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Chapter Forty-Two
I stay nextto Henry in the aisle and cross my arms in front of my chest, focusing on the stage. Out of the corner of my eye, Mom gives me a disapproving glance. She wants me to sit down but knows why I’ve positioned myself here. I want a direct line of sight to Lilly and to be ready to move at any moment. Several of George’s men, including Lilly’s shadow, are closer than me, if it came down to it, but I don’t care.
Lilly's eyes find mine from her seat between Lanning and Nate's doc. Holy fuck, the guy's face is all kinds of green. Guess he should've paid more attention to the shit he prescribed to his patient. If the situation weren't so serious, I'd laugh my ass off.
There is movement in my peripheral vision. Denielle shuffles past my parents and stands behind Henry, followed by Wes, who stops behind me. I glance back without losing sight of Lilly on the stage. She is nervous, flicking her thumb against the rest of her fingers.
"She’ll be ok," Denielle whispers.
I'm not sure who she's trying to reassure or if she truly believes it. Hell, I have no clue what's going to happen in the next thirty minutes. This whole thing is fucking insane. I thought Lilly having her memory erased was the craziest thing that I would ever experience in my life. Never in a million years would I have expected to find myself here, in the fanciest hotel in freaking LA, after Lilly—and I, thanks to being the reckless idiot I am—almost got killed by her biological mother, now waiting for Lilly’s brother/first kidnapper to admit to his past crimes.
I couldn’t make that shit up even if I wanted to.
George approaches the podium again,and I hear several intakes of breath behind me from the press rows. It's hilarious that this scary-ass guy with a massive scar across half his face is like a doting father to Lilly and Nate. I remember the night he stepped out of the shadows in Den's backyard; I almost pissed my pants.
"Ladies and gentlemen..." The room goes eerily quiet, and all eyes are to the front. Lilly, however, is looking directly at me, and I give her the slightest nod.
You got this, babe.
"Mr. Hamlin has called for this press conference for several reasons. One is to announce a change in ownership for the Altman Hotels. However, the main objective is for him to inform everyone in attendance of the truth in the disappearance of the five girls that went missing and reappeared unharmed over the past ten years."
Instantly I hear chairs scrape against the floor, flashes go off, and reporters behind me start shouting questions. "What does that mean?" "What do the Altman Hotels have to do with a string of kidnappings?" "Why are we here?" "Who is the man next to Miss McGuire?"
I recognize that voice.
I glance over my shoulder, and sure enough, Lancaster is front and center. The dude will cry like a baby after losing his life's sole purpose today.
George ignores all of them and taps the mic again. When the press realizes that he will not answer their questions, they slowly sit back down one by one.
Shit, this guy is good.
"My name is George Weiler, and I am the head of Mr. Hamlin's personal security." I notice how he purposefully neglects the fact that he is also Lilly's security. They probably don't want to use her name until Nate and Lilly announce who she is.
"The press conference will proceed as follows. Mr. Hamlin will address you first, followed by several other speakers who will comment on what Mr. Hamlin is about to tell you." Again, he doesn't mention any names. "We are asking all of you to remain calm and seated the entire time. We will not allow questions during or after. The objective is for all of you to receive the same information at the same time. Any questions can be submitted in writing afterward and will be answered by the Altman legal representatives and the assigned authorities. Anyone who disrupts the press conference, does not remain seated, or attempts to approach the podium will immediately be removed by my security staff." George nods to both sides of the room, and it's almost as if everyone just now notices the men standing against the walls. Several gasps are audible throughout the large room, amplifying the sounds.
"Does anyone have an issue with the rules?"
Nothing. Not one sound. I’m pretty sure the entire room is holding its breath.
"Very well. Mr. Hamlin will address you first." With that, George steps to the side, and Nate slowly moves forward. He looks at Lilly before taking the last step, and she gives him a tight smile.
It’s written over her entire face how much she loves and supports her brother. She has forgiven him for what he has done to her and what she went through because of his actions. Not many people would be capable of that. As scared as I am for her and for what is to unfold in the next few minutes, I am even more proud to call her mine.
"Ladies and gentleman,"Nate’s voice rings through the ballroom. "My name is Nathan Altman Hamlin. My legal name is Nathan Hamlin; however, since taking over the Altman Hotels, I have used my mother and grandfather's name to conduct my business affairs. The two names have allowed me to live two separate lives, but this will come to a close today." Nate pauses and looks down at his notes. Where he sounds calm and collected, Lilly's posture is rigid, and even from a distance, I can see the white knuckles of her clasped hands.
My entire body is tense, and I fight the urge to march up there and throw myself in front of her. Denielle must've noticed the shift in me, because she gently places her hand on my lower back, keeping me in place. Behind me, hasty typing and the clicking of cameras is audible, and I assume the press is also holding up microphones. I don't turn around. My focus is on our current speaker and his sister behind him.
"As my head of security has already mentioned, we will not accept any questions. However, I am aware that some of the information I am about to share will be unsettling and upsetting to you, but I have to ask you to remain calm, or we will not be able to continue. Please let all the speakers finish."
Taking a deep breath, Nate turns one last time to Lilly, who locks eyes with him but doesn't show any expression. I haven't seen this blank mask in a long time. I don't like it, though I get that it is the face she has to put on.
"You were wondering who the people behind me are, and I will explain each of their roles to you in a moment. Most of you"—this is directed toward the press—"are aware of my past: my mother and sister's fatal accident, my father's suicide, and my altercation with another student, resulting in his hospitalization and my stay in a psychiatric facility. Doctor Stern"—he nods toward the small and, by now, extremely sweaty man in the farthest chair—"has been my therapist for the past ten years and will explain the medical aspect of this to you.
"On the other side, you have Agents Lanning and Camden of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. You may have heard their names over the last several months." He's alluding to the case without saying it directly. "Agents Lanning and Camden are here to ensure that the appropriate legal measures are taken once this is over."
A murmur runs through the crowd, and I almost expect someone to speak up, but George moves forward, and everyone quiets.
Fascinating.
