The Missing Princess (✔️)

37: Family

Chapter 37

-Niccolo Di Luca-

I let out a sigh of relief when his eyes finally opened. I didn't even fucking know I was holding my breath in the first place, but whatever, he's alive; that's all that matters.

And yes, he fucking matters to me now because of the devotion he just showed for my little sister; he literally took a bullet while trying to protect her, even though she's not of his blood. I could have never done what he did to any other person who's not my family. But he did it without any hesitation, and for that, he has earned my respect.

"What the fuck are you doing here, Niccolo Di Luca?" he rasped, and his face winces when he moves his shoulder that has been shot.

Yeah, what the fuck am I doing in here with him of all people?

I demanded to go with my brothers, to go after our baby sister, who has been taken once again, but my older brothers once again reminded me how they view me as their baby brother.

"We will not have you in any place near harm's way, fratellino."

Was Saint Giovanni's words, the man who absolutely hated being involved in or witnessing any kind of violence and devoted himself to healing people now doesn't even hesitate to hold a gun.

"You will stay here, and that's final."

Were Don Lorenzo's next words, which were then followed by the usual threats from Alessandro.

"Go to the hospital where they brought the Rossi's second son, fratello. Make sure those doctors do their job and keep him alive, or I will make sure there will be heads rolling in that hospital."

"Making sure you are alive, Francesco Rossi." I answered him.

I watched when his eyes suddenly widened as if he were just now realizing something.

"Isabella. Where's Isabella? Did they find them? Why aren't you there with them?"

Oh, believe me, I'd want to be there within a blink of an eye.

"My fratelli found her, and they will bring her home." I know they will do just that.

This relaxed his tense body a bit in his hospital bed.

"You really care about my sorella that much, huh?" I found myself saying; it's not even a question as it's plainly obvious in the eyes by now, and he only just nods his head.

"And your father?"

"As far as I'm concerned, Lorenzo is my father, not him, and they will give him exactly what he deserves."

And perhaps it's best that I wasn't there now because I don't think I'd want to see the man responsible for causing my baby sister all that pain, for separating her from us. 

I wish everything would now go back to normal when they return.

***

-Lorenzo Di Luca-

*13 years old*

"How do you do it, Papa?" I asked Papa as we got inside his car.

After finishing my training, Papa picked me up as he usually does after he finishes his work so we could go home right on time when Mamma finished cooking dinner. She always wants us to have dinner together, and Papa would always make sure to do so. Ale and I would usually train together, but he got a really high fever today, so he had to stay at home, and Gio still hasn't begun his training, and I don't think he's really looking forward to it, seeing as he never showed any interest in the mafia, unlike Ale and I.