Page 34 of Liam (The Valeur Billionaires #4)

Chapter Twenty-One

LIAM

I ’m hunched over my desk, trying to compose a message to Aleria. The words aren’t coming out right.

My phone buzzes, Cora’s name flashing on the screen. I slide to answer and put her on speaker.

“Hey there, Favorite Sister,” I say, still typing. “Everything okay?”

“I’m your only sister, smartass,” Cora retorts. “And I’m fine. What’s up? You sound distracted.”

I pause, a finger hovering over the send button. “Just some work stuff. What’s up? Miss my charming presence already?”

“Oh please,” Cora scoffs. “I was just checking to make sure you hadn’t short-circuited that big brain of yours. You’ve been acting weirder than usual lately.”

“Weirder than usual?” I gasp in mock offense. “I’m the pinnacle of normalcy in this family of chaos.”

Cora snorts. “Right. Because nothing says ‘ normal’ like a guy who can quote entire legal codes while simultaneously debugging a complex AI system.”

“Hey, some people collect stamps. I collect skills,” I quip back. Bantering with Cora always lifts my mood.

“Uh-huh,” Cora says, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “So, what’s going on? Spill before I sic Logan and Lucas on you for a brotherly intervention.”

I groan. “You wouldn’t do that to your favorite brother. Logan would lecture me, and Lucas would suggest we bond over a bicycle road trip.”

“Exactly. So talk, brother dearest.”

I consider dodging the truth, keeping it simple.

But Cora’s voice on the other end is steady, expectant, like she already knows something’s up.

She’s my little sister, the one who’s always had my back.

If I can’t tell her, who can I tell? The silence between us stretches, the weight of everything—Aleria, the family secret, the threats still hanging in the air—pressing down harder. I grip the phone tighter.

“It’s complicated,” I say, running a hand through my hair. “There’s this woman?—”

“I knew it!” Cora interrupts. “Is it that scientist you’ve been making heart eyes at? The one you swore was just a ‘professional acquaintance’?”

“I do not make heart eyes,” I protest. “And how did you even?—”

“Please,” Cora scoffs. “It’s my job to know everyone’s business. Now spill. What’s her name? What’s she like? Does she find your nerdy ramblings adorable?”

I chuckle. “Her name is Aleria. Dr. Aleria James. And she’s incredible. Brilliant, awkward in the most endearing way, and she keeps up when I go on my nerdy ramblings, as you call them.”

“Wow,” Cora says, genuine warmth in her voice. “I haven’t heard you this excited about someone since... Well, ever. Usually, you sound more enthusiastic about new coding languages than actual human beings.”

“I know,” I admit. “It’s terrifying. But yeah, Aleria’s different. Special.”

“Aww, is my big awful brother falling in love?” Cora teases.

“I don’t know about that,” I say, even as my heart races at the thought. “It’s complicated as I said. With work and with everything else going on.”

“You mean the family stuff?” Cora asks, her tone turning serious.

“Yeah. That.”

“Liam, you can’t keep putting your life on hold because of that. You devoted yourself to the family when mom died. You need to take care of yourself, too. Mom wouldn’t have wanted that for you.”

The words hit me hard because she’s right. “I know. I think I’m ready to try.”

“Good, because if you didn’t, I had a plan to hack your calendar and arrange blind dates for you until you came to your senses.”

I laugh. “You and what army? Last I checked, your hacking skills were limited to guessing Logan’s Netflix password.”

“Hey, that was a feat of social engineering, I’ll have you know,” Cora protests. “Not all of us can be both legal eagle and tech wizard extraordinaire. ”

“Flattery will get you everywhere, Little Sis,” I tease. “Thanks, Cor. For always being there. For everything.”

“Always,” Cora says. “That’s what family’s for, right?”

“Right. Now, any sage advice from the family love guru?”

“Oh, now you want my advice? What happened to ‘stay out of my love life, Cora’ and ‘stop trying to set me up with your friends, Cora’?”

“Consider this my official retraction of all previous statements,” I say. “I bow to your superior wisdom in all things romance.”

“That’s more like it,” Cora says. “Alright, here’s my advice. Be yourself. The real you, not the smooth-talking lawyer or the brilliant engineer. The dorky big brother who taught me how to change a tire and who still can’t watch the ending of Marley & Me without tearing up.”

“I do not tear up at Marley & Me ,” I protest.

“Sure, keep telling yourself that.” Cora laughs. “If this girl is as special as you say, she’ll love you for who you are. Nerdy ramblings, tech obsessions, and all.”

I laugh and shake my head. “Hey, wait a minute. You’re the one who called me. Is everything okay?”

“No. There’s something I need to tell you.”

The change in her tone has me sitting up straight. “What is it?”

She takes a deep breath. “I’ve been getting more threats. Anonymous texts. But they’re specific. Threatening.”

My blood runs cold. “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

“I didn’t want to worry you,” she says, and I can picture her biting her lip the way she always does when she’s anxious. “Ryder’s with me, I’m safe. But Liam, you need to be careful too. ”

“Has this creep revealed anything about his location?"

“No.” Cora sighs. “Zane’s team has been working around the clock trying to trace the messages, but this guy... He’s a ghost.”

I clench my fist. “What did the messages say?”

“The usual threats against the family. Nothing new.”

I close my eyes, guilt and anger warring inside me. “This is insane. We can’t keep living like this, constantly looking over our shoulders.”

“I know,” Cora says. “But what other choice do we have?”

The question hangs between us, heavy with implications. I think about Aleria, about the spark of something real growing between us. About the family legacy I’ve spent my whole life protecting. About Cora and our siblings and my need to keep them safe.

“Maybe...” I say, then stop. How can I even think about pursuing a relationship with Aleria when my family is in danger? When I could put her at risk just by being associated with her?

“Liam? What are you thinking?”

I sigh, running a hand through my hair. “I don’t know, Cor. With everything that’s happening, maybe it’s not the right time to start something with Aleria. What if I’m just putting her in danger?”

“Oh, no you don’t. I know that tone. That’s your ‘I’m going to sacrifice my happiness for the greater good’ voice. I will kick your ass if you do that.”

Despite everything, I can’t help but chuckle.

“Look,” Cora goes on, “I know things are scary right now. But you can’t put your life on hold forever because of these threats. We deserve to be happy, Liam. You deserve to be happy. Don’t let this Elias guy win by making you too afraid to live your life. Okay?”

“But what if?—”

“No buts,” she interrupts. “We’ll figure this out. We always do. In the meantime, take a chance on this girl. Be careful, sure, but don’t push her away because you’re scared.”

I take a deep breath, letting Cora’s words sink in. “When did you get so wise, Little Sister?”

“Must be all those years of putting up with you three knuckleheads,” she quips. “Now go get your girl, Romeo. And Liam? We’ll face whatever comes together. As a family.”

“Thanks, Cor,” I say. “Love you, you meddling brat.”

“Love you too, you overgrown nerd.”

I stare at the half-finished message to Aleria. I can’t tell her everything. Not yet. But I can take a step forward.

I spring into action, firing off emails, making calls, rearranging schedules—doing everything in my power to ensure that by next week, I will no longer be Aleria’s direct supervisor.

It’s a logistical nightmare, but I relish the challenge. This, at least, is a problem I can solve.

When everything is in place, I pick up my phone again, my heart pounding as I dial Aleria’s number.

“Well, if it isn’t Mr. Valeur. Calling me at such a late hour, hmm? What’s on your mind? Some more early morning meetings?”

“You,” I reply, letting my voice drop. “You’re always on my mind. And our little wager.”

Her laugh is light like she knows where this is headed. “Oh. Feeling nervous? Afraid you’re going to lose? ”

“Actually, I was thinking we might call it off,” I suggest, my grin spreading wider, knowing she won’t make this easy.

“Call it off? Now, why would we do that when I already have my date?” Her voice oozes with teasing confidence. “Jake’s thrilled, by the way.”

My hand grips the edge of the desk. “Jake? That guy? Don’t tell me you’re still talking to him.”

She laughs again, richer this time. “Oh, come on. Don’t tell me you’re jealous.”

I growl. “Jealous isn’t the word. But if I see you walk in with anyone else, I’ll remind you—publicly—that you’re mine.”

There’s a pause, her breathing a little heavier, the tension hanging between us like a taut string.

“Mmm, possessive, aren’t we, Mr. Valeur? Don’t worry, I was just kidding. I ditched Jake after our third date.”

Relief floods me, but the desire roaring beneath the surface doesn’t let up. “Good. Because I don’t share, Aleria. Especially not you.”

“Big words for a man who doesn’t have his date locked in yet,” she teases, pushing me right where she knows I’ll bite.

“Well,” I say, voice dipping, “I’ve made a few changes. As of next week, I won’t be your boss anymore. So what do you say we end this bet, and you be my date for the party?”

“Wait... You’re serious?”

“As serious as I’ve ever been. You’ll have a new supervisor, and I’ll get to walk in with you on my arm for everyone to see. No more hiding, Aleria.”

“So we can just be out in the open?”

“Yes. And I’ll make sure no one looks at you the wrong way—unless they want to deal with me. ”

She hums, slow and sultry, the sound sending heat coursing through my body. “In that case, I guess I’ll have to find something special to wear. Any suggestions, Mr. Valeur?”

I lean back in my chair, my voice dropping low. “Something that’ll make everyone wish they were the one taking it off you later.”

“My, my,” Aleria purrs, her voice a seductive whisper. “Sure you can handle it?”

“Oh, I intend to do more than just handle it,” I promise, my tone dark with desire. “I plan to savor every inch of you.”

Her sharp intake of breath is music to my ears. “Liam. You can’t say things like that when I can’t do anything about it.”

I chuckle, low and promising. “Just giving you something to look forward to, Dr. James.”

“Tease,” she accuses, then clears her throat. “There’s something else I need to tell you. Mia found out about us.”

That jerks me from my teasing. “What? How?”

“She saw my texts,” Aleria admits. “But don’t worry, I made her swear she wouldn’t tell anyone.”

“Well, I suppose that’s one less person we have to surprise at the party. As long as she keeps it under wraps until then.”

“Oh, she will,” Aleria assures me, her voice warm. “She’s actually thrilled about it. Says we’re ‘adorkably hot’ together.”

“Adorkably hot, huh?” I grin. “I can live with that. Especially the hot part.”

Aleria laughs. “I’m curious. If I showed up with someone else—just to tease you—what would you do?”

The possessiveness flares up again, strong and immediate. “ I’d drag you into a dark corner, pin you against the wall, and remind you why you’re mine.”

Her breath hitches, and when she speaks again, her voice is a seductive whisper. “That’s quite a plan, Mr. Valeur. And if I decide to be a very, very bad girl?”

“I wouldn’t just pin you against the wall, Aleria,” I growl into the phone. “I’d bend you over, right there in that dark corner, your body on full display for me. I’d start slow, sliding my hands up your thighs, teasing you with every inch until I could feel how wet you are for me.”

A soft sound escapes her, but she’s silent, letting me continue.

“I’d slip my fingers inside you,” I say, my voice roughening as the image of her writhing under my touch takes hold. “But not all at once. No, I’d take my time, driving you insane as I stretched you, opening you up for me, watching how desperate you’d become.”

Aleria’s breathing is shaky now, her restraint beginning to slip. “And then?”

“And then,” I continue, my voice low and thick, “I’d drop to my knees behind you.

Spread you open with my hands and tease you with my tongue, licking you until you can’t stand it.

I’d suck on that perfect spot, right where you love it, taking my time until you’re trembling, your legs about to give out. ”

Her sharp intake of breath only pushes me further. “You’d beg for more,” I murmur. “And I wouldn’t stop. Not until you were soaking wet, your body shaking from how many times I’ve made you come.”

“And after?” she whispers, her voice breathless with anticipation.

“After, I’d pull you up, turn you around, and slide myself inside you, watching your face the entire time. I’d take you hard and slow, feeling you tighten around me, knowing you’re mine. And I wouldn’t stop until you scream my name for everyone to hear.”

Her laughter is breathless. “Mmm, promises, promises... But you’re going to have to back them up, Liam.”

“Don’t worry,” I growl, voice low. “I’ll make sure you feel every single one of them.”

She hums, her voice dripping with heat. “I look forward to it.”

“Prepare yourself, Dr. James.”

“Oh, I will,” she purrs. “Sweet dreams, Mr. Valeur.”

As I hang up, a grin stretches across my face. I sit back in my chair, exhausted but satisfied with how things are unfolding. The party, going public with Aleria, the end of our professional complications—all within reach.

Ready to call it a night, I close my laptop, and my phone buzzes with a new message. I open it with a grin which dies on my face as I read the text from an unknown number.

Unknown

Hope she’s worth the risk, Valeur. Be a shame if anything happened to her because of your family’s sins.

How the hell does he know?