Xander

"I know my medicine and there's a month worth left for me.. I'll take care of myself and you can visit me once I'm with them.. Please go.. "

Mirabella nodded at his words and I cursed at the little boy about how he managed to convince her while me and dad just couldn't.. He gave me a glance and I swear there was a smug look.. I looked at dad who was fuming.. I slightly held his hand and he gave me a glare to which I shook my head.. He took a deep breath and spoke..

"Princess... How about we go now and if you want then we can come here when his guardian's come? We'll ask them to pass it to us.. Okay? "

She looked down sadly and nodded... I breathed out in relief.. Finally she is coming with us..

They both hugged and dad took her in the car while I stayed back..

"Who took her photo? "

I asked getting into my previous cold tone.. No way anyone is having her photo in their phone.. An officer raised his shaking hand.. I took two powerful strides towards him and reached out my hand... "Phone.... "

He quickly handed me his phone and in a moment, it was smashed to the ground after I deleted it.. I grabbed his throat and pinned him to the wall..

"How dare you click her photo in sleeping state.. Be greatful that I'm letting you live for finding and safeguarding till we came.. "

I threw him at the floor and started walking away but my eyes locked with umm? Puto?

"You... Stay away from my sister! "

I warned and turned..

"Why not try to keep your sister away from me? "

I stopped and looked at him..

"What...? "

"Why not try to keep your sister away from me? See if she stays away.. I already gave her away, see if you can make her stay.. "

The pulse in my neck pulsed faster and my jaw locked.. He is challenging me and that's so evident in the way he was talking..

"She doesn't need you.. "

"Of course she doesn't but you guys will need me.. You guys will find me and bring me to her yourselves! "

That's too much of confidence for a 7 years old..

"You're my half brother, aren't ya bro? Better enjoy the week I gifted you guys as first meeting.. "

I gritted my teeths and hold back a punch cause punching a 7 years old sick kid is too much degrading for a Russo...

"We'll see... Puto? "

"Peter... Peter De Vonn.. Puto is for someone I value.. You definitely not come even last in that list.. "

He turned in his heels and walked back.. I really wanted to grab his neck and hang him on a hook but I heard the car honk..

I turned and got into the car and my mood lightening immediately.. But she sat too far from dad in a corner and dad's face looked too sour.. I frowned wondering if something was going on between them.. Dad looked at me as I sat in front and signed..

"Principessa? You want to eat something? "

He asked softly which he never used with us even when we were young..

"Thank you but no Mr Russo.. "

I chocked and looked back shocked and dad's face soured more and he looked outside and I knew he was sad.. The passing streetlights gave me a clear view of his tears that filled his eyes.. I clearly remember how happy he looked when he heard her calling him dad.. So that's what happened..

"Princess.. That's not what you call your dad.. I know we met a few moments ago but he is your father.. "

She nodded but said nothing and I signed..

"Come on princess.. If you're mad that we didn't take Peter with us then we're sorry but you understand that's illegal, right? Do you want us to go to jail, baby? "

I cooed and she quickly looked up to me..

"No~~ It's just.... "

The way she quickly said no meant she cared.. I saw how dad smiled a bit.. Her head dropped down again..

"He is sick.. He has rare leukemia which is not curable .. He may not live long like us.. "

Though that boy was a jerk minutes ago, I still felt pity that he is not well like us.. Dad also turned to her, listening..We both were not that much interested in what she was saying but her voice was too sweet so we didn't complained..

"Mom passed away when he was a year old.. I raised him since then so I'm just too attached to him to let go of him.. I promised mom to look after him always.. "

My heart twisted in a way as she said about the promise.. I promised mom something too.. Alas she wasn't there to witness it..

I heard a snuffle and she was crying.. Dad already put his hand around her and pulled her in his chest.. And that made me realize that I didn't hug her even once.. But the way she flinched away? I saw how she flinched when dad hugged her.. I swear something was wrong and I'll ask her when she is comfortable with us..

Soon the sniffles stopped and I heard harsh slow breathing and saw her sleeping already in dad's arms.. Dad looked as confused as me.. And her breathing? Something felt wrong the way she breathed out .. Maybe being a doctor made me paranoid but I took a mental note to check her when we reach New York.. I don't think a healthy person is this skinny and pale..

Alexander

As soon as we got in the car, she sat further away from me, which hurt me to core.. She looked visibly hurt and I knew it was because of not taking Puto with us..

"Like I said princess.. we'll be back after a week, okay? “

She nodded and sank further in the corner.. I swear I'll contact the Guardian to never let go of custody and even pay for his every necessity.. But I'll not let that boy near her.. He is not like a normal 7 years old..

Maybe I am being like this because he is from Isabella and another man. My insides burned at the thought of her with someone else doing the same thing we did.. She is-Was never this type but... Fuck I don't care now! I have my daughter that she kept away for 17 years and she is my blood.. She is what I care about and no one else..

"Principessa? Are you ok? "

Not like I didn't feel her flinching when I touched her.. Or when Xander approached her.. I wonder what she went through to react that way? I swear I'll find out and do justice to my daughter..

"Yes Mr. Russo.. "

I felt my stomach twist and my eyes widened.. Isabella? How much you influence my daughter? I remember how she used to call me 'Mr Russo' because I pissed her off or upset her.. But something out my princess calling me Mr. Russo pissed me off..

"You don't get to call me that! "

My voice came out harsher then I expected and she jolted up from her seat looking at me in horror before lowering her eyes.. I regretted immediately and tried to soothe her but fuck! I never did that even if I had 5 boys.. "Why isn't Xander coming back yet?! "

I spoke to the driver and wished him here cause he really helps in this kind of situation.. I told the driver to honk and soon he entered the car..

Present

I looked at Xander in confusion at how fast she was asleep on me.. I don't understand if that's because she was tired or too comfortable to lulled to sleep.. The second one sounded unrealistic but good to heart..

"Dad... What happened to her all these years..? "

He whispered and even I had that question.. She raised? A 10 years old child who needs to raised, raising a year old baby sounds too terrifying.. Imagine all the horrors she faced cause being a parent of 5 still didn't prepare me for such things..

"What did you went through my principessa? "