I freeze for a moment, giving myself time to check out the lobby. It’s very chic and extremely elegant. A red wall runs down one side. The other side is all windows and doors leading back outside. Black and white leather furniture is grouped into small seating areas. My heels click across the marble tiled floor when I have to pick up the pace to catch up. The sound is delightful.
My favorite pair of Louboutins survived that horrible night I would just as soon forget. Even though at the time I would have loved nothing better than to have been able to stab both of Emerald’s eyes with the heels of my shoes, now I’m thankful I didn’t.
I continue on, feeling safe, shoving that night deep into the back of my mind. We stop briefly at the security desk where I’m introduced to two of the security guards. Both men are young and good-looking.
“It’s a pleasure to finally meet you,” they say in unison.
The bigger one of the two eyes me from head to toe. Cain growls from behind me.
“Nice to meet you, too,” I say politely.
“Let us know if you ever need anything, Mrs. Bexley,” he says.
I return his smile.
“Thank you.”
We make our way toward the elevator, leaving the two men behind. I elbow Cain.
“Jealous?”
“No. The opposite. They can look all they want. Now if they touch...” He quirks up a brow.
I roll my eyes.
The elevator dings just as we approach.
“We’re on the Forty-ninth floor and you’re on Fiftieth.,” Dad says as he pushes both buttons. The elevators close and we ascend rapidly. Even the elevator floor is marble. Good lord.
I’m anxious to see the inside. The view. To soak in the tub overlooking the city that Lola went on and on about. I pray my stomach will be able to take it. I’d hate to disappoint Cain.
I know he built his house back in Michigan with hopes of us living there. We haven’t talked much about why he wants to live here. When we were younger, he did always talk about moving away from Detroit, with all of its drugs and violence, but there’s just as much, if not more, here.
Not to mention, no one knows Royal’s whereabouts. Everyone seems to think he has left the state. Salvatore is convinced he’s left the country. You would think I would be frightened after everything I’ve been through, but I can honestly say this is the safest I have felt since I first learned about my fate, and all the things I never knew about the six years I lived on my own. Maybe it’s the fact that my parents are close. Or the reality of Cain and I really trying to make our marriage work. Whatever it is, I’m ready to put the past behind me, and eager to start my new life with the only man I will ever love.
Mom hugs me before she steps off the elevator.
“Call me when you’re ready to fill out the paperwork for NYU, sweetie.”
“I will.”
I turn to my handsome father. My protector. My lifesaver.
“Dad.”
He pulls me into his arms.
“Thank you,” I whisper into his ear.
He holds me tight for the longest time, then releases me, kissing my forehead and sighing heavily.
“I’m proud of you, sweetie,” he winks at me as the doors of the elevator close.
“And I’m proud to be your daughter. Both of you,” I say to myself.
The minute we walk into the apartment, I gasp.
“Oh, my God!”
It’s more like a damn mansion sitting on top of the world. Dropping my bag, I gawk, jaw slack. The foyer is slick with dark wood floors. I bypass the living room and head straight to the kitchen, which is all white except for the slate-gray tiled floors. It has a large window that overlooks the entire city. The Empire State Building. The MetLife building. This view is remarkable. I can’t wait until nighttime to see it all lit up.
Cain’s arms encircle my waist. I lean back against his shoulders, taking it all in.
“Is this where you would stay when you came to the city?” I ask inquisitively when I enter the living room, greeted by more windows overlooking another part of the city. The walls are all white, the modern furniture a deep, rich tan.
“I stayed here a few times. Not many.”
He grabs my hand and leads me into a giant office lined with shelves of books. A sleek wooden desk sits in the center.
“This is amazing.”