I left Ike's office and met the driver waiting for me just outside the front doors. There were times, like this one, that I felt oddly satisfied by the watchful eye of my father. At least I didn't have to wait for the car long, and that meant I didn't get noticed by Vera.

When I walked in the house, I nearly groaned aloud at the beckoning from my father to join him in the study. Rolling my eyes, and shoulders since I felt a cramp building, I walked in to find him alone. Again. Where the hell was Lily?

"Father?" I went straight for the bar. Dealing with him was far easier if numbed by alcohol. He waited while I poured, then directed me to take the seat in front of him.

"That was a very long lunch, wasn't it?" I didn't answer, choosing instead to focus on my drink. "How IS Ike?"

"Satisfied." A sip and felt a bit of my tension leave. He was watching me. "What? Suddenly interested in the details?"

"No," he looked calculating. "No details, Liz. You were closeted together for hours, my darling daughter, surely not even YOU could keep going for that long."

I didn't care for his tone, or his insinuations, but I realized he'd probably heard it all from Lily. My personal education, so why bother defending my honor to man more than willing to whore his own daughter out.

"Oh, Father, how sweet and innocent of you to make such assumptions." I swallowed the last of my drink and stood up. "He's satisfied, I'm satisfied. You should be." And then I turned to walk away.

"Don't forget, Liz, just who you belong to." I shook my head and left, back ramrod straight and head held high. Reminding him once again, that I was far better than he'd ever be.

I skipped dinner, and breakfast. Why bother? Seeing my father's smug face would only wind me up and quite frankly I wasn't in the mood. A knock came to the door as I was lounging in my nightgown on the bed reading. Not waiting for my answer, Lily rushed in.

"What the hell?" Then I saw her face. Oh God, what now?

"Will you go out with me?" Seeing how anxious she seemed, I nodded and told her to give me a moment to dress.

I threw on a pair of the shorts, and a top to match, then shoes and tied my hair back. Would the look win me an award for being fashion forward? Probably not, but it would do in a pinch. I met her downstairs, where the quiet felt oppressive, and she surprised me by taking the wheel of the flashy red convertible. As we left the house behind, I had to remind her to calm down and drive carefully. Dying by automobile accident wasn't on my list of things to try.

She pulled over near the spot that Ike and I had confessed our feelings to one another. Getting out, I was forced to follow her. Lily walked and walked, and I wondered if she was trying to lose whatever spies Father had sicced on me. When she stopped, we were in a clutch of trees, unseen from where she'd parked.

"Liz," her eyes looked almost wild, and she was pleading. "I don't know what to do."

"Calm down and tell me what has you in this state, Lily." And she did. The truth and the whole truth. More than I wanted to know, honestly, but once she started, she seemed unable to stop.

Stevie. Her. The photos they took. My father's suspicions. He'd tossed her room, or had his minions do so. He was on their scent and she wasn't sure that Stevie really burned the photos. Or that Father dearest didn't' already know.

"My God," I said, once she'd purged all she could and had finally stopped. "What a mess." I was breathing as though I'd been running, trying to take in her verbal barrage, and now I felt like I was going to faint from the information. "Is that all?" I asked, frightened to get her going again, but knowing that I had to have all of it or I wouldn't be able to help. If I could help at all.

"Isn't that enough?" She asked, her chest heaving from holding back her nerves. I nodded, absently wondering how to fix the mess that two people with more hormones than brains had created.

"Does his father know?" I wouldn't say his name, not in connection with this. She shrugged and my eyes widened. "How do you not know?" Another shrug and I felt like screaming. An urge that was coming far more frequently in Miami than anywhere else I'd been in the world.

"He'll kill us." Yes, I was aware of my father's propensity for violence. "You have to help me, Liz."

How? I wanted to scream. A flash of horror came to me. "Did he visit you while we were shopping?" Different dressing room, separate Evans men. She nodded. "You knew Father follows me." Was she trying to get caught? "Dear-" I took a breath. "I have never met more people who want to dance within the flames." She looked confused, but that was no doubt because her nerves were at the breaking point. "I can't bring Ike into this. Did you call-"

She nodded. "Yes, but he-" She looked down. So Grandfather Sy, mystery man was out.

"I'm not sure what I can do, Lily." I leaned against the tree nearest me. "You know he's-" A deep breath. "I'm on thin ice with him, Lily. You know that."

"Distract him?" How? "Show him you're making strides with-" I sighed. "If you're getting what he wants, he'll lose interest in what I've done." And are still doing, I'd bet.

"I'm not sure that's true." He'd tossed her room. He was searching for proof. Clearly he could juggle his attention. "I'll try." Maybe I would have to tell Ike. Maybe two heads, three heads, I corrected looking at Lily, were better than one.

I went to the hotel early the next morning. One of the younger bellboys, who told me to call him Ray-Ray, answered my query about Ike's whereabouts by telling me he was in the Atlantis. The bar? This early? Shifting my confusion to the back burner, I went to find him.

I'd opened the door with a greeting on my lips that died when I realized he wasn't alone. An older, white haired man was sitting at the bar with him and I stopped in my tracks, but the swish of the door alerted him to my entrance. Damn it. Keeping the smile, but swallowing the greeting, I restarted my forward momentum.

"Hello, Mr. Evans." And I was surprised when the older man stood and offered his hand. Taking it, I shot a look at Ike.

"Miss Diamond, my father, Arthur Evans." Ah, that would explain the confusion. "Dad, this is Elizabeth Diamond, Ben's daughter."

Mr. Evans, the senior one, said something to Ike that sounded like, "Ona krasivaya, ty uveren, chto ona Ben?" (Translation: Are you sure, she's too beautiful to belong to Ben?)

"YA uveren," he was smiling widely at me, dimples deep. I raised an eyebrow. "He wanted to know-" (Translation: I'm sure.)

"You're far too beautiful to be Ben's." I smiled, quite the charmer. "He told me it's true." He shook his head and sat back down on his stool. "You look like you came in here with a purpose." Damn it again.

I licked my lips. "Oh." Put on the spot, I felt incredibly stupid for not having an excuse for visiting Ike so early. "I wanted to discuss-" I searched my brain for something, anything. "I want to plan a dinner party." Never in a million years would I plan a dinner party for my father. "I wanted to surprise Father. To thank him for bringing me home." I felt a blush coming on and fought against the burn.

Ike was staring at me like he knew how completely wrong what I'd said was, but I was sure he'd chalk it up to me wanting to have a morning taste of him. Not that I was opposed to it, but right now-

"Sit down, Liz," he patted the stool next to his father and took the one beside it. "My dad isn't against having a gorgeous woman join us, are you?"

"Why would I be?" And I sat down, thinking that this was the worst idea I'd ever had.

An hour later and I forgot my misgivings as I laughed through another tale of Ike's youthful silliness. Arthur, as he told me to call him, was smiling as widely as his son at the sound of my laughter.

"What stories do you have from your misspent youth?" He asked, and I smiled.

Ike answered before I could. "Liz didn't misspend her youth. She went to boarding schools in Europe." He wasn't teasing, he sounded proud. "Isn't that right, Liz?"

I smiled at him and felt his father's attention shift between the two of us. "Somewhat." I turned to Arthur and told him about the school girl pranks my classmates and I tried on our staid and strict headmistress. He listened attentively, but then asked the most loaded question I'd had since coming to America.

"You were there during the war?" I nodded, feeling the fear build. "How did you not get-"

"Dad," Ike's voice held a warning, but I understood. I'm Jewish, how wasn't I picked out?

My hand touched Ike's, stopping him. "It's alright. I'm surprised no one else asked, honestly." Turning back to Arthur, I told him the truth. "I went to Catholic schools. Forced Communion, no Bat Mitzvah, no Star of David." No Shabbat, no Hanukkah, the list of things I couldn't celebrate until the war ended and was free to do so was endless. It was shameful to me. What my people went through that I was saved from by my wealth, or my father's. I swallowed back the fear that I'd felt when we heard, I'd been young enough to worry, but I was soothed by the realization that no one, other than those who reared me that I was a Jew. One of the hunted.

"You survived." Ike said, touching my hand as I had his. "That's what matters, Liz."

"Yes." His father agreed. "There's no shame in survival. And I'm not practicing so I wouldn't judge you for hiding your faith."

I nodded and Ike, seeing that I needed a change of topic went back to reminiscing with his father, letting me laugh at their hijinks. I realized that I should leave, my stay had been far longer than I'd planned and I hadn't gotten to the real purpose anyway.

"I think it's time I take my leave." I stood and the two Evans men stood as well. I felt a shock run through me when Arthur took my hand and smiled.

"You're a good one, Elizabeth." And kissing my cheek, he nodded to his son and sat back down.

"I'll walk you out, Liz." Ike took my arm and tucked it into his. Once we were out of earshot, but before we were in full view of the rest of the hotel he turned to me. "Want to tell me the real reason for this visit?" I shook my head and sighed.

"I can't." I glanced back through the doors at his father. "Not now."

"Should I be concerned?" The Flirty tone was gone, and I nodded. "Is it personal?" I shrugged, yes, but not us. "You have to give me something, Liz."

"Stevie." And his eyes closed at the mention of his son's name. "When can I-"

"I'll call, I swear, Liz, I'll call." I nodded. "Is he in danger?" Another nod. His sigh told me this wouldn't be the first time. "Alright, sweetheart, let me-"

"You'll call." I said, wishing we were somewhere more private so I could kiss him goodbye. "I wish I could give you a proper goodbye, but-"

"Me too," he was wistful again. "Soon."

"Promises, promises." I smiled as I walked away. Feeling like nothing else could possibly go wrong.

It took a few days. Days of Lily shooting me pleading looks behind Father's back. Days of me waiting for Father to leave the damn house so Ike could call. Days of worry. Days of missing the feeling of his arms around me. And days of me feeling like the world was slowly unraveling.

When the phone rang, not that it hadn't before but my father had finally gone out, I nearly tackled the maid who went to answer it. "I've got it." I offered, and she looked as shocked as I felt. "Hello?"

"Hey," thank god, I thought. "Let me buy you lunch."

"I'll be there in ten minutes." I answered, but he stopped me.

"I'm just around the corner," I bit my lip and smiled. "Turn right." Outside the gate, he meant.

"I'll be there soon." And then, not looking for Lily, just telling the maid who had moved to the den to dust that I was going out for a walk, I tried to not run down the driveway. Normal. Slow and steady, I had to repeat to myself, but as soon as I saw his car, it was a lost cause.

"Hey, you." Ike greeted me with a wide smile. "Come here." And then I was pressed chest to chest with him and he finally kissed me. "That was a too LONG of a wait." I nodded and he dipped back in, nipping at my bottom lip and tasting me. He pulled back and I sat back against the seat as he drove away from the curb.

"Where are we going?" I asked, as he drove past the diner. He smiled, but didn't say a word. I studied him, he drove like he did anything. With confidence and radiating power. And he was incredibly handsome as he did it all. "You aren't wearing a suit." It hit me, he was in a jacket, but his shirt was more casual and the same wine color that my gown was.

"You noticed." He glanced my way. "You're not wearing black, or a dress." No, I was dressed in shorts and a matching top, as I had been the day Lily had taken me for a drive.

"Well spotted." I smiled at his profile. "I hope that my attire doesn't ruin your plans for lunch."

He shook his head, grin growing, but giving me no hint of where we were headed. When he pulled the car off the road I was confused. Bumpy road, leading to- "The beach?" I asked, turning to see him put the car in park hidden behind overgrown bushes.

"You mentioned that you don't go farther than the hotel." I nodded, turning to watch the waves crash against the shore. "I thought I'd take you on a picnic."

"You really are something, Ike Evans." He was getting out of the car, and before I could open my door he had the handle in hand. Ike offered me his hand to help me out, then reached for a basket that had been hidden behind my seat. Walking hand in hand, he took me to a spot near the water, but well outside the reach of the tide. I watched as he put down a blanket and sat when he bowed to me. "How did you-"

"A gentleman never reveals his secrets, Liz." He pulled a bottle of wine and two glasses from the basket and foods that were picnic appropriate, but also worked well for romance. Grapes, cheeses, crackers. A little of this, a little of that. "I'd really love to just spend this time wining and dining you, but you wanted to tell me something, didn't you?"

I nodded as he poured the wine for us. Holding the stem of my glass, I waited until he took a sip and then followed suit. "Father suspects Lily of being unfaithful." He was watching me so I went on. "I'm not sure he knows it's Stevie, but-"

"Is it?" I didn't answer, letting my silence be the answer. "Damn it. And I thought Danny was going to give me ulcers."

"Danny?" I was confused, what did Ike's unknown son have to do with anything?

He sighed. "Danny was offered a job with the State's Attorney's office." I waited, not seeing an issue. Ike wasn't my father, after all. "Liz, there's a lot you don't know about-"

"About what?" I felt the now familiar bubble of fear building inside me. "What don't I know, Ike?" A lot, I was thinking, but mostly that concerned my father.

"You know your dad and me are-" I waited, while he searched for the word he felt fit. "We're partners, of a sort." I nodded. "Have you been following the news?"

"Missing people, dead people, Cuba in upheaval," I listed, wondering which part he was referring to. He waited and I realized I'd missed something. "What did I miss?"

"The vote to legalize casino gambling in Florida." Oh. Why was that important? "I owe your father a lot of money, Liz." I felt churning in my stomach. He owed a gangster money, a gangster whose nickname was "the Butcher"? "I bet on that boxing match."

"And lost." Reality hitting me like a freight train. "It's why you looked so-" I took a deep breath and a large gulp of my wine.

He nodded. "I wanted to take the winnings and repay your dad." Losing meant he couldn't, and he couldn't even use the money he'd placed since it was gone too. I nodded, waiting, clearly there was more. "The vote?" Another nod, another drink. "He wants me to bribe the-" I held up a hand, stopping him.

"Don't tell me anything that I could be forced to ask questions about." His turn to nod. "So, my father snagged you in his web?" He was watching to see my reaction. "He's a real piece of work, isn't he?" I stared at the waves for a moment, forcing down my rage at my father, and a bit that I felt for Ike. "How do you plan to fix it?"

"I have ideas." I nodded, eyes watching the push and pull of the blue water. "Does this change how you feel about me, Liz?" I shook my head, turning to meet his eyes.

"No." My smile felt tinged in sadness, knowing that my hero had flaws was a blow, but then again, he was married to someone else. "I still love you, Ike, but I don't know-"

"I wish," he took a drink of his wine. "I wish so many things, Liz, but I can't wish my feelings for you away."

"What do we do with them?" I was curious. How did he think this would work? Vera, Ike, and me?

It was his turn to focus on the water, and I could tell, that even with everything bearing down on him from the hotel and my father, this question plagued him the most. "I want you, Liz. I want to see you every morning when I wake up. And I want to kiss you goodnight every single night." I waited for the 'but' and wasn't disappointed. "But, Vera-" He looked down at his left hand, the sun catching his wedding band. "I take the vows I said to her seriously too." I would have snorted, but I knew what he meant. Cheating was one thing, but divorce a whole different subject.

"Did you know," I laid down on the blanket to stare at the clouds. "When Henry the Eighth wanted to leave his wife Katherine of Aragon and he was getting denied by the Church, he offered Anne Boleyn the strangest 'compliment'?" He turned to look at me. "He tried to convince her, since she was refusing to bed him before marriage like all good Christian women should, to become his 'official mistress' and promised to not take another." He was staring down at me. "She refused. Some speculate that she was a pawn for her male, grasping relatives, others thought she held out because she was ambitious and wanted to be queen so badly she denied him." I met his eyes then. "Want to know my theory?" He waited. Silence broken only by the crashing waves. "I think she thought that it was insulting. That he swore he loved her, only her, but thought making her a lover and not a wife was demeaning to her and their love. The point is, Ike, some women refuse to be slighted, even in the name of love."

Our lunch ended soon after. Ike had a lot to think about. And I did too. Because the rest of Anne Boleyn's story was tragic. She helped Henry break free from the Church and create a Bible that anyone who could read would be able to, but she also died at the hands of a swordsman for a whisper of infidelity. And I wondered, as I sat in my room trying to read, if I'd cursed myself to a similar fate.