Chapter 34 #2
He’d been more than gentle and caring since we left my house for the police station. I was glad the whole thing was over with.
Charges had been filed against my father, and I was surprised my mother and sister didn’t lie to the police about what happened. Instead they said my father was just upset. I told the officer to only file trespassing charges against my mother and sister and let them go.
Before we left, we were told my father was taken before an emergency judge and his bail revoked. Not even his high-powered lawyer could get the judge to change his mind. So dear dad would be spending some time in jail before his trial.
Honestly, I didn’t care. My family never wanted me. Maybe someday we could be friendly, but I doubted it.
Lucas pulled into the parking lot of a local pizza place. “You sure you’re up to this?”
“Yes. I’m starving, as is everyone else.” We never got the chance to finish the breakfast Cassie and Marcus had brought.
“I vote for an all-meat pizza,” Marcus said after the server had taken our drink order.
“Of course you do.” Cassie patted his arm.
“Valerie?” Lucas looked at me.
“I’m going to get my favorite: chicken and pineapple.”
“Blasphemy,” Asher said. “Pineapple on pizza.” He shook his head.
“That sounds good,” Cassie said.
“It does. Let’s get an extra-large, and the guys can get what they want,” Emma suggested.
In the end, we ended up with three pizzas, the chicken and pineapple, an all-meat, and a cheese pizza. We chatted as we ate, and I slowly relaxed. So much had happened this morning, my brain was still playing catch-up. But I was happy sitting here with Lucas and our friends.
Friends. I had friends I could trust for the first time in my life. My heart lightened.
“So, before we were so rudely interrupted earlier, you didn’t have a chance to answer my question. What do we need to do to convince you to come to work with us?” Asher asked me.
“No pressuring her,” Lucas spoke up. “Valerie can make up her own mind.”
“Thank you.” I placed my hand on his arm. “I’ll need to talk with my boss first.” It was only fair I give him some warning.
“That makes sense,” Cassie said.
“Also, I want to talk to Miles and maybe legal. This whole thing with my father might blow back on the company with them hiring me, and I don’t want that to happen.” I hoped it didn’t, but lord only knew what my father, or his lawyers, might try. FI didn’t deserve to be dragged through the mud.
“Let him fucking try,” Lucas commented.
“Lucas is right. Our legal team will destroy him,” Marcus said.
I relaxed and took a deep breath before I looked at Lucas. “Thank you for rejecting my sister.” His actions reinforced my feelings for him.
“Why wouldn’t I?” Lucas cupped my face. “It’s you I love, Valerie.”
I froze. “You love me?” Oh, hell, how had I not seen that?
“Of course, I do. I’m sorry I didn’t make that clearer earlier. I should have.”
“But…” My brain scrambled. “Your sister and your responsibility to her… I know I didn’t say it right before, but I don’t want you to feel guilty about dividing your attentions.” While I understood it now, I wanted to make sure he understood my feelings.
“I won’t. Mindy and I had a long talk. My sister is a grown woman. She’ll be out of medical school shortly and starting a whole new chapter in her life. One where she doesn’t need her big brother as much.”
Happiness filled me. “But you will be there if she does need you?”
“If she asks, yes, we’ll be there for her.”
The ‘we’ll’ filled my heart with joy.
“About time,” Marcus muttered.
Lucas grinned, and I laughed.
“What I don’t get is why Kendall thought Lucas was available?” Cassie’s question was a valid one.
“My sister has always zeroed in on any man I was interested in.” I was going to get this out once and for all. “She saw Lucas as another man she could take from me and, in the process, hurt me.”
“Bitch,” Emma said.
“Very much so. But Lucas wouldn’t bite.” It was time for me to throw my fears away. I cupped Lucas’ cheek. “I love you, Lucas. And I trust you now and forever.”
His eyes blazed at my declaration.
“Bravo.” Our friends clapped as Lucas pulled me into his arms, or the best he could with us sitting at a table in public. It didn’t stop him from kissing me, long and hard.
“Does this mean you’re coming to work with me?” Lucas asked when he lifted his head.
“Once everything is settled. Yes.”
“Then…” Lucas released me, stood, and pushed back his chair before going on his knees.
Oh my God! My mouth dropped open as my breath caught in my throat.
“Valerie, we confessed our love, but there is something I want to make clear. I will never betray you like I did before. I love you and only you. And when you’re ready, we’ll discuss you moving in with me and eventually marriage.”
Tears filled my eyes. Lucas was on his knees in front of me. Promising me everything. “Oh, get up,” I said, laughter in my voice. He stood and pulled me up into his arms.
“Take a chance on me? On us?”
“I love you. Of course, I’m taking a chance on you and us. There’s nothing more I want in life than you.”
He took my mouth with his. My arms wound around his neck. I belonged in Lucas’ arms and he in my life.