Chapter 34
Chapter Thirty-Four
Valerie
I woke early Saturday morning, and for the first time since I realized what my father had done, I didn’t have a lead ball in my gut.
Last night had been more fun than I’d expected.
Finding a company that might take the place of Rustic made me happy.
Everyone’s surprise had been worth it. My time with Fantasies, Inc.
showed me how special this company was, and my father creating havoc with Rustic and tanking FI’s acquisition wasn’t fair.
Nothing my father did was right. Money laundering, embezzlement, cheating on my mother. I shook my head. My family was out of my life now. And honestly, while it hurt, I would not miss all the drama.
Grabbing a cup of coffee, pen, and paper, I went out on the back patio. The job offer from John had taken me by surprise. Now I needed to figure out if it was worth it. After taking a sip of my coffee, I picked up the paper and pen.
Pros and cons of accepting the job offer, I wrote at the top.
Then I started listing the pros and cons.
When I finished, I wasn’t surprised to see there were more pros than cons.
Interesting. I enjoyed working for Smith, Rogers, and Associates, but I wasn’t growing there.
I had a feeling with Fantasies, Inc. I could find some growth.
Not that I wanted to take Lucas’ job, but doing more than just forensic accounting intrigued me, and FI had a lot of different departments, and all of them worked with Finance.
And then there was Lucas. My heart sped up. This last week in the office together had been like walking a tight rope. There had been no time to talk, and the office wasn’t the place for any kind of relationship discussion.
Plus, I’d had that therapy session Thursday afternoon. Eye opening was an understatement. My therapist helped me realize that while my mother and sister were toxic, not having them in my life would help me physically and mentally.
The moment I realized that, a big weight lifted from me.
Damn, if my spilling everything didn’t help.
As my therapist pointed out, I had no reason to feel responsible for my father getting caught.
I was just doing my job, and if another forensic accountant had been on the job, they would have found the same thing.
My feelings were all tangled up with worrying Lucas might leave me again. Might. That was a big word. But Lucas had apologized for what he did years ago, and my therapist reminded me that living my life in fear wasn’t living.
She was right. I was in love with Lucas, and I wasn’t going to ruin it over something that quite possibly might never happen. Hadn’t Lucas shown me over and over how he wanted me and only me? His responsibility to his sister was a part of who he was.
Cutting my family out was the first step. I wanted to be with Lucas. I loved him, and we were good for each other. Setting the pen and paper aside, I picked up my mug. Ugh, there was nothing worse than cold coffee.
My doorbell rang. Who could that be? Lucas said we needed to talk today, but it was early. Thank goodness, I’d dressed when I got up.
Checking to see who it was, I was surprised to see Cassie and Marcus with others I couldn’t quite make out behind them.
I opened the door. “Good morning.”
“Good morning,” Cassie said with a big smile. “We bring gifts.” She gestured to the coffee holder in Marcus’ hands and held up a big bag. I glanced behind her to see Emma and Asher smiling.
“Come on in.” The group walked in. “I wasn’t expecting company today.”
“I said we should have called ahead,” Emma said.
“How did you know where I live?” I didn’t remember telling them.
“Lucas mentioned you lived close to him,” Asher commented. “And I may have peeked at your address when Miles wasn’t looking.”
I tried to scowl at Asher, but all I could do was laugh. My heart was light and full of joy. “Let’s take this inside, and I’ll get some plates.”
My living room was filled with food, coffee, and people. This is what I’d been missing at my other job. Not that I didn’t talk with my co-workers, but none of them were close like this. The Fantasies, Inc. group was different. They were more like a family than co-workers.
“Do we need to convince you to come to work for Fantasies, Inc.?” Marcus asked.
“Marcus.” Cassie slapped his arm. “My man here has no tact.”
“It’s okay. I’m considering it.”
“What do we need to do to persuade you?” Asher asked.
They thought I needed to be talked into staying at FI? I wondered why. I was about to ask when the doorbell rang again.
“I bet that’s Lucas,” Cassie said.
“Probably.” I opened the door without looking.
My father stood there with my mother and sister. I was about to tell them to leave when my father pushed me back and stormed into my home. The others stood, but Marcus and Asher instantly pushed Cassie and Emma behind them.
I took a deep breath. This was my fight. “Please leave.” I was trying hard not to lose my temper. They had no right to be here. I’d told them I was done with them. “I didn’t invite you in.”
“I want you to recant your story.” My father’s angry voice carried around the room.
“It’s in the hands of law enforcement, so there is nothing I can do. I’m assuming you made bail.” Of course, he had. My father had high-powered lawyers. But that didn’t mean he had the right to come here and harass me.
“Yes, I’m out. And I’ll make your life a living hell, if you don’t fix this.”
“That sounded like a threat.”
Lucas! I glanced around my father to find him standing in the doorway, his body tense as if he was ready to fight.
“Oh, Lucas, you’re here. I’m so happy.” Kendall slithered up to Lucas and tried to put her arms around his neck.
“Save it.” Lucas intercepted her arms and pushed her away. “I’m here for Valerie.”
Instantly, I stood taller as love filled me. Lucas was choosing me. And why wouldn’t he? It was time to be me and not a child looking for my family’s approval. I’d already told them I wanted nothing to do with them, yet here they were again. Trying to run my life.
“How dare you?” my father roared.
Lucas ignored him and moved to my side.
“I told you to leave.” My voice was strong. I wasn’t going to stand here and let this happen.
My father’s face turned molten. “I’m not leaving until I get what I want.”
“Fine. Would someone please call the police.” I’d left my phone charging on the counter.
“You can’t do that,” my mother said.
“I can.” I didn’t want things to escalate that far, but I wasn’t going to stand for this either. My family made their bed, and it was time to answer for what they’d done. “You’ll have your day in court, Father.”
“This is going to ruin me, your mother, and your sister.”
It was no surprise that he didn’t mention me. “I can’t help if your actions hurt them.”
“You little bitch.” Kendall lunged toward me, and I automatically stepped back.
Lucas blocked her as Marcus and Asher stepped forward.
“Enough,” Lucas yelled. “You’ve been asked to leave, and you refuse. I will make sure the police cite you for trespassing, and your bail will be revoked.”
“You can’t tell me to leave, and the police won’t do anything.”
Fuck. I lifted my chin. “Yes, he can. This is my home, and Lucas is here at my invitation, as are all these witnesses. The three of you are not. I’ve been polite and asked you to leave, but you’ve refused.
” Two police officers stood in the doorway behind my father.
I blew out a breath. “One last chance: leave or this is out of my hands.”
My father crossed his arms over his chest. “No. You will take back what you did even if I have to beat you to do it.”
I stiffened. Lucas’ hands fisted, and I felt Marcus and Asher move closer to me. The two police officers shook their heads. One of them clasped my father on the shoulder.
“Sir, you’re under arrest.”
“For what?”
“Trespassing and violating your bail terms, if I heard right. Hands behind your back.”
My father looked stunned. He turned around and charged at me. I was pushed back into Marcus and Asher as Lucas stepped in front of me. My father never made contact with Lucas. The police officer grabbed him and handcuffed him.
“Let’s add assault of a police officer to the charges,” the officer said.
“Sir, you have the right to remain silent…” The other officer read my father his Miranda rights as he marched him out the door and to the police vehicle.
“Ladies, you need to leave, or you’ll be arrested for trespassing.” The other officer looked at my mother and sister.
“You’re not my daughter,” my mother said, lifting her chin in the air before she walked out.
Kendall looked at Lucas with big eyes. “Lucas, don’t do this to me.”
Lucas laughed. “Kendall, get the hell out. You’re nothing but a flea. You’re engaged. Go bother your fiancé.”
Kendall’s face fell, then she stomped her foot. “You’ll come crawling to me.”
“Like hell he will,” I muttered.
Lucas let out another laugh. “Like hell is a good description. More like when hell freezes over. Never in this lifetime. Valerie is the only woman for me.”
“Bitch,” Kendall said before she stormed out.
I took a deep breath to calm my racing nerves. While I’d only confronted my mom and sister a week ago, confronting all of them like that… While it felt good to get those monkeys off my back, crashing out was a possibility.
“We’re going to need statements from all of you,” the officer said, watching Kendall and my mother storm off.
“We’ll be right behind you,” Lucas said.
“Central Station.” The officer left, and I could hear my father’s bluster when the officer climbed into the vehicle.
“Well, so much for a quiet Saturday,” I said. Everyone laughed, and the tension dissipated. “Let’s go get this over with.”
“I’ll be right there with you.” Lucas put his arm around my waist.
I leaned against him. “Thank you, my love.”
His eyes widened, but he didn’t say anything. We had time. Lots of time.
* * *
“Are you holding up okay?” Lucas asked several hours later as we left the police station.
“I’m good.”