I wake to the sound of pounding on my bedroom door. Lillian startles awake in my arms to the banging as well. “Mr. Eastwick,” Gerard’s voice calls out.

“Just a minute,” I call back. Lillian and I both rise from bed and dress quickly. When I pull the door open, Gerard and two members of his team stand outside my door.

“What’s going on?” Lillian asks

Gerard doesn’t hesitate to reply. “I received a call from an Anthony Rizzuto just a few moments ago. It appears that negotiations have not gone well, and Mr. Rizzuto says that Mrs. Vicci and Lillian are not safe here any longer.”

Just then, my phone also begins to ring. It’s Angelo. “Lincoln, you need to take Isabella and Lillian away immediately. I just got off the phone with my father. The Westies are no longer willing to sit at the table for talks. It’s gone past that. There is a bounty out on both women, which means it’s not just the mob after them any longer.”

“God fucking damn it!” I yell as I punch the wall, causing my fist to break through the plaster.

Lillian jumps at my display of anger but quickly composes herself. “How bad is it, Linc?”

Just as I’m about to explain, Isabella appears in the distance. “Lillian, è ora di nascondersi.”

Lillian quickly turns, heading into our bedroom. I follow her into the room, watching as she grabs a suitcase from my closet and begins to pack it. Gerard enters behind me. “The jet will be waiting for us, Mr. Eastwick. I suggest we head to your villa in Spain.” I nod in agreement and then turn to Lillian.

“What did your mother say to you, baby?”

“She said it’s time to hide.” Lillian doesn’t stop what she’s doing. She just responds and continues to pack for both of us.

I’m supposed to be the calm one in this situation, but frankly, I’m not. However, Lillian doesn’t seem fazed. “Lillian, stop,” I say, reaching out to her. “Look at me,” I say, turning her to face me. When our eyes meet, her expression is blank. I can’t get a read on what she is feeling. “Talk to me, baby. Tell me what’s going through your mind.”

“I’m scared, Lincoln. Not for my mother or me, but for you and your family. We can hide, but if they can’t find us, they’ll do whatever it takes, which means they’ll come for Bethany and your family eventually. It may not be tomorrow or the next day. But they will come.”

“I know, baby. I just need to buy some time and keep you safe. I’ll figure this out, I promise. Everyone needs something. They are no different.”

“This is your villa?” Isabella asks questioningly. “This isn’t a villa; it’s a mansion surrounded by an island.”

She’s right, Paraiso de Agua has been part of my family’s estate for years. My great-grandfather purchased this island and villa back in the nineteen hundreds. When my father was a child, his father demolished the dilapidated building and erected in its place a villa like no other. I took over the property five years ago and remodeled it once again.

“Isabella, I’ll have Gerard set you up in the south wing. You’ll have all the privacy you need and all the security as well. Lillian and I will be just on the other side of the atrium in the main portion of the Villa. Gerard and his men will be in the groundskeeper’s quarters on the other side of the pool. I’ll have him show you around later today, so you know where everything is located.”

Isabella smiles brightly at me, her hand reaching over and squeezing my shoulder. “Thank you, Lincoln. Once again, I’m amazed at your generosity.”

“Anything you need is at your disposal,” I tell her. “Consider this your home. Now, why don’t you and Lillian go enjoy a glass of wine on the balcony? Take in some sun and relax. I’ve got some business to attend to.”

The first call I make is to Angelo. I let him know we arrived safely but don’t disclose our location. I also need to know that Bethany and Peanut are safe. Angelo reassures me they are. I question myself as to whether I made the right decision by leaving them behind. I knew first and foremost that I had to get Lillian and her mother out of the city immediately. I know I can always send a jet for Bethany. When I’m confident that Angelo has everything under control, I hang up and reach out to my grandfather.

“Pops, I need your help,” I tell him. As always, my pops never questions me; he just asks what he can do. I tell him I need to know everything he can possibly find out about the late Quinn McGrath and his two sons Liam and Niall. “I need to know business dealings, any current investigations they are under. Anything, Pops, that will help me take them down.”

“I normally wouldn’t ask, boy, but what have you gotten yourself into?” Pops questions me.

“Nothing, Pops, I haven’t gotten myself into anything. I’m trying to protect Lillian and her mother.” My pops knows all about what’s going on with Lillian and her mom. I had to tell everyone in my family, so they knew and could be prepared for anything that could come their way. Lillian was afraid they would think horribly of her, but it was quite the opposite. My family rallied together. That’s what we Eastwicks do in a time of need.

“You’re going down a path of destruction, boy. I hope you know what you’re doing. Give me forty-eight hours, and I’ll have what you need. I’m sure the FBI will have tons of information on this guy and his family. I’ve got a friend over there who owes me a favor. Guess it’s time to cash in on that favor.”

I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t the tiniest bit scared at what I’m planning to do. But with reward comes risk, and I’m someone who’s willing to risk everything for the victory because in the end, my reward is Lillian. When this is all over, I’m going to ask that woman to be my wife. She’s worth this risk.