Page 33 of The Last Ones Standing, Part Two

“Apparently not,” Gio grumbles.

“Well, border patrol got his ass, and they flipped him. He’s been connecting dots between your people and Fish Face.”

Vega is going to have to go. I can see it on Gio’s face. I’m thinking Gustloff will make the list as well.

“What else you got for me?” Gio says with a calm I know isn’t real.

“Junior’s a junkie. A CI, for sure. He’s trying to make a run for it. That’s why he’s stealing from Daddy. The fuckup just can’t stop using and has blown through everything he’s gotten from stealing.”

That explains a lot. Silvio has never been late with a payment. I know about Silvio Jr.’s coke problem, but I didn’t know he turned rat. They probably got him on some drug charge and flipped him.

Spoiled pussy. His father is under our protection. All he had to do was shut the fuck up. We would have come in and cleaned up whatever it was.

Now look. I frown and continue to listen. That was a long-ass list. We have some cleaning up to do.

“Next guest at the table. The Jersey Prince,” PJ says.

He’s talking about Vito. This guy makes me sick. He thinks he’s untouchable and runs his fat mouth. He also thinks he’s better than Gio because he was made first. Real piece of shit.

“He has some tax problems and a body they’re pinning on him. Some underage sex worker who OD’d in his hotel room. He’s been singing and dancing his way out of his problems. Definite confirmation there.”

* * *

Gio

Twenty minutes later we’re headed down the hall to Dante’s office. I’m stewing. Loyalty and honor mean nothing these days.

Most of the names on that list I wasn’t surprised by, but I had held out hope someone would come back clean. To save me the time of having them erased, if for no other reason.

None of them are useful to me anyway. I understand Dante’s endgame, but it’s not something I would have done. Drugs are never an option, no matter how long or short you believe the game to be. They shorten your life span no matter what.

“We bring Silvio Jr. to the table tonight,” I murmur to Jace. “I don’t want Silvio bringing this to Dario after the fact, getting him involved in something I sanctioned. I’m not ready for my brothers to know who I am yet.”

“It’s Dario’s territory. He’s going to want to handle it. Let him have his guys look into it, then send one of the girls in to clean it up.”

“And Vega?”

“Do me a favor, you know that gun shop I just purchased through that friend of ours?”

A few months back I had Ming’s father open a gun shop in his name. He’s been to me for a few favors after I saved the rink and gave it to Ming.

“Yeah, I’m listening.”

“Good, I think it needs some new clientele. You know, some advertising and marketing to drum up the right kind of business. Make sure someone really close to that fish-faced friend of ours makes a visit and tries out a few fits. You know, someone our friend would do anything for. You know what I’m talking about?”

Jace grins. “Yeah, I know what you need.”

He nods and pulls out his phone, no doubt setting things in motion. If only I could speed this all up. For now, I’m going to sit back and watch all my hard work and sacrifices unfold.

Chapter 15

Disappointment

Gio

“Mr. Di Lorenzo, here are those numbers you asked for,” Sierra, my assistant, says as she places the docs on my desk.

“Thanks,” I say without looking away from the window I’m staring out of.

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