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With the defeat of Ciro and his evil minions in Las Vegas, corruption was at an all-time low. Even the crime rate went down. His wicked influence had been shattered but not gone. The fallen angel of greed had been around for centuries and was still a powerful force, tempting humans to sin. His promise to become even more powerful in Sin City had yet to be seen. Although the Las Vegas Angels knew it was only a matter of time, they would be ready. For now, the reprieve was welcome. All enjoyed peace.
Pulling out from under the crush of a recession and a real estate market crash, the city experienced a rebirth. There was a renewed sense of hope, optimism and cooperation as Las Vegas grew by leaps and bounds. Tony DeMarco led the way, partnering with his peers in the gambling industry to build an even more fabulous place to enjoy. An abundance of lavish resorts began springing up from the desert sands like cactus flowers. Although many tried, no one could compete with Caesars Palace, still the grand lady of the Strip. Tony saw to that with new renovations and additions to his growing empire.
Local elections change the old guard. Martin Graham was out, but so were others who took bribes from Jonas. District Attorney Martinez was determined to rid Las Vegas of the corruption in government and private companies. He might have lost his chance to prosecute Jonas Beckett, but he had plenty of others who faced similar crimes. It kept his office busy for the next two years. Graham gave him everything he needed, and along with Beckett’s records, it was enough to win decisive courtroom victories. Laws were enacted in order to prevent such corruption attaining a foothold again.
After leaving office, Graham’s life made an about-face turn. Happy to be out from under the lies that entangled him for years and given a new chance because of his cooperation with the district attorney, Martin was like a new man. With priorities altered, he went to work with his wife Julia and the Randolph Foundation. True to the promises he made, Martin and Julia saw a rebirth of their love and marriage. The couple were genuinely like newlyweds again, happily helping others through their charitable works.
Before he resigned the city council, Graham assisted Tony in obtaining the land Jonas wanted so desperately. The parcel Jonas owned, inherited by Preston Beckett, and DeMarco’s share combined into a joint venture. With the burned-out buildings cleared away, new construction began under contract with Carlton York’s company. Together, Tony and Preston partner to build a fabulous new condo tower reaching up sixty stories. It sat on the most premier land along the Strip, across from the lavish new City Center.
The people who were displaced from the apartment fire found a new home built by Preston’s real estate and land management company. The many donations from the good people of Las Vegas were more than enough, but Julia made sure this new housing was top grade with donations from her many rich friends. The apartment building went up quickly and people moved in with thankful celebration.
The small businesses destroyed in the fire were helped to restart with no-interest loans, backed by Tony’s excellent credit. Soon there was a thriving strip of unique shops and small baristas to tempt money from the pockets of the Las Vegas tourist surrounding the condo tower. The shop owners who lost everything in the fires experienced a wealth of new business.
Tony and Preston struck a deal to give ten percent of the profit from the condo-hotel to rebuild and maintain a larger, state-of-the-art, free clinic for Dr. Dino Bertelli. The funds also went for a mobile medical unit and the rebuilding of a new veterans’ shelter with a community center. The shelter relocated to a spot near a vocational training school a few blocks away from the Strip, giving homeless veterans free access to a new life and education. Lindsay York managed the non-profit organization established to handle the funds for the shelter and medical clinic.
Built from donations from congregations throughout the city, the new Church on the Strip opened its doors in record time. Nestled amid the neon lights on the fabulous Las Vegas Strip and next to the new condo tower, Pastor Hank Dupont continued to reach out to those in need. The historical society renovated the old casino’s exterior back to its original glory. But instead of welcoming gamblers, the bright neon sign heralded, “welcome sinners.’ The church gained national recognition as uniquely ‘Las Vegas style’ religion. Being the first couple married in the new building, Hank and Rosie were grateful for the outpouring of love shown the church’s mission. Lamont was grateful for a new father.
Feeling responsible for Hank’s injuries at the hands of Jonas’ hitman, Preston wanted to help Hank personally. After talking with Dino, Lindsay and Carlton, they completely remodel Hank’s house as a wedding present for him and Rosie.
The following month after the fires, Dino and Lindsay were married at Caesars Palace, a wedding present from Tony and Cassie. It was a lavish wedding ceremony fit for royalty, in the pool garden chapel. Lindsay’s father built them a house in a quiet suburb of Summerlin as a wedding present.
Now in charge and out from under Jonas, a remarkable change took place with Preston. He was not the same spoil man-child who quaked in his boots under his father’s rule. With Jonas dead, Preston became sole owner of the Beckett business. But with all the charges of fraud and such, some businesses owned by his father fell into bankruptcy. It was the only way to restructure the Beckett empire. Tony and his accountants help Preston save much of what his father had in wealth and land, but it was not the same. Preston was left with his father’s mansion, the real estate and land management company and some land holdings. Preston sold the mansion and bought a penthouse villa in the new condo tower he and Tony built. The house he grew up had both good and bad memories, too much for Preston to endure.
As promised, Tony DeMarco became Preston’s mentor, teaching him how to be a profitable business owner with honesty and integrity. One of Preston’s first order of business was to turn over the incriminating evidence he had on his father’s corrupt associates into the hands of the district attorney. Those who committed crimes must answer for them. The ones which were blackmailed were not charged.
Preston held out an olive branch to those innocent businesses who were ruthlessly controlled by Jonas and asked them to do business with him. To show he meant well, Preston tore up the contracts Jonas made them sign, hoping the owners would establish new business arrangements with him. Gratefully, many did accept, many others didn’t, fearing reprisal. Preston understood their hostility and distrust but didn’t hold a grudge. He knew to build trust again in the Becket name required sacrifice. When word got out DeMarco was mentoring Preston, more businesses agreed to work with the young man.
Peter/Adrian introduced Dino to actual medical students from the university who wanted to work for him at the clinic. Now that Dr. Bertelli had become quite famous in Las Vegas, he had his pick of interns. Dino was asked to join the children’s hospital as a senior resident. Once more Dino was where he was meant to be, saving the lives of children, and he couldn’t be happier or more fulfilled. He spent time between surgeries at the hospital, training the interns, and supervising the three new doctors hired to handle patients at the clinic. Dino promoted Rosie to office manager, and she oversaw four nurses and two medical clerks.
During the re-grand opening of the clinic, Mark/Arthur introduced Preston to one of the nurses. A lovely redhead, Suzanna, recently moved to Las Vegas from Denver. It was an instant attraction, as Arthur knew it would be. Arthur was told this virtuous and kind woman was meant to be in Preston’s life, a blessing from the Father. Since she doesn’t know about his past, Suzanne could help Preston’s soul heal with no preconceptions. With her, Preston became the upright man, the loving husband and father he was destined to be.
Still in love with music, Dino performed at Caesars a few weeks out of the year with a full orchestra in the Coliseum. He became one of Tony’s biggest attractions. After his marriage to Lindsay, Dino moved his father and mother to Las Vegas as a retirement gift. They looked forward to living near their son and new daughter-in-law. anticipating becoming grandparents soon. Playing at the Seahorse Lounge a couple of nights a week is pure heaven on earth for a musician like Dominic Bertelli.
A record producer vacationing in Las Vegas, a good friend of Tony’s, caught Dino’s act in the Coliseum and wanted to record him. Dino accepted and made an album of his favorite jazz songs. A portion of the sales went to improve the children’s hospital and research center, bringing lots of good publicity and donations.
With Lindsay by his side as his wife and friend for life, Dino has found the divine destiny that he was always meant to have. His medicine and his music go hand in hand. National media even interviewed the ‘singing doctor’. Dino received the fame he never thought possible, far outshining what he thought he wanted as a selfish young man so many years ago. This time, the accolades humbled Dino, not proud and self-important. Just like Tony, Dino found the true meaning of happiness and success. It was the love of his wife, children, family and friends, serving others, and most of all, a strong faith in the Father who gave him all those blessings. Lindsay and Dino look forward to their life together with anticipation and hope.
As Mark/Arthur told Dino, “Both music and medicine are in perfect harmony now within your life. When love filled your heart, Dino, you became a healer of not just the body but the soul with both talents.”
And what of the Las Vegas Angels? They enjoyed a few months of pleasure ministering and serving the humans before they were called home. This assignment had been longer than most, but it was worth it. So many lives had been changed for the better. Arthur and Adrian were eager to see their family again, take some time off to enjoy being home. But most of all they looked forward to feeling the warmth of the Father’s everlasting love all around them. Earthbound humans had no idea how wonderful that can be. Adrian and Arthur missed it very much.
Although the angels assisted where they could, it was the humans who did the work of repairing relationships, building new lives, starting new endeavors, and finding their way through faith, hope and love. Evil was still around and will be until time ends, but it had a tough job ahead to stop this new group of believers.
At a going away party thrown in Preston’s new penthouse with his soon-to-be wife Suzanna, Mark/Arthur and Peter/Adrian said goodbye to all their friends. Peter/Adrian announced he was going to return to his father’s house to help with the ‘family business’ and sing in the choir. Arthur was leaving the shelter after training a new manager. He was going to work with Adrian and the ‘family.’ There was melancholy amid the gaiety. Everyone at the party got the feeling this would be the last time they saw Peter and Mark. Mark/Arthur begged them not to be sad, saying life was a series of hellos and goodbyes. They would all remain sweet memories and live forever in their hearts.
Dino hoped they would come visit after Lindsay gave birth to their first child in the spring. Arthur and Adrian knew as angels they would be there on that wonderful day, even if unseen. There would be other roles and other assignments for the Las Vegas Angels. They’d be back in one form or another. After lots of hugs and a few tears, the two men/angels left.
“It will be good to be home,” Arthur said to Adrian once they were out of sight, instantly becoming glorious immortals again.
Glowing radiantly, their powerful wings lifted them upward toward the Third Heaven, leaving the world of mortals. One last look back at the Earth, Adrian remarked to his fellow angel how incredible this assignment was.
“It’s amazing... just amazing.”
“What’s that my brother?” Arthur asked.
“Humans, they’re amazing. I learn something new every time we encounter them. They can be at their lowest point in life, racked with guilt, remorse and sin, but when they make the choice to turn their lives over to love, faith and forgiveness they can overcome just about anything. It inspires me.”
Nearing the pearly gates, Arthur smiled. “At last, you see my dear brother. It’s choice, not chance that determines their destiny, and it’s a truly divine destiny indeed.”
End of Book 2
To be continued in Book 3
Obsession’s Wicked Wager