Page 61 of Park Avenue Princess

Chapter 17

Guy

I’m usually pretty good at keeping a handle on my shit, but after all that’s happened in the past twenty-four hours, I feel as if I’m about to lose it. Lynne’s presence beside me however, with her hand in mine, quickly soothes me, allowing me to gain some control over my emotions and hopefully remain rational. By the time we arrive at my parents’ home, I think I’ve calmed enough to go in level-headed. For my mother. I’m sure we’ve arrived before her, given it takes at least thirty minutes to get across town. Then she’ll need to park and make her way inside. It only took us ten minutes to walk here.

Lynne squeezes my hand as I face the entrance, taking a deep breath. Sensing her gaze on me, I turn, meeting her smile as she says, “It may be lame to say, but you can do this. I believe in you and your ability to remain cool, calm, and collected.” She shrugs. “After all, you gave me a chance when you could have berated me up one side and down the other before telling me to fuck off.”

She winks and I bark with laughter. “First of all, I would never tell you to fuck off. Second, thank you.” I pull her into me and give her a light kiss.

“You’re welcome.” We stare at one another a moment before she says, “Ready?”

I nod and turn for the door. We enter and are greeted by the familiar attendant.

“Well, hello Guy, it’s been a while. How are you?”

“I’m fine, Roger, and you?”

“Good, good. Welcomed another grandchild last week.” His broad smile pretty much says all there is to say about his joy.

“What’s that make, your third?”

“Fourth. If you came around more often you’d know this.” His remark is jovial.

I chuckle and shake his hand. “Yeah, yeah. Well, congratulations.” I turn to Lynne, making introductions. “Roger, this is Lynne, my girlfriend. Lynne, Roger, best doorman in New York and proud grandpa.”

“It’s a pleasure, Lynne. Now I see what’s been keeping this man away.” He throws a wink my way.

Lynne releases a nervous little laugh. “Nice to meet you.”

He nods. “Hope we’ll be seeing more of you.” He then looks back at me. “Meeting your parents? Your dad just went up about twenty minutes ago with your mom not far behind.”

I stiffen.Mom’s already here? And with Dad?Trying to keep my voice neutral, I answer while plastering on a smile. “Yes, thank you. Better not keep them waiting.” I press my hand to Lynne’s back and begin to guide her toward the elevator. “Good seeing you, Roger. We’ll catch up soon.” I continue to move as he answers.

“Will look forward to it.”

Inside the car, I press the button for the twentieth floor, and once the door closes, I pull out my phone.

“Guy?Bothyour parents are here? I didn’t expect your mom to be home already.”

“Me neither.”

“And you’re seriously going to go up and face them?”

“Yes. I’m texting Hollis to let him know the situation, see if he can get the authorities over here now. Text your father and tell him what’s happening as well.”

Lynne immediately pulls out her phone but asks, “You don’t think your father would do something crazy, right? I mean, he wouldn’t become hostile, would he?”

“I honestly don’t know.” I continue working my phone, sending off the message to Hollis. “I’d like to say I could never imagine that, but then again, I never would have thought he’d be involved in such a scheme, and for over twenty years. It’s hard to determine his level of desperation.”

Lynne spins around to push the stop button, bringing the elevator to an abrupt halt.

“What—”

“Guy, I do not want to risk anyone’s life on the unpredictability of a man who more than likely knows he’s in deep shit. And if he feels cornered will no doubt strike out in self-preservation.” She steps to me, placing her hand on my chest. “I just got you back and I won’t have something happen to you. You are myeverythingnow.”

There’s a hitch in her voice and her lips quiver, making my heart clench, and I immediately want to soothe her.

“Lynne, it’s not as if he’s going to harm me. He—”

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