Page 110 of Notorious Park Avenue Prince

But just when I thought East would throw it back in my face, he leaned in and kissed me on the cheek.

“Thanks for the offer. Who knows, I might just have to take you up on it.”

I hoped that wasn’t the case. Not because I didn’t think he was capable, but because I knew what it meant to me to be a part of my family’s business, and I wanted that for East.

But at the same time, I didn’t want to see him hurt.

“Anytime.” I glanced at my watch, knowing it was getting close to the first lecture of the morning, and there was someone else who wanted to see East before that. “Look, if you don’t have anywhere else to be before your first lecture, there’s a certain professor who’d like to see you.”

“Why? I came straight to Astor like he told me to.”

I chuckled at the frown forming between his brows. “Relax. He just wants to make sure you’re okay.”

“Oh.” East’s eyes took on that playful glint I hadn’t seen in days. “So I’m not in trouble?”

“Do you want to be?”

He shrugged and stepped around me, back out in to the hall. “I don’t know. If it means I might get a spanking, maybe?”

“You’re incorrigible. Now go, or you’ll be late for your king.”

“Yes, sir.” He went to walk away, but stopped and said, “Thank you for checking on me.”

And before I could utter a response, East disappeared out into the hall.

FORTY-ONE

east

WHETHER I WANTED to admit it or not, having Zac make a surprise appearance just to check on me had my chest squeezing something fierce. Only this time I knew I wasn’t in danger of having a heart attack, though my friends might be.

Smirking to myself at their reaction, I made my way across the building, easily able to ignore the stares directed my way with every step I took. Not that people staring was anything new for me, but the reason why was altogether different now.

Normally, I’d tell them all to fuck off, but I didn’t even care to this morning. Why would I bother when the people who actually mattered had my back?

I couldn’t help the smile that wanted to break free as I thought back to waking up with Zac and King earlier. The panic attack that had begun back on the island was nowhere to be found. In fact, having them nearby—and making Zac take the middle spot—eased my restlessness, and I hadn’t woken up even once during the night.

Who the hellwasI?

I wasn’t the kind of guy who got caught up in feelings, but it was becoming impossible to ignore the way I missed them when they were gone. The way I sought them out when I knew theywere near. The way they seemed to occupy my mind even though I had a million other important things I should’ve been thinking about.

I’d never been more terrified in my life, but at the same time, never felt safer. It was strange to rely on anyone other than myself, but with King and Zac I’d finally started to let my guard down. To let them see behind the walls I was always so careful to stand behind.

I was so caught up in my thoughts, I almost missed seeing my father slip in through the back door.

Holy shit. What?

My feet stopped moving, and I was sure I was hallucinating. King had told me he’d made bail, but the last thing I expected was to see him at Astor.

“What the fuck?”

Instead of heading to King’s office, I pivoted in my father’s direction, and when he saw me coming, something that looked like relief crossed his face and he inclined his head for me to follow.

Huh.He was here to see me, then?

I headed toward the back hall where he’d disappeared and glanced behind me as I rounded the corner, making sure neither of us had been followed.

But when I turned back, the hall was empty, nothing but offices?—

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