Chapter 4
ELENA
M y hands trembled slightly as I pulled into the Donati Enterprises parking lot.
I'd expected nice cars, this was a successful company after all, but the collection of vehicles surrounding me belonged in a luxury car showroom, not an office parking lot.
Gleaming BMWs, Mercedes, Audis and even a few Porsches lined the spaces closest to the building.
I guided my Honda rust-bucket into an empty spot near the back, wincing at the grinding sound my brakes made. The contrast between my car and those around it felt like a perfect metaphor for my situation—an outsider pretending to belong.
I checked my reflection in the rearview mirror, tucking a strand of dark hair behind my ear and straightening my blouse.
The navy pencil skirt and white button-up had cost more than I'd wanted to spend, but first impressions mattered.
Especially when you were infiltrating a company to spy on your secret half-siblings.
I still couldn't believe I was doing this, that I'd even landed the job here. Ivy had found it far too thrilling, and was the wicked little voice in my eat every step of the way, urging me onward.
Landing me right here, in this parking lot.
"You can do this," I whispered to myself, gripping the steering wheel tight. "Just another accounting job. Nothing difficult."
Except it wasn't. This position was my ticket into the world of the Cassaros turned Donati—the family that had everything while my mother and I had nothing. The family that might have killed my father.
I'd jumped on the job listing the moment I saw it.
An accounting position at Donati Enterprises—where Meredith Donati worked—felt like fate.
From the photos online, it seemed Grayson was also involved, although he was not exactly listed on the website.
My previous employer had been surprisingly accommodating when I explained I needed to take another position to help with my mother's medical bills, even offering to keep me on part-time remotely.
Between that and quitting my waitressing job, I'd managed to free up enough time to focus on this new mission.
The background check had worried me. I'd just have to pray we'd not made it into my father's will, because the check would reveal who I was.
If I'd been listed in the will with my mother, then my cover was blown before I even began.
But no one had called me out yet, so either Anthony Cassaro hadn't acknowledged me in death any more than he had in life, or they hadn't connected the dots.
I grabbed my purse and water bottle, took a deep breath, and stepped out into the cool morning air.
The building loomed ahead, all glass and steel, at least fifteen stories tall. I smoothed my skirt one last time and walked toward the entrance, my heels clicking against the pavement.
The lobby was minimalist and modern—white marble floors, sleek furniture, and a massive reception desk where a woman with a perfect blonde bob sat typing.
I pushed aside the instant Karen thought that bubbled up.
Ivy really loved pointing them out to me.
They were her favorite form of entertainment, and our small town sure had a few of them we got to see in the wild.
"Elena Peters," I said, approaching her. "It's my first day in accounting."
She glanced up, her professional smile never wavering. I knew it all too well, I wore it often in my own position, since I needed to work the front desk alongside actually being an accountant. "Of course. Please sign in here. Roman will escort you upstairs."
As if summoned, a tall, broad-shouldered, older man appeared beside me.
He wore a suit that did little to disguise his muscular build, and his eyes scanned me in a way that made me feel a little too scrutinized.
Then again, the security around such a big business would probably need to be on their game.
"Ms. Peters," he said with a curt nod. "Welcome to Donati Enterprises. I'm Roman, head of security. I'll take you to accounting."
I followed him to an elevator that required a keycard to operate. He swiped his and pressed the button for the eighth floor before straightening himself.
"You'll receive your security credentials today," he explained as we ascended. "Certain floors require additional clearance. Accounting has standard access."
I nodded, trying to look appropriately impressed but not intimidated. "Is security a big concern here?"
His expression remained frustratingly unreadable. "We value privacy and protection for all our employees and operations."
The elevator doors opened, and he led me down a hallway lined with glass-walled offices. Most were empty despite the start time, but a few employees typed away at their computers or spoke quietly on phones.
"Here we are," Roman said, stopping at an office where an older woman with gray hair pulled into a tight bun sat organizing papers. "Macey, your new protégé has arrived."
Macey looked up, assessing me over reading glasses perched on her nose. "Elena Peters. Right on time. That's a good start."
Roman nodded to us both. "I'll leave you in Macey's capable hands. Welcome aboard, Ms. Peters."
After he left, Macey gestured to the chair across from her desk. "Sit. We have a lot to cover today."
I took the seat, placing my purse on the floor beside me. "I'm excited to get started."
"Excitement fades. Competence doesn't," she replied, but her eyes held a hint of warmth that softened her words. "Donati Enterprises runs a tight ship. Our accounting department handles sensitive information for multiple business ventures. Discretion is as important as accuracy."
"I understand," I said, meaning it. I'd worked with a little confidential financial information before in my last two jobs, the brief stint after I graduated in a city closer to home, and then the office in my hometown, though likely nothing as sensitive as what I might encounter here.
"Good." Macey handed me a thick folder. "Employee handbook, security protocols, and benefits information.
Read it all, sign the forms in the back.
Your office will be next door to mine for the first few weeks.
I'll be here for your first week, after that, I'm retiring, but I'll be available on call.
You have a three month probation period, after that, well, we'll see. "
Before I could respond, the office door opened, and a woman stepped in. My heart stuttered as I recognized her immediately from the photos Trent had shown me—Meredith Donati, previously Cassaro. My half-sister.
She was even more striking in person. Dark hair fell in soft waves around her face, and her green eyes, nothing like my blue ones, sparkled as she smiled. We shared our father's high cheekbones and straight nose, but where I was all angles, she had a softness to her features.
"You must be Elena," she said, extending a manicured hand. "I'm Meredith. I help manage the department and handle some of our specialized financial areas."
I shook her hand, hoping mine wasn't clammy. "Nice to meet you. I'm looking forward to working here."
"We're glad to have you. Macey's been threatening retirement for years, so we needed someone who could keep up with her standards." Meredith placed a pink box on Macey's desk. "Brought donuts. First day treat."
"You didn't have to," I said, even as my stomach rumbled. I'd been too nervous to eat breakfast before driving here.
"Tradition," she insisted, opening the box to reveal an assortment of perfectly glazed pastries. "Take one before they disappear."
I selected a simple glazed donut while Macey opted for one with chocolate frosting.
"I'd love to stay and chat, but I've got a meeting in five," Meredith said, checking her watch. "I'm sure we'll see more of each other soon. Macey's a tough teacher, but the best we have."
Macey snorted. "Flattery won't make me stay past my retirement date."
Meredith laughed, a light, musical sound that made me jealous. I certainly didn't sound like that.
"Can't blame me for trying. Nice meeting you, Elena."
After she left, I took a small bite of my donut. "She seems nice."
"She is," Macey confirmed, wiping chocolate from her fingers.
"But don't expect to see her much. She works remotely most days, and when she is here, she's usually on the executive floor.
Her husband runs the place, her brother occasionally visits to speak with him, but even the great Mr. Donati himself isn't always around.
He has a lot of business to attend to. Leo Donati, that is.
" She frowned and shook her head. "Still throws me calling Mr. Cassaro Mr. Donati as well now.
At least he doesn't mind just using his first name… " she muttered.
My heart sank. If Meredith was rarely around, getting close to her would be harder than I'd anticipated. And it didn't sound like I'd see an awful lot of Grayson either.
"I understand," I said, keeping my disappointment from showing. "Do you mind me asking why he's Mr. Donati as well now? Did he marry into the family?" I asked, keeping my tone curious and light. From what I'd found online, he'd married, although there wasn't much on his wife.
"Oh no, he actually married Sofia, she's a lovely nurse, Meredith's best friend actually. Recently had a son together, which is keeping them both busy," Macey shared, taking me by surprise.
So Grayson was married and had a son. I wasn't sure how to feel about that. Both my half-siblings seemed to be thriving, married with partners and doing great for themselves. A part of me was happy for them, but the other, it was filled with an ugly, dark jealousy.
"Now, as for your question, I believe the Donatis adopted him in a way, so he had his last name changed. He and Leo have been like brothers since I first met Grayson."
"Huh, that's fascinating, I didn't know that," I admitted. "His family was fine with him giving up the family name?"