Page 39 of Liam (The Valeur Billionaires #4)

Chapter Twenty-Five

ALERIA

I pull open the door to Mary’s Cafe, my words from yesterday still burning in my throat. The way I’d snapped at Liam, accused him of not being truthful. His face had gone so still, but I’d been too angry to care.

“Double espresso,” I mutter. “Then back to pretending I’m fine.”

“Dr. James?”

I freeze at the voice. Mr. Johnson, my landlord, is tucked into a corner booth, coffee cup halfway to his mouth.

“Oh. Hi.” I manage a nod, though all I want is to grab my coffee and hide in my lab. “Thank you, by the way. For the rent reduction. It really helped with everything.”

He stares at me, his coffee cup frozen halfway to his mouth. “Thank me? I didn’t have much choice in the matter, not with that Valeur fellow breathing down my neck about it.”

The world tilts sideways .

“What?”

“Oh.” His face falls. “Shit. I wasn’t supposed to mention that part.”

My heart pounds. “Which Valeur?”

“Tall fellow, expensive suit. First time I’ve ever had a CEO in my office.

” Mr. Johnson chuckles nervously. “Came by months ago. Said he’d buy the whole building if I didn’t agree to reduce your rent.

Offered to pay the difference himself, but was very clear you weren’t to know about his involvement. ”

Months ago. Back when I still acted like he was the enemy—when I could barely stay civil in meetings.

“Very determined young man. Wouldn’t take no for an answer.”

My accusations echo in my head: "Some of us don’t have trust funds to fall back on. You wouldn’t understand."

But he did understand. He’d been quietly helping all along, making sure I could support my family without ever letting his pride get in the way of mine.

“The thing is,” Mr. Johnson adds, his voice softening, “when I suggested telling you about this, he was determined. Said you’d never accept help if you knew it came from him. Seemed to know you pretty well.”

Oh, Liam.

“Thank you,” I whisper, my voice thick. “For telling me.”

I stumble out without my coffee, the morning sun blurring through my tears. All those times I accused him of being privileged, out of touch, unable to understand actual struggles...and he was quietly carrying my burdens, expecting nothing in return. Not even acknowledgment.

Yesterday’s anger crumbles, replaced by a different ache. All that time… All that time, Liam was making sure I was okay even when I treated him like the enemy. That’s not the action of someone who’s above it all.

That’s friendship.

And I just threw it in his face.

My phone feels heavy in my hand as I stare at his name on the screen. How do you apologize for judging someone so wrongly? For assuming the worst when they were silently doing their best?

I need to tell him I see him now. Really see him.

For everything he is.

I yank at the hem of my dress again, like it’s somehow shrinking with each step closer to the nightclub.

Neon lights smear the night, or maybe that’s just my nerves twisting everything.

Then I spot them—Ava, Cora, and Sloane—lined up like they’ve just sashayed off a magazine cover and ended up here.

“Deep breaths,” I whisper, forcing my shoulders back. “It’s only a casual night with your boyfriend’s ridiculously stunning, successful family. Totally normal. No pressure whatsoever.”

Ava sees me first. Her lips, a perfect shade of ruby red, twist into a smile. “Well, if it isn’t the brave woman who’s tamed our dear Liam,” she calls out. “Come on, darling, we don’t bite...much.”

Cora, the youngest of the Valeur siblings, all Amazonian blonde power, flashes a grin sharp enough to qualify as a weapon. “Speak for yourself, Ava. I haven’t had my evening snack yet.”

I laugh, the sound coming out more like a hiccup. “Hi, I’m Aleria. But you knew that. Because Liam told you. Or maybe you didn’t. I don’t want to assume... I’m rambling, aren’t I? I’ll stop now.”

Sloane gives me a sympathetic smile. “Don’t worry, I tend to ramble myself. We’re used to socially awkward geniuses.”

“I’m just so nervous,” I admit, fidgeting with a loose string in my dress.

“I changed outfits seven times before coming here and don’t even know if it’s on right.

I once gave an entire lecture on quantum entanglement with my shirt on inside out.

Nobody said a word. I’m still not sure if they were being polite or if they thought it was some sort of new fashion. ”

Ava steps in, placing a reassuring hand on my arm. “You look lovely, Aleria. And more importantly, you’re here. That’s what matters.”

Sloane nods. “We’re just glad you came. It’s not about what you’re wearing, it’s about getting to know you.”

Cora grins, her eyes warm and welcoming. “And any woman who can keep up with Liam’s big brain is already part of the family in our book.”

Ava loops her arm through mine, steering me toward the entrance. “Come on, ladies. Let’s show Aleria how the Valeur women do a night out.”

The line stretches around the block, but Ava marches straight to the door. The bouncer unclips the velvet rope without a word, and we breeze past the waiting crowd. “Is this what it feels like to be a Valeur?” I whisper to Sloane. “People just move out of your way?”

She grins, a mischievous glint in her eye. “Oh, honey. You have seen nothing yet.”

The club interior is a sensory overload of pulsing lights and thrumming bass. Cora leads us to a VIP booth, ordering a round of cocktails that sound more like chemical compounds than drinks.

“I’ll have a Threesome,” I say when it’s my turn, earning a surprised look from the bartender and an approving nod from Ava.

Cora snorts. “Bold choice for your first drink of the night.”

Ava smirks. “They say if you have one Threesome, you’ll want another.”

My face heats. “Oh no! I mean, it’s just the drink. I’ve never had a…you know,” I say, all eyes on me. “Like, ever.”

Sloane gives me a teasing grin. “It’s okay, Aleria. No judgment here.”

“No, really.” My cheeks burn even hotter. “I’ve never had a threesome. I’m not… It’s just the drink.”

Cora giggles, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “Relax, sweetheart. No need to explain yourself. We believe you. Mostly.”

Ava pats my arm, laughing. “Welcome to the Valeur girls’ night. Where we make every innocent comment sound scandalous.”

As we sip our drinks, the conversation flows. I struggle to keep up with their rapid-fire wit and inside jokes, feeling like I’m trying to solve a differential equation while riding a rollercoaster .

“So, Aleria,” Ava purrs, leaning in with a mischievous glint in her eye. “What’s it like with our dear Liam? Does he argue legal briefs in his sleep?”

I take a sip of my drink to hide my smirk. “Oh, it’s a real courtroom drama every night. Lots of ‘overruled’ and ‘sustained.’”

Cora clamps her hands over her ears. “La la la! I can’t hear you! That’s my brother you’re talking about!”

Ava arches an eyebrow, ignoring Cora’s protests. “And how does the defendant plead?”

“Guilty,” I say with a wink. “Of being good with his hands.”

Sloane leans in. “Do tell. Any surprising evidence presented?”

Cora groans. “Oh God, please stop. I’m begging you.”

I bite my lip, thinking of our last encounter. “Let’s just say his oral arguments are very...persuasive.”

“I’m going to be sick,” Cora moans, but there’s a hint of amusement in her eyes despite her disgust.

Ava and Sloane burst into appreciative laughter and low whistles.

Sloane raises her glass in a toast. “To Liam, may his ‘legal prowess’ never be found in contempt.”

“To brain bleach,” Cora mutters but clinks her glass with ours anyway.

The women burst into laughter, and a warmth spreads through me that has nothing to do with the alcohol. Maybe this won’t be so bad after all.

As our laughter dies down, I notice Ava’s expression shift, her eyes taking on a more serious glint. She glances around, then leans in closer. “Aleria, while we’ve got a moment, can we talk about Liam?”

My smile fades, and my shoulders tense. “What about him?” I ask, trying to keep my voice neutral.

Ava stirs her drink, glancing around before her gaze lands back on me. “Liam’s protective, sometimes to a fault. But don’t let that push you away.”

“Protective?” I scoff. “More like secretive. And pushing me away seems to be his default strategy. He wouldn’t tell me anything of importance.”

Ava’s about to respond when Sloane glides up, a wicked sparkle in her eye. “Ladies, we’ve got company. Three o’clock, trying way too hard to blend in.”

I follow her gaze and spot them—Liam, his brothers, Lucas and Logan, and, as Cora identifies for my benefit, her boyfriend, Ryder—clumped together near the bar, doing a terrible job of staying inconspicuous.

Liam’s got a baseball cap pulled low like a disguise, and Ryder’s arms are crossed, radiating tension as his eyes stay glued to Cora.

It’s clear they’re spying on us, but it’s even clearer they don’t realize we’ve noticed.

Cora’s eyes light up. “Ladies, I propose a little wager. Let’s see who can make their man the most jealous. Loser buys brunch tomorrow.”

“You’re on,” Ava grins while Sloane nods.

I freeze. “Wait. What? I’m not?—”

Cora cuts in with a teasing nudge. “Come on, Aleria. Mess with him a little.”

Something in her tone makes me pause, a challenge I can’t resist. “Game on.”

“Oh, this is going to be fun,” Cora purrs, the mischief already in full swing. “Let’s make them work for it, shall we?”

Sloane smirks. “Let’s give the boys a little something to stew over.”

Cora slides off her stool, her hips swaying as she makes her way to the dance floor.

With slow, deliberate movements, she positions herself just far enough from the boys not to raise their suspicions that we’ve seen them yet well within Ryder’s line of sight.

A random guy catches her eye, and she sidles up to him, leaning in close.