Page 120 of Ruthless Guardian

As I scan the crowd, a pair of piercing coal-black eyes meet mine. I force my gaze to stay the course, despite their lethal intensity. Because I’m certain of one thing, if I plan on truly making Isabella mine, I will have to stand up to Luca Valentino and prove I’m worthy of his daughter.

He ticks his head at the enormous hangar behind him, the one that houses the fleet of King’s Industries’ airplanes and begins to walk toward a murky corner.

Merda. Well, this confrontation isn’t entirely unexpected. I knew a quick Facetime call a month ago with his daughter beside me wouldn’t get me off the hook that easily. Placing my hand on Isabella’s back, I drop my lips to her ear and whisper, “I’ll be right back. I’ve been summoned.”

She follows my line of sight to where her father stands in the shadows. “Maybe you should take Andrew with you.”

“No, I can handle your father,principessa.”

Her eyes widen, the incredulous look doing nothing for my confidence. “Good luck,amore.”

My love. “Thanks,” I grumble, releasing her and moving around the circle of tight-knit family. To face my doom.

I keep my head held high and shoulders pinned back, despite the unease churning in my gut. I feel like I’m on my way to meet the executioner. I console myself with the thought that no matter how ruthless Luca Valentino can be, he’d never kill me in front of his daughter. He may be many things, but he is nothing like my ownPapà. He loves Isa too much to ever put her through that hell.

“SignorValentino.” I offer my hand and a tight smile when I reach the corner of the hangar.

He ignores both, flashing me teeth in a frightening semblance of a grin. “I hope you understand that the fact that you’re still alive has little to do with me and all to do with my overly trusting and naïve daughter.”

I nod, breathing in and out slowly to temper the agitated thundering of my pulse. “Thank you for the consideration, and just for the record, she’s not as naïve as you may think.” His head snaps back but before I stick another foot in an early grave, I blurt, “You’ve taught her well. She’s got a good head on her shoulders, she’s smart, and quick on her feet.”

“Of course, she is. She ismydaughter.”

“And I love her.” I let the words hang in the air for a long moment, hoping he’ll take them for what they are. The God’s honest truth. “I want to protect her, I want to be there for her for as long as she’ll have me. I know I messed up in Rome, but it’s only because I was so crazy about her, I made stupid decisions. I should have walked away the moment I started to develop feelings for her, but I couldn’t let her go.”

“And you’ve since learned from your mistakes?”

I twist my head over my shoulder and motion at Isa’s new guard. “Well, Andrew is still breathing, right?”

A dark chuckle rumbles low in his chest. “What do you think of him?”

“He’s not me, but I’ve been working with him, so hopefully he’ll get there.”

“Good.” Luca nods slowly. “I don’t need to remind you that if anything happens to my daughter?—”

I raise my hand, cutting him off. “You don’t need to threaten me,signore. It’s totally pointless. If anything were to happen to Isabella, I’d be dead right alongside her.”

“You’re that devoted to her?” He narrows his eyes, a skeptical gleam in his gaze.

“I love her with every shred of my being,” I breathe, my voice firm and unwavering. “I would lay down my life for her without a second thought.”

Luca watches me for a long, tense moment, then finally nods slowly. “If you’re willing to protect her with your life, then you better be prepared to do so at any cost. She’s not only my daughter; she’s the future of this family."

“I understand the weight of my vow and what it means for all of us.” I lock my gaze to his, despite the intensity surging through those stormy orbs. “I am prepared,signore. Whatever it takes.”

Luca holds my gaze a moment longer before he extends his hand. I’m shocked by the unexpected gesture, but I keep my expression neutral. “Then prove it, Raffaele. Prove that my daughter's lifeand heartare safe with you.”

I grasp his hand firmly, channeling all my resolve into that single handshake. “I will. You have my word.”

Isabella

As Raf leads me into the living room of my parents’ penthouse, blindfolded, I clutch onto his arm, stepping gingerly in the four-inch heels Serena insisted I wear to my welcome home party. The sounds of Frank Sinatra and faint chatter already fill the great room when I arrive.

“Can I take off the blindfold yet?” I whine.

“No not yet,” Serena replies, “just wait a second.”

From the sound of it, she’s only a few steps ahead of me. And I can already hear Matteo snickering beside her. What are those two up to?

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