Chapter 25
Chapter Twenty-Five
Lucas
Valerie tensed as I pulled into the valet area for the club right on time: six-thirty.
She’d been like that most of the day. I’d tried to distract her a few times on the drive, but to no avail.
Annoyance filled me that her family saw so little value in her.
After what she told me yesterday, I was prepared.
I’d even talked with Asher about how he dealt with Emma’s family.
“Evening, sir. Name, please?” the valet asked as I climbed out of the vehicle.
“Lucas Bryer.”
“We’re with the Ray party,” Valerie added, leaning across the seat.
“Ah yes. The Heritage Room is where you’ll want to go.” The valet took my keys.
I rounded the car. There was already another valet there, opening the door for her. Valerie grinned and held her hand out to me. “Thank you for waiting for me,” I whispered.
“Of course.”
“If you go through the doors to your right, there’s an elevator that will take you to the fifth floor,” the second valet said.
“Thank you.” I put my arm around Valerie’s waist and guided her into the building. “Have I told you how beautiful you look?” She relaxed in my hold. Good. Happiness filled me that I could support her tonight. But God help her family if they showed any disrespect to my woman.
“Several times actually.”
“I’ll say it as often as I think is necessary.” The elevator opened, and we stepped inside. “Don’t tense back up.” The elevator began to move.
“I’m trying not to, but…”
“Nothing. You are a beautiful woman, intuitive, and you care…about your friends, about me. You are more worthy than they will ever be.” I pressed my finger against her mouth. “I’m here for you and only you. Lean on me as you need to.”
“Thank you.” She brushed a kiss against my cheek before the elevator stopped.
“Here goes nothing,” she muttered.
While I didn’t quite understand why Valerie was so tense—her family couldn’t be that bad—I would back her up no matter what. The elevator door opened, and I got my first glimpse into the room. The crystal gleamed under the lights, and there was an air of superiority that I’d never liked.
People mingled around the room, dressed to the nines. The room smelled of money and exclusivity. Not that I didn’t have money. I’d worked hard to make sure Mindy and I were taken care of, and I had done well. But this had the hint of old money.
“Incoming,” Valerie whispered.
An elegantly dressed woman, I would say in her fifties, made a beeline for us. Her graying hair was done up into some sort of curly hairstyle, the bright blue dress she wore sparkling as she floated toward us. So did the blue sapphire necklace and earrings. Talk about showing off money.
“Valerie, darling, I’m so glad you finally made it. A little late, but you’re here.” The woman air kissed Valerie’s cheek before looking at me. “And who is this?”
“Mother, this is Lucas. Lucas, my mother, Cora.” Valerie’s voice was tight.
“Mr.…Lucas.” Her gaze looked me up and down.
“Mrs. Ray.” I fought to keep my tone civil. We’d just walked in, and she was already taking Valerie to task for us walking in less than five minutes after the start time, still within the socially accepted ‘on time’ parameter.
“Aren’t you delicious?”
I grimaced, but luckily, Cora’s attention had returned to Valerie. “At least you dressed up a bit.”
What the fuck? My arm around Valerie’s waist tightened as she stiffened.
“Since you didn’t tell me what kind of party, I figured a cocktail dress would work.”
“It does. Although it shows off way too much skin. But you’re here, and that’s all that matters. Your father and sister are mingling somewhere. There are food, drinks, and places to sit. Go mingle and behave yourself. The announcement will be at nine.” Cora walked away.
“Well, there you go,” Valerie said. “I wonder what announcement she’s talking about.”
“Your mother is something.” I leaned down. “We’re not late, so don’t take her words to heart.” Her mother was over-the-top dramatic in my opinion.
“If my mother says six-thirty, you better be there at that time. Although there are others who are just getting here. My father is over there.” She pointed across the room. “We should at least say hello.”
“I agree.” Let’s see how her father treated her. Better than her mother, I hoped. I kept my arm around her waist as we crossed the room.
“Valerie.” Her father’s voice boomed.
“Hello, Father. This is Lucas Bryer. Lucas, my father, Bernard.”
“Mr. Ray.” I shook his hand as he looked me over critically.
“Lucas. What type of business are you in?”
Valerie grasped my free hand and squeezed. “I work in finance. That’s how I met Valerie.”
“You’re an accountant?”
I bristled at the disdain in his voice. As if being an accountant wasn’t a valid job. “Not exactly. I’m the CFO for a large corporation.”
“I see. Valerie, you could go to work for this corporation rather than that small outfit you’re with.” He turned back to Lucas. “She’s turned down offers of a job at my company. Maybe you can talk some sense into her.”
What a fucking ass.
“And I’ve told you multiple times I’d rather stay where I am, thank you.” Her tone was quiet, but firm. Good for her.
“But you could make so much more money with me. I don’t know why you’re not ambitious.”
My jaw almost dropped.
“Valerie.” A female voice squealed, interrupting us. Maybe that was a good thing, because I was about to take her father to task about money having nothing to do with ambition.
I glanced to my right to see a woman with fake blonde hair bearing down on us. Oh yes, I could tell fake hair when I saw it.
“Kendall.”
This was Valerie’s sister? I was expecting someone more like Valerie. Not this fake Barbie.
“And who is this?” She put her hand on my arm.
“Lucas Bryer,” I said before Valerie could, and I gently removed her hand.
“I’m Kendall. You are absolutely scrumptious. Save me a dance for later.”
Her voice was soft and flirty. I shivered, seeing right through the charade. Predator was written all over her face.
“Kendall—” Bernard’s voice had a warning in it.
“Chill, Dad. Valerie won’t mind.”
Bernard shook his head. “I’ll see you later.” He stared hard at Valerie before walking away.
“Please, go mingle. I’ll find you later for that dance.” Kendall turned and sashayed away after Bernard.
“Like hell. I value my life.”
Valerie giggled. “And there you have it. My family.”
“I think I understand better now. Why don’t we mingle for a while and see how soon we can escape.”
“Escape sounds like heaven.”
It did. I’d take us both out of here right now if it wouldn’t cause a scene, and I was sure it would because I could see Cora watching our every move. I wanted to do something scandalous but held back. Let’s see how long they kept their distance.
Almost two hours later, we’d mingled, had some wine, and eaten. It was mostly finger food, but enough to keep us going. A few people stopped and talked to Valerie and me, but mainly, we were ignored. Not that I minded. It gave me time to observe.
If this was the company her parents kept, I couldn’t blame Valerie for not wanting to be around them.
While my parents might have checked out on us kids, at least their friends weren’t snobs.
Hell, this is one of the reasons I hung out with the FI crew.
They were down to earth, even though we were wealthy in our own right.
“Can we get out of here?” I’d had enough of this charade. Why had I insisted we come?
“I wish, but not until after whatever announcement my parents want to make. They said nine.”
Damn, it was only eight fifteen. It felt like we’d been here for an eternity. “Let’s dance then.”
If I had to stay, then at least I could have her in my arms. Not that I hadn’t had her in my hold all night. I’d kept my arm around her waist most of the evening. While people hadn’t said much, Valerie still tensed when someone approached. Guiding her to the dance floor, I pulled her into my arms.
At least here I could hold her close like I wanted and not offend anyone.
Having her in my arms helped me forget where we were.
Luckily, the band was playing music that allowed us to slow dance.
Maybe later tonight I’d show her another way to dance.
My cock twitched, and I hid a smile. Two dances later, her sister stumbled over.
“My turn.” Her words were slurred. Shit, she was drunk, and she wasn’t going to take my rejection well.
“No, thank you.” My tone was cold.
“Oh, come on.” Kendall tried to nudge Valerie away, but I tightened my hold on her.
“I’ve tried to be polite, but I guess I must spell it out. Kendall, Valerie gets all my dances tonight.”
“I don’t care. I want to dance with you.” She pouted, and it wasn’t a good look. “Go away, Valerie and let me have at him.” She raised her voice and people turned their heads.
Really? Did she really think Valerie was just going to walk away?
Kendall was going to cause a scene. So be it, I’d give her one she wouldn’t forget.
“No,” I said firmly, my voice loud enough to carry.
“Kendall, you’ve had too much to drink, and I’ve already told you no.
” I wasn’t going to be guilt tripped into dancing with this woman.
Valerie had been suspiciously quiet, but I couldn’t look at her.
I didn’t dare take my gaze off Kendall. She was a snake ready to bite.
“What’s going on?” Cora arrived with Bernard in tow. “I heard raised voices.”
“Valerie won’t let me dance with Lucas.”
I hadn’t thought it possible for Kendall’s voice to get any whinier, but it did. I opened my mouth to refute Kendall’s words.
“Valerie,” her mother started. “Grow up and let your sister have a dance with your friend.”
I bristled at her mother’s exasperated tone.
“See.” Kendall grinned like a fool.
“Don’t make waves, Valerie,” her father chimed in.
Damn, this family was a piece of work. I took a deep breath so as not to go off on them, but it wasn’t going to be easy. “I’m the one who said no. None of this is Valerie’s fault.”