PROLOGUE
VALENTINA
September 11th, 2005
I wiggleagainst the firm leather of the seat beneath me as the trees outside the window pass in a blur. My father huffs, a sign he’s growing impatient, and I freeze, unclenching my fists wrapped in the delicate pink dress he demanded I wear.
It’s constricting and itchy and way too childish for me. Pink isn’t even my color.But I say none of this—I refuse to argue with my father, even if I think he’s wrong.
“Relax your face. You don’t want it to get stuck looking so sour, Valentina. It’s not beautiful.”
I do as he commands, exhaling through my nose in an effort to loosen the ugly lines riddling my face.
I turn to my father, the sun shining through the window giving his enormous frame a sort of glow. I admire his perfectly straight and styled hair—so similar to my younger brother’s and so opposite to my constantly unruly red curls. He runs a hand through it, his knuckles covered in dark markings I used to trace with my finger as a little girl when he would let me sit in hislap. It’s been years since he’s so much as hugged me, but I still remember how firm yet soft his skin felt.
“Are you ready to meet some people, Valentina?”
I chew on my lip and then look out the windshield. “Yes, Father. I’m excited to finally help with the business.”
I’m fifteen—my birthday was only two days ago—and it’s the first time my father’s allowed me to come to work with him in any real capacity.I’m more than excited,but expressing that has never done me any favors.
Being too excited, too eager, isn’t becoming of a woman of my position.
All I’ve ever wanted was to help my father run the business that’ll someday be my birthright. I don’t care about the money, although I love pretty shoes and expensive jewelry when I can get it. Idocare about being a part of the family business. I care about how important it is to my father, to his father before him. I care about the legacy I’m set to take over andhow important that is.
He huffs again, and I peek a glance at him from the corner of my eye. A bead of sweat glistens near his perfect hairline, and I stare at it in wonder. My father doesn’t get nervous, but something clearly has his teeth on edge.
Does he think I’ll mess up?
Wanting to ease his fears, I ask, “Everything okay, Father?” He stiffens, his knuckles going white on the steering wheel.
“You know the importance of the family business.” It’s not a question.
“Of course. It’s everything you and grandfather have worked for. It’s more than a business; it’s a legacy. One Mateo and I will someday take over.”
His head snaps in my direction, a flash of something I don’t recognize filling his face before he turns away. “Families are full of people, all with different roles to play.”
“Like when I help take care of Mateo while you and Mother work,” I offer, eager to comfort him.
He nods slowly. “A man’s job is to provide for his family, to take care of them and lead.”
“Just like you do.”
“Yes. And a woman’s job?—”
I smile, shifting in my seat. “Is to support her husband, like Mother does with you.”
“An unmarried woman, though, must help where she can and, above all, serve those in her family who are providing.”
My smile drops slightly.I don’t like where this is going.
“You’ll someday help Mateo run the family legacy by serving him and those important to the business in any way they need. Because that’s what makes you valuable—what makes you perfect for this job. No one can serve the family, can protect the legacy my father, and I, and someday Mateo, are building like you, Valentina. You’ll know what makes the business run, what makes it thrive—who makes it thrive and what makes them happy.”
I wait for more explanation, because nothing he’s saying makes sense.
I’m the oldest, the rightful heir to the family legacy—if not as much or more than my younger brother, Mateo. He doesn’t care about learning how to run the casino; I’ve taken every math class I can, already grades above those my age, just because I want to be valuable to the family. I’m on the debate team, and the mathletes, get straight As in every class, and when I’m not taking care of Mateo during my free time, I’m studying online business material.
I was made to take over, not take care of my little brother while he does it.
