Page 50 of Brutal Princess (Valentino Empire 4)

Angelica disappears into the shrubbery. Pushing myself harder, I jump the railing and catch up with her, leaping over bushes and fallen branches. I can see them in the distance, some fucker on a horse with Izzy. She’s fighting the grip he has on her.

“Izzy!” I yell as I continue racing after them. Angelica is screaming right behind me. Fuck. I watch as they get farther and farther away, and there is absolutely nothing I can fucking do about it. I pull out my phone as I continue running and call Theo.

“Yeah,” he answers.

“They took her. Someone fucking took her.” I stop mid-step, unable to make them out or even guess the direction they went.

“What do you mean they took her? Who? Who’d they take, Neo?”

“Izzy—someone fucking took her. Get some fucking dogs, trackers, a chopper in the air. I’m sending you a GPS location. I want my fucking daughter back, T.” I hang up and share our coordinates. Angelica screams, and the sound shatters my heart. Turning around, I see her on her knees, Donatello’s men surrounding us and barking orders at each other. I bend down and bring her to her feet. “Angel, I will fucking get her back.” I lift her face with my finger so her eyes meet mine. “We will get her, okay.”

She nods her head but I’ve seen this broken look before. On my own mother, the morning we found Lola missing from her bed. I will not fail Izzy. I’ll fucking find her, and when I do, the men who took her are going to fucking wish they hadn’t… They are going to regret the day they crossed paths with Neo Valentino.

“Let’s go. We need to get ready.”

“Ready for what? I have to keep going, Neo. I have to catch up to her,” she cries, trying to scramble out of my hold.

“We’re going to war, Angel. There is nothing you can do in these woods.” I hear the helicopter approaching overhead. “Hear that?” I point to the sky. “That’s one of T’s choppers. I’ve got tracker dogs on their way here now too. There is nowhere they can hide where I won’t find them.”

“She’s a little girl… She’s just a little girl, Neo. I should have taken her away. I knew I had to get her away. This is my fault.” Angelica falls into me, and her tears soak the front of my shirt as I take her into my arms and walk back towards the house.

Chapter Twenty-Four

What are they saying? I try to press my ear closer to the door. They’re celebrating. That’s never a good thing...

It usually means they’ve got a new girl. A girl I’m going to be expected to help adjust to her new fate. A fate so much worse than anyone ever deserves. I used to pray to God. I used to pray that my family would come. That they’d find me. That they wouldn’t give up.

They did though. They forgot about me.

I know they’re off living their lives like I never existed. I’ve seen them the few times I’ve managed to sneak out. I know my sister has her little business and my brother has many. I could have approached them. Let them know that I’m here.

But then they’d take my sister. They told me it was me or her, and I chose to sacrifice myself so she could be free. So she’d never have to endure the living nightmares that make up my daily existence. Now there’s a new girl. And judging by the revelry, it’s a big deal for them.

I hear the front door of the house open and I scamper back to my cell, the punishment for being caught snooping too painful to risk. I know better. I’ve learned the hard way. To not piss them off. It only ends up with me black and blue, and them enjoying the process of making me that way.

My feet stop when I hear her. A little girl’s voice. “I can’t wait until my mama and papa find you. You’ll be sorry, you know. My papa will rip your hands off your arms,” she screams. “Don’t you know who I am? Put me down,” she continues. I can’t see her, but I don’t need to. I know they’ll bring her to me soon. They haven’t had a young girl in a few years; it’s always hard when they’re so young.

“We don’t care what you think your papa can do. He will never find you, you little bitch.” One of the men laughs.

“Yes he will. He always will. My papa is Neo Valentino and he will find you, then you’ll be sorry!”

My whole body freezes.

No. It can’t be. This cannot be happening.

Chapter Twenty-Five

It’s been twenty-seven hours. Twenty-seven excruciating hours.

I’ve cried. I’ve screamed. I’ve destroyed this house, smashing everything in sight. I can’t believe my worst fear is happening. I was supposed to protect her. It was my job to protect her. What kind of mother allows their little girl to be taken. Right in front of her eyes. Through all of this, I keep thinking one thing.

I should have listened to Neo. I should have waited in the house with him. I shouldn’t have taken Izzy out to the ponies without him. He’s been the only thing holding us together. Whenever I fall, he waits, he picks me back up, and he makes promises I know he can’t keep. I’m leaning on him for strength—something I’ve never done with anyone. He’s hurting too. I see it in his eyes. He’s hurting as much as I am. Yet Izzy isn’t even his biological child.

How can he be so attached to us in such a short time? I would ask the question if the feelings weren’t mutual. Because, right now, I don’t want to be anywhere he isn’t.

“Angel, you ready?” Neo asks.

I’ve just gotten dressed in my worn-in black leather pants and black jacket. I’m armed to the teeth. Ready for a fight. Ready to hunt down the bastards who took my little girl. Please, God, let her be okay. Don’t let them hurt her. Keep her safe. Please.

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