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Heather’s eyes were shining with love as she explained, "You were confused about who you were, and I wanted you to know that you will always be my daughter, even if I didn’t give birth to you."
This time, I walked over to her and hugged her.
Arms circlingmy stomach bring me out of my memory. Two thumbs caress the spot underneath my belly button, and I let my vision come back to focus and face Rhys in the mirror.
"Where did you just go, babe?" He cocks his head and studies my face.
"Just thinking about Henry."
He nods and pulls me tighter to him, his erection pressing against my back. One hand moves upward and cups my breast, his mouth peppering my neck and shoulder with kisses.
I lean into him, tilting my neck, and close my eyes. "Mhmm...didn't you just say we don't have time?"
He blows out a resigned breath, and the cool air against my neck causes goosebumps on my arms. "I did, didn't I?" he murmurs, placing another kiss on my shoulder.
He loosens his hold and steps back, his gaze moving down to my butt. He sighs dramatically, and I bark out a laugh.
"Go take a cold shower, big boy."
He smirks, and I add, "Alone."
Rhys gives me a one-sided shoulder shrug before he turns on the spray. "Not my fault I have the hottest girlfriend."
The hornets in my stomach go haywire at his words, and I shake my head. Then, I meet my reflection in the mirror again, and the hornets turn to dust, a black hole opening up in my stomach.
It’s time.With my hand safely secured in Rhys’s, we make our way from our penthouse to the elevator down the hall. I knocked on Nate’s door, but there was no answer. He must’ve already gone down.
When we arrived yesterday, Kevin, the hotel's bellhop of forty-two years, informed me that the top floor is reserved for the Altman family. No one else is allowed to stay there unless Mr. Nate—or now I—gave permission.
When I looked at him with confused eyes, the gray-haired man smiled. "You look like your father and brother."
My mouth dropped open, unable to form words.
"The second suite has been empty since Miss Payton and Miss Audrey left us. Mr. Nate always stays in his grandfather's suite," he said with a bowed head as the elevator ascended, and I fought against the lump in my throat.
Rhys, who had remained quiet, wrapped his arm around me and pulled me into his side. He saw that this friendly man’s words had almost caused me to break down.
My biological mother was the reason why the penthouse had been empty for over a decade.
Now standing in the elevator, my heart rate is increasing. My palm is getting damp in Rhys's, and I focus on our reflection in the mirrored doors. Rhys is dressed in dark-gray slacks and a white button-down shirt. His short hair has the perfect amount of gel in it. I shift to myself. I decided on a navy-blue pencil skirt with a white cap-sleeve blouse and nude heels. After blow-drying my hair, I twisted it in a low bun, letting a few strands hang loose around my face. I want to look put-together but still like myself. When my gaze lands on my free hand, I snort, which draws Rhys's attention back to me. I was flicking my thumb against my fingers and didn't even notice.
I am more nervous than I want to admit to myself.
Late last night,Nate and I met in the grand ballroom to go over everything one more time. Rhys patiently waited for two hours, sitting in one of the chairs on the stage. Today's announcement would only take thirty minutes. George and I, along with Agent Lanning, Agent Camden, and Doctor Stern, would be onstage together with Nate. We would need law enforcement, and after several heated discussions between myself, Nate, Heather, and Tristen, we all agreed Lanning and Camden were the best choices. Both were shocked, to say the least, when we flew them out to LA and introduced them to Nate. It took some convincing from Heather and Tristen to give us two more weeks to finalize the plan.
We also have several members of the hotel’s security team, as well as George’s own team, standing against both walls. George took charge of that. Everything is planned meticulously, down to the most superficial detail. Where Nate just wanted it all over, George and I refused to leave anything to chance.
That’s how it happened that the first two rows are reserved for the families of the girls. I personally called each of the parents and asked them to be here today. They knew who I was—obviously. We took care of their travel and accommodations, but none of them knew the true reason why they were summoned. I only told them that it had to do with the case, and it'd be important for them to attend in person.
We were at the vineyard during that time, and before the first call, I had a complete panic attack. Rhys almost called 911—if he would have known how to navigate Nate’s NCC set up. He almost tore the door out of the hinges, yelling for Nate.
The third row is for the board members, and the fourth will be occupied by my family. Rhys was pissed that I wouldn't let him be onstage, but Heather sided with me on that. "She needs to do this alone. She'll be safe."
He hasn’t left my side in months. Wherever I go, so does he. I see the looks Heather and Tristen give him, and he probably should work with his therapist on his fears, but I’m also selfish. I don’t want to be without him as much as he doesn’t want to be without me.
We have time to deal with the past when today is over. To heal.
We arriveon the second floor where the ballrooms are located. My heart is beating in my throat, but as the doors open, we're greeted by a familiar face, and my nerves calm a little. Marcus has become my shadow—as Rhys and Wes call him—whenever George isn’t with me.
