Page 33 of Recaptured by the Crime Lord

“I can’t lose you too.”

“You won’t.”

“You can’t guarantee that.”

“Gavin won’t let anyone touch me. You know that, right?”

Carmen sighed. “I went from this house to life with Vinny and now I’m back to square one. What am I supposed to do with my life?”

“You can do whatever you want, but I hope you stay in Vegas with me.”

“After being on the road, there’s something nice about being in one place and having space,” Carmen said as she drew back and wiped her wet cheeks.

“Definitely.” Lyla braced her hands on her cousin’s shoulders. “I’m going to talk to Gavin about your money. I want to be involved in whatever you do next. If you guys need anything, I’m here, okay?”

Carmen nodded. “I’m glad you finally stood up to your parents. Manny’s death changed you for the better.”

Why did it take a tragedy to make people change?

“I don’t know what goes on with you and Gavin and I don’t want to. I do know he loves you. He always has, and apparently, always will.” Carmen’s eyes filled with tears. “The way he watched you at the funeral—it’s the way my dad looked at my mom, the way Vinny looked at me, but Gavin... Gavin Pyre is a completely different ball game. He doesn’t have the sweetness that Vinny did. Gavin can be ruthless and cruel and you’ve never been a match for him.” Carmen leaned back and considered her. “Maybe now you are.”

“I hope so.” Lyla hesitated before she asked, “After all that’s happened, do you think we can have normal lives?”

“You, maybe. If Gavin keeps his nose clean and he keeps worshipping the ground you walk on.” Carmen fluffed her black tresses. “Me? I don’t know.”

“Why not?”

Carmen’s lower lip trembled before she pursed her lips. “I loved Vinny with everything in me. Who’s lucky enough to love like that twice in a lifetime? It might kill me.”

For the first time in a long time, Lyla thought of Jonathan, the gentle IT consultant who coaxed her into a relationship. Her affection for him couldn’t compare to the depth of what Gavin evoked in her. It was like trying to compare a kitten to a tiger. No, she couldn’t imagine having what she had with Gavin with another man.

“I’m here for you,” Lyla said.

Carmen nodded and hugged her again. “I love you.”

“I don’t know what I would have done without you. I owe you everything,” Lyla whispered.

“It was my pleasure,” Carmen said with a watery smile and bowed.

“You’re crazy, you know that?” Lyla said and laughed as Carmen sashayed away.

Lyla was exhausted by the time they reached home. She went upstairs and drew a bath. Lyla moaned as she climbed into the tub and closed her eyes. She understood Carmen’s worry. Most would think she was a glutton for punishment, but no one saw what she did in Gavin. He was rough around the edges—animalistic, merciless and savage. But, there was also gentleness in him and a craving for touch and love—hertouch,herlove. Aunt Isabel and Carmen couldn’t hide the crippling pain of losing their men. Lyla didn’t have to ask to know the answer. Neither woman regretted their time with their husbands. They would take the pain and live with it for the rest of their lives and know it was a small price to pay for the memories.

“Baby?”

Lyla opened tear drenched eyes and blinked up at Gavin. A sob escaped. He crouched down and kissed her. Lyla gripped his wrists and then twisted her hand in his shirt, dragging him down so she could feel him against her. Gavin quickly lost his clothes. He climbed into the tub and hovered over her.

“Tell me you won’t leave me,” Lyla said.

Gavin pulled back. “What?”

“Vinny, Uncle Louie and Manny. They didn’t plan on dying. They just died. I can’t lose you too. You can’t die.”

“I’m not going to die.”

“They might come for you and—”

“Lyla, I’m not going anywhere.”

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