Page 4 of Brutal Princess (Valentino Empire 4)

It’s how I was raised, and I like to think I turned out pretty well equipped to handle this world. More equipped than any of the made men in my father’s organization.

“This is your Aunt Holly’s place,” I inform her. We’ve already had the conversation about Theo and Holly, and how they are now part of our family. She made me show her photos so she’d recognize them when she saw them.

“Mama, are they poor?” Izzy asks as she looks around the apartment that’s smaller than her bedroom back home.

I laugh. “No, Izzy, this was Aunt Holly’s apartment before she married Uncle T. She’s a school teacher, you know.”

“Oh, maybe I can ask her to help me with my schoolwork. Vanessa isn’t that smart. She tries, but I usually have to explain things to her. Do you think Aunt Holly will help teach me, Mama?”

“Well, we can’t ask her that when we don’t know her yet, Izzy. I’ll find you a better tutor soon.”

“What are you looking for? I can help?” she suggests.

WhatamI looking for? I don’t exactly know. Anything that could give me insight into the woman my brother married.

The door jingles. I hold my finger to my lips to tell Izzy to keep quiet. I reach down and retrieve the small knife from my boot, then look through the peephole. Holy shit.

Holly is here. What the hell is she doing out on the streets today? I would have thought T would have had her locked down tight after the shitstorm at theirsupposedsafe house this morning.

Like I said, the Valentino family has a rodent problem. One I can’t wait to eradicate. There is nothing I hate more than an infestation.

I slide the knife back into place and straighten my spine. Then, with a huge smile, I tug at the handle and stand in the threshold. “I was wondering how long it takes people to open a door.” When neither of the two women in front of me say anything, I continue, “You are Holly, right? From the description my father gave me, I’d be able to pick you out of a lineup of redheads. But he underdelivered when it came to just how beautiful you were.”

Holly’s eyes go wide. “Who are you? And what are you doing in my apartment?” she asks.

“Mama, is that her? Is Aunt Holly here?” Izzy bounces up behind me, excitement lacing her voice.

“Sorry, I apologize. My name is Angelica Donatello. I believe you met my father in Italy a few weeks back, and I’ve recently come to learn that your husband, Theo, is my brother. I’d very much like to see him.”

Holly’s shock is evident; she clearly hasn’t heard about me yet. She walks into the apartment. “Huh, well, that makes two of us. When you find him, tell him not to bother looking for me. Also, why exactly are you in my apartment?” she presses before stopping short, Izzy staring up at her with big doe eyes.

“Ah, itisyou. Hello, my name is Isabella. But you can call me Izzy. I’ve never had an aunt before, so I’m very excited that I’ve got one now.” My daughter’s voice is full of the pure innocence and joy of a kid on Christmas morning.

I watch as Holly bends down to Izzy’s level. “Hi, Izzy. My name is Holly. I’ve never been an aunt before either, but I’m honored to be yours.” She then lifts her head and glares at me.

“Oh, right. Well, I was snooping, of course. I thought there might be a clue as to where I could find my brother.” The lie slips effortlessly from my tongue.

“Well, he isn’t here. Helena, I’m going to go shower and put some clothes on.” Holly spins towards the small hallway before quickly turning back. “Izzy, it was great to meet you, sweetheart. But as you can see, I need to go get dressed,” she says before walking down the hall and slamming a door shut.

Huh, well, she’s polite. I’ll give her that.

“Oh, I like Aunt Holly, Mama.” Izzy sighs.

“Here, you can have fifteen minutes of free time.” I pull my daughter’s iPad out of my bag and hand it to her. I know Helena, the other woman who hasn’t taken her judgmental eyes off us, is waiting to interrogate me. Helena Valentino, AKA the sister of the elusive Neo Valentino. She could very well be the one person who won’t shy away from my questions. “Helena, do you know where I can find my brother?”

“Clearly, you know who I am. However, I’m not sure why you’d think I’d know where T is.” She smiles. But her eyes are hiding something.

“Considering your brother is usually two steps behind him, I figured you might know more than you’re letting on?”

“Maybe, but I sure as shit am smart enough not to tell you a goddamn thing.” She walks to the sofa and plops down, removing the cork from a bottle of tequila.

“Okay, well, how about you tell me something aboutyourbrother instead?” I match her grin as I lower myself onto the cushion next to hers.

Helena stares at me silently for a while before answering. “Neo is not someone you want to play around with. Do the whole world a favor and remove any of those thoughts from your mind.” She breathes the warning as she pushes to her feet and disappears down the hall.

Chapter Three

It’s been one hell of abloodyday. Literally, the amount of blood we’ve spilled across the city today would make most men squeamish. I live for it though. T knows it; it’s why we get along so well. He understands me like no one else does. There’s never any judgement.

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