Page 33 of Crime Lord’s Captive

“How gracious of you,” she drawled, “since you threw away what I brought with me.”

“It’s an insult to your body to wear such shoddy clothes.”

Lyla glared at him. “Bank tellers don’t have the budget to wear Armani or Prada.”

“If you stayed with me, you wouldn’t have to work at all.”

“I don’t mind working.”

Gavin surveyed her for a moment. “You could always work for me.”

“No thanks,” she said quickly.

“Come, Lyla,” Ricardo called as the car pulled up.

Ricardo got into the driver’s seat. Gavin walked her to the car. Before she could slip out of his jacket, he gripped the lapels and jerked her against him. His mouth covered hers before she had time to defend herself. His tongue stroked hers while his hands splayed on her bare back and caressed. She staggered back, breaking the kiss. He grinnedand gave her a chaste kiss before he tucked her into the back of the car.

“Me wanting you has nothing to do with my father,” Gavin said as he buckled her in, hand brushing deliberately over her breasts. “And if you think I’ve waited three years to let you leave me again, you’re dead wrong.”

With that threat hanging in the air, he stepped back and slammed the door. He strode into the hotel without looking back. Lyla tried to steady her breathing and saw Ricardo watching her in the rearview mirror.

“He’s an ass,” she said.

“Yes, ma’am,” Ricardo said with a grin.

Chapter Seven

The following morning Lyla descended the stairs wearing a form fitting jersey dress that flirted around her ankles. It was a dress from her old wardrobe that Gavin delivered.

Manny sat at the large dining table, surrounded by an assortment of breakfast foods. He set the newspaper aside, face lighting up as if his day didn’t start until she joined him. A streak of pain darted through her chest. Sherecognizedthe feeling. Love.Even as she tried to reassert common sense, she rounded the table and went to Manny. He held his arms open as if she was really his daughter. Her eyes stung with tears as she fell into his embrace. Manny’s love surrounded her and washed away the fact that she was being held here against her will.

“You slept well?” Manny asked when she drew away.

“Yes,” she said and sat beside him. “What are you up to today?”

“I thought I would go antique shopping. Interested?”

“Yes.” Anything to distract her from her bizarre circumstances. She was a captive of the Pyre men who had different wants from her. Although she missed Jonathan and felt guilty for whatever pain her leaving caused, she couldn’t deny that she enjoyed spending time with Manny. Her own parents were too self-involved with each other to care what happened to her, so being around Manny was the closest thing she had to a parent. It just sucked that Manny was connected to Gavin.

“How did you like Lux?” Manny asked.

Lyla gave him a similar answer to what she told Gavin the night before. Like Gavin, Manny seemed pleased.

“Ricardo tells me that you tried to find Gavin a replacement.”

Lyla paused in the middle of nibbling on a piece of bacon. While Manny’s voice was mild, his eyes sparkled with mischief. Lyla sniffed and lifted her chin defensively. “What of it?”

Manny smacked the table, making her jump. “That’s great!”

“It is?”

“The woman he wants doesn’t want him and offers to help him find another. That’s rich!” Manny howled with laughter.

Lyla forked up hash brows. “I don’t think it’s funny.”

“I do.” Manny shook his head. “I know my son. What you did last night will only make him more determined to have you.”

Lyla’s fork clattered to the table. “What?Why?”

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