Page 87 of Pretty Little Assassin

“Because we are sisters, Valentina.”

28

VALENTINA

“Sisters?”

She nods.

A sound from the other side of the house makes us both pause and listen alertly for a moment. More Primacy operatives, but none too close to our location yet.

“You were not the only stepdaughter to live in this house, Valentina. The reason I know every passage and hiding place is because I grew up here. This was my mother’s house. Johnson moved in when he married my mother.” Her tone is wry but her face is blank and unfocused. “And just like you, our stepfather sold me off to one of his ‘business partners’ when I was sixteen.”

I had no idea. This whole time. Madam. The leader of VEIL. The one whose words behind a screen set my course of action from the moment I became an assassin.

My “sister.”

Maybe not biologically so, but in all the ways that count.

“The only difference was that he succeeded in selling me." Her mouth tightens. “He treated me as property. I built VEIL with the part of me he failed to own.”

Her face looks sharper now. Maybe it’s the kitchen lighting. Maybe it’s the memory of how she was used as a teenager. That sort of thing leaves a mark. And apparently, a thirst for vengeance. I can relate to that part—brutally.

“How did you get out? You said yourself that you’re not a killer, Madam.”

She chuckles quietly, and I see hints of the woman behind all those birthday cards. As mysterious and fearsome as her reputation has always been, Madam kept me from feeling alone for most of my adult life. I feel gratitude for that.

I also owe her for saving my ass more times than I can count. Not because she was physically at my side in every fight, but because she was guiding my steps the whole time.

Well, almost the whole time.

I do tend to go rogue. Sticking to a script has never been particularly easy for me. I think secretly it’s one of the things she loves about me.

“I may not know how to end a man, but making a plan to get out and recruiting someone to make it happen for me taught me I had a talent that I’ve since optimized—I do know how to have my assets end men for me.”

Another noise. This one closer. Time to leave the kitchen.

On the far wall of the kitchen is a window that leads outside. It’s tempting. Very tempting. Especially when I still haven’t heard from the others. It’s not like Donnie to be quiet. Or even Alley Cat, for that matter.

Zero is quiet on a daily basis so that part’s no surprise.

And Viktor⁠—

I wrestle my thoughts back into place. Viktor believes I can do this. He went to save my omegas so that I could do this.

“This way.”

I follow her out of the kitchen. Wait, why are we walking straight toward the guards?

Just before one of the men at the end of the hallway turns to see us standing there, Madam ducks behind a partition in the wall.

Another hidden opening.

I’m starting to feel like I’ve never really known this house at all. I’m still not happy about being back in it. Neither is she. I can tell.

This time, we walk through a narrow space between the wall and the rooms around it. Viktor would have a fit here. His massive, broad-shouldered frame would get stuck. He'd be wedged in place and likely deep-breathe all the fuck over me.

Where the hell is Stepdaddy Dearest hiding inside this house?