Page 22 of Recaptured by the Crime Lord

“Yes. Are you?”

“I’m going to be glad when this is over. You’re coming to the house after, right?”

Lyla nodded and kissed her cheek. “I’ll save you a seat.”

Lyla turned and was surprised to see that Gavin had Aunt Isabel’s hand clasped in both of his. Her aunt looked a bit shell-shocked, but she nodded as he spoke.

“Thank you so much,” Aunt Isabel said.

Gavin turned and though his eyes hardened when they landed on Carmen, he inclined his head respectfully.

“I’m sorry for your loss,” Gavin said.

Carmen said nothing. Gavin followed Lyla to the front pew while Blade and the other guards stood on the sidelines, guarding the exits. They didn’t stand out as much in this crowd since they were in black suits like most of the people gathered. Lyla spotted her father before she took her seat. The last time she saw him he had been bedridden from Gavin’s beating. She hoped he wasn’t stupid enough to say or do anything today. Gavin wouldn’t stand for it and neither would she. Watching a sadist beat Manny to death changed her. Manny had been her father in every way but blood. She was honored to have him in her life for so short a time and wouldn’t take any bullshit from her biological father. Not anymore.

Gavin sat on her left. He placed his arm on the back of the pew and drew her against him. “You okay?”

She let out a shuddering breath. “I don’t think I can take another funeral.”

His hand clamped around the back of her neck and squeezed.

She looked up at him. “What did you do about your dad?”

His jaw clenched. She felt awful for bringing it up, but suddenly had to know.

“He didn’t have a funeral. I couldn’t with his killer on the loose. His ashes are at the house.”

“They are? Where?”

“In my office.” His eyes raked her face. “Is that fucked up?”

She shook her head. “No. I’m glad he’s still with us.”

She thought she saw a glimmer of wetness in his eyes before he leaned down and kissed her. It was a soft, gentle kiss and over with before she could react.

Carmen sat on her right as the pastor took the stage. Carmen took Lyla's hand and held it on her lap as people took the stage to share memories and stories. Lyla laughed and cried with the congregation.

“I have to go up. Will you come with me?” Carmen whispered.

Lyla hesitated for a moment and then said, “Of course.”

They rose, hand in hand and walked to the podium.Lyla felt clammy and cold as she looked out over the church. They had been anonymous wanderers for over a year. If it weren’t for Carmen, she would have walked off stage. Would they see beneath the carefully applied makeup to the broken being she was inside? Carmen’s stifled sob got Lyla’s attention. Carmen gave her a pleading look. Her cousin had done so much for her. Now, it was time to forget her personal shit and step up. Lyla approached the mic. Her eyes fell on Gavin in the front row, watching her with steady amber eyes. The force of his personality made most people edge away, but she absorbed his strength.

“Uncle Louie was a great man,” she said and was proud that her voice didn’t shake. “He convinced my parents to leave California and come to Sin City where he guaranteed that we’d fit in.”

Carmen let out a broken laugh and Lyla managed a small smile.

“He was right.” Lyla’s eyes moved to her parents and then to Aunt Isabel who had a hand over her mouth as she wept. “He welcomed me in as if I was his daughter and made Vegas feel like home. I’ll never forget him.” Another father figure lost. A lance of pain struck her heart. She wanted to cry and rage. “He raised one of the best women in the world.” Lyla raised Carmen’s hand in hers. “My cousin lost her father and husband, but she’s still here.”

A smattering of claps filled the church.

“Aunt Isabel, we’re going to get through this,” Lyla said, speaking directly to her. “We’ll all get through this and remember his jokes and laughter. Our lives are better because he was in it. That’s how we go on, remembering the good times.”

Aunt Isabel gave her a watery smile and nodded. Lyla stepped back and Carmen took the mic. Her voice was shaky, but strong.

“My father was a good man. He taught me to love with all my heart and to support and protect our family.” Carmen looked at her mother. “We’re going to get through this, Mom. He taught us how. Thank you all so much for coming here today, to celebrate his life with us. He’s in a better place now. That’s what matters.”

There were hums of agreement through the church as they took their seats. Carmen’s uncle closed the funeral with an acoustic guitar playing in the background. Carmen and Lyla sat with their hands clasped to comfort one another. They said death came in three’s. Lyla closed her eyes and prayed this would be the last one for a long time. She wouldn’t be able to handle the death of another person so close to her.

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