Follow Your Heart

Chapter 18

Back in New York, Nick was sitting alone in his hotel room, drinking when he heard a knock on his door. He opened it to find Lewis. "What brings you into town?'

Lewis passed him and poured himself a drink. "Nicholas, this case against DelGuidice won't go away."

"What are you saying? I have nothing to do with it."

"Oh but you do. You see, I'm not taking the fall for this."

"But it was you who was involved, not me. The only reason why I didn't go straight to the police is because we're friends. Our children are engaged for Christ sake."

Lewis wiped his very sweaty brow with a handkerchief. "Right Nick. When is that going to happen? Your daughter hasn't been very forthcoming."

"At the end of the month. She's already agreed."

"Good." Lewis took a sip of his drink. "The police and the FBI are after me. I need money to get away."

Nicholas raked his hand through his hair. "Of course. How much?"

"About a million dollars."

"A million dollars! Are you crazy?" Nicholas yelled. "I don't have that kind of cash..."

"Just write me a check. I promise to disappear and never bother you again. Our kids will get married and I'll never mention your name or DelGuidice's together again."

"But I had nothing to do with it. It was you and DelGuidice..."

Lewis' lips thinned with anger. If Nick only knew it really wasn't him. He just was glad the evidence was in a safe place. Jonathan could bury it and no one would be the wiser. "Are you going to give me the money or what?"

Nicholas was furious. To think, he considered this bastard his best friend. Knowing that people would believe he was involved instead of Lewis, he decided to give him the money and let him leave town.

Lewis grabbed the check and ran out of the hotel room. Nick reached for the phone and tried calling Skylar.

Lewis nervously answered the door on the second knock. Jonathan brushed passed his father as he stepped inside. "What the hell is so important that you needed to call me?"

Lewis closed the door and faced his son. "I can't do this anymore. I'm not covering up for you. Your damn gambling debts are too much for me to bear."

Jonathan rolled his eyes. "What is it now, dad? Why are you freaking out now? Once I marry that little bitch, I'll knock off dear old Nick and have all his money. I know for a fact Skylar will inherit a nice chunk of his fortune and being her husband, I'll benefit and pay off all my debts. Only a few more weeks." Jonathan walked by his father to leave.

"I found what you've done. Stealing from Nick. Don't you think he'll find out?" Lewis yelled as Jonathan froze near the door.

Jonathan tried to hide his surprise. "What are talking about?"

"I found the bank receipts and a DVD that shows you with DelGuidice. Now what does he have to do with all this?" Jonathan's fists clenched at his sides. Lewis took out the check Nick gave him from his pocket. "Here, take this and disappear, I'll try to cover for you."

Jonathan slapped his hand away. "One million dollars! Nick could use that check as toilet paper. I want it all."

Lewis stepped back from his son. He had a strange look in his eyes. "Jonathan. This is a dangerous game and I'll have no part of it. Forget this. Nick is my best friend. I won't see him harmed."

"You'll take that old bastard over your own flesh and blood? That's the problem with you, dad. No ambition. You're so used to playing second fiddle behind Nick you won't think of coming out ahead." Jonathan walked to the middle of the room. "I owe DelGuidice some money."