Page 81 of Crime Lord’s Captive

“Lyla, it’s your money.”

“Okay, well, she didn’t like that Manny was going to walk me down the aisle but—”

“It isn’t up to her.”

“Yes, I know and I told her that,” Lyla soothed. “Everything’s fine. Are you all right?”

“Yes. Hearing from you made me feel better.” A pause and then, “Tell me you love me.”

“I love you.”

“Even though you know what I’m capable of?”

A chill trickled her spine. “Is something wrong?”

“No, I just need to hear you say it doesn’t matter.”

“I love you no matter what.” No response. “Come home to me, Gavin.”

“I will. Once I get this squared away, you won’t be able to get rid of me. Dream of me, baby.”

“I will.”

Lyla finished her meal and stared into space, thinking of the strange conversation and their upcoming wedding. It was clear that Gavin was pushing hard for the new crime lord. She wouldn’t be able to rest easy until he left the underworld completely. Lyla climbed into bed and stared up at the ceiling for a long time, thinking about how much her life changed in such a short time. Really, life was bizarre. She thought of Jonathan with a distant sense of regret and hoped he found a woman worthy of him. Now that she was back with Gavin, it was clear that what she gave Jonathan was a watered down version of affection in comparison.

Lyla didn’t like being in bed by herself. She cursed the fact that Gavin’s business kept him out at all hours of the night. Who was the new crime lord? What was Gavin doing tonight that made him uneasy enough to need reassurance from her? Lyla buried her face in the pillow and fisted her hands. Images of Pervert and his partner flashed into her mind and she cursed Gavin again. He should be with her not doing whatever it was that he was doing. A memory of Gavin covered in Pervert’s blood flashed in her mind and she relaxed slightly. Gavin would do whatever he had to and he would come back to her. Nothing would stop him.

***

“Lyla, wake up.”

A hard hand shook her awake. Lyla opened her eyes and saw Gavin standing beside the bed. She opened her mouth to ask what was going on when her eyes focused on something dark smeared on the side of his face, neck and suit. Lyla shot out of bed and reached for him as her mind registered that Gavin was covered in dried blood.

“What happened? You’re hurt!”

“It’s not my blood,” Gavin said tonelessly. “Get dressed.”

“What? Whose blood is it?”

“Vinny’s. He’s dead.”

Lyla went cold. “Dead?”

“Get dressed. We need to see Carmen.”

“Vinny’s dead?” she repeated and shook her head. “No, I just saw him!” This morning Vinny kissed her on the cheek and told her Gavin loved her.

“We don’t have time, Lyla. Carmen.”

“Carmen? Oh my God,” she whispered. How would Carmen react when she found out that her husband was dead?

“Get dressed, Lyla,” Gavin said. “Hurry.”

Lyla nodded and changed out of her pajamas, mind whirling. Vinny dead? She’d known Vinny for nearly a decade. She thought of him as her brother. Lyla braced her hand against the wall as the full impact of his loss slammed into her. Her eyes flooded with tears. Male voices shouted outside, reminding her that she didn’t have time to grieve. She had to get to Carmen.

Lyla grabbed a clean shirt for Gavin and rushed back into the bedroom to find it empty. Lyla ran downstairs and saw Gavin on the phone, rapping out orders in Spanish. When he saw her, he slammed the front door open and gestured her outside. There were men and cars everywhere. Guns were displayed openly. There was a buzz of fury among the men that made her feel as if she walked into a war zone. Blade beckoned her to a SUV. She slid into the back seat, shaking hands clasped on her lap. Gavin got in beside her and continued to talk into his phone in an icy, precise tone that was too calm.

When he hung up, he shrugged off his stained suit jacket and then the shirt beneath. Gavin reached for a water bottle and wiped his cheek and neck. Lyla smelled the stench of blood and her stomach lurched. He slipped into the clean shirt. She couldn’t stand the suspense any longer.

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