Page 26 of Crime Lord’s Captive

“I won’t hurt you again, you have my word.”

She wanted to believe him, but the kitchen incident was too fresh in her mind. And, she knew what he was capable of.

“I hurt you by having other women. You hurt me by leaving. We’re even.”

They werenoteven, but she wasn’t going to argue with him. She just wanted him to leave.

“I’ll see you tonight, baby girl.”

With that, Gavin left. Lyla watched him go before she walked over to Manny who acted as if he was sleeping on the lawn chair. Lyla decided to do the same.

***

At four o'clock Carmen arrived. She looked great, as usual, but even her excellent makeup job couldn't mask her worry. Lyla rushed to her and hugged her tight.

“I'm fine,” she said immediately.

“Are you really?” Carmen asked.

“Really,” Lyla assured her.

“Holy shit, I hardly slept at all last night.” Carmen waved at Manny who was talking on the phone at his desk.

Lyla led Carmen upstairs and closed the bedroom door. “Gavin sent a dress.” She gestured to the white sheath dress, which had a high neck and sleeves that ended at her elbow. The dress had an open back that packed the sensual punch all club clothes required. The dress looked demure from the front and scandalous in the back. It fit just right, which didn’t surprise her. It arrived an hour ago with silver stilettos and a diamond necklace. Lyla couldn’t deny that she felt a pang of nostalgia, but she wasn’t an idiot. Making sure Gavin failed to win her back was her goal. The sooner he failed, the better and she could go back to a normal life where death didn’t lurk around every corner.

Carmen did Lyla’s makeup as Lyla told her bits and pieces of what happened withManny. She didn’t tell Carmen about Manny’s wife and the reincarnation part because it was too personal and Carmen may not understand. But, she explained Manny’s agreement to let her go if she and Gavin weren’t compatible.

“And Gavin doesn’t know about this pact you have with Manny?” Carmen asked, aghast.

“He doesn’t need to.”

Carmen pursed her lips. “Girl, you should have seen him last night. He was a wreck.”

Lyla snorted. “You know who was a wreck?Me!”

Carmen waved a hand. “I know, but when Manny turned the gun on you, Gavin ran forward. Manny fired off a warning shot at Gavin. I’ve never seen him like that. He was panicked. He may not show it, but he has deep feelings for—”

“Let’s just finish up. I’m hungry,” Lyla said. Now that she had some measure of control over her life, she felt more like herself. She had an objective and wouldn’t stop until it was completed. Gavin wasn’t a part of her future.

Carmen gave her a judgmental look, but let the subject drop. It almost felt like old times as they got ready and strutted downstairs. Manny was there to admire and kiss their hands gallantly. They rode in the Rolls Royce with Ricardo at the wheel. Lyla tried to calm her nerves as they approached The Strip in all its colored glory. It had changed in the short amount of years she was gone. New hotels replaced old ones, but the hyper, manic energy of those on the streets hadn’t changed. People could be whoever they wanted here. They could pretend to be players, single, high rollers or daredevils. As the slogan said, ‘What happened in Vegas, stayed in Vegas.’ If only people didn’t take it so literally...

They pulled up in front of a Pyre Casino. Lyla took the hand that reached into the car to help her out and didn’t realize who it belonged to until she was pulled up against a hard body. Lyla went rigid as she stared up at Gavin.

“You look great,” Gavin said and gave her a quick kiss before he twined their hands together.

Lyla gave an experimental yank and got nowhere.

“Lyla!”

Lyla received a kiss on both cheeks from Vinny who she thought of as a brother. He was even-tempered, which made him a good partner for both Gavin and Carmen. He was tall, dark and handsome like Gavin, but his easy smile was genuine. Lyla tried to get away from Gavin to give Vinny a hug, but Gavin didn’t let her go. There was a large group of employees milling around nervously, probably confused about the president and vice president appearing to help someone out of a car.

“I’ve missed you,” Lyla said with genuine regret and felt Gavin tense beside her. What the hell was his problem? He always had a quick temper, but now it was on a hair trigger. She looked around to make sure that Ricardo was watching and found that he was.

“Let’s eat,” Vinny said and kissed Carmen before they went inside.

The casino was bustling with people. The familiar smells and sounds reminded Lyla of a simpler time. When she was hired as Manny’s assistant she walked through the casino with such pride knowing that she was a part of this. She took in the crowd and picked out the high rollers, gold diggers, tourists and underage teens. As they neared the club, Lyla heard the pump of music and saw the crowd waiting to get in. Gold ropes were cast aside as they approached and they slipped into madness.

Lux was a new club with a massive dance floor and multiple bars to accommodate the crowds. It was built like an amphitheater with five levels so everyone could see everything going on in the club. Strategically placed platforms highlighted professional dancers writhing in gold spotlights.

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