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Chapter 87: The City of Perfume Samples
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The Valiant Trilogy Chapter 88: A secret love child?
How old would this child be now? Would he be school age or hitting his teenage years? When exactly was Vincent in this reckless period? There hadn't been mentions of turmoil or pregnancy when he was young. I attempt the math in my head, but I'm jumbled.Vincent's face pinches together as if telling me the information is as painful as hearing it, but he doesn't get off so easily. "No, but by the time she lost the baby we'd already gotten married. I wanted to do the right thing, so we hopped a plane and were married on the Vegas strip in a ceremony we told no one about."That explains the marriage, but not why they're still together. My mind races, wanting to ask questions but knowing it's up to Vincent to tell me the full story. If I'm ever to trust him again, he has to come clean now."I tried to divorce her after that, but with her depression over losing the baby and then me, she tried to kill herself. I couldn't in good conscience leave until I knew she was in a better place. B
Last Updated : 2022-10-26The Valiant Trilogy Chapter 89: A Trip to the Top
"I CAN'T BELIEVE we're going up in the Eiffel Tower," I say as the elevator operator shuts the doors on the crowd of us who have packed our way onto the small tower elevator.Less than ten minutes have passed since Vincent and I weaved our way through the barriers and the throngs of people, showing our tickets for the express elevator package—a one-way ticket to the top of the Eiffel Tower. Not only will I get to stare at it from afar watching the lights, but now I've visited and will see the city from high above.He smiles, moving his body a fraction so I have a better view out the window and our small space to ourselves. His cologne, the same enticing one he wears in the office, makes me lean in and breathe slightly deeper. "I thought you might enjoy it."My nose crinkles up with his words. "How?" I suppose not that difficult to figure out. I'm sure ninety-nine percent of visitors to Paris consider a stop at the Eiffel Tower on their must-do list."You have a calendar of Pari
Last Updated : 2022-10-26The Valiant Trilogy Chapter 90: A Private Boat Ride
Our boat bobs slightly on the water in the Seine River. Others resembling ours float in front and behind us. The river is full of boats churning up the waters in the narrow space. The only difference between our boat and the others is they are jampacked with tourists. Groups of people chatter and stare out at the city lights as the sun descends in the sky.I check on either side, looking for other patrons on our boat, but there are none. We're as empty as we were when we left the dock. Only Vincent sits beside me on the red couch at the front of the boat."Shouldn't there be more people on this boat?" I ask, not wanting to alarm him but concerned all the same.Vincent left his bulky silent security guard in America against everyone's wishes. When he first mentioned it on the plane, I enjoyed the idea of being alone, but now we are too alone. Where are the people? They'd been surrounding in the busy city, and now we are alone.Vincent laughs, placing a kiss on my temple. It's ho
Last Updated : 2022-10-26The Valiant Trilogy Chapter 91: Where to Next?
All places on my wish list.My shoulders perk up and I look away from the tower for a second, staring into his brilliant honey-colored eyes. "Ireland?" I ask hopefully. I don't want to give in to the game of making promises we're not sure we can keep, but after Paris it's the second location on my list.He places his forehead against mine, blocking my view of the tower. "For you I'd spend time in the green hills with the Irish sheep.""And kiss the Blarney Stone?" I ask, listing off the number one thing I need to do if I ever make it Ireland.He pulls away, his face crinkled. "Fuck no. People piss on that thing."I laugh and it's a light sound, one I haven't made since Vincent and I were at odds with one another."They do not." That is entirely an urban legend. There's so much security on the rock now it's perfectly clean. As long as you consider kissing a rock which hundreds of other people kiss that day perfectly clean. I would wipe it off first. To be safe.There are s
Last Updated : 2022-10-26The Valiant Trilogy Chapter 92: Missed You, but Now What?
I stare out the window watching the Eiffel Tower and wonder how long to the next light show. I notice his presence as soon as he enters the room, but I don't turn and face him. Vincent doesn't speak either until his chest presses against my back. He rests his hands on my upper arms and stands behind me, looking outside as well."I've missed you so much, Mackenzie."Those words get me to turn until I face him. He wipes away a tear away before it streams from my eye. "I don't know how to forgive you."I want to. Yes, Vincent lied, but did he have a good enough reason? Did the circumstances make it okay? This one gigantic lie has made me question all the other things he said.Vincent gathers me in his arms and I lay my head on his shoulder. "Give it time. Let me show you, but don't give up on me."He tilts my head up toward his and places a soft kiss on my lips. It's tender and sweet, and he doesn't ask for more. But when it's obvious he won't do it again I stand on my tiptoes a
Last Updated : 2022-10-26The Valiant Trilogy Chapter 93 – All Good Things Come to an End
Vincent's fingers intertwine with mine and we stroll Champs-Élysées together in the morning. Tourists pack the famous high-end street known for its shopping. Every part of Paris is packed with tourists. Even as a piece of my heart longs for privacy with Vincent like we had the night before on the boat, I marvel at the shops. I never thought this trip would be possible. At least not at this point in my life. I expected to save for years to make the journey, but here I am in my twenties experiencing it.Expensive stores line either side of the street. Everything you could need from a top-of-the-line fashion store is here. I can't afford to shop in any of them. Just strolling along the sidewalk and among the others is enough for me.Vincent squeezes my fingers as we walk past the Louis Vuitton store and my mouth falls open, looking at the beautiful purses in the window. Even with my ridiculous income as Vincent's assistant, I can't afford to set foot in the store."Thanks for making
Last Updated : 2022-10-26The Valiant Trilogy Chapter 94: Turbulence
The table jostles and I grab onto my glass of Sprite as the plane hits another bout of turbulence. The ice cubes rattle against the glass, and when the plane settles again, I lean back getting comfortable on the couch."I could get used to this first-class travel thing," I say smiling at Vincent. Besides the random worries our plane will plumped out of the sky the rest of our trip has been wonderful.When it's your own private jet, is it still considered first-class travel or is it more? Is there a higher tier?If not, someone needs to come up with one and quickly.Vincent laughs. "What about the carbon footprint?"I narrow my eyes at him. "I'll make my mega-rich boyfriend buy carbon offset credits." Show him to be mouthy. He smirks. "Done."He goes back to typing on his laptop, his eyes zoned in on the screen, not looking up when he answers me. The turbulence hasn't slowed him down one bit.The large jet we've taken across the ocean to and from Paris is much more what
Last Updated : 2022-10-26The Valiant Trilogy Chapter 95: The Mile-High Club
"I have not."That damn eyebrow tics higher. "Yes, you have."I drop the sleeping e-reader on the coffee table next to my drink. "I'm not bored. I'm thinking."Vincent takes a large breath as if he's gathering strength for dealing with me and then closes the lid to his laptop, pushing it to the side. "About your desire to join the mile-high club? Because if so, I can make that a reality."I laugh, my eyes flitting back of the bedroom. Maybe. "No.""Then what?""Where do people think we've been? What happens we get back to the states? What about your… Tiffany?" I don't want to use the word wife to describe her. It's a complete cop out on my part but a constant reminder of the trouble facing us. Sometimes in a woman's life, she needs to take the cop out and hold on to it like her favorite childhood stuffed animal. "What about us?"Vincent smirks and leans back in his chair. "That all?"That all? That's everything."It's a start," I say lifting a shoulder.He stands an
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
