Page 67 of Shared By 3

“Perfect. Now we just need Valerie’s bruise to clear and we can take engagement photos. Have you three thought about that?” My mother asks, looking between us.

“I think we all want something different,” Chase says. “I mentioned Valerie and I doing them in a field–early morning with some fog–and being on a horse.”

“The loving prince charming,” Hunter teases while elbowing Chase.

Chase snorts and shoves him. “What did you want to do?”

“I didn’t think about it. Something ridiculously classy, black tie. Honestly, the study here would be perfect for that. Books, her in a gown, me in a tux with suspenders,” Hunter grins.

Chase kicks him. “Appropriate photos, Hunter.”

“Of course. Of course,” he agrees. “What about you, Lief?”

I think about it for a long moment. “Whatever Valerie wants.”

“You must have an opinion, darling,” my mother whispers. “Something that shows the best of your relationship.”

“Are the photos that we’ve taken and not shared too ... is that too easy?” I ask.

Silence greets me, and Mr. Volkov shrugs. “I don’t understand this part. You make an announcement with all of you together and you’re done. No need for role playing or a big deal.”

I glance into the poker room as cheers go up. I can see Valerie and, based on her smug smile, she just won. “I believe our fiancée will make enough in the game to pay for all of this, if that is the concern.”

“That isnotthe concern,” Mr. Volkov says. “And we will not be making a public announcement of the wedding, to be clear. It will pull enemies out of hiding. Perhaps we should have it here.”

“You want guests from outside the business to be here?” Chase asks, leveling his father with an even look.

Mr. Volkov huffs.

“You eloped with Vanya, it was necessary at the time to do it that way for safety,” Hunter says, measuring out each word. “We want to give Valerie everything. She will have one wedding with us.”

“And her family will be attending?” My mother asks. “Her mother is so sweet, so proud of Valerie.”

I exchange a look with Hunter and Chase. We’re all nervous about that. Things with Tristan have been going well, but Valerie’s mother is another matter. She didn’t approve of the relationship when we met, and even if she will speak well on Valerie’s behalf at the party; I doubt her feelings have changed.

“Valerie’s father isn’t in the picture,” Chase says. “We will not invite him, make aware, or anything else.”

Hunter agrees. “We’ll have to ask her about her mother.”

“They seem so close,” my mother says while looking at me.

“A girl with a good home life wouldn’t find comfort in men like these,” Mr. Volkov says. “Happy homes don’t breed the strength that Valerie has.”

Hunter gapes at his father. “Are you complementing our fiancée?”

“She is a very capable, level-headed woman. Again, I don’t like-”

“That we’re all marrying her,” Chase mumbles while motioning for him to continue. “You’ve made your feelings clear.”

“Only because it seems to increase the odds of fighting.” Mr. Volkov holds his hands up. “But yes, she is a good woman. Her father will not be attending. Who will walk her down the aisle?”

I open my mouth, then shut it. We didn’t consider that. Sophia perhaps? No, she’ll be a bride’s maid. Perhaps her brother.

“It seems we need your wife-to-be to discuss this,” Mr. Volkov says. “And knowing her attention to detail, she’ll want to have a say in this.”

“Lief had an idea, and Valerie didn’t care one way or another.” Hunter points at me.

“Yes, that the three of us and Valerie all wear white. Everyone else wears colorful clothing. Shirts, suits, dresses, whatever it may be,” I say.

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