Page 53 of Lucas
“She’s a Valeur.”
“What?”
Logan sighs, rubbing a hand over his stubbled jaw. “She’s also a Valeur. When you put that ring on her finger, you made her a Valeur. She’s family now, whether you like it or not.”
“No.” I bite out the word, sharp and final. “She’s not, and she never will be. She’s a pawn, a stepping stone. I’ll destroy her precious company, and then I’ll cut her loose. It’ll be the ultimate victory. I’ll take my rightful place at the head ofValeur Enterprises and crush our greatest rival in one fell swoop.”
Even as I say it, a flicker of doubt curls in my gut. An unease I can’t quite name.
I stand and pace to the window, staring out at the city skyline, my shoulders tight with tension. “That is if she hasn’t murdered me by then,” I mutter under my breath.
“Murder?” Logan’s voice is sharp.
I sigh, pinching the bridge of my nose. “She tried to run me over yesterday.”
“What? Why?” Logan stands, coming to join me at the window. He gestures to the marks on my neck. “I expected you to say she tried to scratch you to death or something. I didn’t expect vehicular homicide.”
“The scratches are from her parrot,” I grit out.
“From her parrot?” Logan’s jaw drops, shock and disbelief etched into every line of his face. “She has a parrot? What did you try to do to it? It’s like I’ve crossed into a parallel universe. I understand nothing.”
I run a hand through my hair, agitation and embarrassment warring in my gut. “I just wanted to make it disappear for a few days to stress her out a bit, that’s all.”
Logan stares at me for a long moment before bursting into laughter, the sound grating on my last nerve. “So let me get this straight. She tried to run you over, and you what? Bird-napped her pet in retaliation?”
I scowl, my face heating. “She also towed my car from the parking lot.”
That only makes Logan laugh harder, clutching his stomach as he gasps for breath. I watch him, unamused, my arms crossed over my chest.
“Yeah, it was stupid. I get that now,” I mutter, looking away.
“That’s not why I’m laughing,” Logan wheezes, wiping tears of mirth from his eyes. “I’m laughing because you still don’t understand what you’ve gotten yourself into.”
I frown, unease prickling down my spine. “What do you mean?”
Logan sobers, the laughter fading from his face. He claps a hand on my shoulder, his grip firm and reassuring. “Nah. I’m going to enjoy watching you figure it out for yourself.”
Chapter Sixteen
LUCAS
Isift through the letters and mail piled on my desk, the stack daunting in its height. I haven’t had a chance to go through it in recent days, and the sheer volume that has accumulated is intimidating.
I reach for the first envelope, the heavy cream paper and embossed gold lettering already hinting at its content. I slide my letter opener under the flap; the blade slicing through the expensive parchment like butter.
My eyes scan the contents, a frown tugging at my lips as realization sets in.
A charity gala. In two days. Fuck.
I pull out my phone and type a quick message.
Fundraising event for children with cancer this Friday at nine. Your attendance isrequired.
I hit send and lean back, waiting for the inevitable storm. It doesn’t take long. My phone vibrates less than a minute later, Ava’s name flashing across the screen.
Wifey
That’s in two days.
