But he wasn’t done with me yet. He never was.
“People are asking about you. It’s drawing attention. Negative attention.”
I smiled. “That’s okay. Let them miss me.”
“You’ll have plenty of time to catch up with everyone at the Christmas party,” he said as if there were no wiggle room. “It’s good for you to stay visible. Reminds people you’re still part of the family, whether you like it or not.”
“What?” I panicked. “No. No, I’m not going to that.”
“Yeah, you are.”
I opened my mouth to argue, to say anything, but he didn’t give me the chance.
“You’ve been on thin ice for months, Valentina. Let’s not see what happens when it cracks, yeah?”
“Yeah. Whatever.”
Six days. That was how long I had before I had to start pretending I was someone who could keep it together. Six days to forget how much I hated those meetings, hated myself for needing them, hated the empty promises I kept making to people like Max.
Six days, one twenty-dollar bill, and just enough defiance left in me to make the most of both.
CHAPTER 5
MARCO
NOVEMBER 21, NEW YORK
Icouldn’t stand the way my collar dug into my neck with every turn I made. The suit felt more like torture than clothing. It was hard to breathe, and it felt like someone’s hands were tightening around my neck.
I pulled at it again, but it didn’t help much.
Near the doorway, an intern lingered nervously with her clipboard held tightly against her chest. She looked young, maybe twenty-six at most, and every time our eyes met, her cheeks flushed pink.
I didn’t dwell on her nervousness. It was probably just another side effect of Remy’s company. He’d always had a talent for making others feel inadequate.
Remy strode in a moment later. He flashed a broad grin, clapping my shoulder. “You look sharp,” he commented, sliding into the seat opposite me.
I stayed silent. He knew exactly how uncomfortable I was, and acknowledging it would only give him satisfaction.
“What’s the point of this meeting, Remy? Why am I here?”
He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk. “I thought about the situation. You’ll need a permanent place. I’ve arranged a few apartment viewings. Prime spots.”
“Don’t bother.”
His brow furrowed. “What do you mean?”
“I’m not staying,” I clarified, adjusting my cuffs impatiently. “I’ll handle whatever mess you’ve dragged me into this time, but then I’m leaving.”
Remy leaned back in his chair. “Come on—just consider it. Nice places. Top floor, quiet. I pay well.”
“Keep your money,” I snapped.
“You’re wasting your talent on the military. This is your element. Courtrooms. City life.”
I shook my head, dismissing the idea immediately. He didn’t know me at all. This environment drained me, elevated my stress. I couldn’t stand the endless walls and the reflective surfaces everywhere.
“You were always brilliant at this stuff,” Remy continued. “Even back when we were sixteen, I saw how quickly you understood people, how effortlessly you handled situations. I knew you’d go far.”
