Beautiful Seduction

CHAPTER18

Valentin

“If you think you’re going to hurt my daughter in any way, you have no idea who you are dealing with.”

I took a deep breath as I stared at the commissioner. While I understood his angst in realizing that his daughter had fallen from what he considered his good family tree, he was pushing my level of patience by pointing his fingers in my face.

In the week that had passed, the club was fully operational and I was finally able to handle business as usual. However, the visit indicated my family would always be under a microscope.

“I assure you, Commissioner Worthington, that your daughter is here of free will. May I suggest you pay attention to members of your own rank.” I’d made the controversial decision to toss a few officers who were paid well for their services in his lap to deal with. I needed him concentrating on cleaning up his organization, not mine. What he didn’t know is that I had enough information on his personal proclivities to bury him, but I refused to destroy his family given my relationship with his daughter.

I only hoped he was wise enough to accept that he could never manage to overturn my power or that of my family.

He pulled back, lowering his arm. “You massacred several people. I will bring you down, Valentin, one way or the other.”

“Good luck trying, Commissioner. I run legitimate businesses, all of them paying a significant portion of your salary.” There was nothing else I needed to say. He had nothing on me, the incidents of a few days ago thoroughly cleaned, bodies removed. Even Casimine had refused to give a statement, other than his son had died in a horrible car crash. At this point, my businesses were fully operational, peace restored.

While I wasn’t foolish enough to believe Casimine wouldn’t act on his need for revenge, for now he was controlled, additional soldiers rounded up by my new friends the Russians. How they’d been handled was of no concern any longer.

Before he had a chance to retort, which I could tell he was planning on, Molly raced into my office. The child brought a ray of sunshine every time she entered a room. I’d grown to adore her just like her mother and even the short time I’d seen their interactions had only fueled my need to have a family.

A large one.

I almost laughed at the thought.

“Pappy!” Molly squealed as she jumped into the man’s arms.

“How’s my little angel?” he asked, his demeanor entirely different.

“We went to the park and saw a giraffe and we had ice cream and Valentine bought me some toys and I love my room. Do you want to see it?”

Valentine.

The name suited me.

I glanced at Cassidy, who remained in the doorway, able to gather a whiff of her perfume. She was more relaxed, even though she’d been aware of her father’s impending visit. There was a level of confidence in her expression, a hint of amusement curling on her lip.

And all I could think about was devouring her.

“I don’t have time today, punkin, but maybe another time.” The commissioner swung her around, giving me another hard look, which I totally understood. He was attempting to threaten me without issuing words.

“O-tay,” Molly whispered. “But you will come back?”

“Of course he will,” I answered. “He’s welcome in our home any time.”

Colin gave her a kiss before letting her down, managing to give me a single nod before moving toward his daughter.

I shifted my gaze toward Brando, who was trying to keep a smile from crossing his face. While the commissioner walked Molly toward the door, I hung back, allowing Cassidy a moment with him without my interference.

When he left, she sauntered into the room, the tropical dress she’d selected pushing my needs into overdrive. Damn, the woman could drive me into crazed desire. Molly immediately headed toward Brando, another man she seemed to trust and all I could do was grin.

“Our home? Does that mean I can change it any way I want?” she purred.

“Hmmm… Within reason.”

“You have a way with my father,” she said as she leaned over my desk.

“If you mean setting him on a straight path, then you’re right.” I couldn’t resist entangling my fingers in her strands of hair, tugging her closer. “I thought we could head toward the toy store later, maybe catch an early dinner.”