Page 35 of Crime Lord’s Captive

She got to her feet and grinned at him. “You look like a pimp.”

“This is Vegas, baby girl, you have to dress with flair.”

Ricardo had a Mercedes waiting for them in the driveway. They got into the backseat and she wasn’t surprised when Manny clasped their hands together.

“Why did you retire?” Lyla asked.

“I was too old for the bullshit.” At her inquiring look, he shrugged. “I was losing my touch. They needed someone tougher at the helm. That wasn’t me.”

“And Gavin is tougher than you?” she asked carefully.

He squeezed her hand. “I made sure he’s tougher than me. He needs to see the business through to the next generation.”

Next generation? Lyla ignored that and asked, “You’re completely out of the business?”

“Yes, I don’t know a thing,” he said and waved a dismissive hand. “It’s fantastic. True freedom.”

That’s what she wanted. She didn’t want to wonder how many Gavin murdered or if the man holding her hand with such care taught him to kill.

“Gavin is the CEO, Vinny the COO. They work well together. While they slave away all day, I do what I like.”

“Which is?” Lyla asked with arched brows.

“Sometimes I gamble for the hell of it. I went on a Mediterranean cruise and safari. Whatever whim I have, I do.”

“Do you have any trips planned?”

He kissed her knuckles. “Not right now. If Gavin is a fool, you can choose a place you wish to visit.”

If Gavin let her go, she would leave, not go on a vacation... But, she didn’t want Manny to go alone. Lyla had to remind herself that she wanted away from Vegas and the Pyres. When had she begun to accept that being a captive was acceptable?

Ricardo pulled up to a sketchy looking building where the man behind the counter greeted Manny by name and assumed that Lyla was his young mistress. Of course, the man wasn’t stupid enough to say it out loud, but he didn’t need to. The shopkeeper’s poorly concealed jealousy made Lyla edge closer to Manny. They browsed aimlessly, pouring over knick knacks or laughing over offensive paintings and statues they stumbled across. The day passed by pleasantly.

When they stopped for lunch on The Strip, Lyla was relieved to see that they weren’t going to a Pyre establishment. Manny led her into a dimly lit, quiet and beautiful restaurant with nice views of the city. Despite the fact that this wasn’t one of their restaurants, the staff fawned over Manny and called him by name. The Pyres were Las Vegas kingpins and everyone knew them. Once they ordered drinks, Lyla excused herself to go to the bathroom. She felt underdressed, but that couldn’t be helped. She was on her way back to the table when someone called her name.

Lyla paused and saw Rafael and his brother Steven rise from a table. She smiled as Rafael sauntered towards her. His brother Steven ambled behind, strange eyes fixed on her face.

“Fancy meeting you here,” she said.

“Yes.” Rafael raised a brow. “You have no phone, but you seem to have no problem getting into exclusive places. It must be that pretty face.”

“I have good friends,” she said.

“I could be an even better friend," he said, spreading his arms wide and giving her a devilish grin. "And a more generous one."

He obviously thought she was someone's arm candy and could be bought. "Thanks for the offer," she said carelessly, "but I like my friends."

Rafael was about to say more when he looked past her, stiffened and reached for something in his jacket. Lyla took a step back and collided with an unyielding body.A hand gripped her waist. She had no doubt who was holding her so possessively. What surprised her was the way Rafael’s face morphed into cold fury. What the fuck?

“Stay away from Lyla,” Gavin hissed.

Rafael’s eyes flicked from Gavinbackto her. “You've been holding back on me, beautiful. You didn't tell me who yourfriendis.”

Gavin’s grip tightened on her. “Keep your distance. She’s mine.”

Rafael’s face turned calculating as he looked at her. He went from friendly stranger to dangerous in a millisecond.

“What if she doesn’t want to stay away from me?” Rafael asked.

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