gio, don’t. I have all I want. We can go now,” Lizzy pleads.

“No, I want him to repeat that shit,” Gio seethes.

“I said her fat ass needs to get the fuck out of the way,” the guy says with his chest poked out.

Before Gio can knock him on his ass. I rush past both him and Lizzy and grab the guy off his feet by the neck. He turns red in the face as I squeeze.

“Not so tough now, are you?”

“Oh my God, Jace. No, please. I’m fine.”

“You might be fine, but I’m not,” Gio says. “You have a nasty mouth on you, buddy. If I were you, I’d watch how I speak to people. You never know who’s who.”

“Bro, let go,” the dude tries to breathe.

I release him with a shove, knocking him on his ass. I’m coiled tightly with rage. I didn’t like what he said to Lizzy, but most of all, he caused Gio to lose his temper. It’s always my job to protect Gio.

“I’d leave while you can,” Gio says darkly.

I turn, take the books from Lizzy’s hands, and guide her to the register where they ring up her haul and Gio pays for it. Seeing he’s back to himself, I relax and go back to checking my phone.

Chapter 6

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