Chapter 6 Chapter 6

Valentina

“You were not in the offices for the past six days, Vali; where have you been?” My father’s voice has that low tone to it, the one that used to make me stand to attention as a young girl, knowing he won’t stand for any lies. I let out a long breath and cross my legs as I sit on the sofa in his office.

My mother, Lucky, has redecorated it recently, saying it needed a facelift and to look more upbeat and modern. Naturally, my father didn’t like that one little bit. He likes things the way they were. However, my mother always wins. She is his heart and soul.

“I was in Croatia,” I tell him, not willing to divulge anything further. So far, I have managed to keep my private business stream hidden from my entire family. That includes my younger brother, Marco. The baby of the family. I sometimes wonder whether my parents wanted more children and let their empires stand in the way. However, when I asked my mother, she told me that she was happy with just the two of us.

Marco and I are close. There are only a few years between us, but we grew up doing most things together until I became a teenager, and then it wasn't cool to have your younger brother hanging around. Especially since I was a wild child. Unfortunately for my parents. I always had a thing for my bodyguard, Griffin. He never relented, shame because I still fantasize about what he would be like in bed with his broad shoulders and tattooed arms all in the deepest blue ink.

“Croatia.” My father says, leaning his elbows on the desk and clasping his fingers. He raises an eyebrow at me. There is no denying that my father is still an extremely good-looking man. Women always turn their heads when he enters the room. Not just because he holds power and money, but those looks- I can see why my mother eventually fell for him.

They never hid from me that theirs was an arranged marriage. My daddy needed an alliance with her family, and thus she was forced to marry him. Apparently, she hated him for everything he stood for, and like me, she had a thing for her own bodyguard back in the day. That was quashed by my grandfather on my mother’s side. It wasn’t until later that I found out through my uncle Tony that my own father had held my mother’s father’s life as ransom. Phew, it’s not surprising I was a wild one with the history in our family. There is nothing sane about us. Not really, but we are family, and my parents are my life and Marco.

My uncle Dario has not settled down. It is unlikely he ever will. Tony, though, is now married with his own children. My nieces, my nephews, and I all get along. This Santangelo family is tight-knit. You mess with one, you mess with all.

“And pray do tell me what was so important in Croatia, that meant you weren’t being at the office doing your job.”

I roll my eyes. Like I need to be in the office. I know I’m his chief accountant, but I have staff who can run things for me. That is why they are my delegates.

“Vali, don’t push your luck. I don’t like the eye rolling thing. I thought you had grown out of that.” He clenches his jaw. Does he suspect that I am a paid assassin? No way. He can’t. I keep everything under lock and key. Hans keeps things as secure as possible. Aside from the team we operate with, Hans and I, nobody else knows. When people hire me, they hire me as Wolf. They have no idea if I am female or male.

“Visiting the Franciscan Monastery Library,” I reply without saying much further.

I can see he is completely thrown by my reply. I am not surprised; I don’t ordinarily take off like that. Usually, I let my family know that I will be out of town, giving them vague specifics. If my father knew what I did for a living, he would lose his mind. Completely. He’d probably have me locked in his basement.

He is struggling with this snippet of information. “The library. And you didn’t think we have some of the finest here in Manhattan?”

I lean forward, my forearms resting on his desk. He instantly notices that I have a new black rose tattoo on my right arm. He unlaces his fingers and pinches the bridge of his nose.

“Father, since when do I need to clock in and out like an employee? What is with you today?”

His piercing blue eyes meet mine. We have the same eyes. “Vali, I love you more than anything. You were born my daughter. We always knew you would be…”

I cut him off. “Challenging. Wayward. Uncontrollable.” I give him the famous Santangelo smirk.

“That is well. But to visit a library across the world.”

“Father, it isn’t just any library. Come off it, Dad. Stop grilling me. Besides, what did you really call me into the office for?”

“Fine, but could you at least let us know next time what you’re up to? We worry about you. You know that, sweetheart. There are people out there who would still love to see me suffer.”

I place my hand on his. “I know, Dad. Honestly, I do. You know that I never travel without my guys. I was safe the whole time. It was on my list. So, tell me what you need. The books are looking good; we have no issues with anyone trying to steal from us. Thankfully.”

He pats my hand like he always does. I love this bond I have with both him and my mother. “I know, I pulled the reports. You’re doing a good job as always. Ludwig is retiring, and I need someone to fill his position.”

I raise an eyebrow. Ludwig is our CFO; he has been with my father since the early days, helping him make everything legit. “And what does that have to do with me?”

He smiles. It reaches his eyes, those eyes that shine like stars for his children and my mother.

“I want you to be the new CFO.”

Wow, the bombshell drops. I don’t know what to think. I have my own “business” to deal with. It takes me all over the world. I can’t give that up. Being a paid assassin brings me in a nice income.

To be honest, I don’t ever have to work another day in my life to live on my income alone. Let alone from my inheritance from my grandparents, and the wealth from my father and his business and my mother’s ventures. I do it for the thrill. I do it because some people need to see the darkness, and sometimes it is satisfying to see their faces, knowing I am the one to take them there. Sick? It’s my life. Deal with it.

“Me?” I squeak. “I’m not ready. I’m only twenty-seven. Won’t the board be unhappy with you placing me as CFO?” I know what they are like; they will call it favoritism. They’ll say it is because I am Nico Santangelo’s daughter.

He waves his hand dismissively. “Who cares what they think. I own the damn business, Vali. It is my choice. You are more than ready. It will mean you skip out less and be even more involved. You will be the head of the Finance side. It’s time for you to step up.”

And those were the words I was dreading. How can I give up who I am and sit at a desk all day being a fucking CFO?

My father has that determined, no-nonsense look in his eyes, the one that tells me that this is a given decision and I am not able to refuse it. Most people would kill to be CFO of the Santangelo business, to be the one who sits beside my father on the board. To be close to the King of New York. Me, I want the freedom. I want to chase the kill.

“Good, glad we got that sorted,” he says. Wait, I didn’t even say yes. Told you, there was no real choice. His mind is made up.

Now, more than ever, I wonder if he has got a whiff of my real business.