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CLAIRE

Two Weeks Later

“ I can’t believe it.” Mom’s eyes are coated in a shiny layer of tears. “My little girl’s all grown up.”

She flings herself forward and pulls me into a tight bear hug. Under normal circumstances, my mom’s loving embrace would be just what the doctor ordered. It would settle my nerves, make me feel comfortable, and give me the motivation I need to get through the rest of my day.

But it would’ve been way more welcomed an hour ago while I was a panicked mess to get ready for my first day on the job. Having it happen now, in the middle of my new office, while all the staff stares at us like we’re crazy, makes my cheeks reach new levels of burning hot.

“Mom, please. You’re going to embarrass me,” I mumble against her chest.

It’s bad enough that she insisted on following me into the office, but it’s much worse with Veronica Valentine a few feet away. Without her, I’d have never gotten this job. Freshly out of university with no work experience behind me, I don’t feel like I belong here. I’m a little fish in a tank full of sharks, and they’re circling to gobble me up.

“Oh, nonsense,” Veronica says, and Mom breaks her hug to look at her oldest friend. “There’s nothing more beautiful than a mother showing her child love.”

Mom crinkles her nose at me as if to say, See? I win.

I can’t help but laugh. Getting ganged up on by two old ladies wasn’t on my itinerary for the day … or my life, for that matter. I’ve gotta admit, though. It does go a long way to making me feel better.

“Thank you again, Mrs. Valentine. I really appreciate the opportunity you’ve given me,” I speak humbly, feeling my shoulders slump at my sides as the last word leaves my lips.

“Then why do you look so glum, hon?” Veronica crosses her arms over her chest while a brow lifts above her expertly painted eye.

“Because I don’t think I deserve it.” I’ve admitted it to myself a thousand times over but never once said it out loud. Hearing the words leave my mouth feels like a huge weight being lifted off my shoulders. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. One that so few will ever be able to get, and you’ve given it to me as my first job back in the States.”

“Had it been up to me, you could have called me out for nepotism.” Veronica reaches out one of her dainty hands and rests it on my shoulder. “But the decision isn’t mine to make anymore. I handed the crown over to Victor a long time ago, and all hiring and firing goes through him.”

“See?” Mom cuts in. “You got the position by your own merits.”

I have no merits, so either one of them is lying to me, or this whole thing is an enormous blessing.

“Speaking of Victor, would you like to meet the boys?”

Oh God, no, anything but that. I fear my blessing is turning into a curse mighty fast by being part of the Valentine matriarch’s inner circle. I wanted my first day to be easy. Not coasting by and being lazy, of course, but definitely not standing face to face with the big boss who wouldn’t even know my name.

“She’d love to,” Mom answers for me, and my heart sinks straight past my tummy and shatters into a thousand tiny pieces on the floor.

“I would,” I lie. Having spent my nervous honesty on feeling like I don’t belong here, saying any more would make me want to curl up into a tiny ball and die.

“Wonderful.” Veronica starts to walk with Mom and me close behind. She gives me a brief tour of the building, mostly the part of the building I shouldn’t have to come anywhere near unless there’s something serious amiss.

As we pass each room, she gives me the name, occupation, and a brief rundown of the person working inside it. By the time we reach Victor’s secretary, I’ve forgotten half of them.

“Is he in?” Veronica asks, and the rest of the names poof out of my mind.

“He is. Should I let him know you’re here, Mrs. Valentine?”

A cheeky smile forms on Veronica’s face. “Warn him that we’re coming in, but don’t tell him who it is.”

The secretary does as instructed, lifting a telephone receiver on her desk to announce our arrival.

“Sure, Suzy. Let them in,” Victor’s voice answers. It’s layered with intensity, and a sharp, cold spike shoots up my spine, leaving me glued in place as Mom and Veronica head for the dark wood double doors.

Time to be a big girl. I head into Victor’s office, instantly stunned by the monstrous size of the man in a three-piece suit, towering over Veronica and my mom.

“Hello, Mother. Why did I get a feeling it would be you knocking on my door?” He opens his arms and gives her a big hug.

“Probably because you knew I was coming in today?” Veronica snickers, hugging her oldest son back.

“That would do it, wouldn’t it?” Victor’s eyes move to Mom and me before he breaks away from Veronica. Mom extends a hand to him, and Victor takes it and kisses her knuckles in an old-fashioned gentlemanly hello. “Henrietta, it’s a pleasure to see you, as always.”

“Oh, you’re such a charmer.” Mom follows Veronica’s lead and snickers at his flattery.

“And that must make you Claire. The newest addition to the Valentine family.” His entire focus locks onto me, and I’m just about ready to fall over from the rush of blood to my head. “Welcome aboard, but don’t think I’m going to take it any easier on you because our mothers are here.” Victor takes one long stride toward me, extending his hand to me.

I take it and shake, scanning his face to see if he’s judging me. But he’s impossible to read. Straight-faced apart from one corner of his mouth ticked upward.

“I wouldn’t have it any other way, Mr. Valentine.” I can’t help but feel impressed that I managed to speak without a quivering lip or fumbling my words.

Veronica jumps to my rescue. “Come now, Victor, you’re scaring the poor little thing half to death.”

“Not my intention.” Victor releases my hand and heads back to his desk. “But you know I love to rule with an iron fist. So maybe it was.”

Veronica rolls her eyes at Victor as he drops back into his plush leather seat with a devilish smile. “Don’t mind him. He’s just trying to rattle you.”

It’s working … way too fucking well.

She grabs my arm by the wrist and walks me back to the door. Mom’s a few steps behind us.

“Stop by before you leave, Mother. I want to talk to you about something,” Victor says once we’ve passed back into the hallway. Veronica doesn’t answer him as we continue to the next Valentine brother.

We arrive at Vance’s office, but he’s not there. His secretary tells Veronica she doesn’t know when he’ll be back as he went to talk shop with a few different people.

After a short, courteous goodbye, we make our way to the youngest Valentine son’s office.

We stop in front of our final door, not greeted by a secretary, but instead a golden nameplate on the wood that reads Vaughn Valentine, C.F.O. Out of the three brothers, Vaughn is the only one I’d say is imperative to meet. Having accepted the role as an accountant for Valentine Group, I’m certain we’ll meet often enough.

Without anyone to lead us in, Veronica knocks twice and enters.

“Mom? What a wonderful surprise,” Vaughn says as the doors open. I haven’t even seen him yet, and my heart thumps faster in my chest. “I didn’t know you were coming in today. And you must be Henrietta. Mom’s told me all about you. However, she neglected to mention how beautiful you are.”

Mom bursts into an echoing laughter that catches the attention of the people parading through the halls.

“This isn’t what it looks like,” a second male voice comes from inside the room. “Well, it is, but?—”

“Meetings all across the office, huh?” Thickly layered sarcasm hangs on Veronica’s words.

Okay, now I’ve got to see what’s happening in there. Curiosity overshadows my ever-tightening nerves, and I approach the doorway passively. I stick my head through to see one of the men, nearly equaling Victor’s beastly size, holding a child-sized golf stick in his hands. If size didn’t confirm it, the golden eyes are confirmation that he must be one of the brothers.

I clasp my mouth shut with my palm to stifle my chuckle.

“I met up with Vaughn,” he speaks, which must mean he’s Vance. “That counts as a meeting, right?” His eyes instantly snap toward me. “Woah, woah, woah, what’s this? A fresh face in the office?”

“None of that,” Veronica scolds, waggling a finger in his face. “Poor thing’s nervous enough as is. You’re not going to add to it.”

“Can I?”

“You’re the youngest. You can do whatever you want,” Vance teases, turning his attention back to the plastic golf ball on the ground. He slumps over, squares his shoulders as best he can in that position, and takes a swing at the ball. It glides over the carpet and hits a flag that must’ve come from the same toy set as the club.

He pumps a fist in the air in celebration.

“Can’t do much if she doesn’t come in.” Vaughn’s voice is softer than his brothers’. Reserved and calculated. Something about hearing it speak about me makes my heart skip a beat.

First-day nerves , I tell myself as I step through the door. Every little sound will make me jump. Don’t overthink this, but that was much easier when he was just a disembodied voice.

Like his calm and smooth voice, Vaughn Valentine doesn’t have the same ridiculously muscular proportions as his brother. He also lacks the sharp edge of their cutting gaze, favoring a more humble approach with a warm smile and softer eyes.

Where the other brothers are broad-shouldered with their musculature on display, Vaughn is slim, choosing lean, cut muscle over titanic shapes. His dark brown hair is slicked back, with a clean-shaven face that shows off his square jawline.

But those eyes. It seems it’s always the eyes with the Valentine siblings, burning a fiery golden glow.

“Claire, I take it?” He looks at me, unblinking. Almost forced. As if given the opportunity to look anywhere but my face, he’d drink in my body instead. Much too awkward around our parents, so I applaud the strained effort.

“And you must be Mr. Valentine.” It’s my turn to fight the urge to speak in any other way than polite and formal. Every inch of me screams that it should come out in a deep, sultry whisper, but with our parents here, that would be awfully embarrassing.

The best part is that looking at Vaughn, the fears and nerves I felt by both Victor and Vance have dissipated into thin air.

Maybe working here won’t be so bad after all.