Page 45 of The Last Ones Standing, Part Two

I whimper into his mouth as I melt into him. He palms my ass and tugs me into his growing erection and heat. I’m completely thrown.

I can feel all eyes are on us. He’s never shown me this type of PDA. When he releases me, he speaks against my lips.

“We have a lot to discuss. Every moment we’re away from each other is another moment lost. Stop making me chase you.”

I scoff. “When have you chased me?”

“Can we not do this?” Jace growls.

“Sure, we don’t have to do this,” I say with a sugary sweet smile.

Gio cracks his knuckles. “We can do this at home, where we should have done this three days ago.”

Three days ago. Nah, we should have done this years ago. The only conversation I need to have with Gio is when and where I’ll be allowed to end Riccardo’s life once and for all. Instead of snarling that out loud, I grin.

“I’m enjoying my time with my family. Lizzy and I have been taking time to bond. That’s where I’m going back to tonight. When you have my next assignment, you can call me.”

“You have never learned when to recognize when you’ve already won,” Gio bites out.

“Justice, this is Gio.” I lift a hand for her to come forward. He doesn’t even look away from me as he nods. “Smoke, Philly, meet the doll collector.”

I turn to my right. “These three are Blu, Coco, and Cat.”

Gio works his jaw as he glares at me. He nods and takes a step back. He turns before he calls over his shoulder.

“I’ll meet everyone at the training facility. Have a good night, ladies.”

“Fuck,” Jace hisses. “Ny, come on.”

“I’m back to do my part. I never said I’d do anything more.”

He narrows his eyes at me. I hope this man knows I’m onto him. He’s as big a puppet master as the other one.

I shrug. I’m here for what I was promised, nothing more. Call me stubborn, cautious, or whatever you want, but I’m not the same Nyla who’s going to wait to live.

I toss him his key to his bike. “Thanks, by the way. Good night, Jace. Call me with my next orders.”

He grabs my hand, places the key back in my palm, and kisses my forehead. “We want to give you a new car. Keep the bike until we do.”

With that, I head out the way I came, ignoring the ache in my body and heart. Each step feels weighted, like I’m leaving something behind, but my feelings matter. I deserve to be allowed to heal.

Chapter 20

Not On Me

Jace

I glare at Gio as he walks into the kitchen after his workout. He’s shirtless with a towel draped around his neck and gray sweats on. I’ve already showered and dressed for the day. I went for a run earlier this morning to clear my head. I slept for shit last night.

Gio sighs. “You’re going to have an attitude for the rest of the day, so just say whatever it is before I shoot you for getting on my damn nerves. It’s too early for this shit and I didn’t sleep more than five minutes as it is.”

“She was right in front of you. We had her right in our grasp. What happened?” I snap.

He spins to face me and glares at me. I return his glare. I feel like when we were younger and used to fight over video games and who had next.

We’re better than this. That’s what’s so frustrating and annoying. It’s not like we don’t want the same thing.

“Ny happened. She’s the one not ready.”

---