Page 3 of Ruthless Guardian

“He’s never going to let me out again,” I groan.

Frankie cocks his head and offers a reassuring smile. “Never is a long time,piccola.” Little one. He’s called me that for as long as I can remember, and now despite having just turned twenty-two and about to embark onto a long, difficult journey at medical school, when I hear the nickname, I’m that insecure little kid again hiding behindPapà’s looming shadow. Frankie tousles my hair and moves into step beside me as we cross the sticky dancefloor. I refuse to look down, preferring to ignore whatever it is I’m walking through. “Don’t worry, I’ll talk to him.”

“Thanks, Frankie. Of all the bodyguards to be stuck with, you’re the best.”

He chuckles, the warm sound vibrating his barrel chest. “I’m the only one you’ve ever had,piccola, so I sure as hell better be.”

I step onto the red carpet, the soles of my Jimmy Choo’s sinking into the plush material, and a shadow streaks across my peripheral vision. The velvet curtain glides back, and I’m greeted by the barrel of a gun.

A gasp slips through my clenched lips as time slows. Everything blurs but that hand on the sleek weapon, that finger on the trigger. A shot fires, and the scream dies in my throat.

CHAPTER 2

TRAPPED IN A TOWER

Isabella - One Month Later

Dropping the book into my lap, I stare out the floor-to-ceiling windows of my glass cage and blow out a breath. The deep greens of Central Park stretch out below, calling to me. What I wouldn’t give to once again walk beneath the shade of the towering oaks.

My gaze flits over my arm, to the faint scar puckering the skin over my biceps. My chest constricts, a relentless ache squeezing my lungs. Not from the old bullet wound but from the memory of the man who gave his life for mine.

Fucking Frankie. Why did you have to be so damned noble?

If he hadn’t jumped in front of me, I would be the one six feet under right now. Instead, he took the bullet meant for me. It sliced through his heart, tearing through bone and muscle and then sank into my arm.

Who the hell makes bullets like that?

I stare at the spot on my arm, and my lips curve into a scowl. I don’t remember a whole lot from that night, but the little thatI do remember haunts me. Mom had asked if I wanted the scar removed, as if a plastic surgeon could magically scalpel away the bad memories. No, I would keep the scar forever, a constant reminder of Francesco Bellini. It’s stupid, but since the bullet went through him before piercing my arm, I like to think that a part of him is still with me, his blood mingling with my own.

Hot tears well in my eyes, and I blink quickly to force them back. I cried for days after his death, then for another week after the funeral. It’s true what they say about not knowing what you have until you lose it.

I never realized how much I loved my faithful shadow until he was gone. I’d taken him for granted for years without ever truly thanking him. He’d given up everything for me.

Quick footsteps across the marble send my gaze spinning toward the hallway. Vinny appears with a backpack slung over his shoulder. My younger brother regards me in that quiet way he always does. “You good?”

“Of course.” I offer him a cheery smile. “I’m a prisoner in a gilded cage. What could possibly be wrong?”

Rolling his eyes, he drops down to the sofa beside me. “You know, I’m surePapàwould let you leave the penthouse if you just chose a new bodyguard.”

A knife in the gut would’ve hurt less. How can I replace Frankie? More than that, how can I choose the next man to die?

“Nah, it’s fine. I’ll just live in here forever, like Rapunzel, reading my books, trapped in this tower.”

“Until your prince comes?” A lopsided smile curls his lips, and it’s freaky how much he looks like our father. WhenPapàsmiles, that is, which is a rare occurrence these days unless our mom is in the room.

At eighteen, Vincenzo Valentino, named after my mom’s brother and dad’s best friend who died, is everything I wish I could be. He’s a real free spirit, who marches to the beat of hisown drum, even when forced to live in the dark world we inhabit. He has the luxury of being the second born. Despite being born a female,Papàwas adamant we stick to traditions naming me his heir, which is pretty fucking unfair considering Uncle Dante is the eldest brother and yet my father runs the family business, even if it is mostly in name only these days.

Vinny could have been pissed, could have fought for his position as eldest male, but he has zero interest in King Industries and even less in its underground dealings. We’re the same in that respect, and despite my chosen career path,Papàinsists one day I will take over the business, the legitimate side at least.

A doctor can still run a multi-million-dollar organization,principessa.The Kings’ empire must survive if we wish to.

He’s been trapped in this life for so long he truly believes there’s no escaping it. Going to medical school is my way out, and God willing my father will live a long life and I won’t be forced the take the reins of his legal or criminal empire any time soon.

“Well, I’m going to meet Jess for a coffee.” He stands, his dark brow arching. “You sure you don’t want to come? Dad can send Tony along with my guard. I’m sure even he would agree to that.”

Tony has beenPapà’s right hand man forever. He is like family and rarely gets his hands dirty in the dark side of the business anymore. I shake my head, sighing. I couldn’t stand the thought of having more blood on my hands.

I lift my book and stick my nose between the pages. “I’ll just live vicariously through my best book friends.”

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