Page 6 of The Last Ones Standing, Part Two

“You do know Peter took an internship at Di Lorenzo Industries?”

“Of course, I know. I’m the one who told him to apply. I didn’t think he’d get in, but it just goes to show this is our destiny. I’m what my father wasn’t.”

“What’s that, Pop?”

“A planner. It all started with Alessia. Once I knew she was having a girl, I saw my chance. I started shutting down the Di Lorenzo bloodline from there. To this day, Giuseppe hasn’t known what hit him.

“I was here in the States so no one would ever suspect me. She was a nobody and I had Don Barbieri to protect meifGiuseppe ever found out.”

“I can’t wait to see you pull this all off.”

“Watch and learn, son. Watch and learn.”

* * *

Gio

“That’s his car?” I murmur as the black car speeds away from the scene.

Jace and I are still seated on this cold ground as if we’ve just lost the love of our lives in that car bombing. I fight back the grin that wants to break free. The body in that car belongs to the cunt who had it coming, not my Ny.

“Yes, it’s the one we saw pull up on the cam. I’ll confirm with Ming and Holly.”

“Good,” I reply emotionlessly. “Tell Holly I said to name whatever she wants. It’s hers.”

This is the benefit of having a soldier who’s always alert and looking after her master. I knew Holly was a keeper. Funny thing is, Holly wasn’t even supposed to be here tonight. I’m sending her to Ma tomorrow.

I stand and brush my hands against my pants. “I’ll take my Oscar now, thank you.”

“Hold off on that joy for a moment. Ny is gone,” Jace grumbles.

I frown. “I know. For now, that’s what I want. It’s what I need.”

“Gio,” Jace grinds out.

“Listen, Holly’s not going to go straight to Ma. She’s going to go wherever Ny goes. If that’s to Ma, great, if it’s somewhere else, that’s fine too. As long as I can track Holly, we’ll be able to find Ny.”

“When she calms down, she’s going to know you wouldn’t allow her to leave without knowing where she is.”

“Which is why I wanted Kamiko to follow her. A peace offering, if you will.”

“That way she knows you’re watching after her.”

“Exactly. Did she follow?”

“Yeah, I gave her the keys to my Ducati. Ny’s still going to be angry. You know that, right?”

“You let me worry about that. For now, get someone out here to scrape up that thieving, roasted cunt and get her off my property.”

“So he’s dead. It’s finally time?”

I pat Jace’s cheek. “It’s time.”

* * *

Nyla

I pace Holly’s apartment, waiting for her to show up. I came here once my temper cooled down. Gio is crazy, but he’s not that crazy.

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