Page 1 of Lucas (The Valeur Billionaires #2)

Chapter One

LUCAS

“ A n orgy, Lucas? Have you completely lost your mind? And there’s a photo, too!” Dad raises his head from the newspaper and straightens in his leather armchair. He waves the paper at me, the pages crinkling.

“It wasn’t an orgy, Dad. They’re exaggerating. And it happened in Hong Kong. No one cares what goes on there.” I stand from the plush couch and take the newspaper from his grip to glance at it.

There’s a picture of me at some exclusive sky bar, arms wrapped around the slim waists of two stunning international models, one a blonde and the other a brunette.

We’re all impeccably dressed, me in a ten-thousand-dollar custom-tailored Brioni tuxedo, them in haute couture cocktail dresses dripping with crystals.

I fail to see the issue here. No one is naked.

I toss the newspaper onto the coffee table. The high-profile construction project in Hong Kong definitely took some...fascinating turns over those few nights I spent there. But there was no orgy, despite what the tabloids claim. What an exaggeration.

Shaking my head, I walk over to the expansive picture window overlooking the backyard, watching as our pool boy rakes errant leaves from the shimmering turquoise water with a long telescoping pole, his effort creating mesmerizing ripples across the surface.

Behind me, my sister Cora lets out an amused laugh while flipping through the latest issue of Vogue Paris. I turn and shoot her an irritated glare, but she appears unfazed, not even glancing up from the glossy pages.

Dad grumbles. “You may think that way, but the board definitely cares. They have ears everywhere, and they certainly don’t enjoy seeing these kinds of articles about you.

I’ve already heard rumblings that some don’t think you’re fit to run the real estate division anymore. There’s talk of replacing you.”

I scowl and cross my arms. “I don’t give a damn what they think.”

“Maybe you don’t, but I do,” Dad says, his brow furrowed.

I turn and fix my gaze on him, trying to keep my growing anger in check. I hate this old-school work ethic.

“The company’s profits are the highest they’ve ever been under my leadership, and I’m not going anywhere. They have no legitimate reason to oust me.”

“No, but I need to stand in front of the board and justify why you’re the best person to replace me as CEO once I retire.

And I can’t very well do that when you keep appearing in the newspapers in such an unflattering light,” Dad says, punctuating his words by rapping his knuckles against the armrest.

I freeze, certain I must have misheard. “Replace you?”

“Yes. I’ve been contemplating it for a while now. I’m not getting any younger, and with your mother gone, it’s time. Time for me to step back from the company and time for you to step up. You’re the most qualified to take over, to ensure Valeur remains in the family’s hands.”

I sink back down onto the couch, my head spinning. Funny how I wasn’t even on the shortlist back when Logan was being groomed for this. But now that he’s fucked off to play Silicon Valley startup founder, suddenly I’m the man for the job? Typical.

Speaking of my dear brother... “Where is Logan? Does he know about your succession plans?”

“Logan’s in London again with Sloane. What the hell they have to do over there all the time is beyond me,” Dad says with a shake of his head.

“He hasn’t even launched his startup yet, and they’re already constantly traveling for it.

He needs to focus on building the business here at home first before expanding overseas. ”

“They have important business contacts in London, Dad,” Cora says. Then she leans over to me and adds in a conspiratorial whisper, “Also, personal reasons. They first met there, and I’m sure they enjoy reliving old memories. It’s so romantic. I heard the London Eye is amazing for dates.” She winks.

Yuck. I hope to God she’s not implying what I think she is. And the London Eye? Really? What the hell is Logan thinking, behaving like a smitten honeymooner when he has a new company to start?

“Anyway,” Dad says, “Logan made his choice when he retired and went to start his own company rather than work his way up here. He doesn’t want the responsibility of running Valeur Enterprises.

” Dad fixes his stern gaze on Cora, who just rolls her eyes.

“And your brother Liam was only just appointed to take over Valeur Tech in Logan’s place.

He needs time to gain more experience—he’s still too green. ”

“And since Cora has made it clear she’s not interested in the position either, that leaves me as the last man standing,” I say, not bothering to hide my bitterness. “How nice to know I’m the last resort. Really makes me feel valued.”

Cora gets up from her chair, magazine falling forgotten to the floor. “I think this occasion calls for some tea. I know I need it if we’re going to keep discussing the future of the company.”

“Great idea. I’ll come help you.” I rise to my feet, eager to escape this uncomfortable conversation.

“Sit back down, Lucas. We’re not finished here,” Dad commands, pointing a stiff finger at the couch.

With a groan, I collapse back onto the cushions in resignation. So much for that plan.

“You’re an excellent executive, Lucas, but you’re behaving irresponsibly.

And now that your sister is out of the room, I can speak frankly.

It would help if you at least appeared to be more serious about the role.

You only think with your dick. That might have flown when you were younger, but you’re nearly thirty-four.

You’re not a kid anymore, yet you still act like one. ”

I scoff. “You say that like it’s a bad thing.” I’m a way better fuck now than I was at twenty. No one’s complaining.

“Lucas, you know I don’t usually interfere in my children’s personal lives?—”

“Yeah, right,” I mutter under my breath.

“What was that?” He pauses his monologue and cocks his head.

“You think Cora would agree that you don’t meddle in our lives?” I challenge, arching an eyebrow.

“That’s different.”

“Why?”

“Because she’s a woman. Like it or not, if she behaved like you do, the consequences would be far greater for her.”

I shake my head in disgust. “I don’t even know if I should call that hypocrisy or misogyny.”

Dad sighs. “I know you don’t see it this way right now, but more than anything, I want you kids to each find your own path in life. Even more than my dream of you carrying on the Valeur empire. But you want this CEO position, don’t you?”

I nod, not sure I like where this is going.

“Then you need to clean up your act. Show that you understand the gravity of running an enterprise like this. That means no more appearing in vulgar scandals.” He picks up the newspaper again and shakes it for emphasis. “These types of articles and behavior have to stop. Immediately.”

“What does it matter to the board who I spend my free time with? It doesn’t impact my work.”

“It matters because this kind of conduct makes you look unserious. Untrustworthy. Like a man who thinks with the wrong head. No investor will want to put their money behind a company run by a notorious skirt-chaser. ”

I snort. “So what exactly are you suggesting I do? Cut women out of my life and work non-stop?”

Dad looks me dead in the eye. “I’m saying it’s time you got married, Son. For once in your life, think of something bigger than getting your dick wet.”

I spring up from the couch, seeing red. “Not a chance in hell. I’m not getting married.”

The mere thought of being shackled to one woman for life makes my skin crawl. Even Dad, who married for love, ended up miserable. And cheating isn’t an option either.

“You have until the end of the year to get married,” he declares.

“Are you seriously giving me an ultimatum right now?” Fury burns through my veins. Where does he get off, lecturing me about marriage after what happened to Mom? This has to be some kind of sick joke.

I open my mouth to tell him exactly where he can stick his ridiculous demand, but the chime of the doorbell cuts me off.

“Who the hell could that be?” I narrow my eyes. Now of all times, in the middle of the most important conversation of my life?

Cora returns from the kitchen at a near run and sets a tray of tea on the table. “I invited Arlo over. I’m going to let him in.”

“Let Anika get the door,” Dad suggests.

Cora tilts her head and stands with a hand on her hip. “Really, Dad. I can answer the door myself. Besides, he’s my boyfriend, and I’m not about to send the housekeeper to greet him.”

Wait. My little sister has a boyfriend now? One she’s been seeing long enough to bring home to meet the family? How the hell did I miss that development?

I sit up straighter, ready to check this guy out.

A few moments later, Cora returns, giggling and clutching a bouquet of red roses in one hand, her other wrapped around the arm of a tall and lean man with close-cropped dark hair. He smiles at us and nods hello.

“Lucas, Dad, this is Arlo Stein, my boyfriend.”

I stand and extend my hand. “Lucas. Nice to meet you.”

Alro’s palm feels cold and clammy as he shakes mine, his eyes darting around the room, taking it all in. I suppose it’s a bit of a shock coming to the Valeur estate for the first time. I can see why Cora didn’t want to have Anika answer the door—this situation is already nerve-wracking enough.

Arlo’s gaze lands on Dad, and I see a muscle tic in his jaw. The sap is practically quaking in his boots.

I suppress a smirk.

When Liam was in high school, he brought a girl over here once.

I think it was the only time because when Dad mentioned that the zipper of her jeans was open, the poor thing nearly choked, ran off to the bathroom, and barricaded herself inside.

It took Liam hours to coax her out, and I don’t think they ever saw each other again after that fiasco.

I hope Cora didn’t tell Arlo that story. If she did, he might just puke from sheer nerves.

Dad stands and holds out his hand as well. “Peter. Pleasure.”

Arlo takes a step forward to shake it, but his foot catches on the edge of the coffee table. He stumbles, knocking over the cup of tea Cora just brought in. The hot liquid sloshes across the table .

I glance down to hide my amusement. There’s a significant chance we may witness another hasty exit here.

“Oh God, I’m so sorry.” Arlo grabs a napkin and tries to blot up the spreading stain.

“Anika!” Dad calls out.

Our housekeeper appears in seconds, her eyes widening as she takes in the mess. “I’ll clean that right up, Mr. Valeur.”

Cora tugs Arlo back upright. “It’s okay, don’t worry about it. Let’s just sit.”

As they settle onto the sofa together, I seize the opportunity to make my escape while Dad’s distracted by this new interruption.

“I need to run,” I announce, pushing to my feet. “It was nice meeting you, Arlo. Sorry, but I can’t stick around.”

“No worries,” Arlo replies with a tight smile. “I’m sure we’ll be seeing plenty of each other.”

I nod and beat a hasty retreat before Dad remembers he was in the middle of giving me a marriage ultimatum from hell.

I’m not built for monogamy, and I’m certainly not husband material. The sooner Dad accepts that, the better.