“Let me ask you a question, Michelangelo. Can a man with no hands still strike?”
I narrow my eyes at my grandfather. I know he’s testing me. “Of Course.”
He pats my cheek. “And this is why you will be great. No one else would answer this way.”
I stare down into my empty glass. They’re never going to expect me to become Don as long as there are rumors of me being gay. No one would expect Nyla to train assassins for me to use someday to crash my enemies. We’re kids, but they will never expect my army to be all women.
“All odds are against me. Just like they were with Ma. That was her plan, to make it so women and others could run the family with her, am I right?”
Nonno winks. “That you are.”
“Then it’s done. I’ll make happen what she couldn’t.”
Nonno stands and pats me on the shoulder. “Remember, everyone has a role, and they should play that role well. Choose wisely who you place where. Don’t fall into what others think you should do. Do what you do well, but always know how to do everything.”
With that, he leaves me to think to myself. I know exactly what I need from Ny and Jace. It’s time I make that call. I go to the phone on Nonno’s desk and dial.
“Hello.”
“Is she still awake?”
“Yeah, she’s right here.”
“Let me talk to her.”
Nyla
I sit curled up in Jace’s lap as he holds me. We’ve been like this for hours, sitting in silence. Jace never speaks much, but this is comforting.
He’s lending me his strength. Nothing needs to be said. He knows my pain. He’s been here before and Gio and I were there for him.
We were too young to know the right things to say so this is what we did for him. I still remember how Gio took care of him. If you didn’t know any different, you would have thought they were brothers by blood.
Jace’s phone rings, breaking into the silence. I shift so he can answer it. My mind is on the fact that Gio didn’t come back.
“Yeah, she’s right here.”
Jace hands the phone to me. My heart races as I take it from him. Placing it to my ear with a shaky hand, I take a deep inhale.
“Hello.” My voice comes out in a whisper.
“Hey, you okay?”
“I miss you. I’m so lost, G. I thought you would be here for me. Why are you breaking my heart?”
“Ny, come on. You’re smart. You understand this all has to look a certain way. I need you to do something for me.”
“What? Can I come see you?”
“In time. Are any of your soldiers male?”
I smile. He does understand what I’m doing for him. “No, but now that Jace is here, maybe he can get some guys to listen to me.”
“No,” he says firmly. “I want you to keep doing what you’re doing. Only girls.” I bite my lip, hoping he’s jealous. “I do want Jace to help you though.”
“How?”
“I know how I’m going to use them. However, they can’t be random. Jace is going to cultivate your choices. He’ll guard them too, keep them safe until I need them.”
“Like a curator?”
“Exactly.”
“Wait, but how? They’re only teenagers like us.”
“That’s the thing. Jace will choose which ones you will keep. Those are the ones you’re going to hold on to for now, but that’s it. You stop until I’m ready to collect.”
“Ready to collect?”
“Yes, baby. I’m coming for you and my doll collection when the time is right. You’re my doll master.
“They answer to you. Jace will be my curator. He will find the right women, dig into their lives, and make sure they’re what we want. I will approve each one for you to train.
“He will keep them safe. Can you do that for me?”
Tears begin to fall. I know the way he thinks. I heard what he just did. My heart breaks all over again.
“You said women. That means you’re not coming anytime soon.”
“I love you, Nyla. Do this for me and we’ll be together. I promise.”
As if I know how to tell him no. My body shakes with my tears. If he needs this, for him, I’ll do it. “Okay.”
He hangs up and I start to cry harder. Jace pulls me into his chest. I sink into his comfort.
“How long do you think he will make me wait?” I ask on a hitched breath.
“I don’t know, but I’m here whenever you need until then.”
CHAPTER 9
Birthday Visits
Nyla
Two years later…
“It’s your birthday and Jace is coming in, why the glum face?”
I turn to Uncle Lucas as we sit on the tarmac waiting for Jace’s plane to land. I’m turning eighteen tomorrow but it’s not as exciting as I thought it would be.
I don’t get to talk to Gio much and Jace comes in every few months to spend time with me. It’s been four months since his last visit, but it feels like forever. I can’t help feeling like something is missing. There’s a massive hole in my heart.