I Will Always Love You

by Kathryn Shay

  “They won’t come for him?”

  “No. I’m afraid he’s done irreparable damage to them.”

  Because what she said was true, he could think of no response. What would it be like for a father to know his children wouldn’t rush to his side in a life-and-death situation?

  They waited an hour before a doctor came out and scanned the occupants of the room. “Is the family for Richard Reynolds here?”

  Suzanne waved him over as they both rose. “We’re his children, Suzanne and Ryder.”

  “I’m Dr. Macauley, the cardiac resident on duty. We think your father had a heart attack, and we’ve done blood tests to confirm our diagnosis. But because his condition is so critical, we’ve sent him to the catheterization lab where we’ll administer a dye test to determine which arteries are blocked and how badly.”

  “Is that the first test he should get?” A book Ryder had edited featured a scene which outlined what happened at the hospital when the main character had a heart attack.

  “Not usually, but your father’s been here before, and we have his records. He has a fair amount of heart disease. We’ve treated him, and his own doctor gave him orders.”

  “What orders?” Suzanne asked.

  “To get more exercise. Eat less fatty foods. No alcohol.”

  Ryder had seen his dad drink routinely these days.

  “Did you know about this, Ry?”

  “No, or I would have told you.”

  “It’s a lot to take in.” The doctor’s tone was sympathetic. “As soon as the cath lab results come back, we’ll know if we have to do immediate surgery and call in a cardiac team.”

  “Surgery? Like in bypass?” Ryder asked again.

  “Maybe.”

  When the doctor left, Suzanne shook her head. “Isn’t this just like him, thinking he can control his heart like he controls everything else.”

  * * *

  Mamá greeted Alexandra warmly. She hugged her daughter then stood back. “Something is different about you, cara mia. Something good.”

  Calla stood and studied her. “Hmm, I think so too.”

  Brie, Mari and Evvie sat on one of the couches. Brie said, “Come over here and spill, kiddo.”

  Alexandra practically bounced to the adjacent couches and sat. Mamá and Calla joined her. “I have some news.” She kept her left hand covered with her right. “But I want to wait for Frankie to get here.”

  “She doesn’t even know if she can make it,” Calla told them. “She moved precincts, and her time isn’t her own, yet. So we shouldn’t wait.”

  “All right.” Lexy held out her hand with the ring sparkling in the light coming in through the windows.

  A hush fell over the room.

  Then Evvie, wonderful Evvie, jumped up, and knelt before her. “Oh, sweetie, this is wonderful news.” She grasped Lexy’s hand. “And the ring is stunning.”

  “Ryder says it suits me.” She noticed the shock on the others’ faces. “I realize this is soon to be making such a big decision. But I’m very happy.”

  Brie frowned. “Honey, the last time we were all together, we thought you decided not to get involved with Ryder Reynolds.”

  “We couldn’t stop our feelings.”

  Mari clutched the necklace she always wore, a gift from her late husband. “I want to be happy for you, but I’m worried that you haven’t known him very long.”

  “No need to be concerned. I’m ecstatic.”

  Calla sighed. “This is a surprise, Lexy. Give us a minute.”

  Raven stood, crossed the room and sat next to her. “Lexy’s a grown woman. She can make her own choices. He’s not a bad guy, and the electricity between them since the day they met is undeniable.”

  “You want her to marry him?”

  “I’ve learned that everybody in this family should stop making choices for each other.”

  “That’s not fair, Raven.” Brie frowned at her sister. “We have a right to be concerned.”

  “Be concerned all you want. But this is Lexy’s life. Congratulations, kiddo.” She bestowed one of her rare smiles on Lexy. “I’m happy for you.”

  * * *

  Ryder and Suzanne waited an hour before the doctor came out again. “Immediate surgery is required,” he said without preamble. “Mr. Reynolds has two completely blocked arteries and one partially obstructed. However, he insists on delaying an operation.”

  “Why on earth would he do that?” Ryder asked.

  “He told us he has something vital to take care of first. I’m hoping the two of you can go in and talk your father into having the surgery ASAP.”

  When the doctor left, Suzanne shook her head. “I can’t go in, Ry. Especially if he’s pulling these shenanigans. I’ll wait out here for you.”

  So Ryder walked through the treatment area doors alone. His own heart squeezed in his chest as he entered the third curtained-off cubicle.

  But he was shocked to see his father sitting up in his bed, in a hospitable gown...on the freaking phone! “I said we’re going to take Marcello’s books out of the lineup.”

  Ryder grabbed the cell from him. “Dad, what are you doing?”

  “What the hell... I need to take care of some things before I can attend to all this.” He gestured to the hospital as if the surgery was just another item on his agenda.

  “No, you don’t.” Speaking into the phone, he said, “Hello, this is Ryder.”

  “Ryder, it’s me, Jake.” The head of production. “What’s going on? Are we canceling the Pickles books?”

  “We aren’t. My dad’s in the hospital. He’s having surgery. He’s in no condition to make decisions.”

  “Jeez. Okay. Let us know how he is.”

  “Will do.” Ryder disconnected.

  When he didn’t hand his father his phone, Richard glared at him, then he threw back the covers and crossed to the chair where his clothes had been thrown. He grabbed his pants.

  “What are you doing, Dad? You’re really sick.”

  “I know I’m sick. I’ll take care of that as soon as I take care of this Marcello woman.”

  Richard had obsessed over things before and had never been able to let them go. But this time was different.

  “You cannot leave the hospital. You have three blocked arteries. You need emergency surgery.”

  “I’ll have it, but not right now.” He stuffed his feet in the legs of his pants, pulled them up and zipped them.

  Ryder crossed to his father and yanked his shirt out of his hands. They squared off. “Dad, calm down and have the surgery.”

  “No. Not before I stop this folly once and for all.”

  “That’s crazy.”

  “I don’t care.” His father held his gaze. “This will get her out of your life, too. That’s for the best. Now give me my shirt back.”

  “Dad—”

  “I said no! I refuse to do anything until the situation with Alexandra Marcello is settled and our firm is on safe ground again.”

  “God damn it, Dad. Nothing needs to be settled. The book will be successful because Alexandra Marcello is a real princess. That’ll stop any injunction.”

  * * *

  Long after the others arrived, Frankie walked into Calla’s house. She’d had a hard time getting away from work, but at least the drive from her new Baltimore district was short.

  When she entered, she found a subdued atmosphere in the front living room. “Hi, all. What’s going on?”

  Mari said, “Lexy’s getting married.”

  “Married?” Her dark eyes narrowed on her youngest sister. “To Ryder Reynolds?”

  “How did you know?”

  “From our discussions that first night. You never seemed convinced that you should avoid involvement with him.”

  “It seems that most of our family is concerned because I haven’t known him very long.” Lexy scowled. “But I know for a fact that Ryder loves me for who I am.” She glared at Brie and Mari. “It’s not to publish some freaking
books as the two of you suggested.”

  “I agree with that.” Frankie put in. “Getting married would be a bit overboard, just to have a bestseller.”

  “There’s more to the story.” This from Brie. “If her books are a success, he gets his shares in the company and he can open his own bookstore.”

  “Man, I wish I hadn’t told you that,” Lexy said.

  As Frankie sat, her phone pinged. “I’m sorry. It’s an alert. I have to see what it is.” She read the message on her phone. Then looked up. “Oh, my God.”

  * * *

  Suzanne had left the hospital for an appointment, so Ryder sat alone in the hospital—again--while the doctors did one more test on his father before the surgery. His phone buzzed. He didn’t want to answer. What if it was Alexandra? How could he tell her what he’d done? He couldn’t, not right now. He checked the caller ID. It wasn’t her.

  “Ryder Reynolds.”

  “Mr. Reynolds. Jacob Adams from The Literary Forum. We got a call from your father regarding an author and her books. He was interrupted but we need further information.”

  “My father’s in the hospital and will be undergoing heart surgery. I’ll be taking care of office matters. What do you need?”

  “First let me say I’m sorry to hear he’s ill. I like your dad.” One of the few people who did, Ryder guessed.

  “Thank you. What can I help you with?”

  “Is it true one of your August releases was written by a real princess?”

  * * *

  “What’s wrong?” Renata asked.

  Frankie’s face betrayed worry, which was unusual for her, a cop. “I—” She focused on Lexy. “Oh, honey...”

  “Tell us.” Raven’s tone was urgent.

  “I get an alert every time the name Gentileschi is in the news. This is from The Literary Forum. I’ll read it.

  From Reynolds Publishing. One of their newest signees, Alexandra Marcello, author of the Pickles and the Princess Series, is royalty herself—Princess Alexandra Marcello Gentileschi, from Casarina, an island off the coast of Italy.

  Alexandra grabbed the phone. Looked at the text then back up at Frankie. “I...I don’t know what to say. This will hurt you and Raven.”

  “Raven and I will deal with how this revelation affects us. The revelation is not your fault. But I’m afraid it’s the fault of the man you love.”

  Clearly upset now, Alexandra put her face in her hands. “I’m so sorry,” she repeated.

  Renata rose and crossed the room. She took Lexy into her arms. Lexy cuddled there. Felt safe there. “Bambina.”

  “This is awful.”

  From behind her Brie squeezed her shoulder. “We’ll deal with it. All of us together.”

  After a minute, Alexandra stepped away from her mother and scrubbed her face. “No, first I have to call Ryder.”

  “I think you should, child. Find out what happened.”

  With shaky hands, she picked up her phone, clicked into his number. Punched it.

  He didn’t answer. She was shocked. Then she got his voicemail. “Ryder Reynolds. I’m out of the office today and tomorrow. Leave a message.”

  That was odd. “Ryder, this is Alexandra. I know that my background has been revealed. Please call me back.”

  Chapter 14

  While the plane to Casarina circled the airstrip on the palace grounds, Renata glanced over at her daughter. Yesterday and last night had been dreadful. For hours, she’d watched Alexandra try to get in touch with Ryder.

  Ryder had not responded. Not once.

  Renata had been tempted to stop the futile endeavor, but held off until midnight. The other girls had gone home as they had responsibilities the next day, and at twelve, after the last call, Renata put an end to it....

  “Enough, mi figlia. He isn’t going to return your call.”

  “Maybe I should go back to New York. Something must have happened to him. Or his family.”

  “Nothing has happened to him.” Renata held up her phone. “Francesca set my cell to get alerts for Gentileschi news. Ryder was interviewed at some point today. He said that he wouldn’t but he confirmed your background.”

  “So he’s all right. Oh my God.”

  “I think it would be best for you come to Casarina with me....”

  Alexandra had agreed, and slept most of the way to their homeland. Now, Renata hated to wake her.

  Lovingly, she touched Alexandra’s shoulder. “Wake up, sweetheart.”

  Alexandra roused. She came awake slowly. As a baby, she’d begun the day smiling and happy. Even now, a moment of contentment on her face was fleeting. Then reality dawned. “Oh.”

  “You will be soothed by being at the palace, with your family around you.”

  Sitting up straight, she raked her hair off her face. “I’m not sure anything can soothe me, Mamá.”

  “We will. I promise you that.”

  She nodded. “I’m glad to be home.”

  The landing was smooth as was the short ride to the palace. Alessio was waiting for them on the front porch. Alexandra and Renata crossed to the steps. Renata saw the worry lines around his eyes and mouth when he came down to meet them.

  “Mio mogile. Mio figlia.” He embraced them both. After a bit, he kissed Alexandra’s head. “Child, I am so sorry to hear what happened to you.” Renata had warned him not to call Ryder the bastardo that he was. “Come inside.”

  Shepherding them into one of the main rooms, Alessio asked, “What do you want from us now, Alexandra?”

  “Being in Casarina helps me feel like the woman I was when I left. I prefer to go lie down.” She kissed Alessio’s cheek. “I’ll be at dinner.”

  When she left, he hugged Renata again. “Quel figlio de puttana.”

  “My sentiments exactly. He’s a son of a bitch and more. Could he have proposed to her, Alessio, thinking she’d tell him her background and he could see more books, get his bookstore?”

  “We know from Lorenzo that men are capable of much bad behavior. It’s just...”

  “What?”

  “From what you told me of him and Alexandra together, he did not seem like he was playing a part.”

  “But we have proof that he was. We can only help ease the damage he did to our bambina.”

  * * *

  Ryder didn’t go back to the office until two days after his father’s surgery. Instead, he sat with the man who had changed the whole trajectory of his life. Now, as he walked into Reynolds Publishing, Ryder would take charge of his father’s job for the next four to six weeks.

  With vicious self-control, he refused to let his feelings in. If he held himself rigidly, if he didn’t entertain certain thoughts, he’d get through the next hour. And then the next. The worst had been the last two nights—he’d lain awake thinking of how much he must have hurt the person he loved more than anything in the world.

  “Hello, Ryder,” Mary said. “How is Mr. Reynolds?”

  “As I told you on the phone, he came through the surgery well. He’s still in ICU, but he was resting comfortably last night when I left. Could you put an update out to the staff on that?”

  “Yes, of course. We tried to handle what we could, but a stack of phone calls to return are on your desk along with a list of meetings to reschedule. Once you get your bearings, let me know where you want to start.”

  “Thank you. Please keep everyone out of the office, at least for this morning. And hold my calls.”

  Mary’s brows rose. This was not protocol.

  He walked into his office and closed the door. The last time he was here, he’d...nope, he couldn’t go there. He couldn’t picture her on the couch, or anywhere else. He banished even those meager reminders of her.

  Dropping down at his desk, he rifled through the messages and marked which ones he’d need to return immediately. He was on number twelve when the door flew open. He scowled. “Mary, I told-”

  Mary wasn’t the visitor but was right behind the woman who barged in.
“I’m sorry, Ryder. She wouldn’t listen to me.”

  “That’s okay. Close the door on your way out, Mary.”

  As he watched Emma Wilder, he steeled himself for her attack, one he thoroughly deserved.

  She stood by the doorway, tall and stiff like a general in an army. “What the fuck is going on over here, Ryder?”

  “Dad had a heart attack.” Word had gotten out, so this wasn’t news to her.

  “I heard he was doing well.” Her tone softened.

  “He is.”

  She strode to the front of the desk. The real concern on her face shamed him. “What I meant was the gossip that Alexandra is a real princess. Is that a stunt?”

  “No. She is a princess.”

  “Are you shitting me?”

  He shook his head.

  “How would you know that?”

  “She told me.”

  “Then why wouldn’t she use her background to sell her books to begin with? We could have promoted the hell out of who she is.”

  “For one reason—she wanted to make it on her own talent, not on her background. But even more so, she has two sisters going by the name of Marcello and one is the illustrator. Ravenna has a career in art under Marcello. The other is a cop who definitely didn’t want to be exposed as a princess. I’m going to try to keep their first names out of any promo, which should help for a while.”

  Her jaw jutted out. “Why would she tell you all this then? Both those things are still issues, right?”

  “I can’t answer that.”

  “You mean you won’t?”

  “Whatever.”

  Emma sat down in the chair in front of his desk. “What kind of pressure did you exert on her?”

  “I didn’t pressure her. She told me willingly.”

  But I need you to be honest. Because I don’t want my wife keeping things from me.

  “Your wife?”

  “Yes. I want to get married. Do you?”