Page 2 of Ruthless Guardian

This lovely establishment is owned by our other cousin, Alessandro Rossi. Which is the only reason I’m occasionally allowed to frequent the place. Normally, no one is stupid enough to mess with the Geminis.

I guess all bets are off when the Russians are involved.

“Where is he?” I ask. “And where’s Alessia?” Not that I’m a big fan of the female half of the twins, but she is my cousin—half-cousin—but still. From the Rossi side, Matteo is the best by far.

Matty shrugs. “Last time I saw Ale, he was texting Uncle Marco. And I have no idea where Alessia went.”

Serena snorts on a laugh. “Calling Daddy to clean up his mess? Figures the cocky bastard would be a chickenshit when things got real.”

“I know he can be an asshole, but he’s blood, Sere.” Matteo wraps an arm around me, tucking me into his side. Everyone in the family coddles me, Luca Valentino’sprincipessa. Princess and heir to the Kings’ empire.

“Speaking of blood,” I add before peeking between Frankie’s legs. My guard has been stationed in front of the table spraying the air with a continuous volley of bullets. “It’s a good thing you didn’t bring any of your siblings out tonight. Your mom would’ve killed you if anyone got roped into this mess.”

“Which is exactly why I didn’t tell any of them I was coming here for our early graduation celebration.” He presses a finger to his lips. Matteo has four younger siblings, the biggest family in the Valentino-Rossi crew ranging from Matty’s twenty-fourto Rex’s twelve. I love the guy and all his brothers and sisters, despite who his father is.

“All clear!” Frankie’s gruff voice puts an end to our casual conversation. It’s a testament to the life we live, that the three of us can chat so nonchalantly while a full-on shootout resounds in the background.

After all these years, I’ve grown accustomed to the chaos. That, and I know Frankie has my back. He’s been my personal bodyguard since the first day I left the penthouse without my parents back in grade school.

“Finally,” Serena mutters, crawling out from under the table and pulling me along with her. “I better not have ruined my new Dolce & Gabbana dress, or I’m sending Alessandro the bill.” She straightens to her full height, towering over me, even with my heels. With long, blonde hair and those ocean blue eyes, she looks every bit like her mom, my feisty Aunt Rose.

Matteo stands, leaning against the chair and runs a hand through his disheveled dark locks. “Don’t worry, we’re good for it.”

“Where is Ale anyway?” I rise to my tiptoes to see over Frankie’s broad shoulders. The rest of the Kings’ men and the bar’s security team are circling the bar, assessing the damage and righting fallen tables and chairs. At least there aren’t any bodies. From our side anyway. I can’t say the same about the Russians. I squeeze my eyes closed, avoiding their bloodied, mangled forms. They may be our enemies, but I’ve always lacked the bloodlust that’s supposed to run through my veins.

“Over there.” My guard ticks his head toward the modern glass bar that runs the length of the wall behind us. Or at least what used to be the bar. Shards of glass glisten across the black marble floor shimmering beneath the soft glow of lights.

Alessandro and Alessia pop up from behind it, and if it weren’t for the bloody gash along Alessia’s forehead and thecrimson droplets dribbling down Ale’s upper lip, I might have laughed. I’ve never seen my perfect cousin, Alessia, in such a state. Wild, wet curls tumble over her shoulders, her fuchsia dress splattered with an assortment of liquors from the mirrored shelves above. Ale is in no better condition, soaked from head to toe in his beloved alcohol. Above them, the rows of top shelf liquor bottles trickle pathetically, riddled in bullet holes.

“Fucking Russians,” Alessandro growls as he throttles his gun and walks around the bar, glass crunching under his boots.

“This is all your fault,” Alessia whines at her twin brother, wringing alcohol from her hair. “Pa is going to kill you for getting The Velvet Vault shot up like this. You know he hates when Gemini Corp gets drawn into the press alongside mob shit.”

“It wasn’t my fault,” he mutters.

Serena releases a sharp cackle, her head falling back dramatically. “I’m sure you were the innocent one in all of this.”

“Shut up, Serena. If this place closes down, where are you going to go trolling for your fuck buddies?”

“Oh, you wound me so. At least I can get some…”

“Alessandro, stop,” I hiss. “Both of you, relax. Everyone’s just on edge because of the shooting.”

“And it’s time for us to go, Isabella.” Frankie moves to my side, squeezing my shoulder. “SignorValentino is not pleased. And no one wants to see your father pissed.”

I glance up at those dark eyes, the faint crinkle on the edges of the rueful smile.

Great. If The Velvet Vault closes, where the hell will I go for these brief moments of freedom? Unlike Serena who actually has her own apartment, it’s not like I can bring a guy back to the penthouse I share with my brother and overbearing parents.Papàwould strangle the guy before he set foot into the foyer. So much for my plan of finally meeting someone.

“Fine,” I grumble.

Serena pulls me into a hug, then holds me out to arm’s length and straightens the strap of my dress. “I’m sorry this night was a complete disaster. I never should have dragged you here. Tell Uncle Luca it was a freak incident that will never happen again.”

“If he ever lets me leave the penthouse again.”

“Isabella, it’s time.” Frankie motions to the entrance across the dancefloor, the thick velvet curtains hanging askew, and the matching velvet rope sprawled across the floor.

Matteo presses a kiss to my cheek, and Alessandro and Alessia offer half-hearted waves as my guard escorts me toward the door.

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