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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.”
CHAPTER9
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.
“Can I ask you something?”
“Of course.”
“How do you do it? I know you’re here for the boys, but don’t you miss her?”
“Every day. Taking Jace and the boys back and forth to Italy gives me a chance to check in, but it’s never enough.”
