Chapter 11: The Devil's Bargain (2)
Valentina's POV
"Marco was at a bar. Staff would've been there, but they don't go into his study without permission." I closed my eyes, trying to picture the scene I'd walked into. "Paulo said Dad was meeting with a guest. Someone he trusted. But when I asked who, Paulo said he didn't know."
"Paulo's lying."
"I know."
Dante turned to face me. "Your consigliere either killed your father himself, or he knows who did and is covering for them. Either way, he's the key."
"So we need to make him talk."
"We need to do more than that." He moved back to his desk, pulled up something on his laptop, turned it to face me. "These are financial records. Your father's accounts, family accounts, business accounts. Notice anything?"
I scanned the numbers. Saw nothing unusual at first. Then I noticed the patterns. Small transfers, irregular timing, amounts that seemed random but added up to significant sums over months. "Someone's been skimming."
"For years. Millions. All of it flowing through shell companies that trace back to one person."
"Paulo."
"Paulo." Dante's smile was sharp and cold. "Your father's most trusted advisor has been robbing him blind. Question is, did Vincent know?"
My chest tightened. "If he knew, he would've killed Paulo."
"Unless he was using Paulo. Letting him steal to keep him loyal, keep him compromised."
I thought about my father, his strategic mind, the way he played chess with people's lives. "That sounds like something he'd do."
"Or Paulo got scared. Thought Vincent was about to discover the theft. Decided to act first." Dante closed the laptop. "Either way, Paulo is our starting point."
"How do we get to him? He's with Roberto now, protected."
"We don't need to get to him. We need to make him come to us." Dante pulled out his phone, typed something, set it down. "I'm calling a meeting. All five families. Tomorrow night. Neutral ground. Official purpose is to discuss your father's murder, coordinate security, make sure this doesn't spark a war."
"What's the real purpose?"
"To see who's nervous. Who's guilty. Who runs." His eyes met mine. "And to put you on display."
My stomach dropped. "What?"
"You're mine now, remember? The city needs to see it. Needs to know that Vincent Romano's daughter chose me over her own family. That sends a message."
"What message?"
"That the Romanos are weak. Fractured. Vulnerable." He came around the desk, leaned against it directly in front of me. "That their perfect princess would rather live with their enemy than stay with them. What does that say about Roberto's leadership?"
I understood then. This wasn't just about finding my father's killer. This was about destroying the Romano family from within. Using me as the weapon.
"You want to start a war."
"I want to finish one." His voice was quiet, deadly. "My father died because of yours. I've waited ten years for revenge. Now I have the perfect opportunity, and you're going to help me take it."
"That wasn't our deal."
"Our deal was that I'd investigate your father's murder. I am. Everything else is just a bonus." He reached out, tucked a strand of still-damp hair behind my ear. The gesture was almost gentle, completely at odds with his words. "Don't look so betrayed, Valentina. You knew what I was when you came here."
"I thought you'd help me."
"I am helping you. I'm helping you survive. But survival in our world comes at a price." His hand moved to my chin, tilting my face up to meet his eyes. "You're a weapon now. My weapon. And I'm going to use you until there's nothing left of the Romano family but ashes."
I should have pulled away. Should have protested. Should have reminded him that Marco was still my brother, that Lucia was still my family, that some lines couldn't be uncrossed.
Instead, I asked, "What do you need me to do?"
His smile was terrible and beautiful. "Tomorrow night, you'll attend the meeting on my arm. You'll wear something that makes it very clear who you belong to. You'll stand beside me while I address the council. And when they ask why Vincent Romano's daughter is with me, you'll tell them the truth."
"Which is?"
"That you chose me. That you trust me more than your own blood. That the Romanos are finished, and you'd rather burn with me than die with them." His thumb brushed across my lower lip. "Can you do that?"
Every instinct I had screamed no. This was betrayal on a level I'd never imagined. This was choosing my enemy over everything I'd ever known.
But what had my family given me? A dead father. A broken brother. An uncle who wanted to use me. A fiancé I didn't love. A life that was never mine.
"Yes," I whispered. "I can do that."
"Good girl." He released my chin, stepped back. "The meeting is tomorrow at eight. Be ready by seven. Izzy will help you prepare."
"Dante." He paused, looking back at me. "When this is over, when you've destroyed my family and gotten your revenge, what happens to me?"
He was quiet for a long moment. Then, "I haven't decided yet."
The honesty was more frightening than any lie would have been.
"You can go." He returned to his desk, opened his laptop like I'd already ceased to exist. "Dinner is at six. Don't be late."
I stood on shaking legs and walked to the door. My hand was on the handle when he spoke again.
"Valentina."
I looked back.
He was watching me with those cold, calculating eyes. "No contact with your family. No warnings. No messages. If I find out you've tipped them off about tomorrow, our deal is over. Understood?"
"Understood."
I left his office and walked back through the penthouse in a daze. Found my room. Closed the door. Sat on the bed and stared at my hands.
I'd just agreed to betray everyone I'd ever known.
I'd just chosen Dante Moretti over my own blood.
And the worst part, the part that made my chest ache and my hands shake, was that I didn't regret it.
Not yet.
Maybe not ever.