Page 78 of Crime Lord’s Captive

“We just got engaged. We should celebrate,” he said and kissed her long and deep.

“You keep that up, we won’t eat,” she said.

“Fine with me,” he said, drawing her closer.

“Well, I’m hungry,” she said and pushed him into his seat.

Gavin went easily enough. They fixed their plates while Lyla stared at her ring.

“Carmen wants to look at wedding dresses tomorrow,” she said.

Gavin nodded. “Good.”

“I have to visit my parents,” she mused, thinking about their financial problems and her upcoming wedding. She hesitated and then said, “I don’t want my dad to walk me down the aisle. I want Manny to do it.”

“Dad would be honored,” Gavin said.

Her phone chimed. Lyla picked it up and saw Carmen’s text, demanding to see the ring. She took a picture and sent it.

“Why the blue diamond?” Lyla asked.

“Your eyes.”

Lyla looked up. “My eyes?”

“The diamond is the same color as your eyes. I knew you wouldn’t wear something over the top, but I wanted the ring to be unique.”

“It is,” she said and when the phone chimed, she told him, “Carmen agrees. Is Vinny going to be your best man?”

“Of course. He’s like my brother. Why?”

“Just making sure before Carmen confronts you.” She examined this man who she would soon legally be bound to. “You’re going to be fine with one side of the business and not the other?”

“I’m training someone to take over. He already knows parts of the business, but certain contacts need to be told directly.”

“Who’s taking over?”

“Its better that you don’t know.”

Yes. The less she knew about all of it the better, but, “Why are you so involved? I mean, you play the same role with your casinos as you do with the underworld, right? You’re at the top and usually don’t get involved in the day to day operations. Don’t you have, like, a manager or something?”

“I do have men I trust under me, but it’s my name that gives us credibility and strength. I get involved when it goes bad. In this case, I need to introduce the new crime lord and that has to be done in person.”

Lyla ate because the topic was beginning to make her feel sick. That was a part of their lives that would soon be a thing of the past. The meal was excellent and as she finished off her first glass of wine, she felt a tingle of something as she watched Gavin. He loved her and the strength of it scared and thrilled her. She would never be able to handle him, but she was okay with that. He was his own person and a force to be reckoned with. It was who he was and nothing would change him. She tried to imagine a baby cradled in his arms and felt her throat tighten with emotion. God. Gavin Pyre a father...

“What are you thinking about?” he asked.

“You want to be a father?”

“Yes. My mom had a hard pregnancy so she only had me. I always wanted a big family. You?”

“I always wished I had a sister or older brother, but I had Carmen and she was enough. For that matter, we’re both only children.”

“I’m up for the challenge of a big family if you are.”

Lyla tried to imagine kids running around the mansion and smiled. “I’m up for it.” He reached for her and she tutted and scooted backwards. “We’re eating dinner!”

“We’ll eat after,” he decreed and hauled her into his arms.

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