Page 88 of The Last Ones Standing, Part Two

Me:I love you.I’m glad you’ll be around.

She sends a pic of her making a face at me, causing me to laugh. However, Gio’s words pull my attention.

* * *

Gio

“Hey, baby, how you doing?”

“I was just texting with Jace,” Ny replies.

“That’s why he’s in here smiling like he has his first high school crush?” I chuckle as Jace flips his hand under his chin at me.

“Thanks for the job offer. I’ll do it. I would love to be around Lizzy.”

“You’re welcome. She’s going to be traveling with Dante for a bit, but when they return, you’ll have plenty of time with her. The position gives us plenty of time to be around each other. Is that an issue?”

“I don’t know,” she says with a smile in her voice. “The jury is still out on you, Mr. Di Lorenzo.”

“Let me see if I can do something about that. Be ready to accompany us to dinner tonight. Wear something sexy. We have years to make up for.”

“Is that right? Anything else I can do for you?”

I pause as a thought comes to me. “Yeah, there is something. I need you to design a gaming room at Dante’s for your sister. I’m going to have a friend call you. Make sure she has what she needs and give him specs for your own room at the apartment. Pick any room you want, make it yours.”

“Ah, babe, thanks, but don’t think I missed you just said for Dante’s house. I want to know your plan for my sister.”

“You already know it. My mind still works the same. You know me.”

“You’re going to have her move in with him and force them to see each other. But Gio, my sister is shy, and she doesn’t see how amazing she is.”

“Dante will see that for himself. He’ll handle the rest once he does. I’m not worried.”

“And this Jacob? That’s a problem waiting to happen, and I don’t like him, by the way.”

“Not my doing, but I’m watching the situation. For now, he’s necessary. Call him motivation for my brother.”

“Gio, promise me Lizzy doesn’t get hurt.”

“I love her like my own little sister. I have her.”

“Babe, you just said I know you. What’s up? What aren’t you telling me?”

I crack my knuckles and smile. She knows me so well. It feels good to have her home.

“It’s my brother. I see his guilt over that cunt. It’s pissing me off. She doesn’t deserve his thoughts, let alone his guilt.”

“Take the guilt away,” she and Jace say at the same time.

Jace is standing over my desk now. He tosses his phone down in front of me. The pics he took are open for my view. I know he has video too.

“You’re right,” I say to Ny. “I know just how. Listen, I need to go. See you tonight.”

“Okay, I’ll see you later.”

I look up at Jace. “Have Ming send the pictures to his phone. The ones of her with Franky. None of the ones showing his face. You know Dante.”

Jace scoffs. “He’ll kill him.”

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