Love At Last Books 1-3 (Love At Last Series Book 5)

by K. L. Myers

  Finally, Lillian begins to live again. Ashlynn enrolls the next summer, which is a blessing and a curse at the same time. She is there to hold Lillian through the nights I can’t, but she is also there to hook her up with a few double dates. I want to rip the douchebags limb from limb, and every time one of them touches her or kisses her, my anger ratchets beyond control and my heart breaks a bit more. It doesn’t truly shatter until years later, though, when I watch her give herself to some billionaire playboy. I watch like a Peeping Tom as she makes love to him and calls out his name in ecstasy. It isn’t until then that I know I’ve lost her forever.

  Chapter 11

  LILLIAN

  Seven Years Later

  I stand on the corner of Flatbush and DeKalb and stare at the vintage diner that sits here. The red neon sign glows ‘Junior’s Restaurant’, only now it also reads ‘Bar’ and ‘Cocktails’ in white. Only this part of the signage is new and different; white bulbs shine bright like an old-style Vegas sign. It has been forever since I’ve been to Junior’s. As a kid, I loved coming here. Stepping inside brings me back to my childhood. Mother and I would stop in and grab a slice of good ole plain New York style cheesecake on special occasions. I spot an open booth, take a seat, and reach for my cell phone. It’s been a long time since I’ve sent a text to Angelo, and I don’t even know if he still has the same number, but it’s worth a chance.

  ME: I know you’re there, so join me. We need to talk.

  I don’t have to look up from my menu to know the black leather jacket that just slid into the booth belongs to Angelo. The scent of his cologne permeates my nostrils. It’s the same cologne he wore so many years ago. There was a time when I would have been excited to be sitting here with him, but today those feelings are just a distant memory.

  I lower my menu and see the face I once loved. He’s aged some; there are a few wrinkles that weren’t there the day he walked out and never came back. My heart aches briefly from the memory of how he ripped my world apart, but then anger sets in.

  “All these years, Angelo, you’ve been watching over me, and not once did you feel the need to let me know you were alright?” I’m angry now, and I can see in his eyes that he knows it.

  “I don’t know what you want me to say, Principessa. It was a long time ago.”

  There is no emotion in his eyes, no regret, no sadness. Nothing, and it pisses me off more. “That’s it? You have nothing to say about tossing me aside when I needed you most? You ignored me, wouldn’t return my calls or messages. I felt like nothing more than a common piece of trash that you discarded when you found out I was defective. Do you know what that does to a nineteen-year-old who is head over heels in love with you? And now to find out that all these years you’ve still been there with me every second of every day, and not once did you think it was important to let me know.”

  I count to ten to let myself calm down, and he just sits there, not saying a word but looking straight into my eyes as if he knows there is more to come. “I was willing to live in this lifestyle if I had you, Angelo. Now I’m sucked back in with no end in sight, and I’m alone. I have no one to turn to for help, and as bad as I want out of here and back to my normal way of life, I don’t see it happening.”

  The tears start to fall because I know I’m never going to get away again. My family will never let me go, and the one person who could have made living in this hell worthwhile is sitting across from me without a care in the world about how I feel. I want to believe that I see hurt and guilt in his eyes, but he’s a con man, a liar; that’s what he does for a living. Makes you believe things are perfectly fine, right up to the minute he puts a bullet through your brain or slashes your throat with a knife. He’s a killer by design.

  “Principessa, Lillian, I don’t expect you to understand why I did what I felt I had to do. But I am here for you if you need anything. I will do whatever is in my power to help you.”

  “Try, Angelo, try to explain it to me so I can understand. I want to understand why you left me when I needed you most. Don’t say it had to do with the business here at home. You could have come back.”

  The waitress returns, handing Angelo a menu, but he shakes her off. “Coffee, black,” he tells her, “and she’ll have plain cheesecake and coffee with cream and sugar.” He sits for a moment, and I can see the wheels turning in his head. “I left, Lillian, because it was what I needed to do for you to lead a normal life. You had so much potential, and all I was bringing to you was grief. Your condition is my fault, God’s punishment for loving you.”

  I want to reach across the table and strangle him for believing the shit that just came out of his mouth. Choke the life out of him for breaking my heart and leaving me all alone. But it won’t change the past, and it surely won’t change my future. He just might be my only way out of this hell once again.

  Chapter 12

  ANGELO

  It started as a cup of coffee and ended up being a walk through the park. Six hours of face-to-face contact with Lillian is something I have only dreamt about. She tells me about her life from her point of view, and it feels weird. It’s like I’m reliving every day and every minute of the last seven years but in a different reality, because the truth be told, that is exactly what it is: A different reality, one that is filled with emotion where my existence seemed emotionless. I watched her life go by without me in it. Now I know everything she’s felt over the years. Only she left out the most important part to me: The billionaire playboy. I need to know what he is to her, how invested she is in him.

  “Lillian, you were here months ago with a man, one who I feel is very important to you. Am I correct?” She nods her head. “Does he know who your family is?”

  “No.” She is quick to answer.

  “You can’t build a relationship based on lies, Lillian. I’m assuming that you want to build a relationship with this man.”

  Her face falls; disappointment reeks in her posture. “Yes, I would have liked to see where a relationship would have gone with him, Ang. Aside from you, he’s the only man I’ve ever felt something real with. I think I fell for him the minute I met him.” A tear falls from her left eye. “It doesn’t matter anymore, Angelo. I’m never getting out of here. My life has been rerouted, and I’ve been given my orders.”

  I’m not happy with her response or the sadness in the tone of her voice. “What does that mean?” I have an idea, but I want to hear it from her.

  “I’m to sell my practice and marry Salvatore. Father’s health will never be the same; we all know it, and you, more than anyone, know what the plan for me has always been. Only this time, instead of Vincent it will be Salvatore. I won’t do it, Angelo. I won’t. I’d rather take my life than be married to that vile man.”

  “I would never let that happen, Lillian, never. I promised your family that I would protect you with my life, and if protecting you from Salvatore is what I have to do, then I will.”

  Her hand grasps my forearm. “What are you saying, Angelo? Please do not do anything stupid; it won’t end well for either of us.”

  I hear the concern in her warning. “I’m not saying anything, Lillian. Just know I’m here for you, whatever you need.” Lillian acknowledges me, but her eyes never meet mine. “Now tell me, if this were a different world and you weren’t who you are, do you see a future with this man?” Once again, her head nods. “What is his name, and what does he do?” I question her, not expecting her to answer, but she does.

  “Lincoln Eastwick,” she tells me. “He owns a security firm here in New York.” Her eyes light up when she tells me his name, and it’s a beautiful sight to see her happy, if only for a brief second. “I met him through his sister. His nephew is a patient of mine, and then there was this bachelor auction, and Ashlynn bought him for me. I’m sure you already know this.” I do, but I wanted to hear it from her mouth.

  “I know the firm. Your father does business with Jacob Rightman, and Eastwick gave Rightman a rather large loan to stay afloa
t. Though I’m sure your man didn’t know those funds were being used to pay your father back for a very large mistake Rightman made, or maybe he does. Rightman was counting on getting his inheritance from his grandfather to pay off a debt he owed, but things got held up, and he never received the money. Your father gave him three days to come up with the dough, or else.”

  “He doesn’t,” Lillian tells me. “He would never get involved with anything that has to do with the mob. Trust me, he and his family are nothing like mine.”

  I want to tell her that for a price, anyone can be like her family, and there have been many good people who became dirty over greed and money. But for now, I’ll let her believe that he’s a good, upstanding citizen. But if I find out differently, I’ll break her happy little bubble faster than you can count to ten.

  It’s taken me months, but I’m now sure beyond a shadow of a doubt that Eastwick truly is as clean as they come. He may be ruthless when it comes to business dealings, but he and his family are clean. Hell, his grandfather is a senator who's never taken a bribe or been part of any shady dealings. That in itself is a miracle. I wish I could say the same for my family. One thing for sure is that I can guarantee that my dad will be one hundred percent up for what I’m going to propose to him. We’re trained to kill. Trained to con. We’re gangsters. We kill each other to gain an inch. Fuck, if ordered, we’d kill our own family members and do it with a smile. Doesn’t mean we would enjoy it, but it’s all about the code. Brotherhood above God and family. That’s how it is.

  Salvatore Mangano has been waiting to take over and expand his human trafficking and drug running operation. For years now, he’s been running drugs from Sicily to the US without Vicci knowing. Blind to all the back deals that Salvatore has going on, Vicci thinks he will be best suited to take over. Francesco Vicci is no saint. Loansharking and gun running are synonymous with the Vicci name, but he has always drilled it into everyone who works for him that he wants no part of the drugs or the trafficking. Somehow, Salvatore missed that order or felt it didn’t apply to him, and with the newspapers calling him the next godfather, he has already made plans to change the rules regardless of how Mr. Vicci feels.

  My idea is simple; two birds, one stone. Remove the threat, remove Salvatore Mangano, and protect Lillian. In the end, my dad moves up to become the head of the family. He loves Lillian like his own. He’ll let her leave because it’s what I’ll want. There was a time when the thought of her and me married would have made me happy. Not now, not anymore. She belongs with Eastwick. He can protect her. He’ll love her and get her out of this lifestyle that she wants no part of.

  Chapter 13

  ANGELO

  I stand out amongst the people walking up Wall Street in my leather jacket and frayed jeans this time of the morning. It isn’t much further, just past Pearl, and I’ll finally reach the building that houses Eastwick Capital. I stand in front of the building, looking up at the sky, and wonder what it would be like to have to wear a suit and tie every day. It never bothered me what I do for a living, never gave a second thought about being anything or anyone other than who I am. Hell, I make a couple million a year, but this, this here is for people who make billions. People who control everything that happens financially in the world, but not today. Today, the business that will be conducted in this fancy building will be all about the rest of Lillian’s life. I have to know if this guy will be someone I can trust to protect her. Because if anything goes wrong this weekend, and I don’t live, I have to be sure she will be protected.

  I push through the glass door and step onto the marble tile. Several security men in black suits stand behind a black marble reception counter. No one passes beyond that point without their approval. “I’m here to see Lincoln Eastwick. I have an appointment. The last name is Buckman,” I advise, not giving my real name and not speaking to anyone in particular. I watch as the guy to my right types into a computer, then passes me a clipboard. “Sign in and let me see a piece of identification,” he tells me. I pull my wallet out of my back pocket and present him with a driver’s license with my picture on it, confirming I’m Justin Buckman. Seemingly satisfied, the guard hands me a badge. “Forty-sixth floor. Use elevator twenty-five; it will take you directly to their lobby. You’ll need this to access the security pad at the elevator.”

  Security pushes a button that allows me to pass through to the elevators. When I reach the bank of elevators, I look for the sign and see one labeled CARS 20 – 26. There are three elevators on each side, each one with its own security keypad. I touch the plastic card to the pad and see the button turn green, indicating that the car will be arriving soon. Once inside, I punch the close door button, and with a jolt, the car rises quickly. I’m catapulted at what feels like twenty miles an hour to the forty-sixth floor. It only takes seconds before the door opens and I step into a lobby of black granite walls with gold veins running throughout the slabs.

  An older woman greets me immediately upon my entrance into the lobby. “Good morning, Mr. Buckman. I’ll let Mr. Eastwick know that you are here.”

  When I called for an appointment, all I had to do was tell them I needed to speak with Mr. Eastwick regarding Lillian Vicci. Minutes later, I received a call back advising me that Mr. Eastwick would see me the following day. Of course, he would. I knew just the mention of her name would have him wanting to see me as soon as possible. I make myself comfortable in one of the leather chairs that are softer than any leather I’ve ever felt before. I’m only sitting for a minute before a well-dressed Lincoln Eastwick appears in a dark gray three-piece suit. His eyes glance over me once before he speaks.

  “You wanted to discuss Lillian Vicci.” He isn’t asking me; he’s direct and to the point.

  “Yes. Is there somewhere private we can speak?” I also am not asking; I’m telling him.

  He quickly turns his back and begins to walk down a long hall. I follow behind and stop when he pushes open a set of mahogany and glass doors. Eastwick steps aside and allows me to enter, then closes the door behind him.

  “I take it your name isn’t really Buckman, so cut the bullshit and tell me who you really are and why you want to discuss Lillian.” He crosses the room to his desk and sits down. I take the seat in front of him and begin.

  “Before I tell you who I am, I need to know that you can protect Lillian if she needs it.” I see a look of concern cross his face before it quickly eases back into an all-business expression.

  Lincoln raises his head slightly. “I do. And now I’ll ask you again what your name is and who you are. If you are not willing to provide that information, then there is no need to continue this conversation further. However, should you decide not to tell me, and something happens to Lillian after you leave, I assure you I will leave no rock unturned until I have found you and destroyed you.”

  Just hearing the conviction in his voice tells me all I need to know. “My name is Angelo Rizzuto. I’ve been Lillian’s bodyguard since she was twelve, and I need your help.”

  Lincoln eases back in his chair slightly. “I know who you are. Lillian has told me about you.” His voice is sharp and bitter as he says the words. “Is she in danger?”

  “Look, Eastwick,” I say, “Lillian shouldn’t be here in New York; least of all, she shouldn’t be forced to marry someone she doesn’t love or want.”

  “I couldn’t agree with you more, Mr. Rizzuto, but what do you expect me to do about it?”

  I spend the next hour filling Eastwick in on what the money for Rightman was used for. As I suspected, he had no idea.

  “That son of a bitch. I knew there was something shady about him. Did he tell them where the money came from? I need to know what implications this will have on my business if it gets out.”

  I reassure him that no one knows where the money came from except me. See, I did a thorough search on Rightman when he miraculously came up with such a large sum of money in such a short time. Rightman did a good job at moving the money around through
several offshore accounts before cashing out to pay his debt.

  “This Saturday, I will deliver Lillian to you. You have the means to take her anywhere, and I expect you to do that immediately. I don’t want to know where you take her, but I do not want you to bring her back to New York or Virginia until you hear from me. Do you understand?”

  Eastwick stands and walks around his desk, taking a seat beside me. “And if I don’t hear from you?”

  I don’t pussyfoot around with my response. “Then God help you because they will come for you and your family when they find out you have her. Is that a risk you are willing to take?”

  “I’m not going to ask you what your plans are. The less I know, the better. But I will ask how confident you are that I will hear from you. I’m not saying no to your request, but you are not leaving me with much time to put plans in place to effectively make Lillian vanish off the face of the earth. I won’t risk my family’s lives, nor will I risk hers. I have the means and the money, but four days makes it a bit tough.”

  I stand, placing my hands in the pockets of my jacket. “I’ll see you at five p.m. Saturday. Have your limo driver meet me here.” I take the piece of paper from my pocket and hand it to him, then show myself out the door.

  Chapter 14

  ANGELO

  Saturday Evening

  Everything is in place for tonight. Lillian has no idea what to expect, only that I’ve asked her to not argue with me and to follow my directions to a T.

  At first, she put up a fight, wanting to know what was going on and where I was taking her. For her safety, I knew that she had to know as little as possible. There was no way I could risk her having second thoughts about what was to happen. I knew she trusted me and knew I’d never do anything to hurt her physically. Emotionally was something different; I’d already done that once before to her.