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Chapter 146: Grunt Work
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2022-10-26 14:06:26Related chapters
The Valiant Trilogy Chapter 147: This Means War
In the elevator I use the card to access the back door of the elevator, which takes me into Vincent's private office. As soon as she sees me, Vincent's assistant Amy smiles and stands from her desk. At least someone's happy when I'm around and will not hold Vincent's letter against me. Hopefully."Vincent didn't say you were coming," she says, her smile falling a touch."I didn't warn him. Can I go in and talk to him?" There's no point yelling at her. She's only doing her job. It's not Amy's fault she works for an overstepping, demanding ogre.Any's face pales. "Well, he's in a really important meeting and doesn't want to be disturbed for any reason." Her reaction is suspect. Why would she be concerned if it were a regular contract deal?"Important meeting with whom?" Some things I trust Vincent explicitly about and some I don't.Cheating? Sure, we're okay in that department. I don't have to worry. But making a kind a crazy decision behind my back that will greatly alter my l
Last Updated : 2022-10-26The Valiant Trilogy Chapter 148: This is Serious Business
Not disturbed by my words, Vincent takes his seat again, leaning back in his chair and smiling. "Is that so?""This is serious, Vincent. The least you could do is pretend to be shocked or upset or worried about what I am going to say.""I agree. Give me everything you've got." His dumb smirk kicks up a notch.Ugh, why is he so sexy when he's cocky and why does he constantly leave me feeling like a small child when I'm in his presence? I'm not an adolescent having a temper tantrum. I'm a legitimately pissed-off woman. This is what I get for trying to date a man who runs a billion-dollar company and could negotiate a better price for water in the desert.I stand next to the chair Rachel just vacated but refuse to sit and share the space she had her butt on. "I read your email."His smile grows. He knows exactly why I'm here. "Did you find it informative?""Vincent," I say leaning over his desk, trying to get into his space and intimidate him. As expected, it doesn't work. His
Last Updated : 2022-10-26The Valiant Trilogy Chapter 149: New Beginnings
At promptly 3:50 p.m. the same afternoon Vincent opens the car door in front of Lansing Pediatrics and OBGYN Center.I follow him out and stop right outside the door before Davis can close it, leaving me without an escape.As if he senses what I'm planning, he smiles and pats me on the back. "Good luck, Miss Marshal." He gives me a quick wink and I promise to yell at him about calling me Mackenzie later.Vincent, probably concerned we're late even though are still ten minutes early, holds my hand as we walk up the steps to the office. "It'll be fine."I want to trust his words, but I'm still worried. What if everything is not okay? Now that the baby is real, what if there isn't a baby in me? What if something has happened? I gently place a hand on my stomach that isn't showing any signs of pregnancy. What if they don't find a heartbeat?Vincent walks right up to the check-in window, his back held straight ever sure of himself even as I'm crumbling apart beside him. He checks
Last Updated : 2022-10-26The Valiant Trilogy Chapter 150: An Emotional Situation
Thirty minutes later as we're walking out of the doctor's office Vincent repeats his earlier statement, clutching my hand and guiding me on the steps as if I'm having trouble walking."We're really having a baby?" he asks, showing the first sign of his raging emotions over the situation emotion. "Me? I'm going to be a dad.""Are you sure about this?" I ask, picking up on his apprehension. This is the first time Vincent has shown any doubt since we walked into the doctor's office. He was so sure of everything and asked the doctor a million questions while I sat beside him completely stunned.He stops at the side the town car as Davis opens the back door, waiting for us to get in to the vehicle. "I've never been surer of anything in my life," he says placing a soft kiss against my lips.I wait until we're in the car and Davis is walking around the front before I ask my question. "Then why did you run?"He gives me a look that I can't quite put my finger on as Davis gets in and
Last Updated : 2022-10-26The Valiant Trilogy Chapter 151: The Worst Phone Call Ever
"Are you nervous?" Vincent asks as I pace the living room with the phone held in front of me, the screen still black.I stop my circle to frown at him. "Yes, obviously."How much money does this man make? He can't figure out calling my parents and telling them I'm pregnant and getting married is the most terrifying thing I've done. Shit, I have to tell them I'm dating Vincent first. I'd rather sky dive with a semi-working parachute than make this call.My stomach is tight and I clutch the phone hard, the soft plastic case rolling in my hand.He leaves his space by the kitchen island to invade my bubble in the living room. "Do you want me to talk to them?" Vincent reaches for the phone, but I pull it back and out of his reach.Hell no. I haven't forgotten how he told his mother. We can't shout it out to mine in the same fashion. She needs a delicate approach. Time to smooth it over before I drop the bomb on her."No, I'm going to do it," I say, still holding the phone away f
Last Updated : 2022-10-26The Valiant Trilogy Chapter 152: Big News
"Mom!"There's a pointed silence for only a second, but it's filled with so many unsaid words from years past. "We just talked yesterday, Kens. I'm sorry, sweetie, but your copy assistant job in marketing is not that exciting."Ouch. "I'm not a copy assistant, Mom. I said I make copies sometimes.""Well regardless, I'm sure you didn't call me to wow me with your adventures to the printer, so tell me what's happened."Okay, this is it. I have to tell her now. She's primed for it.Deep breath."You're right. I called because I have big news." I'll start at the bottom of the list and work my way higher. "Vincent and I are dating."My mother gasps. "That's fantastic news. I'm so glad you two finally figured it out. We've been waiting."My mouth falls open. "What?""Oh, Mackenzie, don't be daft. We all saw it. That man is smitten with you."I press the phone to my ear harder so Vincent doesn't hear her. I'll never live it down. From the way the smug smirk on his face gro
Last Updated : 2022-10-26The Valiant Trilogy Chapter 153: Unplanned Future
On Thursday evening I pull up a pair of Vincent's boxers—my new favorite items to sleep in—and watch him as I crawl into bed, slipping underneath the covers."I'm proud of you," I say tucking the covers around me as Vincent eyes me curiously while he stands next to his dresser.With his sexy steps that draw me into his web, he prowls across the room and stops beside the bed. "Oh really? I'm glad we're both aware of how wonderful I am, but why this particular time?"I laugh. It's such a Vincent reply."You've known about the baby for three full days now and you haven't sent a company email telling everyone." I'm only half joking with him. It has been a valid concern of mine the last few days. Every time I opened my email, I clenched my teeth as I read over the subject lines.Vincent laughs, crawling into bed beside me and getting into my space. He definitely isn't one of those guys who stays on his side of the mattress. We'd told both of our parents about the baby and he was s
Last Updated : 2022-10-26The Valiant Trilogy Chapter 154: No More Dreams of Florida
A steady beat of rain hits the large glass windows and my gaze strays away from my cubicle. The dark sky heralds the coming cold snowy days of Michigan's winter. It's only the end of September. We won't have any proper snow until December or later, but the flurries can appear at any point from here on out. By Halloween we'll be knee deep in dead leaves, freezing temperatures, and a rainy winter mix.Once the beautiful part of fall ends and the dredges of winter begin, I always curse my misfortune of living in Michigan. Every year at this time, my dream of moving to Florida is revisited. Today as I watch the rain lazily slide down the windows after hitting with such force the thought of my beach escape doesn't come.I would leave too much—Vincent, this job, and the future that's available to us. Florida no longer holds the appeal she has for the most of my life the last ten years. A Michigan winter didn't seem so depressive when I'll have Vincent by my side as we power to through it
Last Updated : 2022-10-26
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The Valiant Trilogy Chapter 171: Epilogue
My enormous stomach stretches against the seatbelt in Vincent's expensive car. I'm no longer just showing a small bit as my due date creeps ever closer. The trees have budded along the highway as his car continues to travel north."Vincent, where are we going?"He smiles. "Our weekend place," he gives me what I suspect is the first semi-honest answer he has the entire trip.When we left this morning, I asked if I needed to pack a bag, but he said it was only a day trip. If I am being completely honest, my first thought was he bought the home in Okemos and planned to drive the fifteen miles to get away for the weekend. But we've been driving for over an hour at this point, passing my family home along the highway to continue north."I can't give you any more than that, Mackenzie. It's a surprise." He says turning off the highway.I hold back a sigh. They never do any good, anyway. "And you know how much I hate surprises.""Yes." His hand falls to my knee and squeezes, rubbin
The Valiant Trilogy Chapter 170: Doctor's Orders
"I promise you, Mr. Valiant, your wife and baby are perfectly fine. I don't even see signs of a concussion. She's one lucky woman." The doctor's smooth voice does nothing to lessen Vincent's irritation."Can't you check them both again?" he grinds out annoyed he has to ask.The steady beeping of the baby's heart monitor, a large device they've wrapped around my tiny stomach, beeps consistently. "Vincent, I am fine."He looks back at me in the hospital bed and squeezes my hand. "I know, baby. I just want them to check you again."The doctor sighs, smiling at me as if apologizing I have to put up with the man for the rest of my life, but I wouldn't have it any other way."They've looked me over three times. I'm perfectly fine," I run my fingers over his arm, but it doesn't lessen his scowl."Your wife is right, Mr. Valiant. We've run every test. She and the baby are healthy. I'm going to write up her release papers as soon as I leave the room. Go home and get rest. That's the
The Valiant Trilogy Chapter 169: November Winds
"I'm sorry we can't go on a honeymoon right away,""Vincent, I promise I understand. Really." He's an important CEO of a billion-dollar company. I don't expect him to take off whenever he wants. He can throw together a quick weekend wedding, but we can't drop everything and go on a three-week honeymoon like he's promised without notice. We have plans to make.I wrap the sheets around me tighter, the northern winds of November howling outside the window. We've been newlyweds for exactly twenty-four hours, and after I sneezed four times yesterday, Vincent decided I need to take Monday morning off to lie in bed and stay warm. He's obnoxiously worried about me catching a cold while pregnant. Any other time I would find it annoying, but the baby is involved so I'm listening to his heavy-handedness. This time."I'm sure I'll forgive you for not whisking me away on a honeymoon immediately during the three weeks we're on the boat in the Bahamas over Christmas." He thought of the best way
The Valiant Trilogy Chapter 168: Two Weeks Later
Another two weeks laterA gust of wind batters the outside of the car, but the frigid temperatures we're walking into aren't enough to sway Vincent. He allows Davis to open the black limos door and then reaches for my hand when he exits."Is your mom going to kill us?" I ask as I step out into the freezing temperatures of northern Michigan in the late fall and wrap the white fake fur shawl around my shoulders."Probably," Vincent says with a devilish smirk, meaning he doesn't care what his mother will say. I wish I had his self-confidence.At least we'll go down together. "Good because my mother is going to murder me in my sleep."The newest personal protection guard—I'd never get used to that name—steps up to my side. Nicki is tall and her body thin, but she's never once looked at Vincent inappropriately over the last two weeks she'd been protecting me.When Vincent introduced her and brought her into the team, I hadn't argued. Safety isn't something I can take for granted
The Valiant Trilogy Chapter 167: Too Early to Tell
Two Fridays laterMy eyes have just begun to close as I settle into the post-work catnap. The doctor said it wasn't a big deal I hadn't experienced any morning sickness or other complications during the pregnancy and I should consider myself lucky. But from the way I dozed off at my desk every couple hours the last few days at work, the exhaustion part of being pregnant is hitting me hard and making up for lost time of the first trimester.I still can't believe I'm pregnant. I've seen the evidence, we have the pictures to prove it, but besides being tired I don't feel different. Even though it is too early, I definitely haven't felt anyone moving around in there. Because I lack so much evidence, it is hard to picture me with a baby. It's even harder to picture my big rigid Vincent as a father. Not that I have any doubt he'll be a great one, I've just never seen him with kids. I rarely even babysat myself. Only once or twice in high school. I spent a couple of nights watching the Wa
The Valiant Trilogy Chapter 166: You Can't Hid Glam Wear
Without thinking about, it I place my hand on my desk and the metal in the ring that sits so heavily on my finger hits against it with a clink. It draws my attention back to the fresh addition to my finger and I smile as I stare at the beautiful piece of jewelry.I tried not to wear out of the house this morning. It was Monday and even though Vincent's employees handled his email well, I couldn't imagine it would get the same response as the newspaper article outing his previous wife. I prepared for a full-on tizzy. To my relief the article didn't publish as expected. Vincent answers my text with only a smiley face—so unlike him. I figure it cost him a pretty penny, but he worked his magic.Me walking through one of the company floors wearing a big ass ring on my finger would only add to the clusterfuck I was sure our day would turn into at any moment. Therefore, in the name of less drama I tried to leave the item on my nightstand, but Vincent must have swiped it. He followed me on
The Valiant Trilogy Chapter 165: Book Deals and Broken Promises
Vincent moves my feet off the couch and sits in the space. I don't like him being so far away, so I reposition myself until I'm leaning next to his body and getting into his personal bubble.He leans back on the couch wrapping one of his muscular arms over my shoulders. "Today's been shit. Huh?"He'd spent most of Sunday on the phone with his legal team and public relations employees. Everyone in Valiant Industries had quite the weekend. Even though he said he didn't plan to take action against Tiffany, he wants to stop the book from being published. Vincent doesn't elaborate on how he plans to make that happen, but I have faith in him.His legal and PR teams worked for hours and now had a course of action moving forward. Tiffany might strike the first blow with the article about her book, but Vincent wouldn't take it lying down. Tomorrow morning his office would release a statement countering the article and hopefully combatting any speculation. There will still be rumors and ta
The Valiant Trilogy Chapter 164: Agreements
By the next morning we still haven't come to an agreement on the house. I want to continue living in the penthouse and Vincent wants to spend an exorbitant amount of money on a weekend place fifteen miles out of the city—a home we won't officially move into until the baby is school age.Something warns me if I don't put up a big fight, Vincent will buy the house and just not tell me about it right away, so I make him promise in the car on the way home he won't do anything without getting my permission first. It's his money, and I feel bad bossing him about his own bank account, but a house is a big damn deal. You can't just buy a house. I'm only half sure making him promise will work, but it's time for me to stretch the trust part of our relationship."You're hiring the chef who made the sandwich and the chocolate cake. Right? I ask biting off another piece of my breakfast bagel."We are hiring and yes."All the meals we tested were delicious, and my core heats remembering the
The Valiant Trilogy Chapter 163: A Ruined Evening Fixed
The early Saturday morning sun wakes me the rest of the way after Vincent's alarm starts the job by rattling on his bedside nightstand. Who sets an alarm for Saturday?Vincent rolls over and wraps his arm underneath mine cradling a breast in his hand. I snuggle my back to his chest and reposition my head on the pillow, hoping I can fall back to sleep and he can do whatever he incorrectly believes is important enough to wake up early on a weekend."I'm sorry last night was ruined." He kisses the back of my neck sucking lightly."You mean when your wife broke in here and tried to steal what I strongly suspect was an engagement ring?" We'd talked about many things the night before but never got around to that topic.I'd planned to ask him, but after finding out Tiffany's demands for his sperm and then the sex, the thought completely fled my mind. We lay in bed together for another hour as Vincent held me tightly, but eventually he slipped from under the covers.Hours later I fou
