Page 149 of The Last Ones Standing, Part Two

“Dante fired his ass. Both him and Michelle.”

“Oh, I never liked her. I was going to put my foot in her ass if she sneered at me one more time. Jealous ass. Ugh, I want a nap and then I need to game some of this stress away,” Ny scoffs.

“What did the doctor’s office want?” I ask.

“To confirm my appointment.”

Gio lifts her foot to his lips and kisses her toes. I don’t notice I’m absentmindedly massaging her scalp until she moans. I smile. The tension has left her body.

“Are you ready to eat?” Gio murmurs.

I chuckle when Ny snores a reply. I look to Gio and he smiles, looking a little less burdened.

Chapter 63

Baby Dolls

Bella

I can do this. I’m a big girl. All I had to do was let the bad man take me. I did that. I can’t be scared now.

I have to be Secret Nonna’s big girl. I can take care of myself. Uncle G needs me to do this for the family. For Daddy.

The aunties are watching. They’ll save me if I need them and like Auntie Smoke said, if the bad man starts to act crazy, give him all the smoke.

But I forgot my gun today. I was rushing and forgot my special backpack.Stupid, stupid, stupid.

No, don’t think like that. Bad Mommy would say that. New Mommy would tell me to be strong. I can be strong like Lizzy. Uncle G promised if I needed them, the aunties would be locked and loaded.

I like the way that sounds. I feel safe if I think of that. I’m not a baby. I can do this.

I’m a Di Lorenzo. I’ve got this. I’m not going to cry. Ms. Ny promised I’d be okay. I needed that hug last night.

It got me ready. I don’t have to be afraid, Auntie Holly said she’d come with the big guns. I like her. She smells nice.

“Let’s go, kid, I don’t have all day.”

I climb out of the back seat and follow the bad man. Do I kick his knees out now? I think I can do the sleeper hold thing on him. No, Ms. Ny promised Lizzy would come for me. I need to wait for Lizzy. She loves me, she’ll come.

“I get my money and I might let you go. My brother didn’t deserve what he got, but that’s not your fault. My uncles don’t want to listen. I have no idea why everyone is afraid of yourfinookuncle.”

“What’s a finook?” I ask.

“Never mind, kid. Keep up.”

I walk faster to follow him into the mall. Then we stop and wait. I’m getting nervous. I close my eyes and think of Daddy’s words.I’m coming for you, sweetheart. Be bravefor Daddy.

I’m brave. I think of Secret Nonna’s words.Always remember who you are in your heart. No matter what, you’re a Di Lorenzo.I hold back my giggle. She said a bad word when she said it. Now the words fill my heart and I puff out my chest.

That’s when I look up. The bad man doesn’t see them, but my family is here. My mommy came for me. I bite the inside of my cheek to not make a sound.

I did it, Uncle G, Daddy and Uncle Dario will be safe now. Our family is safe.

* * *

Gio

“Can you walk me through this one more time?” Talon Thompson says.

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