Chapter 23 Chapter 23

Chapter 23 Chapter 23
Scarlett’s POV
"I was kidnapped when I was three years old," I said. My voice was steady. Matter-of-fact. "During an attack on my family. I don't remember my birth parents. I grew up in Montana in the foster care system. The Romano family only found me six months ago."
Grandfather's face went through several different expressions. Surprise. Confusion. Then something that looked almost like embarrassment.
He glanced at Damon. Then back at me.
The room went quiet again.
I could practically see him rethinking everything. Realizing I wasn't some scheming gold-digger from a powerful family. I was just a young woman with no complicated political connections. No family drama to navigate.
Just a girl who'd spent most of her life in foster homes.
"I see," he finally said. His voice was different now. Less harsh.
Damon hadn't said anything through this entire exchange. He just watched. His face was unreadable.
"Well then," Grandfather said. He picked up his wine glass. "Finish your dinner. Both of you."
After dinner, Grandfather led us to his study. The walls were lined with dark wood bookshelves. Family photos everywhere. A portrait of a stern-looking woman hung above the fireplace.
"About those planters," Grandfather said. He walked to his desk and sat down heavily.
"I'll pay for them," I said immediately. "I know they were expensive."
The truth was, I could afford it. As Sable, I'd earned six figures per job. Sometimes seven figures for high-profile targets. I had money stashed in accounts across three countries. Enough to buy a dozen antique Italian planters and not even notice the dent in my savings.
But Scarlett Romano, the former foster kid who worked at a coffee shop? She shouldn't be able to casually pay for fifty-thousand-dollar antiques. So I had to pretend to be worried about the cost.
"I'll figure out a payment plan or—"
He waved his hand dismissively. "Don't worry about the planters."
"But—"
"I said don't worry about it." His voice was firm. Final.
He opened a drawer in his desk. Pulled out a checkbook. Started writing.
I watched nervously. What was he doing?
He tore out the check and held it out to me.
"Take this."
I walked over slowly. Took the check from his hand.
My eyes went wide when I saw the amount. One million dollars.
"I can't accept this," I said quickly. I tried to hand it back.
"Yes, you can." He leaned back in his chair. His expression was stern but not unkind. "I won't have people saying the Wolfe family doesn't know how to treat family."
He'd called me family.
Something tight formed in my chest. I didn't know what to say.
"Thank you," I whispered.
Grandfather nodded. Then he turned to Damon.
"Since there's already a baby on the way, you two should get married soon," Grandfather said. His voice was firm. "And do it properly. A real wedding. Not some rushed affair."
"We already got married at city hall," Damon said calmly.
Grandfather's eyes narrowed. "What?"
Damon reached into his jacket pocket. Pulled out a folded paper. Set it on the desk.
The marriage certificate.
Grandfather picked it up. Looked at it carefully. His expression darkened.
"City hall? That's it?" His voice was disapproving. "No ceremony? No announcement? Just like your father. Always rushing into things without thinking about appearances."
He set the paper back down with more force than necessary.
"At least you made it legal," he muttered. "But you should have done better. The Wolfe family deserves a proper wedding."
Damon nodded once. "We'll have a proper ceremony later. Once things are more settled."
"See that you do," he waved his hand toward the door. "You can go now. It's late."
Damon stood up. I followed his lead.
We were almost at the door when Grandfather spoke again.
"One more thing."
We both turned back.
"I'm considering acquiring a baby products company," he said. His voice was casual. "High-end. Luxury market. I'm thinking of naming it after my great-grandchild."
I froze.
My brain short-circuited.
Did he just say what I think he said?
"You're... what?" I managed to get out.
"A baby products company. Named after the baby." He looked at me like this was completely normal. "It'll be good for the family portfolio. And the child will have something with their name on it from birth."
I felt dizzy. My hand went to my stomach automatically.
This man was planning to buy an entire company and name it after a baby that wasn't even born yet.
"That's very generous, Grandfather," Damon said.
"It's not generosity. It's smart business." Grandfather picked up his cigar again. "Now get out. Both of you. I need to make some phone calls."
We left.
I didn't speak until we were in the car.
Damon pulled out of the estate driveway. The headlights cut through the darkness.
I was still holding the check.
"Damon," I said quietly. "That's... that's too much. I can't accept this."
He glanced at me. Then back at the road. "My grandfather already updated his will."
"What?"
"After I told him about the pregnancy. He called his lawyer immediately. Updated everything."
My heart started pounding. "Updated it how?"
"The baby gets two percent of Wolfe Global Enterprises."
I stopped breathing.
Two percent of one of the largest conglomerates in New York.
"Damon, that's—" I couldn't finish the sentence. My brain couldn't process the number.
"About 16.9 billion dollars," he said calmly. "Give or take."
The check in my hand suddenly felt like nothing. A drop in the ocean compared to what my unborn child was already worth.
"Your baby isn't even born yet and their net worth is already in the billions," Damon continued. "So that one million dollar check? It's pocket change. Take it. Use it. Don't think about it."
I pressed my hand against my forehead. This was insane. Completely insane.
"There's another reason I wanted you to meet my grandfather tonight," Damon said. His voice got quieter. More serious.
I looked at him.
"Uncle Dominic and Rocco want control of the family. The Wolfe mafia family. Once they have that, they can take over Wolfe Global."
My chest went cold.
"They're dangerous. They already tried to have me killed once. If they find out about you and the baby, they won't hesitate to go after you both."
"So you needed your grandfather to know first," I said slowly.
"Yes. Grandfather has the final say in family matters. Now that he knows about the baby, he'll protect you. He'll stand with us against Dominic and Rocco."
He glanced at me again. His expression was hard but also guilty.
"I need to apologize to you about something else," he paused.
"We can't have a proper wedding right now. It's too dangerous. Too public. Dominic would find out immediately."
He gripped the steering wheel tighter.
"But once everything settles down, once Dominic and Rocco are dealt with, I'll give you a real wedding. A big one. Whatever you want. I promise."
I nodded. Tried to look appropriately worried and understanding.
"I understand. Safety comes first."
Inside, I was laughing.
Former number two assassin on the dark web's most wanted list. I'd survived torture, ambushes, and hits from some of the most dangerous people in the world.
And here was Damon, thinking he needed to protect me from his uncle.
It was almost sweet.
"I understand," I said softly. "I'll be careful."
"Good."
We drove in silence for a while. The city lights started appearing in the distance.