My phone rings, causing me to glance down and read the caller ID. ANGELO is displayed in glowing letters. It’s been two weeks since my last conversation with him. No news is good news, right? That’s what I tell myself as I accept the incoming call.

“Angelo, what can I do for you?”

“You need to bring Lillian home quickly.” My heart drops to the pit of my stomach. There is no way Angelo would request this unless something is wrong.

“Tell me what’s wrong, Angelo, then I’ll decide how quickly I bring her back. I know you wouldn’t ask this if it weren’t dire, but I need to be sure she is safe.”

“Fuck!” Angelo exclaims. “I can’t tell you it is safe just yet, Lincoln, but you must bring her home. Her father is in the hospital. He had another heart attack, but this time, he also had a stroke. He is in on life support, and they don’t expect him to last much longer. His vitals are weakening quickly.”

I punch the wall in front of me, causing a sharp pain to radiate from my hand to my shoulder. “We’ll be there as fast as I can get her there. It will kill her if she doesn’t get to say goodbye.”

“I know, Lincoln, but I have to warn you. Once you arrive with her, everyone will know she is with you, and that does not bode well for your family. This war is not over. The Westies will try to get to her through you and your family. If anything happens and Mr. Vicci doesn’t make it, her mother will also be at risk. Do you understand what I’m telling you? You don’t have to come with Lillian. I can pick her up at the airport and then send her back to you somehow when everything has settled down.”

“No fucking way, Angelo. That is not an option. We will be there soon.” I want to throw my phone against the wall when I hang up. This is a clusterfuck that I never expected to happen. I had planned for every contingency, even if her father was murdered, but I never planned for a hospital visit, let alone a potential funeral.

“Lincoln,” Lillian calls for me as she walks toward my office door. “What’s wrong?” she asks the minute she sees my face. “Tell me now, Lincoln. I know something is up.”

I search for the words that will break the news as gently as possible. “Baby, I just spoke with Angelo.”

Lillian’s face crumbles, and her knees begin to weaken, forcing me to race toward her and catch her before she falls. “It’s my dad, isn’t it?” Her tear-filled eyes gaze into mine. “He’s dead, isn’t he?”

The fierce woman who once left everything, including her family, behind to search out her dreams is gone, replaced by a broken child who uncontrollably cries for her father.

“No, baby, your father is not dead, but it is not looking good either. He’s suffered a stroke and a heart attack.” I lift her face with my fingers, ensuring she sees that I’m here, strong and willing to shoulder her sadness. “I’m taking you to him tonight. I’ve texted David and requested he has a flight ready for us to board within the hour.”

I feel Lillian’s body shake in my arms as the tears roll down her face. “We’ll never make it there in time, Lincoln. I’ve failed him and my family by not staying and marrying Salvatore. I’ll never forgive myself. This is my fault.”

“Stop it,” I yell at Lillian. “You will not take the blame for this. This is not your fault. You couldn’t have prevented this if you’d stayed, and you sure as hell couldn’t guarantee that marrying Salvatore Mangano would have prevented it.”

Lillian nods her head in understanding, just to appease me. I know the signs. I see them all the time when an employee doesn’t agree with an arbitrary opportunity I encourage. They are afraid to disagree with me, so they appease me and do as I ask thinking I don’t know any better, but I do. Normally, they find themselves unemployed. If you don’t have the guts to stand up to me, then how can I be confident they’ll take the necessary risks? Without risk, there is no reward.

“Lillian, I’m only going to say this once, and then we’ll never speak of it again. If you ever tell me your life would be better had you married Salvatore, that will be the day I’ll walk away. It will kill me to do so, but I won’t stand by you if you think so little of yourself.”

I watch the tears slowly dissolve, feel the rigidness of Lillian’s posture as she composes herself and then pushes herself out of my arms. “I wasn’t belittling myself.” Lillian places her hands on her hips. “I had a moment of weakness, but I assure you, Lincoln, that it will not happen again. Now, as far as you and me, don’t ever think that you can threaten to leave me as a punishment for my emotions. I can easily stand on my own two feet without you. I’ve done it before, and I can do it again.”

I start to speak, but Lillian interrupts me. “I’ll waste no more time arguing with you about us. Right now, my only concern is my father and getting back to New York. Oh, and I do not need you to accompany me. I will have Angelo pick me up at the airport.”

The door slams in my face as Lillian leaves the room. How has everything gone so wrong so fast? My first instinct is to run to her and demand that I will accompany her, but I know that will only make things worse. If I want to win, I must play it cool and be the supportive boyfriend. At least that is how I see myself, but it is possible that Lillian may not see it the same way.

With David’s assistance, a plane will be ready for us by the time we arrive at the airport. I play out our conversation in my head, so I am prepared by the time I arrive at our stateroom. Lillian is closing her suitcase as I walk in. “Hey,” I say, her head turning to look at me. “You’re right,” I tell her, “about everything, and I’m man enough to admit that I handled everything wrong.” I cross the room toward Lillian, pulling her into my arms. “Please forgive me.”

Lillian shakes her head, wraps her arms around my waist, and places her head against my chest. “We were both wrong, Linc. I’m sorry, too.”

I reach down, taking the suitcase in my right hand, and place my left on her lower back as I escort her toward the door. “The plane will be ready when we get to the airport. But Lillian, I’m coming with you. I’m not telling you. I’m politely advising you that I will be accompanying you.”

A soft chuckle eases from between Lillian’s lips. “Is there really any difference between telling and advising me? Honestly, Lincoln, it’s the same thing.”

Lillian stops once we reach the gangway, turning toward me. “Thank you for insisting on coming with me. You are taking a huge risk by being seen with me at the hospital. Are you sure you truly want to take on that burden?”

My lips brush against hers lightly. “You’ll never be a burden, Lillian. Never.” My hand slaps her ass, a loud crack filling the air. “Now, get going. The sooner we leave, the faster we get there.”