Page 48 of Brutal Princess (Valentino Empire 4)

“You’re father doesn’t want me dead, Angel. Come on, let’s get ready.”

“You can’t know that,” I argue.

“He’s Al Donatello. Trust me, if he wanted me dead, I wouldn’t be standing here: breathing, alive, and well.”

“I really hope you’re right,” I murmur to myself.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Never let them see you sweat. It’s what my Uncle Theo used to drill into me when I was younger. When he was grooming me to become who I am today. One of the most—no, not one of. I amthe mostfeared made man on the east coast. My reputation is solely responsible for why Angelica failed to dig up any information on me in her search.

A lot of the stories told in the streets are true, some grossly exaggerated. But I’m not one to correct what people think of me. I’ve never once cared enough to do so.

Until now. I fucking care, and it’s making me weak. I’m not supposed to care about anything, yet I can’t fucking stop caring about the two girls sitting next to me in the back seat of this car.

Picking up Angelica’s left hand, I set it on my thigh, wrapping my own palm around hers. I trace the lines of the stone resting on her finger. When I saw this ring, I knew it was made to sit there. There’s a solid square-cut diamond surrounded by smaller black stones on the side. The pink gems reminded me of a set of wings. There was no better choice for my dark angel. I never believed in fate before. But call me converted. Because Angelica is my future.

I just need to get through this meeting with her father. I mean, he’s onlytheDon; he could literally order me to stay away from his daughter. He could try anyway. I know it will cost me my life. To defy a direct order. I just don’t give a fuck. There is nothing that will ever keep me away from her. I haven’t told her yet, but I’ve put things into motion to purchase an island just off the coast of Australia.

She wants to leave this lifestyle, and I want her. If I have to buy a fucking island and be on the run forever to keep her, then so be it.

Would I rather stay here? Move her and Izzy into my house permanently? Fuck yes, I would. It will fucking hurt to leave my family, my parents, my sister. It will destroy them, not to mention Theo and Holly. But it will destroy me more to not have my girls in my life, so I will do whatever it takes.

“You know I was kidding. He’s not going to kill you. I’ll make sure of it,” Angelica whispers in my ear.

“You gonna be my bodyguard, Angel?” I quirk an eyebrow at her.

“Wouldn’t be the first time I’ve saved your ass.”

“It was one time, and we don’t need to keep rehashing it.”

“Oh, but it’s so fun to remind you.”

“Papa, you want to see my ponies when we get to Nonno’s?”

I can’t help but pause when Izzy refers to me asPapaonce again. It does something to my cold, dead heart. “Sure, Bel, right after I have a word with your Nonno. You can get them ready for me to see, though.”

“Okay, li amerai.” She excitedly tells me thatI’ll love them.

“Sì, I have no doubt.” I lean over to Angelica. “How safe are these ponies? Should she really be riding them?”

She lifts one shoulder. “Are you going to tell her she can’t?” she questions me.

I look to Izzy and shake my head. Nope, I can’t do it. I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to say no to that face.

* * *

When we pull up to Donatello’s recently purchased estate, we’re greeted by six armed soldiers. “Miss Donatello, welcome home.” One of them looks Angelica up and down with a lewd smirk.

Stepping in front of her so she’s no longer in his line of sight, I ask him quietly, “Do you like your eyes?”

“Sì.” His lip twitches.

“Then I suggest you stop using them to gawk at my fiancée like that, or I’ll happily rip ‘em from their sockets, toss ‘em in a gift box, and send ‘em to your mother.” I smile, take Angelica’s hand, and walk right past him.

“Papa, you know his mother would not like that very much. That’s not a nice gift,” Izzy informs me.

“Fuck. Sorry, Bel, it was a joke,” I lie.

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