Page 58 of Logan (The Valeur Billionaires #1)

Chapter Forty-Five

SLOANE

I take a deep breath as Logan knocks on Georgina’s door. Nerves flutter in my stomach, my palms damp with apprehension.

“Remind me why we didn’t meet at some restaurant or something? This way, she has the home-field advantage,” I mutter under my breath, shifting from foot to foot.

“This isn’t a football game, Sloane. And I don’t want anyone to photograph or hear us.”

I snort. “Right. This way, she can just kill us, and no one will ever know,” I quip, only half-joking.

Amusement glints in his eyes. “I know you’re worried about her, but she’s not a murderer.” He reaches out to squeeze my hand, his touch warm and steadying.

“No, just—” I retort, but the words die on my tongue as the door swings open.

Logan’s entire body stiffens as if a black cloud has covered him and he’s back to being The Dark Lord, like in the days before I knew him.

“Hello, Georgina,” he greets the gorgeous woman at the door, who stares at me with clear hostility. Jealousy radiates off her in palpable waves, her eyes narrowing as they rake over me from head to toe.

She’s flawlessly made up, her blonde hair styled in pretty waves around her face, and I run a hand through my hair self-consciously. Why did I want to come here again? I question my sanity, suddenly wishing I was anywhere but here.

She opens the door wide and gestures inside, allowing us to enter. Her palace is no less luxurious than Logan’s, filled with furniture that I assume costs as much as my apartment, everything polished and pristine as if no one lives here.

“You brought her,” she sneers at Logan as he remains close behind me. Venom drips from her words, her eyes flashing with malice.

“Yes.” I turn around to face her. “I’m his girlfriend. Remind me who you are?” I square my shoulders, meeting her gaze head-on. I refuse to be cowed by this woman.

“His girlfriend?” She laughs. “Is that what he told you? Oh, you poor girl. Logan doesn’t care about anyone. He’s selling you stories because you’re putting out, that’s all.”

Logan’s face hardens as he leans forward, and I hurry to grab his arm and stop him. She’s trying to play with me, press on my insecurities. But she’s messing with the wrong woman. Determination surges through me, steel infusing my spine.

“Wait,” I say, effectively stopping Logan and gaining Georgina’s attention.

“So, you didn’t? Are you frigid? Wow, you don’t know what you missed.

I want him to never stop fucking me. Because Logan here fucks so well with his huge cock, it should go into books.

Last time he made me come for five minutes straight until I passed out.

I couldn’t walk right for a week.” I smirk, relishing the shock that slackens her face. Two can play this game, bitch.

A small smile appears on Logan’s face. It’s barely noticeable, but I see it.

Georgina wrinkles her nose, and I refrain from smiling at her stunned expression.

“We need to talk, Georgina,” Logan says.

“But she’s here.”

“Her name isn’t she. This is Sloane, and as she explained to you, Sloane is my partner. Anything you want to say to me, you can say in her presence.”

I flash a wide smile, vindication tasting sweet on my tongue.

“I intend to transfer the money to you. But first, I need to know something. And if you lie, you won’t get a dollar from me.”

Georgina sits on the couch, crossing her legs. “What do you need to know?” She aims for nonchalance, but there’s a flicker of unease in her eyes.

Logan sits across from her, and I take my place next to him. “What’s your connection to John Rambett?” He cuts straight to the chase, his question landing like a grenade.

Her eyes widen, panic flashing across her face before she schools her features into a blank mask.

“Remember what I said,” Logan warns. “I’ll know if you’re lying. Is it worth ten million to you?” he presses, his gaze boring into hers .

Shit. He’s going to pay this woman ten million dollars? Ten fucking million?

I exhale, and they both turn to me. “Uh...sorry, I sat on a nail or something. This couch isn’t comfortable. Maybe you should replace it,” I mumble.

Fucking ten million? The number echoes in my head, taunting me with its obscenity.

“We met by chance,” she begins. “He went to the Valeur-Tech building to visit her.” She almost spits out that last word, still not using my name.

I bite my tongue. When did Johnny come to the office? I remember nothing like that. Confusion furrows my brow as I rack my brain.

“The guard gave him trouble,” she continues, “and he caught my attention. We talked a bit, and I realized there was a company event that I wasn’t invited to.” She raises an eyebrow.

Why would you be invited to the event? You haven’t been together for a year, for fuck’s sake. I clench my fists to keep from screaming at her, digging my nails into my palms.

“We continued talking and went to sit in a cafe across the street. The conversation dragged on. He told me he suspected you and she were fucking.”

I exhale loudly again, and they both look at me once more. “Sorry, it’s that nail again. Ouch.” I grimace, shifting theatrically on the cushion.

Georgina rolls her eyes and continues. “He called me later. He was very upset. Told me you disappeared in the middle of the party together and you came back very...disheveled. He was sure you were fucking behind his back.” She stares at me. “Which turns out to be true. ”

“That’s not true. I would never?—”

Logan places his hand on my arm, and I fall silent.

“How did he get the video of us? Did you film it?” Logan asks, his voice calm, although his jaw is clenched. Tension radiates from him, coiled and ready to snap.

Her eyes widen. “What video? I didn’t know there was a video.”

“Don’t lie to me, Georgina. I warned you.”

“I’m not lying!” She jumps to her feet. “We just talked, and he told me you were fucking. That’s how I knew you were together. That’s all.”

“But you sent the cake,” I say.

She tilts her head. “Okay, yes. It was just a cake. It’s not like I hurt anyone.”

“How did you know Sloane was in my apartment?” Logan asks.

“I just assumed, knowing you’re together.”

“And you didn’t watch the video?”

“No. I swear. I didn’t know about it until right now.” She places a hand on his thigh, and he instantly removes it. “He told me he got his hands on something that would help, but that’s all I know. I never knew what it was.”

I cut in, asking, “What did you think you’d get out of this? That if you separated us, he’d come back to you?”

“Yes, of course.” She waves a hand dismissively as if that would be a given. “John was supposed to make you stay away from Logan, that’s all. We would both benefit from it. It’s not like we killed someone.”

I ball my hands into fists. “You think it’s okay to ruin people’s lives over your whims? Logan doesn’t love you, and you won’t get him back with blackmail and threats,” I seethe, my voice rising with each word until I’m almost shouting.

She snorts. “God, you’re na?ve. I already told you, feelings have nothing to do with it. People with status like ours don’t marry for love. We marry for interests.”

“And what interest does Logan have in marrying you now that you’re poor?” I ask.

Her eyes move from me to Logan, and an icy look appears on her face. “You told her?” Betrayal cuts through her voice, raw and bleeding.

He shrugs. “I don’t hide things from her. I told you.”

I can barely stop myself from grinning.

Logan stands, his posture rigid. “Actually, Georgina, I’ve changed my mind. You’re not getting a cent from me.”

Her face pales, shock etching deep lines around her mouth. “But... but you said?—”

“I said a lot of things,” Logan cuts her off, his voice cold. “But that was before I realized the extent of your manipulations. Before you disrespected Sloane. You don’t deserve my goodwill.”

Georgina’s eyes dart between us, panic rising in her voice. “You can’t do this! I’ll tell everyone about?—”

“About what?” Logan interrupts, a dangerous edge to his tone.

“Go ahead, tell them whatever you want. But remember, if you breathe a word about Sloane or me, I’ll make sure the entire world knows your family is broke.

Every gala, every social event, every business deal—they’ll all know the truth about your fall from grace. ”

I watch as the realization hits her. Georgina seems to shrink before our eyes, her carefully constructed facade crumbling. Her shoulders slump, and for a moment, I glimpse the scared, desperate woman beneath the polished exterior.

“You... you wouldn’t,” she whispers, but there’s no conviction in her voice.

Logan’s expression doesn’t waver. “Try me.”

He moves toward the door, taking my hand in his. I squeeze it gently, silently communicating my support.

“Goodbye, Georgina,” Logan says, not even sparing her a final glance.

As we step out, I chance a look back. Georgina stands frozen in her opulent living room, looking utterly lost and broken.

The sight of her—a once-proud woman now shattered—should fill me with satisfaction.

Instead, I feel a complex mix of emotions.

Relief that it’s over, pity for her desperation, and overwhelming gratitude for the man beside me.

“Do you really believe she didn’t know about the video Johnny sent?” I ask as we head for the exit.

Logan’s expression darkens momentarily. “I’m sorry, Sloane. I should have found out who actually filmed it. I’ve let you down by not?—”

I cut him off, placing a gentle hand on his arm. “Logan, stop. It doesn’t matter anymore.”

He looks at me, surprise clear in his eyes. “Are you sure? After everything that’s happened?—”

“I’m sure,” I say, my voice steady and clear. “You don’t need to feel bad. I don’t care anymore.” I step closer, holding his gaze. “It’s just a video showing my love for you. The man I love.”

Logan’s eyes soften, a mixture of relief and adoration washing over his face. “Sloane, I?—”

I reach up, my fingers tracing the strong line of his jawline, on the slight rasp of stubble.

“I love you, Logan. What we have, what we do together—it’s beautiful.

I’m not ashamed of it.” A wicked grin spreads across my face as I lean in closer, my voice dropping to a sultry whisper.

“And besides, the worst that can happen is the world knowing you have a huge cock.”

Logan’s eyebrows shoot up, amusement dancing in his eyes. “Oh? So you think I’m huge?”

I pretend to ponder, tapping my chin. “Hmm, I don’t know. It’s been like a day since I checked. I might need to make sure.”

A slow, predatory smile spreads across Logan’s face. His hand finds the small of my back, pulling me flush against him. “Well, you can do a thorough inspection on the way. On the plane.”

My heart skips a beat, excitement bubbling up inside me. “Plane? On the way where?”

Logan’s eyes sparkle. “Our vacation. I think we both need one.” He leans in, his lips brushing my ear as he murmurs, “And I’ve always wanted to join the mile high club.”

A shiver of desire runs down my spine. I pull back just enough to meet his gaze. “Well, Mr. Ambitious,” I purr, running a finger down his chest, “I think that can be arranged.”

The car is waiting at the curb, and Logan holds the door open for me. As I slide in, his phone buzzes. He freezes mid-motion, staring at the screen.

“What is it?” I ask, sensing the shift in his energy.

He hands me the phone. The message is short, chilling :

“I’m just beginning Valeur.—The Silent Witness.”

Join Lucas Valeur in a steamy enemies-to-lovers, marriage of convenience tale.