Page 58 of Crime Lord’s Captive

“Lyla?”

“What?”

“You’re okay?” he repeated.

“Umm hmm.”

He gave her an odd look before he kissed her forehead. “I’ll have my phone on me at all times. Do you need anything?”

“No.”

“I’ll see you tonight.”

Gavin grabbed his phone and laptop and walked out of the room. Lyla lay there for several minutes, letting her mind drift before she showered. This time she didn’t scrub herself hard enough to bleed. Another victory. Lyla took the time to braid her hair and put on a little makeup. For some reason, it was painful to look at her reflection. She couldn’t meet her own gaze. Lyla settled for jeans and a shirt today and because she felt too exposed, pulled on a slouchy jacket.

When she walked downstairs, she saw Blade standing guard by the door. Lyla automatically averted her eyes until he called her name. When she looked up, he came forward.

“I-I want you to feel safe,” he said awkwardly.

Lyla considered this and muttered, “Thanks.”

“What happened the other day, no one else will ever touch you. Not on my watch.”

He feels guilty, she realized. “I’m okay, Blade.”

He clasped his hands behind him and spread his legs in a military stance. “I want you to know, I’ll protect you with my life.”

This was a far cry from the man who laughed at her fear when he picked her up in Maine. “Thanks, Blade.”

He gave a curt nod and then said, “You make the boss happy.”

Lyla was saved from saying anything when the front door burst open. Blade drew his gun before he turned. Carmen stood in the doorway, tears streaming down her face. She didn’t notice Blade or the gun in his hand. She let out a scream that could have broken glass and hurled herself at Lyla. She cried as if her heart were breaking.

“Carmen?”

“It’s all my fault!” Carmen wailed, sniveling. “If I hadn’t tried on those crotchless panties I would have been there!”

Blade hastily holstered his gun and walked away while Lyla ran a hand over Carmen’s back.

“We would have both been kidnapped,” Lyla said, holding her cousin tightly.

“At least you wouldn’t be alone and I could have helped kill those bastards!” Carmen wailed.

Because her body was still sore, Lyla led Carmen to the sofa. Carmen went willingly enough, but she didn’t release Lyla for a moment. Carmen babbled about all the ways she would have defended Lyla.

“Carmen, I’m fine,” Lyla said.

Carmen drew away, makeup streaming down her face.“Are you?”

The concern made Lyla’s eyes burn with tears, but she took a deep, fortifying breath and gave a small nod. “Yes.”

Carmen clasped their hands together. “Tell me everything.”

Lyla stared at her. She hadn’t told anyone what happened. No one asked and even a day ago, she wouldn’t have been able to. But, she had to talk about it, get it off her chest.

“Tell me,” Carmen insisted.

Lyla took a deep breath and told Carmen about her hours in hell. Lyla faltered when she talked about what Pervert did. Seeing the horror on Carmen’s face made her feel guilty and better at the same time.

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