Page 53 of Lucas (The Valeur Billionaires #2)

Chapter Thirty-Six

LUCAS

“ B e careful. You’re not fully recovered,” Cora scolds me as I step outside to the pool area, my arm nestled in its sling. The sun beats down, warm on my skin. “You’re not even supposed to be up and about.”

“I’m also not supposed to lie in bed going crazy for weeks,” I retort, lowering myself onto the lounger beside her.

The soft cushion feels heavenly against my battered body.

I lean back, mindful of my still-healing ribs, and close my eyes against the blinding glare.

“You don’t have to be here, you know? You can go hang out with your boy toy instead of babysitting me.

” I wave my good hand, shooing her away.

“I’m on Lucas-watch today,” she says, adjusting her sunglasses.

“I’m not a baby. I don’t need constant supervision. Plus, Hugo is here too. It’s not like I’m going to fall and break another rib while reaching for the remote. ”

My siblings have been taking turns watching over me like hawks since I was discharged from the hospital a week ago.

Sure, I’m still moving slower than a ninety-year-old turtle, and I’m down an arm, but it’s not like I’m going to let them wash my dick in the shower or wipe my ass.

Their constant hovering is unnecessary and more than a little annoying.

However, I suspect their vigilance has less to do with my injuries and more to do with a certain green-eyed brunette.

Cora shoots me a knowing look, confirming my suspicions. “Has Ava answered you yet?”

Just as I thought. They’re worried I’ll fall apart because of Ava, not the accident. Well, they’re not far off the mark. I am falling apart.

“No,” I admit, the single syllable heavy.

“I’m sorry.” She reaches over to pat my good hand, sympathy softening her features. “Just give her the time she asked for.”

“If I give her time to think, she might come to the wrong conclusion.” I blink against the sting of tears, the ever-present ache in my chest sharpening.

“Mr. Valeur?” Hugo appears beside me, an apologetic expression on his face.

“Yes, Hugo?” I ask, dragging my attention away from the black hole of misery that is my love life.

“There are two police officers here to see you.”

I sigh and sit up straighter, suppressing a wince as my ribs protest the movement. “Send them out here.”

“What do they want?” Cora asks, pulling a sheer wrap around her bikini-clad body.

“I’m hoping they have a lead on the car that hit me.” But I’m not holding my breath. It’s been a week with no progress .

The officers step out onto the pool deck, their polished shoes incongruous against the colorful tiles. They stand in front of me, their faces grim.

“You’re blocking the sun,” I say, squinting up at them. “Do you have an update for me? Did you find the asshole who tried to turn me into roadkill?”

They shift to the side, allowing me to see them more clearly. “We’re closing the case, Mr. Valeur. We don’t usually deliver this news in person, but given your family’s standing in the community, we thought?—”

“So we’re supposed to be flattered you made the effort to tell us you’re not going to do anything?” Cora explodes, surging to her feet. “What do you mean you’re closing the case? Someone ran my brother down, and you can’t find the person responsible?”

“The incident occurred in a remote area with no cameras and no witnesses. We have no description of the vehicle or driver. We tried canvassing nearby towns for cars that were in accidents, that went to auto shops, but it’s a dead end.

Without new evidence, we have no way to track down the driver.

If any evidence does surface, we’ll let you know.

And of course, Mr. Valeur, if you remember anything at all, we’d be glad to hear it,” the officer says, clearly unruffled by hurricane Cora and her one-hundred-miles-per-hour mouth.

Cora huffs, crossing her arms over her chest. “Useless.”

“Excuse me?” The other officer raises an eyebrow, his mouth thinning.

“She didn’t mean that.” I place my hand on her arm, urging her to stand down. “Thank you for coming.”

They nod and take their leave, Hugo trailing behind to escort them out.

I wait until they’re out of earshot before turning to my sister. “Cora, you can’t go off on them like that.”

“It’s ridiculous that they’re not doing their job. Someone hit you and ran, and they’re out there walking free.” She throws up her hands, frustration radiating off her in waves.

“It’s okay. I’m sure it was an accident, and the driver just panicked. Some kid whose parents don’t even realize he was in a crash.” I try to soothe her, even as the same anger and helplessness churn in my gut.

“You think?” She deflates a little, sinking back into her chair.

“I’m sure of it,” I lie through my teeth, forcing a smile. Then, as casually as I can manage, “So, how’s Ava doing?”

“What makes you think I’m in touch with her?” Cora asks, examining her nails.

“You’re not?” I raise an eyebrow, calling her bluff.

She purses her lips, caught. “I am.”

I grin, triumphant. I knew it.

“She wouldn’t be happy that I’m telling you about our conversations,” Cora warns, leveling me with a stern look.

“I didn’t ask for details, just how she’s doing.” I raise my hand in surrender, the picture of innocence.

“She’s okay. Sad.”

I nod, my heart clenching. “Does she ask about me?”

“Lucas...” She gives me a reproachful look, shaking her head.

“What? I want to know if there’s a chance she’ll forgive me. Does she ask about me?” I press, undeterred. I need to know. I need some sliver of hope to cling to.

Cora studies me for a long moment, then drops her gaze. “Yes. ”

My heart leaps, a wild, desperate hope unfurling in my chest. She’s not indifferent to me. She still cares, still worries. Because everyone knows the opposite of love isn’t hate—it’s indifference. If she hates me, I can work with that. Hate is passionate. Hate can be turned.

But indifference? That would be a death knell, the end of everything.

So I’ll take her anger, her hurt. I’ll weather the storm of her emotions gladly if it means there’s still a chance.

Still a chance for us. For our future.

I’ll grovel, I’ll beg, I’ll do whatever it takes.

And I won’t rest until she’s back where she belongs.

I park in front of her house, just like I have every day for the past few weeks.

I watch her silhouette move through the rooms, from the bathroom to the bedroom and then to the living room.

I’ve developed a new game to pass the time.

The guessing game. I try to guess what she’s doing at each moment.

She’s probably putting food out for Cartman now.

I press the button on the car’s speakerphone and dial.

“The Haven Sanctuary,” a woman’s voice answers. “This is Stephanie. How may I assist you?”

“Hello, Stephanie. My name is Lucas Valeur. You rescue parrots, correct?” I lean back in my car seat, a smile tugging at my lips. They don’t know what’s about to hit them.

“That’s right, we’re a parrot rescue center.”

“Excellent. I want to donate.”

“Wonderful, sir. Thank you. I’d be happy to take down your information. A donation of thirty dollars will feed a parrot for a month. A hundred dollars will feed three parrots.” Stephanie chirps, her voice bright with enthusiasm.

“I was thinking more like ten million dollars?”

Stephanie chokes and starts coughing, sputtering into the phone.

My smile widens into a full-blown grin.

“Marcus! Marcus, come here. Now!” she yells, her voice muffled like she’s covering the receiver. “I’m sorry, sir, did you say… ten million ?”

“I did,” I confirm, fighting back a laugh.

“You’re not mistaken?” she asks as if she can’t quite believe her ears.

“I’m not mistaken. I was thinking maybe you could use a new facility for the parrots?” I suggest, my tone mild.

“Yes, of course, sir. That would be incredible,” Stephanie gushes, her words tumbling over each other in her excitement.

There’s rustling in the background. “The gentleman on the phone wants to donate a whole new facility to us. Ten million dollars.”

More muffled voices filter through, a rapid-fire exchange I can’t quite make out.

“Excuse me, Mr. Valeur, is it?” A man’s voice comes on the line, deep and authoritative.

“That’s right,” I confirm.

“You’re interested in donating an entire facility to us?” he asks, a note of disbelief coloring his words.

“Yes. I have just one request. I want you to name it after my wife, Ava, or whatever name she chooses. And I want you to keep her informed of all the details. I want her to be involved in the planning process. ”

“Of course, sir,” the man agrees, and I can practically hear the dollar signs dinging in his eyes.

I wrap up the details with them and end the call, a satisfied smile playing on my lips. They sounded so shocked, so overjoyed. I guess parrot sanctuaries don’t get a lot of big donations. But Ava loves that murderous bird of hers, and I want to do something I know she’ll appreciate.

I pull the large white envelope from my briefcase, holding it in both hands. I take a deep, fortifying breath before opening it and going over the new contract my lawyer sent me.

I call Liam, putting him on speakerphone.

“Did you look over the contract I sent you?” I ask without preamble, my eyes scanning the dense legalese.

“Good morning to you, too.” Liam yawns, his voice thick with sleep.

“Did you look it over or not?”

“Yeah, I did. So you’re planning to give Ava sole ownership of Gant Construction?” He yawns again, and the rustle of sheets sounds in the background.

“Yes. Did you stay up all night? Why are you yawning? It’s not like I woke you at the crack of dawn.”

He ignores my question. “What happened to the original plan to take over the company? According to this new contract, you have no decision-making power, no stake. And what about her father?”

“I don’t want to take over her company anymore. And I bought out the controlling share. I’m the majority owner now, and I want to give it to Ava.”

“Are you sure about this? If she leaves you, you’ll be out of the money you already put in and the company. It’s been weeks since she walked out, Lucas. You need to face the possibility that she might not come back,” Liam says. “That she might not forgive you.”

I close my eyes, pain lancing through my chest at the thought.

But I shake it off, determined. “I don’t want the money back.

I want her to have everything she wants, everything she deserves.

If she decides not to return to me, I want her to be able to stand on her own two feet, without me and without her crooked father.

I want to see her succeed. Just make sure there are no loopholes in the contract that would allow her con artist father to regain control of the company.

” I rest my forehead against the steering wheel, exhausted.

“I’m on it. So far, it looks airtight. I’ll make certain it is,” Liam assures me, and there’s a rustling of papers as he flips through the document.

“Great,” I mumble, rubbing at the dull ache throbbing behind my eyes.

“Did Dad agree to this new contract?”

“No. I mean, I didn’t ask him, and I don’t give a damn about his opinion.

I’m going to sign it and send it to her.

If she wants the company, it’s hers. Dad has nothing to do with it.

” I’m not a little boy anymore. I don’t need his permission or approval for every decision, and I don’t care if he disapproves.

I don’t know what Ava will choose, but she doesn’t deserve what I did to her. She deserves every good thing in this world, and I’m going to make sure she gets what I promised her. The money to save her company and full ownership. What she does after that is up to her.

“Are you okay, Lucas?” Liam asks.

“I will be. I have to go.” I cut off the call, not wanting to dwell on my emotional state. It’s a fucking mess, and I don’t have the energy to unpack it right now.

I glance back at Ava’s house just in time to see her turn off the lights. She’s about to leave.

I exit my car and lean against the door, waiting. Watching.

She spots me and pauses, her green eyes meeting mine across the distance. She holds my gaze for a long, charged moment, her expression unreadable.

“Good morning, Wifey,” I call out with a smile, holding up a cup of coffee like a peace offering. Maybe this time she’ll answer me?

But she just turns away, getting into her Jeep without a word, without a backward glance.

I wait until she’s driven off before climbing back into my car. I push through the ache, the longing, and drive toward the Valeur estate. I can’t put this off any longer.

We need to talk.