~ Chapter 20 ~

Val gave her mom a look as she ran through the house and to her father’s meeting room. It really wasn’t her fault that she was 20 minutes behind, she had done her best to be here, but she knew that wouldn’t fly with him. So, as she walked in, she was ready for the rather nasty look he tossed her way.

“Mi dispiace papà (sorry dad),” she told him as she took the seat next to him. “Sorry gentlemen,” she told the other four men who were sitting around the table. Joey offered her a smile and she felt better, but it was short-lived as her dad grabbed her arm.

“You think it’s okay to be late and that a fake sorry and some pretty smile will make it okay?”

“No, of course not father, I am sorry, but things happened at school…”

“I don’t want excuses, figlia (daughter),” her dad growled out, effectively cutting her off and making her wince.

“Naturalmente (of course),” she said, rather meekly, her head down, w