Page 110 of Lucas

My eyes narrow as they land on Michael Gant, standing in front of her desk with a sneer twisting his face.

“Mr. Valeur.” He says my name like it’s something foul, his lip curling. “I don’t recall you being invited to this party.”

“I don’t need an invitation,” I growl, stalking further into the room until I’m standing beside Ava. I place my hand on the small of her back, feeling the way she trembles at my touch.

“Right. That’s your thing, isn’t it? Taking what you want when you want it, destroying everything in your path.” Michael Gant spits the words like venom, his face mottled with anger.

What utter bullshit. He knows damn well who’s the bully here, and it sure as hell isn’t me.

“You’re not welcome here,” I say, my voice low and controlled, though it takes every ounce of my willpower not to let my rage bleed through.

“And you’re not welcome in my company.” He takes a menacing step forward, his fists clenching and unclenching at his sides.

If it were anyone else, I’d already have him on the floor,gasping for breath. But this is Ava’s father, and I force myself to hold back, even as every muscle in my body screams to put him in his place.

“I’m sorry to inform you, buddy, but this company is no longer just yours. You invited me in when you agreed to the contract.”

Michael’s face contorts, turning an alarming shade of crimson. “I’ve worked my whole life for this company, and I’ll be damned if I let it crumble and fall now in my twilight years. It’s still mine, and whatever the hell you’re trying to do here won’t work.”

“I suggest you leave my offices. Now.” I let a hint of steel enter my warning tone.

“Yeah? What do you intend to do? Resort to physical violence?” He lets out a mocking laugh. “I'd be most intrigued to witness such an attempt. Assaulting an elderly gentleman—how splendidly that would play out in court.” He cuts his gaze to Ava, then back to me, a cruel smile playing about his thin lips. “I won’t go down without a fight. I made a mistake letting her run my company. I’m taking it back.”

“Thanks for the heads up, but you’ll find out soon enough that you have no way to do that. You’re welcome to try, of course. I have no problem whatsoever sending my lawyers to deal with you. I won’t even feel their fees, but you... Do you think you can afford millions in legal fees over the next few years?” I give him a smile that’s all teeth, no warmth. The muscles in my jaw ache from how hard I’m clenching it, holding myself in check.

Michael’s eyes flash with impotent rage. He rounds on Ava, jabbing a finger at her. “I see you’ve chosen a side. Sided with the enemy. I’m the one who raised you, for fuck’ssake!” He spits the words, and Ava flinches back as if he’d struck her. “You’re right. We don’t have a family. You are no daughter of mine. It defies belief that I could have sired such an utterly worthless child.”

Ava lowers her eyes, her shoulders hunching inward. Her hands tremble at her sides, and even a blind man could see how much his words wound her, each one a dagger to her tender heart. My chest aches in sympathy, in shared pain.

A growl builds in my throat, and Michael’s attention snaps back to me.

“You. Will. Not. Speak. To. My. Wife. That. Way.” I bite out each word, brooking no argument. “You will not speak to her at all. The next time you do, I will kill you with my bare hands, and I won’t give a damn about the family connection. Do you hear me?” I close the remaining distance between us until we’re nose to nose, using my superior height to loom over him. Fear sparks in his eyes before he shutters his expression.

Good.

“Stay away from my wife. You don’t come near her again without clearing it with me first.” My hands itch to wrap around his throat and squeeze until he turns purple.

Michael opens his mouth as if to argue, but something in my face must convince him of the utter stupidity of that course of action. He snaps his jaw shut with an audible click.

“Now get the hell out of my office, and don’t show your face here again.”

For a tense moment, I think he might refuse. Then he spins on his heel and storms out, slamming the door behind him with such force the walls rattle.

As soon as he’s gone, I turn to Ava. To my wife.

My wife.

This is the first time I’ve said it and meant it. The first time I’ve let myself feel the full weight and wonder of it.

She’s not just an arrangement, a business deal. She’s a living, breathing person. A person I love so damn much it frightens me.

Fucking love. Real, messy, complicated, glorious love.

She doesn’t love me back. I know that. But it’s okay. I don’t expect her to stop hating me overnight, to forget the years of animosity between our families. I’ll spend the next two years, the rest of my life if she’ll let me, showing her I’ve changed. That I can be the man she needs, the husband she deserves.

I’ll support her, cherish her, in every way I know how. And I won’t push for more than she’s willing to give. She needs to know that’s not why I want her, not the reason I chose her. I’ll do whatever it takes to convince her to stay.

She’s shaking now, fine tremors running through her body. I close the remaining distance between us and open my arms in silent invitation then wait. After a moment’s hesitation, she steps into my embrace, letting me enfold her in the circle of my arms.