Page 77 of Crime Lord’s Captive

“No.”

“Why do you sound as if you’ve been working out?”

“I’ve been working out with Vinny in bed,” Carmen cackled.

TMI. Lyla took a deep breath and blurted, “I’m getting married.”

Utter silence and then a weak, “No.”

“Yes.”

A bit louder, “No.”

“Yes.”

“No!”

“Yes,” Lyla repeated.

“Fuck yeah!” Carmen screamed. “Vinny, they’re doing it. Not fucking, getting married! Yeah! No. I don’t know. Let me ask her.” Carmen’s voice was frantic with excitement. “When are you getting married?”

“He wants to get married by the end of the month.”

“What? How are you going to do that?”

“A wedding planner. Armand?”

“You gotArmand? Oh. My. God. This is insane. I’m so excited! Are you happy?”

“Yes.” Terrified, but happy. “I don’t know what I’m going to do.”

“Obviously, you have to figure out what kind of wedding you want. I want to see the ring! Send me a picture.”

Lyla wrung her hands. “I want to elope.”

“You can’t elope,” Carmen said sharply.

“I know. Gavin won’t let us.”

“Thank God for that. Okay. Oh my God. We need to get you a dress and do you know what kind of flowers—?”

“I have no idea.”

“I’m the maid of honor, right?”

“Of course.”

“Better be. And Vinny’s best man?”

“I think so.”

“Better be,” Carmen said again. “Oh my God, I’m going on Pinterest. We should shop for wedding dresses tomorrow so you have an idea of what you want. I’ll send you ideas.”

The line went dead. Lyla stared at it and then shook her head. She wanted to call Manny, but this wasn’t something she wanted to tell him over the phone and they should tell him together.

Lyla went to the kitchen and saw that the cook prepared salmon and an amazing salad with wine and candles. The cook smiled at Lyla and explained the dishes before she left for the night. Lyla was pouring wine when Gavin came in.

“This is nice,” Lyla said.

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