Page 161 of The Last Ones Standing, Part Two

Not thinking, I move to get to her. They break rank and Ny flies into my arms. I catch her and hold her tight.

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I wanted this day to be over. I planned to tell you guys in the morning.”

“I knew it,” Jace says happily.

I release Ny and Jace lifts her into his arms and spins her in the air before he places her on her feet. I can’t stop smiling.

Jace begins to bark orders and calls for a roll call. I have Ny tucked into my side.

“You guys all right?” Gianni calls from behind.

I turn and walk Ny closer to where he stands. “We’re fine. Thanks for the assist.” Suddenly, shots are fired from behind.

My heart skips a beat. I instantly know something’s wrong. I turn as Jace drops to the floor as if he just used his body to block me and Ny.

Ny and I drop to our knees at his sides. This can’t be fucking happening. Why the fuck is he bleeding?

“Jace, Jace,Jace,”Ny screams as she searches for where the blood is coming from. “No, please no.”

I look up to search for where the shots came from. I hold up a hand in warning to my dolls, who are aiming and ready to fire.

“You took my sons, now I’m going to take everything you love,” Sylvia Kelley snarls, aiming a gun at me.

Ignoring me, Ma walks up behind her and cocks her gun. “No, I took your sons. I’ve been waiting to settle the score with you for years. You’ve helped that bastard every chance you could. Now look, your whole fucking family is dead and you’re about to join them, bitch,” Ma seethes.

“Jace, come on, please. Don’t do this to me,” Ny whimpers.

I glance back at Jace’s still frame. Pain sears through me. I’m stunned. My brain doesn’t want to believe my eyes.

Nyla stands. The look on her face is like she’s possessed. “Back away, Ava.”

Sylvia gasps and turns to look at Ma. Nyla shoots the gun from Sylvia’s hand. Sylvia cradles her hand against her chest. Now surrounded by Ny and the master dolls, she looks like she sees the error she’s made. She looks around the Dollhouse at the fallen bodies of her family.

“I said enough. I’m done with this shit,” Ny seethes before she pulls the trigger.

Ny, Ma, and the master dolls light Sylvia up as her body jerks with the bullets. She drops to the ground and Ny and Ma stand over her, emptying their clips.

I turn back to Jace. He’s not moving and blood has started to come from beneath his head. I don’t know where to touch him.

“Don’t do this to me, man. Come on, Jace. Together, we do this together.” I wipe a hand across my brow. “Carleen,Car, Holly,” I bellow.

“We’re here, Gio,” Holly answers.

“I’ve got him,” Car says.

Chapter 73

On the Other Side

Gio

I take a sip of my whiskey as I narrow my eyes and step into the back doorway leading out to the beach. I lean into the doorjamb with my shoulder. A smile comes to my lips.

They’re both happy and safe. We made it through the fire. I didn’t lose my knight or my queen and I’m in control of my world.

Jace hit his head hard after the fall when he dove to cover me and Ny. The vest took the two bullets meant for me. Once again, my best friend put his life on the line for me.

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