Valentina

Valentina looked through the scope that was paired with her rifle, the large gun set up on the edge of the rooftop she was concealed by. It was an easy job, really. The man she had her sights on was unsuspecting and his lack of security measures was what made her skeptical. 1 million for his head. A nobody cop that stayed to himself in a studio apartment that overlooked the city of New York.

Fucker had a great view she could admit. But what could this man have done to get a hit out on him for $1 million? However, she never asked questions. Just got the job done.

She gripped her rifle, steadily aiming at his head. She never missed. So she wasn't surprised when the bullet from her gun pierced his cranium, killing him instantly. And just like every other night, she stood and walked away undetected, the cool night air that caressed her skin being the only witness to her crimes.

The path back to the rundown apartment she temporarily stayed in was close. It was all paid for with a fake ID that would leave her undetected. She never grew tired of this routine. It was easier for her this way.

She stripped out of her all-black attire and walked into her room, glancing at the clock that read 9:47 PM. She was late. A sigh left her lips and as if on cue, her phone began to buzz, the picture of her mother on the screen as it illuminated the room.

"Mother-"

"Valentina Aria Paola Anita Guerrero! Do not mother me! You said you'd be home for dinner this week. It's been 5 years! Will I be in the grave by the time you come home?! The audacity my children have! What is this for, eh?!" Valentina knew when she heard her full name that her mother was fed up.

Solána Guerrero's patience was thin, and when it came to her children it was even thinner. Which was why she was forced to cut her mother off until a few months ago. If her mother knew of what she was doing and the things she'd done, she'd never look at her daughter the same ever again. Sometimes, Valentina wondered if she was worse than the men in her family.

"I'm sorry. I'm still tied up in New York. I'm handling some things. I told you not to wait up anymore-"

"How can I not?! I miss you. You are my baby girl. And if you tell me that you are coming, I will wait for you." Valentina ignored the sadness radiating from the other side of the phone. The pain in her mother's voice shook her heart, causing an inaudible sigh to leave her lips.

"Mama... I'm sorry. I just have to finish up in New York. I will see you sooner than you think." She could only hear her mother's breathing followed by silence from her reply.

It took a while before the woman spoke. "Is it because of your father's decision? Bambino, I told you I could convince them-"

"It's fine." Valentina wasn't afraid to say that she had actually forgotten about that man. Her fiancee. A man she didn't know. A man that her fathers believed was best suited for her. But she never complained. She was taught early on what her place was and her duty to the family.

When she was told the news, she wasn't angry or upset. She only gave a curt nod and said okay before leaving the office with her fathers. Her mother was furious but Valentina calmed her down. She didn't want another reason to be given for her fathers' indifferent mood toward her. She already was a woman and most women didn't live to see another day in her family. Their family registry had only been filled with men, and even after her birth, she wasn't added to it.

She'd just be another person, no one important in her family's history. She figured her mother was clueless about it. But it never bothered Valentina's young self until she learned the weight of the registry.

"Don't be upset. It's fine. How long until Santino comes back from Puerto Rico?" Santino Carbone, her fiancee, was a man many people feared but he was unknown to her. She'd never even seen his face. She only knew he was a major business tycoon who owned ports throughout France and Italy. Apparently, her fathers and his father had worked together for a long time.

"Let's not talk about him. How have you been?" The switch-up was noticeable.

"I've been fine. Answer me."

She heard her mother grumble before speaking coherently, obviously uncomfortable with speaking about the unknown man. "Who knows? Your fathers are keeping me out of the loop. The only time they do that is if they know I'll flip out." A ghost of a smile appeared on Valentina's lips because she knew she wouldn't.

"I know."