Page 109 of Liam
We all nod, a comfortable silence falling over us.
Logan looks at each of us in turn, his expression moreserious than before. “I wanted to say thank you. For everything.”
The unspoken hangs heavy in the air. Dad’s secret. The near-disaster with Elias.
I clear my throat, glancing at Logan. “We did what we had to. Keeping it quiet, protecting the family. It was the only way.”
Lucas nods, his grip tightening around his glass. “I’d do the same for Ava. We protect our own.”
A quiet ripple of agreement passes through us. Our eyes drift collectively to where our father now stands, chatting with a group of business partners. He looks relaxed, charming. The picture of a proud father at his son’s wedding. Only we know the weight he carries, the secret we all now share.
“Valeur for Valeur,” I say, the words a quiet vow echoed by Cora and Logan.
Cora’s eyes flash. “Valeur for Valeur. Always have, always will.”
We share a look, acknowledging the weight of our shared burden. We all break into grins. The tension dissipates, replaced by the warmth of family unity.
“Alright, enough of this emotional crap,” Lucas says, downing the rest of his whiskey with a grin. “Let’s get back before people think we’re plotting world domination or something.”
Cora rolls her eyes. “Oh please, world domination is so passé. We’re planning to colonize Mars. I hear the real estate market there is about to explode.”
Logan chuckles, shaking his head. “Right, because what this family needs is more property to manage. I can imaginethe headlines. ‘Valeur Corp Expands to Red Planet, CEO Complains About Martian Building Codes.’”
Laughing, we rejoin the celebration. The music’s louder now, guests scattered across the dance floor, lost in the night's rhythm.
I scan the crowd until my eyes land on Aleria, standing off to the side, chatting with Ava. When she catches sight of me, her face lights up in that way that never fails to make my heart race.
The bouquet toss is a hilarious affair. Sloane’s throw goes wide, and there’s a mad scramble. Somehow, Aleria ends up with the flowers, looking as surprised as anyone.
“Well, well,” Cora teases, nudging me. “Looks like you’re next, Brother.”
I can’t help the smile that spreads across my face as I look at Aleria. She’s blushing, but there’s a sparkle in her eye that makes my heart race.
As the night winds down, Aleria and I find a quiet moment under the stars. We sway to the music, drifting from the tent, her head resting on my shoulder.
“So, Ms. Caught-the-Bouquet,” I tease, my lips close to her ear. “Any thoughts on the next Valeur wedding?”
Aleria pulls back, raising an eyebrow. There’s a mischievous glint in her eye that I’ve come to adore. “Why, Mr. Valeur, are you proposing?”
I laugh, pulling her closer, my thumb tracing lazy circles on her lower back. “Not yet, but...” I pause, my expression softening as I gaze into her eyes. “I can definitely see it in our future.”
Aleria’s breath catches, and her heart races against mychest. She rests her head on my shoulder again, her voice soft as she murmurs, “I can see it too.”
We sway beneath a canopy of twinkling lights, their soft glow mimicking the stars above. Aleria’s cheek rests against my chest, her warmth seeping through my suit. The cacophony of the wedding reception fades to a distant hum as if the world has narrowed to just this moment, just us.
Aleria’s fingers trace patterns on my back, each touch sending a shiver down my spine. I tighten my arms around her, reveling in the way she fits against me. I drop a kiss into her hair.
“Whatever comes next,” I whisper, “we’ll handle it together.” The words are as much a vow to her as they are a reminder to myself.
She tilts her head up, her eyes meeting mine. In their depths is a reflection of my own emotions—love, hope, and a spark of that mischievous humor I’ve come to adore. “With a side of Valeur drama, no doubt,” she quips, her lips quirking into a smile.
I smirk, shaking my head. “Wouldn’t be us without it, would it?”
Her laugh bubbles up, rich and genuine. It’s a sound that never fails to ease the tension in my shoulders, to remind me of what truly matters. As it fades, she nestles closer, her breath warm against my neck.
“You know,” she says, “I used to think the future was something to be calculated, predicted. But with you...” She pauses, “With you, it feels like an adventure. Unpredictable, maybe a little messy, but ours.”
For so long, I’ve approached life as a series of challenges to be overcome, battles to be won. But here, with Aleria in my arms, the future doesn’t loom as a threat. Instead, it beckons, full of possibility and promise.
I pull her close, pressing my forehead against hers, feeling the steady rhythm of her breath syncing with mine. “I think you’re the only adventure I ever needed,” I whisper, my voice thick with emotion. “And I’m all in.”