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.