by Myers, K. L.
Once inside, I introduce Isabella to Gerard. Gerard is head of security and her personal bodyguard. “Isabella, Gerard will be at your service. He will be stationed here on site with his team and will be available to serve you and Lillian 24/7. Don’t let his kind face mislead you. Gerard spent eight years as a Green Beret before starting his own security company. He may look innocent, but he will slice the throat of anyone who means you harm.”
Gerard’s six-foot frame towers over Isabella as his hand reaches out toward to her. “Nice to meet you, Mrs. Vicci. Just pretend I’m not here. I’ll stay out of your way for the most part, but if I feel you are in danger, I will expect you to follow my commands.”
“Nice to meet you as well, Gerard.” Isabella reaches out to shake his hand. “Call me Bella, please. Do you mind showing me to where I’ll be staying? I’d really like to be alone for a bit.”
“Certainly, Mrs. Vicci.” Gerard catches himself, quickly acknowledging his mistake. “Bella, follow me, and I’ll show you to your cottage.”
As they turn to exit, leaving Lillian and myself alone in the den, the sound of gunfire resonates throughout the house. I hear bullets ricochet off the front wall. “Everyone get down!” Gerard yells, forcing Isabella to the floor behind the couch. I hunch over, taking Lillian’s hand in mine and pulling her toward her mother. Lillian reaches for her mother’s hand, and we all run for the safe room located behind the bookcase.
“Stay in there until I come for you,” Gerard roars.
“How the fuck is this even possible?” I holler back
“No fucking idea. Heads are going to roll for this. Now, get inside that room and don’t come back out!” Gerard shouts as he runs for the front door.
Once we’re inside, the safe room door locks securely. Surveillance equipment allows me to scan various parts of the estate. When I had this room added, I had envisioned its necessity to protect my grandfather. Never had I ever dreamed I would need it to protect the woman I love.
Inside, Lillian and Isabella sit on the leather sofa tucked into the corner of the room and stare at the wall of monitors that give us a firsthand look at what is happening outside. Against the back wall is a marble wet bar, fridge, and microwave. Next to the bar is a set of stairs that leads to an underground living area that includes a bathroom and two bedrooms. The three of us watch anxiously as gunfire passes between my security team and the thugs dressed in black. Isabella stands and walks closer to the monitor that overlooks the backyard. Her hand immediately rises to her mouth. “My God, that’s Enzo.”
Lillian stands, rushing to her mother. “What? You’re right. What the hell is he doing?”
We all watch apprehensively as the man Isabella and Lillian identify as Enzo makes his way up the yard from the water. His gun is drawn, and he opens fire on my security team.
Angelo had warned me that there was a possibility of there being a mole in the family. It appears we now know who that mole is. Reaching for my phone, I dial Angelo and wait for him to answer. When he doesn’t, I decide it’s best to leave a message.
“Angelo, we’re under fire here on my property. The ladies are safe, don’t worry, but we know who your mole is.”
Lillian pulls the phone from my hand. “Ang,” she says frantically, “it’s Enzo. He’s here.”
Chapter 9
LILLIAN
After the ambush at Lincoln’s estate two weeks ago, I had given up all hope of ever being able to leave our home. It took Angelo speaking with Lincoln for him to understand that it was alright to allow me to live a life outside the walls that had become my private sanctuary and hell all in one. Angelo convinced Lincoln that it would be alright to allow me to work again at the clinic. I never thought working would bring me so much peace, but it does, and today is my first day back.
“Mother, I’m heading to the clinic to see patients this morning. Do you need anything before I leave?”
My mother has settled in quite well here at Eastwick Estates. Most of the time she is huddled quietly in her guest house. She still cries most nights before bed. She doesn’t know it, but I can see and hear what is going on in her cottage. I don’t look at it is an invasion of privacy, but more as peace of mind knowing she is safe out there by herself.
“I’ll be fine, Lillian. Go on to work. I’m just going to read today.” Mother takes the cup of coffee from the counter in front of her and heads toward the back door. Gerard patiently waits outside on the patio to walk her to her cottage. At first, Mother hated having a shadow, but now she just rolls with it.
“See you tonight, Mother,” I call to her as she closes the sliding door behind her. I quickly jet off to my room to grab my purse and then make my way out front to the car awaiting me. “Morning, Hunter. I’ll be headed to the clinic today,” I tell my bodyguard as I walk toward the waiting car. “Morning, Jacob.” I rise up on my toes and kiss his cheek. “I’m glad you are back. I told Lincoln never to allow anyone to drive me except for you.” We both chuckle.
Hunter’s hand lands on my back, pushing me toward the open door. “Get in, Ms. Lillian, or you will be late for your first appointment.”
The door closes once I’m settled inside. It’s the first time I’ve been off the estate grounds by myself. I close my eyes and remember the horror of the last two weeks.
The attack was over in less than thirty minutes, but there was so much bloodshed that I’m still sick to my stomach. I lived in a world where taking a life was a weekly, if not a daily occurrence, but I never witnessed it. The images—oh God, the images. I tried to escape them, but the monitors were so clear it was like I was out there with them. Watching Enzo and the two missing soldiers—not missing anymore, I guessed—and six of the Westies’ men fighting to breathe was too much. The doctor in me wanted to help them, but the woman who was petrified and angry wanted to spit in their faces. Lincoln refused to let me leave the room, and I hated to admit it, but I was grateful for it.
Thank goodness for Gerard and his men. They were efficient. Prepared. They took down our enemies and those who betrayed us with no loss on our side.
“Stay here,” Lincoln said as he went to the door and punched in a code.
“The hell I will.”
“I need to check in with Gerard and see if anyone needs medical care.”
“I am medical care,” I huffed, stomping my feet.”
“There may be a second attack coming, Lillian. Please, just sit the fuck down and let me handle this.”
My mother grabbed my arm, pulling me back. I was pissed. At her and at Lincoln for talking to me the way he did. “Let him do what he needs to, child. He’ll be back.”
Lincoln left, and I ripped my arm away from her. She flinched, making me feel like shit. “Sorry, Mother. I just don’t know what to do.”
“I know. Sit and let them take care of this.”
Mother and I watched as they removed the dead bodies from the lawn. Where they took them, I didn’t know, but I was happy to no longer see them on the screens. Two of Gerard’s men needed treatment. Several times, Lincoln appeared on the screens, stress evident in the way he jammed his hands in his hair. The longer I watched the cleanup take place, the harder I was struggling to stay angry.
Finally, after what felt like hours, the door opened and Gerard told us we could come out. I was disappointed it wasn’t Lincoln, but as I walked into the hallway, I saw why.
Angelo, Bethany, and Peanut stood at the front door. “Linc?” I looked questioningly at him. “Why are Bethany and Peanut here with Angelo?” I watched as all emotion left his face. It was his poker face, the one he puts on when he’s trying to hide something from me. “Explain now, Lincoln,” I demanded as Peanut took off down the hall and Bethany headed toward the kitchen with Angelo.
“I hired Angelo to watch over Bethany and Peanut.”
Lincoln’s face was full of concern as he explained how it had come about. I knew deep down that there was no one better for the job than Angelo. “This is what you didn�
�t want to talk about in the car?” Lincoln confirmed with a nod of his head. “You thought I would be upset by this?” Once again, Lincoln nodded. “There isn’t anyone more qualified than Angelo, Linc. He’ll give up his own life before he lets anything happen to them.”
Lincoln conceded. “Let’s just hope it never comes to that.”
Lincoln, Angelo, and I stood in front of the monitors as the men watched the security tape footage from earlier that day. I stared at Angelo’s face when he saw Enzo open fire on our security team. His hands clenched as his jaw tightened. “That fucking disloyal prick. I’d kill that motherfucker if he were still alive.” We all turned to the sound of Peanut yelling down the hall.
“Uncle Wuv!” Peanut squealed as he came running through the door of Lincoln’s office, his stuffed puppy in one hand. He ran toward Angelo, stopping and wrapping his little arms around his legs. “Angewhoa is my new friend,” he said to Lincoln.
Angelo looked down at Peanut before lifting him into his arms. “Yep, that’s right, ragazzino.”
My heart tightened as he called him “little boy,” reminding me of all the years he’d called me piccolo ragazza. I had once been his little girl.
The sound of my phone ringing pulls me out of my trance. I glance down and see it is Bethany calling me, and I quickly answer only to hear a hysterical Bethany on the other end.
“Bethany, it’s fine, don’t worry. I’m on the way to the clinic now. Bring Peanut by, and I’ll have a look at him. I’m sure it’s nothing.”
It’s noon before Bethany arrives with Peanut. I see them enter the waiting room. I’m writing in a patient’s chart as the front door opens and in walks Bethany. Behind her, Angelo enters with Peanut sitting on his hip, arms wrapped tightly around his neck. I’m taken aback by this sight. This could have been me years ago with Angelo if he hadn’t run. I feel nauseous in the pit of my stomach. What would it have been like if Angelo had never left and I didn’t have this dreadful disease? Would Angelo and I be married with children of our own?
“Willian!” Peanut yells across the room, his little feet kicking as he squirms in Angelo’s arms.
I set the chart I’m writing in down to make my way to the counter before me and start walking toward the front. Angelo lets Peanut down. He’s standing on the counter in front of the receptionist. “Willian.” His little hand waves back and forth. “Here, come here, pwease.”
I laugh at how excited he is to see me. “How are you feeling today, Peanut?” I ask when I reach him.
“Nod so good, Willian” The excitement he felt when he entered the room falls from his face. “My tomach is yucky, but Mommy says you make it all bedder.”
I reach out, lifting Peanut from the counter and placing him securely on my hip. “Let’s go see what’s wrong with your stomach, okay?”
Peanut nods his little head, wrapping his arms around my neck as we walk to the examination room. I see Angelo push the swinging half wall open for Bethany, allowing her to follow me back.
Once inside the room, I set Peanut down on the table and watch as Angelo takes a seat. Bethany is immediately at Peanut’s side, concern marring her face.
“It’s nothing to worry about,” I tell Bethany as I finish my exam. “His heart sounds perfectly fine. I’m sure it’s just a stomach bug.”
“Doctor Copley said I overreacted the last time I was in here. I’m so glad you are back, Lillian,” Bethany tells me as she lifts Peanut into her arms, then passes him to Angelo as if they’ve been a family for years.
“I’d rather you overreact, Bethany. Bring him in anytime you are worried. I completely understand. I’ll always make room for Peanut.”
Angelo doesn’t say a word to me. Instead, he directs his words to Peanut. “You ready to go home, ragazzino?”
Once again, my heart aches at the sight before me and the words I hear. I do my best to stow my emotions and shake Bethany’s hand. “Call if you need anything.”
“Hey,” Bethany says, “Love is coming by tonight for a bit to visit with Peanut. Why don’t you come with him, and I’ll make us dinner?”
“Sure,” I say apprehensively, “I’d love to.”
“Great, see you this evening.” Bethany turns, leaving me alone in the examination room with my thoughts.
Chapter 10
LILLIAN
“What’s going on with Bethany and Angelo?” I immediately ambush Lincoln as he walks through the door that evening.
He steps closer to me, pulling me into his arms and kissing me hard before he speaks. “Hello, beautiful,” he says, gazing into my eyes. “What’s this about Bethany and Angelo?”
I snap back quickly, “That’s what I want to know. What’s going on with Bethany and Angelo?”
Lincoln takes my hand, walking us toward the sofa. He sits, pulling me into his lap. “You know he’s her bodyguard, Lillian.” He nuzzles his face into my neck, kissing just below my ear.
I quickly push him away. “He didn’t seem like her bodyguard today, Lincoln. They came into my office today with Peanut. It seemed all too domestic for him to be just a bodyguard.”
Lincoln pushes me from his lap and stands. I immediately feel the loss of the loving and carefree man whose arms I was just in seconds ago. When he speaks, his tone is harsh and demanding. “We’ll discuss my sister and Angelo in a second, Lillian, but first I want to know why you are so upset at the possibility of there being anything more than professional going on. Do you still have feelings for Angelo? More than what you’ve told me about?”
“No,” I immediately respond. “I told you I’ll always feel some sort of love for him, but I’m not in love with him. Not in the way you’re implying.”
Lincoln walks to the bar and pours himself two fingers of whiskey. “Are you sure, Lillian? Because your tone is not that of a dear friend. No, it’s more that of a jealous lover. If you still have feelings for him, you need to let me know now. I love you, Lillian. I’ve told you that. You’re the only woman I’ve ever considered spending the rest of my life with. If you’re not in this with me wholeheartedly, then we need to address this now.”
I stand there staring at Lincoln. Examining my feelings for what they really are. Do I have feelings for Angelo? More than what I’ve said I have? Have I been kidding myself? I see the concern and hurt in Lincoln’s eyes, and I know at that moment that I don’t feel the same for Angelo as I do for Lincoln. No, I truly am in love with Linc. The thought of ever losing him sickens me. I run to him, throwing myself into his arms. “No, Linc, I’m not in love with Angelo. I love you. I promise you on my father’s grave. It’s you and only you.”
Lincoln sweeps me into his arms, lifting me off the ground. Swiftly, he makes his way down the hall, pushing his way into our bedroom. I feel myself leave his arms as I soar through the air, landing on the mattress with a plonk. Quickly, Lincoln undresses. He stands before me naked. His cock is hard, already leaking precum from the tip. “Strip,” he growls at me. His eye glare at me as I sit up, pull my shirt over my head, and throw it on the floor. I lie back on the bed, lifting my ass, so I have just enough room to slide my jeans down my legs. My legs are kicking, trying to free my ankles from the last bit of my jeans. Lincoln pulls the remaining fabric from my legs with one hand. When I’m finally free, his hands wrap around my ankles, pulling me to the edge of the bed. My eyes linger on his erection, watching as he kneels between my legs. The swipe of his tongue across my center sends me spiraling into ecstasy.
“Say it, Lillian. Tell me what I want to hear.”
“I want you, Lincoln.” His hands push my thighs apart further. I cry out in pleasure when he sucks my clit into his mouth. “Oh God.”
“God has nothing to do with this, Lillian. It's all me.” I feel Lincoln’s teeth nibble at my sensitive nub. “Now, tell me what I want to hear, or I’m going to quit.”
“Yes.” I moan again at the feel of his touch. “I said it. I want you, Lincoln.” My hand presses his head tighter against my core.
/> His words are muffled. “That’s not what I want to hear, Lillian. Tell me how you feel about me.”
“Oh Christ.” His tongue plunges inside me. “You,” I cry out. “I’m in love with you. Only you.” I ride his tongue, claiming every bit of gratification I can. My legs begin to shake. I feel my orgasm building, finally sending me over the edge.
Lincoln stands, lifting my legs with him and holding them tight against his chest. His cock plunges inside me fast and furious. I beg for more. “Harder. Faster.”
Lincoln gives me what I’m begging for. He’s claiming me, marking me as his when he pulls out, releasing himself on my chest. He strokes himself once more, muttering dirty words as his final release jets through the air and lands on my neck.
We both stare at each other, embracing the moment, until the sound of Lincoln’s phone ringing fills the room. We both try to ignore it, but it rings again. Lincoln reaches for my shirt on the floor, using it to wipe away the remnants of his release. His phone beeps, indicating whoever just called left a message. I expect him to reach for his phone, but he doesn’t. Instead, he climbs onto the bed to lie next to me. He strokes his hand up and down my side as I lie facing him. “I love you, Lillian,” he whispers before he claims my mouth, pushing me onto my back in preparation for round two.
Chapter 11
LINCOLN
“Do you think Bethany is going to be mad that we are two hours late?” Lillian asks as we pull into the drive.
“No. I called her when you were in the shower.”
