Page 50 of Days Of Valentino

As crazy as they are, though, I wouldn’t change them for the world. I love my husband, despite his genetics. We’ve raisedthree beautiful, amazing, devil children without killing each other in the process. Trust me, there have been days I’ve thought about running a knife through my husband’s body. Again.

But, of course, I wouldn’t do it. I love him. That doesn’t mean he doesn’t drive me insane at times. And these kids? They’re going to be the death of me. I know it. One of them is going to give me a heart attack from stress. Right now, at the very top of that list is my little mini me. Mabilia. She’s the absolute most beautiful creature I’ve ever seen, and she knows just how gorgeous she is. A fact that girl uses to her advantage to get whatever she wants.

She’s also very much her Papa’s little princess, who can do no wrong. I’m not as blind. I know what my daughter is capable of and the trouble she can get into. I still love her like nothing else in this world, though.

I sigh as my phone rings. My cousin Matteo is calling for the third time in the last thirty minutes. I hit the answer button on the steering wheel of my car.

“I’m on my way, Matteo,” I tell him.

“Drive faster. Your daughter is as insane as you are, Iz,” he says, lowering his voice before adding, “And honestly, a little scary.”

“What’s she doing that’s so bad?” I ask him.

“Sitting at my dining table conspiring with Aurora. Do you have any idea what those two could be plotting?” Matteo whispers into the phone.

“Probably to take over the world.” I laugh—even if it’s highly likely that’s exactly what they’re doing.

Those two girls are something else. Everyone in the family is afraid of them on their own, but when they’re together, everyone walks on eggshells, waiting for hell to break loose. Personally, I think they’re perfect the way they are. Fierce, loyal, and able to protect themselves and each other. They’re both smart too.Although Aurora being back in town isn’t a good thing. With the heat on her back, she’s the last person Mabilia needs to be around.

“Just hurry up and get here.”

“Make sure they don’t leave. I’ll be there as soon as I can,” I tell Matteo. Pressing the button again, I cut the call. Matteo first reached out about fifteen minutes ago, telling me I had to come and pick up my daughter, who crashed his family dinner.

When I arrive at Matteo’s, I enter the code for his gate. I don’t see Mabilia’s car, which means someone dropped her off. I shake my head. That girl is playing with fire, having her friend drop her off at the home of one of her overprotective uncles. And by friend, I mean the guy she’s been seeing. The one Mikhail is itching to dump into a shallow grave.

I don’t have an issue with her dating. She’s smart. My daughter’s not going to waste her time on someone who doesn’t deserve it. And Tommy has proven himself more than loyal to Mabilia, despite what my husband and sons think of him. I also know she’d likely cut off the dick of anyone who mistreated her.

I park my car, jump out, and jog up to the front door, which swings open before I can press the bell.

“About time,” Matteo says. “You must be getting old, Iz. You’re driving like a granny.”

“Fuck off. Respect your elders, Matteo. Where’s my daughter?” I ask him.

“Dining room, eating all my damn pasta,” he grunts.

I head that way and find the rest of Matteo’s little clan sitting around the table, including his sons and their wives. What I don’t see is Mabilia or Aurora.

“What happened to you two?” I point at Lorenzo and Enzo, whose faces look like they’ve each gone a round with Tyson in the ring.

“He killed my wife,” Enzo growls while gesturing a thumb in Lorenzo’s direction.

I look to Kayleigh, Enzo’s wife, who is very much alive and breathing. “Riiight. Well, I’m here to collect Mabilia. Anyone know where she is?” I ask, walking over to Matteo’s wife and pulling her into a hug. “I’m sorry she crashed your dinner.”

“Nonsense. She’s welcome here anytime,” Savvy says.

I turn to Matteo and smirk at him. “Thought you said they were in here?”

“They were.” He shrugs.

“You called her? Tao, really? Mabilia is always welcome in our home, Izzy. Don’t listen to him,” Savvy tells me while scolding her husband.

“I rarely do.” I smile.

“Ma, what are you doing here?” Mabilia’s voice has me turning around as she walks up behind me with Aurora in tow.

“Coming to collect you,” I tell her.

“Cool,” she says before wrapping her arms around Aurora. “Make sure you come see me before you disappear again.”

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