Three

Damian – Age 17

I walk into the Russo residence, the penthouse on the top floor of the Preziosa, one of many buildings they own, and shout out for Sofia. I've done exactly as Father and Stefano asked and made her feel special; she says we're best friends. We spend at least three nights together during the week, having dinner, then all day on Saturdays going on outings to zoos and boat rides. Five years I've been doing this shit, basically babysitting, and she's now thirteen, becoming a fucking handful, wanting to be around me all the fucking time. I know she's developed a crush on me, so everything is going according to plan. The problem is, I don't feel anything for her in that sense; she's just a kid. Don't get me wrong, I care about her as a friend, and I'll hurt anyone who dares make her sad, but I don't see it going any further. I have to wait until she is seventeen to make my move. Still, I have to make sure she understands we have to wait until she's eighteen before we can even kiss, which will probably feel like kissing my fucking sister.

Fuck my life!

"Sofia, where are you, printsessa?" I shout again, but there is no answer.

Hmm, strange.

By now, she normally runs into the room, jumping in my arms so I can spin her around. I leave the living room, approach her bedroom, and open the door. Pink greets me, and I scrunch my nose; it's such a blinding color. All her furniture is white, while everything else is pink. I shake my head and look around the room. And there, lying on her queen, princess-style bed crying is Sofia, her hair in a tangled mess.

"Printsessa, what's happened?"

I move toward her, climb on her bed, and pull her into my arms. She holds on tight, squeezing me.

Crying and shaking, she stutters, "Donny in my class, h-he pushed me over and c-called me a fat ass after I told him I d-did not want to be his girlfriend. So I got up and p-punched him like you, Sergi, and Al taught me. The school called Mamma, and I got s-suspended."

Hmm, okay, so Donny is a dead little shit! It wouldn't be the first time I killed someone; my first was when I was ten. He stole from the Bratva, and I shot him between the eyes, while my brother did the same to his accomplice. But I don't understand her crying, though. She's tough, and it won't be the last time she'll get suspended if her dad, Alexandr, Sergi, and I have any say in how she continues to defend herself, which is fucking spot on so far. She needs to keep up her self-defense classes, especially as a Don's child. I lift her chin up with two fingers, wiping away the tears on her now red face. "Why cry though, malyshka? You shouldn't cry." Baby girl slips out unintentionally, but thankfully, she does not notice.

"Because when we got home, M-mamma said it w-was my fault I got suspended. She s-says I should be happy that someone wanted me b-because I'm getting fatter, and no one wants a f-fatty." She says this, then bursts into tears once more.

Fuck's sake, Victoria! Can't she act like a normal mother?

"Okay, printsessa, dry those tears. Your mother should never have said that; you are beautiful and perfect, do you understand me?" She looks into my eyes and nods, her dark blue eyes looking sad. "What do you say we go to the pizzeria down the street and get some ice cream? I want some best friend time, what do you say?"

She beams at this, nodding, and jumps off the bed, running into the bathroom. I shake my head. The littlest things make her happy these days, which makes me wonder exactly what goes on between her and her mother.

I get my phone out and text Stefano.

Me: Your wife has done it again! I just found Sofia in tears.

He texts back five minutes later, as I wait for Sofia to finish cleaning up her face.

Stefano: I got the phone call from the school. I'll sort it and Victoria out, don't worry. Just focus on making her love you.

I don't reply. I'm fairly sure she's already halfway there. I smile at how easy this is. First stop, dinner with Sofia. Then a little trip to see Candice, my father's new secretary, who I have been fucking for the last year, and have her suck me off tonight. I think I'll take her ass again, too.

I pull out my phone and send a quick text.

Me: Be ready for me at my place at 9.

She texts back right away.

Candice: I will be there in nothing but a coat.

Perfect!

I hear Sofia coming out of the bathroom and quickly put my phone away, holding my hand out to her. She takes it, beaming at me. Her face is still a little red from her crying, but she's put her long dark hair in a high ponytail, and changed into a white summer dress with daisies all over it, and some sandals.

Jesus!

How can this be my life?