Page 34 of Lucas (The Valeur Billionaires #2)

Chapter Twenty-Two

AVA

I rest my forehead on the cool surface of the desk, trying to soothe the burning in my temples.

As much as I hate to admit it, Lucas is right. Gant Construction is hemorrhaging money at an alarming rate, and there’s no way to balance the equation without layoffs.

Even if he covers our debts now, in another year, we’ll be right back in the same spot.

How did you let things get this bad, Father?

I’ve been poring over the numbers for days and I just can’t see a way out. When I tried to ask Father about it, he lashed out at me, accusing me of joining the enemy camp.

I flip through the pages again, searching for anything, any data point that could save someone’s job. I just can’t agree to Lucas’s ruthless downsizing plan.

Hold on.

Turning back a few pages, my gaze lands on the large warehouses we own on the outskirts of the city. They’re valued at tens of millions and sit almost empty. They cost us money. A lot of money. If I sell them off, that could give us some much-needed breathing room.

Granted, it still involves layoffs, but we’re talking single-digit job losses and short-term employees. We have a few other underutilized properties I could lease out too, to reduce the costs. At least until we land a new project. I can also trim some fat from various department budgets.

It’s not ideal, but it’s the lesser evil.

Massaging my throbbing temples, I run the numbers again. This could work.

It will work.

I can’t believe I found a solution.

Typing up all the data, I triple-check my work before hitting print. Snatching up the pages, I bolt for the stairs, taking them two at a time up to the executive floor.

Bursting into Lucas’s office, I wave the folder. “I did it!”

My voice cuts off, and my eyes widen as I take in the room full of suited men gathered around the table. Lucas’s secretary jumps up from her typing and hurries over to me.

“Mrs. Valeur, you don’t have an appointment right now,” she whispers, glancing around.

“Oh, sorry. Please continue.” I take a step back, cheeks flaming. Damn, I should have checked he was alone first. I just assumed.

“Wait,” Lucas’s deep voice rings out. “Gentlemen, my wife needs my attention, so we’ll have to resume this meeting another time.”

The execs all stand to gather their things, grumbling under their breaths .

“No, really, it’s not urgent,” I stammer, but they’re already filing past me out the door as I press myself against the wall.

“I’m so sorry, Mr. Valeur,” his secretary says once we’re alone. “I had no idea she would barge in here unscheduled like that.”

My spine stiffens. Barge in? I’m his wife, not some floozy off the street.

Lucas shoots me an unreadable look before addressing her. “My wife doesn’t need an appointment. If she wants to see me, she has an open invitation at any time.”

“Yes, sir.” Gathering up her laptop, she gives me one last disapproving stare before stepping out and shutting the door.

“Ava.” Lucas takes a step closer, his voice low.

The air seems to vanish from the room, along with my ability to form words.

“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have interrupted like that. It’s not urgent.” I press my back against the wall, needing support.

“Like I told my secretary, you’re always welcome if you need me.” He takes another step, invading my space until mere inches separate us.

“Why?” The word escapes unbidden.

He cocks his head. “What do you mean?”

“Why would you say I’m welcome anytime? You hate me.” My chest rises and falls. Hates me or not, my body sure hasn’t gotten the memo. I suck in a deep breath, inhaling his dizzying scent.

“I don’t hate you, Ava.” He shakes his head, eyes burning into mine. “Believe me, my life would be a lot simpler if I did, but I don’t.” He presses his forehead against the wall by my temple .

“Are you okay?” I whisper when he makes no move to pull back. “Did something happen?”

He draws in a deep breath, pushes off the wall and takes a step back. “No, everything’s fine.”

His body language screams the opposite, but I don’t want to push.

“So, what did you need to see me about?” He strides back to his desk and takes a seat, once again, all business.

Vulnerable Lucas has vanished, replaced by Lucas the unflappable CEO.

“I have a proposal.”

Interest flickers in his steely eyes.

“Not that kind of proposal.” I roll my eyes, but there’s no real annoyance behind it. When did that happen? When did I start to like these exchanges between us?

“I have an alternative proposal to your slash-and-burn budget cuts.” I set the folder on his desk and flip it open.

Lucas skims the pages, flipping through my meticulous notes and charts. I stand in tense silence, nails digging into my thighs as I await his verdict. Please don’t shoot this down.

After what feels like an eternity, he looks up, pinning me with his penetrating stare. “You want to liquidate company assets to fund payroll?”

I nod. “Yes.”

“Why?” He leans back, steepling his fingers.

“Because I refuse to put loyal, long-term employees out on the street. They have families, and they’ve given years to this company. I can’t just toss them aside like trash. I’m confident that once I streamline operations, we can bring in new contracts and revenue streams to?—”

“You care.” Lucas cuts me off, something like wonder coloring his tone. “About the people who work for you.”

“Of course I do.” My brow furrows. “They’re not just numbers on a spreadsheet to me.”

He regards me for a long, charged moment. “I don’t like approving the sale of hard assets to cover ongoing expenses. It sets a dangerous precedent.”

My heart sinks to my toes. He’s going to veto it. That was my only option.

“But…” he starts, holding up a hand, “in this case, I’m willing to make an exception because I can see how much this means to you, and I believe in what you’re trying to do here.”

My mouth drops open. “You’re saying yes? You’ll approve the restructuring plan?”

“I am.” The corners of his mouth curl up. “Don’t make me regret it.”

Before I can overthink it, I dart around the desk and throw my arms around his neck, pulling him into a fierce hug. “Thank you,” I murmur, breathing into the warm hollow of his throat. “You have no idea how much this means to me.”

For a moment, he stiffens, but then his arms come up to encircle my back, tugging me against his muscular chest. I melt into the embrace, into him, the tension of the last few weeks releasing its chokehold on my body.

He feels so good pressed against me, all leashed strength and solid warmth. In this stolen moment, I let myself admit how desperately I’ve been craving simple human contact. The comfort of being held and reassured that everything will be okay. Of having someone see me, truly see me, and care.

As if sensing my neediness, Lucas buries his nose in my hair and just holds me, his big palm rubbing soothing circles on my back. For a few blissful moments, I let the rest of the world fade away.

Slowly, I disentangle myself from his embrace, taking an awkward step back. Heat crawls up my neck as I reach up to smooth my hair.

“Don’t.” His gruff voice halts my fidgeting.

“Don’t what?” I peek up at him.

“Don’t start overthinking it and beating yourself up. I can see your wheels turning. You’re always welcome to come to me for a hug, no matter what.” He rubs a hand over his stubbled jaw. “Hell, I think I needed that as much as you did.”

There’s that troubled look again, the one I spotted earlier. This time, I refuse to let it slide.

“Are you going to tell me what’s bothering you? We are married, you know. You can talk to me.”

For a few beats, I think he’s going to brush me off again, but then he pushes to his feet with a heavy sigh. He strides over to a locked cabinet in the corner, pulls out an envelope, and tosses it on the desk in front of me.

“This came for me today.”

I pick up the crisp ivory envelope, noting the lack of postage or return address. The expensive cardstock inside has two words typed in the center in a generic font.

Your turn.

An icy chill slithers down my spine. What the hell?

“Is this related to the vandalism on your car?” I slide the card back into the unmarked envelope, uneasy tingles prickling my skin. “Lucas, this is a threat. We need to take this to the police.”

“Not yet.” He drags a hand through his dark hair, mussing it. “I want to do some poking around on my own first, see if I can find out who has an axe to grind with me. I have a private investigator arriving to discuss it.”

“What about the security camera footage from the office parking lot?”

“Dead end. The perp wore a mask and nondescript clothing. No distinguishing features to go on.”

A troubling thought occurs to me. “You don’t think it was someone who works here, do you? A disgruntled Valeur employee?” I keep my voice low, mindful of all the ears in the building.

“God, I hope not. I haven’t hired anyone new in ages. Everyone here has been with me for years.” His lips thin. “Well, except for you. You’re the only fresh face that’s had unfettered access to the executive suites.”

I shoot him an incredulous glare. “Seriously? You think I’m sending you creepy threats now? Vandalizing your precious car?”

“Keying my car? Yes. But I think I’d be more likely to find a crude doodle of a cock than vague intimidation attempts if you were the culprit.” His mouth twitches, eyes glinting.

“Excuse you! I’ll have you know I’m an artist. My revenge phallus renderings are anything but crude.” I sniff, tilting my nose in the air.

Lucas barks out a startled laugh, some of the edgy tension leaching out of his broad frame.

Pleased with myself for lightening the heavy mood, I risk a step closer and place my hand on his forearm, giving it a gentle squeeze. “In all seriousness, if I had an issue with you, I’d tell you to your face. No anonymous coward notes.”

“I know.” He reaches up to cup my cheek in his warm palm. My breath hitches as his thumb skates over my bottom lip. “Because you, Ava Valeur, are the bravest person I know.”

I blink up at him, a lump lodging in my throat at the raw sincerity in his voice. “Hardly. I’m a mess ninety percent of the time.”

His thumb drags over my lip again, and I shiver. “Where it counts, you’re the most courageous, genuine woman I’ve ever met.”

Before I can plan a response, a brisk knock startles us apart. Lucas’s hot palm falls away from my cheek as he takes a measured step back.

“That’ll be the P.I. I should...”

“Of course,” I say, smoothing my blouse and ignoring the way my skin still tingles from his touch. “I have budget revisions to implement anyway.”

The mask of the unflappable entrepreneur slides back over his features as he strides to his office door, once again all cool professionalism. But as he pulls it open to greet the newcomer, he tosses a heated glance at me over his shoulder.

“Thank you, Ava. For the talk.”

My answering smile feels too wide, too bright. “That’s what partners are for, right? To support each other.”

If I place undue emphasis on the word partners, well, that’s between me and my galloping heart.

“Right.” His blue eyes burn into me a moment longer before he turns to direct the detective into his office. “Partners.”

As the door clicks shut behind me, I press a shaky hand to my flushed cheek and sag against the wall.

Holy hell.

What are we doing here?