Page 24 of Crime Lord’s Captive

“The longer you've been away, the more remote he's become. I thought he might find someone else, but he never did, and he never stopped searching for you. I know he’s using your father to keep you in line. I would do the same thing.”

Manny smiled when Lyla clucked her tongue in disgust.

“What I didn't expect was for him to take his frustration and anger out on you. I assumed he would woo you gently so he could persuade you to stay.” Manny's smile faded. “If I'd known what he would do to you, I would never have let him find you.”

“What happens now?”

“Now we see how stupid Gavin is. I threatened you,” he paused to stroke her hair and press a kiss on her forehead to comfort her before he continued, “I wanted him to see how quickly you could be taken from him. You've been gone for three years. He should be kissing the ground you walk on, not scaring or hurting you. I gave you into his keeping, knowing that he needs light in his life to beat back the darkness. You humanize him, but if he's too far gone, I won't put you in his care. I’ll get you out.”

Lyla felt giddy with relief. “You promise?”

Manny had a pained expression on his face, but he said, “Yes. As much as I'd like you to stay around for myself because you make me happy, I know you deserve freedom.”

“But not yet,” she said sardonically.

He tapped her on the nose. “No. We're going to give Gavin one last chance.”

“And if he fails?”

“Then I might have to kill my own son.”

Chapter Six

The following day, Lyla felt almost normal. She walked downstairs and was directed outside to the pool where Manny was eating lunch. Manny kept up a steady stream of chatter that reminded her why she enjoyed his company so much. At times, she had flashbacks of Manny with the gun in his hand and then she remembered his admission that he had been contemplating suicide when she walked into his office all those years ago. Destiny. Lyla pushed that thought to the back of her mind and enjoyed the moment. Manny held her hands as he spoke to her. He treated her with care to erase last night's horror. There was no trace of the ruthless man she encountered last night. Manny teased her about her not so delicate probing into the criminal side of the business. Lyla smiled and tilted her chin at him before she saw movement out of the corner of her eye. She turned her head and saw Gavin standing nearby, watching them. Her smile disappeared. She would have pulled away from Manny if he didn't tighten his hold.

“Son,” Manny acknowledged with a chill in his tone.

Gavin walked forward and stopped several feet away. “I want to talk to you.”

Even as her hands clutched Manny’s, he kissed her knuckles and rose. Father and son disappeared inside the house. She paced around the pool, twisting her hands together. She believed Manny. He wouldn't let her be around Gavin if he suspected that his son wouldn't treat her right, but Gavin was a master manipulator and had to be furious at his father for his interference. Or, maybe Gavin wanted to wash his hands of her and she would be free earlier than expected.

“Lyla.”

She stiffened and turned to find Gavin less than three feet from her. She couldn't stop herself from taking a reflexive step back or her instinctive glance around the pool for help. She was not happy to see that they were alone. Where was Manny?

“Lyla.”

She took another step back when Gavin took one forward. His hands twitched at his sides. Did he want to strangle her? Her heart began to race.

“I'm sorry,” Gavin said.

Lyla blinked, sure she hadn't heard him right. “Excuse me?”

A muscle ticked in his jaw. “I'm sorry for putting my hands on you.”

“Oh,” she said, not sure how she was supposed to respond. “I'm okay.”

He ran a hand through his hair, which was mussed and untidy. She scanned him and noticed that his eyes were bloodshot and he looked exhausted. The fury and hatred he displayed towards her yesterday was absent and he seemed more human.

“What Dad did last night,” Gavin shook his head and then fixed her with an intense stare, “he knows how to make a statement.”

“Yes, he does,” she agreed.

“Do you want to be here?”

“Yes,” she said hastily.

Gavin didn’t look pleased with her answer, but he didn’t push. He clasped his hands behind his back and took a deep breath. “I know I haven’t given you any reason to trust me, but the reason I brought you back was to re-establish our relationship.”

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