The Missing Princess

6: Gift

Chapter 6

-Lorenzo Di Luca-

Loud, melodic giggles suddenly came from my dolce sorellina (sweet sister) as she and Kirill ate strawberries and chocolates together.

What I would give just to always hear her laugh.

I was standing on the side while I watched their little moment. Isabella was sitting in our cousin's lap while he introduced her to the most amazing combination of food (that's what he said), chocolate-covered strawberries. My precious Izzy quickly took a liking to both the food and Kirill. It's almost amusing how scared she was just fifteen minutes earlier when she first met Kirill, but now she quickly warmed up to him and was even laughing and joking with him like they'd known each other their whole lives.

I hope she can laugh and joke that way with me too.

But I just don't have the same personality and charisma Kirill has. The two of us may look identical, but we're definitely polar opposites. So no wonder my sorellina can quickly warm up to him better than me. I don't take offence, though; I'm actually happy that for once in her life she can finally act this happy and freely.

This is the life my principessa should've had her whole life.

"Now, what do you think, printsessa? The best, huh?" Kirill grinned as he looked down at the small girl.

A chuckle left my lips. The idiota (idiot) looks like she could be his father.

"I-Izzy thanks Ki-Kiri! Izzy l-likes st-strawberry and c-chocolates! The best!" Isabella beamed up at him.

"Does Izzy like Kiri too?" Kirill teased as he stupidly pouted.

It's really amusing to see how the big bad Russian mafia heir could be this soft to such a small girl. But we are all soft when it comes to her. She's our princess, after all.

"Izzy li-likes K-Kiri! I-Izzy also l-likes E-Enzo and U-Unkie." She sweetly smiled, her two adorable dimples popping out, causing my heart to feel so full and warm at her little confession, while Kirill was on the verge of crying as he held our princess even tighter.

"I could never fathom how anyone could ever want to hurt that sweet little girl." Uncle Ivan stood beside me. I only nodded my head while keeping my eyes on the said sweet little girl, who was now belly laughing at the silly joke Kirill told her.

I thought that Isabella would also be scared when she saw our uncle earlier. He was a large and intimidating-looking bastard, like the whole lot of us. But I was surprised when she smiled and hugged him. Well, Uncle Ivan was her saviour after all. He was the one who found her, and I will forever be in my uncle's debt.

"My lawyer is already processing Isabella's legal papers; I'm going to be her guardian. And we have our flight back to Italia this afternoon. I intend to have my sister home for her birthday tomorrow. You and Kirill are more than welcome to come with us to celebrate her birthday and to pay respect to Mamma as well." I told him, leaning my body against the wall with my legs crossed and both my hands buried in the pocket of my black slacks.

"I understand; I won't fight you anymore, Mikhail. But I think it's best that Kirill and I leave you and your brothers to have your own little reunion with your sister. I'll be visiting by the end of the month." He replied, surprising me a little bit, but I didn't dare to comment anymore.

"Did you finally tell your brothers? What did they say?" He asked.

I shook my head irritably, remembering the answers and reactions I received from my fratelli. Remembering it only made me want to bash their heads against the wall even more.