Page 2 of Logan (The Valeur Billionaires #1)

Even in my fantasies, and God knows I have plenty, none of the men I’ve imagined look as good as this guy.

“Who is he?” I whisper to Emery without taking my eyes off him.

“Seriously, Sloane?”

“I really don’t know.”

“ That is The Dark Lord, the King of Darkness, the Ruler of Anger,” Emery sneers, throwing out a string of epithets.

“That’s Logan Valeur?” my voice emerges louder than intended.

“ Shhh ... You mustn’t say the exact name. Like Voldem?—”

“Yes, yes. Why didn’t you tell me that’s what he looks like?” I feel as though someone just struck me with an iron hammer.

But what did I expect? That Liam would look as good as he does, and his older brother would be unattractive just because he’s not nice?

Although, at first glance, I wouldn’t have guessed they were brothers. Though both possess the attractiveness that can leave a woman weak in the knees and wet in her underwear, they are also very different.

Logan Valeur exudes an aura of toughness, mystery, and distance, perfectly fitting the nickname The Dark Lord. Liam, on the other hand, is approachable and wears a constant smile.

“I only saw him once before,” Emery whispers, “and I tried to disappear from his sight so he wouldn’t decide to fire me. Honestly, I didn’t take notes.”

“He can’t be that awful.” Damn, he’s stunning. Someone who looks like that can’t be all bad.

They just can’t .

“Worse,” she replies. “Believe me, it’s better he doesn’t know you exist.”

He and Liam exchange whispered words before Logan strides into the glass-walled conference room opposite us and slams the door shut. The walls tremble, and an eerie silence descends upon the room where we all watch.

Poor Liam. I wouldn’t want to be on the receiving end of that man’s anger. Emery was right. Logan Valeur is terrifying.

Whatever they’re discussing, Liam raises a hand, cutting off his brother’s words before returning to the main conference room and resuming his spot at the front.

“The winner is…” Liam pauses to drum on the table. “Sloane Harris.”

For a moment, I'm sure I didn’t hear him correctly. Me? Really? Tears of joy and disbelief sting my eyes as the room erupts in applause. I've done it. Finally, something in my life is going right.

Oh my God. I stare with my mouth open. He chose me. It’s me. I’m going to London!

“Told you,” Emery says with a companionable poke in my side.

“Thank you, all,” Liam says, concluding the gathering, then hurrying back to his brother.

I find myself rooted to the spot, unable to move, shocked by the amazing news.

I watch the brothers through the glass wall. They didn’t close the curtains and their argument—because although we can’t hear what they’re saying, it couldn’t be anything but—is visible to all.

Emery and I often discuss Liam, drawing comparisons between him and the men from the romance novels I enjoy reading.

But while Liam resembles a character from one of my steamy romance books, Logan looks like he belongs in the pages of a dark romance—the ones I hesitate to read because they sound too intimidating.

So why, in reality, do I find myself feeling a rush of excitement that leaves my underwear damp?

Logan’s gaze lifts, and our eyes meet for a fleeting moment.

My nipples harden beneath my blouse as Logan's gaze sweep over me, and I cross my arms, mortified by my body's immediate response. What was wrong with me? The man hadn't even spoken a word to me, yet here I am, practically panting like the heroines in my audiobooks. Only this isn’t fiction, and men like Logan Valeur don’t fall for ordinary women like me—they devour them whole and leave nothing behind.

I pull out my phone and do a quick search on the Valeurs.

Logan appears in only a handful of publicity shots—all business-related, his expression stern and unapproachable in each one. But his brother Lucas... now there’s a different story.

My screen fills with photos of him at glamorous parties around the world, that signature Valeur good looks on full display.

Where Logan radiates cold authority, Lucas exudes charm and warmth, his devastating smirk making hearts flutter in every picture.

He’s clearly the social butterfly of the family, comfortable in the spotlight in a way his older brother isn’t.

Tall and fit with a golden tan that hints at plenty of time spent outdoors, with the same striking blue eyes as Logan but softened by an ever-present playful glint.

The tabloids paint him as quite the ladies’ man, and judging by the photos of him surrounded by gorgeous women at various events, they’re not wrong.

And then there’s their sister, Cora—because apparently, the Valeurs won every genetic lottery possible. She’s as striking as her brothers, gracing the society pages with the same ethereal beauty and presence that seems to run in the family.

But even as I admire the siblings, my thoughts drift back to Logan. There’s just something about him... something magnetic and intense. But also hard and a little scary.

“Keep your distance ,” Emery warned. Sounds like good advice to me. I shiver and rush back toward my cubicle.

London won’t know what hit it. I’m ready to conquer the city!

It’s a shame the princes are already taken, but perhaps I’ll encounter some dukes or lords—or whatever their titles may be.

I shake my head, a smile tugging at my lips, and I blow a strand of dark hair away from my face. Yes, a member of the royal family would suit me just fine.

I halt when I reach my cubicle.

There, sitting on my desk is a massive bouquet of red roses. I pluck the card nestled among the blooms, already knowing what it will say.

Sloane, my love.

I was an idiot to ever let you go. You're the best thing that ever happened to me. I'll do anything to win you back. Please, give me a chance to prove how much I've changed. Meet me for dinner tonight?

Yours always, Johnny.

I stare at the card, anger warring with the traitorous ache in my chest.

I crumple the note in my fist, the paper crunching in my grip. In one swift motion, I sweep the roses off my desk and into the trash can.

Does he really think some pretty flowers and empty promises will erase the hurt he caused? Does he think I'm that weak, that desperate, that I'll just fall into his arms like nothing happened?