Page 49 of Landry
It was good to be back. A smile touched his stern lips and did nothing to soften them. He was back, and he was in close proximity to the people who had destroyed his life.
His mouth tightened as memories swamped him. His former best friend, a man he had called his brother. And that whore he had fallen in love with. That mercenary bitch who had dumped him as soon as she was introduced to a man who had more resources.
With a flick of his fingers, he dismissed her. Yes, he had been maddened with jealousy and heartbroken. When he discovered that his best friend and the woman he had given his heart to were hooking up, he had wanted to kill them both. But common sense had prevailed.
He had left town, unable to bear to be near them, and had cut off communications. And he had bided his time. He had returned all smiles and pretended that all was forgiven. The bitch had been pregnant and had the gall to name him as godfather. But seeing her swollen with child had changed his perspective.
He would find a way to repay them for what they had put him through. Then something had changed for him again. The first time he saw the child, he knew what his mission would be. The child was supposed to be his.
When she gave birth to another, a daughter, he decided to wait. He spent time with the children, hiding his plans well. His original idea of hurting them had changed. He loved them; they were his children. He might not have planted the seeds inside that bitch, but they were his. He would wait, and then, when they least expected it, he would take them away.
Somehow it had gone wrong. He had hired incompetent people who had bungled the job. This time, he was going solo. After all, one could not entrust such an important assignment to imbeciles, he thought in disgust. The children were no longer children. They had grown up to be beautiful adults and were holding their own.
Yes, he mused with a satisfied nod. The fish was superb. Not too salty, with just the right amount of kick to it. Finishing the meal, he used the edge of the napkin to dab at the sides of his lips. Bach had given way to melodic Beethoven and had him tapping his feet in tune.
He had missed this. Running for his life after the plan had gone horribly wrong, he had to make do with mediocre services. There had been women, of course. He was a very attractive man, after all. And women had listened to his sob stories and opened their homes as well as their thighs to accommodate him.
A rich widow, a lonely divorcee, an actress with just a little bit of madness to her. He had treated them well enough to have them opening their checkbooks to him. He had been well taken careof, and he had paid them back by making them feel well-loved in bed.
He was not a vain man, but he knew his way around a woman's anatomy. After the disaster with Jessica, he had learned from it. Women were useful for one thing, no, two things, to pleasure a man and to bear children.
Pushing back his chair, he rose and went to get the file he had left on the side table. It was comprehensive. He had made notes and had photos, courtesy of his long lens camera. Picking up the ones with his children, he admired their beauty before studying the woman in the next photo. She was beautiful. He knew her, of course. The boy had been taken with her when they were children.
Now they were back together. He wondered if he approved. Not that he was against colored people. He wasn't. Pursing his lips, he picked up another photo, and this time his frown deepened. The brother of the woman was a doctor, but still, he was absolutely sure he did not approve of the relationship.
Ah well, very soon, as his plans evolve, this would all change. He had a place, a home where they would spend the rest of their lives. He had been cheated out of seeing them grow up, but he would make up for it.
Putting the photos back, he went to pour himself another half glass of wine. He was indulging. Nothing was wrong with that; he had been denied so much because of those two people. But it would not do to overindulge. He had work to do. Soon he would have his children with him. The idea of that had him smiling as he went back to listen to his music.
***
Lincoln tapped the edge of the cigar into the ashtray and watched as the smoke curled upwards and disappeared. He had stepped out on the balcony for a bit of fresh air and to do some thinking.
The moon was high in the sky, lending an ethereal beauty to everything in its path. He admired that beauty for one fleeting moment before turning his thoughts to troubling matters. Where the hell was he? And why couldn't they find him? What did he have planned?
Surely he could not be planning on the abduction again. It had failed before, and this time, Landry and Kathy were adults. Guards surrounded them.
And yet, the bastard had found a way to get to not only his daughter, but the woman his son was seeing. Picking up the snifter of brandy, he took a sip, the excellent blend turning sourinside his stomach. He had come out here for fresh air, but it was more for contemplation. He had seen the look on his wife's face and knew they were both wondering if they had caused this.
He had known of his friend's interest in Jessica, hadn't he? Joel had spoken of her in almost reverent tones. Of her beauty and her charms. He had known his friend was in love with her.
But then he had fallen prey to her beauty as well, and when she was attracted as well, nothing else had mattered. His friendship and loyalty to Joel had taken a back seat. He wanted her, and she wanted him. Surely Joel would understand. Clearly, he hadn't.
How arrogant and stupid to think that when he returned and said all was forgiven, they had believed him. Had needed to believe him. Now they were paying for it.
Now his children's lives were in danger.
And others as well. Hissing out a breath, he was about to turn and go back in when he felt her presence.
"I was just about to retire to bed."
Crossing the room, Jessica went and leaned against the sturdy rail, breathing in the crisp air.
"It's so lovely. A full moon."
"Yes. We should- "
"You're wondering if I married you for your wealth."
