Page 40 of Recaptured by the Crime Lord

He didn’t like that either, but he didn’t want to argue about it now. “Let’s eat.”

Lyla mumbled something under her breath and then caught sight of his computer screen, which had live feeds of the bedroom, living room and pool. Lyla turned to him and his body seized.

“You watch me?” she asked.

He spread his hands and raked his mind for an acceptable answer. “I check on you every now and then.”

“And you didn’t think to mention that you watch me?”

“No.”

Lyla shook her head. “You are unbelievable.”

“Lyla—”

“No.”

She walked out of the office. He saw Blade and a team of six waiting for them. Blade met his glare head on. They would have words later, but he wouldn’t punish him since the result had been pleasurable and it was his fault for leaving the live security feed on his computer. He wanted to haul her back into the office, but she was fuming and might make a scene if he did. God, this woman was going to kill him.

Marcus approached, eyes focused on Lyla. Gavin wanted to throw his hands up in frustration. He thought he had control over things and now his day was being royally fucked.

“I heard a rumor you were here,” Marcus said as he took Lyla’s hand. “I’m glad we finally get to meet.”

“And you are?” Lyla asked.

“This is Marcus, my COO,” Gavin said grudgingly.

Lyla and Marcus were sizing each other up and it struck him that they were around the same age, unlike him who was almost ten years older. Lyla’s fair beauty complimented Marcus’s All-American good looks. Gavin’s hands balled into fists as the silence stretched.

“Gavin’s told me a lot about you,” Lyla said finally. “I hear you’re doing great things for the company.”

“Yes, and I’m glad you’re doing well enough for Mr. Pyre to come back to work,” Marcus said.

Lyla nodded and glanced at Gavin before she said, “You should join us for lunch.”

Before Gavin could decline for him, Marcus accepted.

“My pleasure.”

Gavin’s chest locked as Marcus offered Lyla his arm. She took it without hesitation, leaving Gavin behind as they walked away. Blade placed a hand on his heaving chest.

“Cool it, Gavin,” Blade cautioned.

Gavin shrugged him off and went after his COO and wife. It wasn’t rational that he was insanely jealous of her being able to converse with another man. He’d claimed her before anyone had a chance and always been aware of that fact. Seeing her with Marcus made him lightheaded with fury. Just when he was about to pound his fist into his partner’s face, he registered what Lyla was saying. Lyla had worked as his father’s personal assistant for a little over a year. He’d assumed she did filing, scheduling and phone calls. He was struck speechless by the managerial tasks his father issued to her and the depth of her involvement in company projects that had since become a reality. Her knowledge of the company shocked him. Marcus began to pick her brain while Gavin walked mutely by their side. Lyla’s face lit up as he bounced ideas off her. Gavin was torn between pride at her insight and irritation that he hadn’t thought to ask for her opinion. Why didn’t he talk to her more about work? It was obvious Lyla was intelligent and knowledgeable, thanks to his father.

Marcus led Lyla into one of the five restaurants in the casino and acknowledged the hostess before he chose a booth in the quietest corner possible during the lunch rush. Gavin was hard pressed not to grab Marcus by the collar and fling him when he scooted into the booth after his wife. To compound his sins, Marcus turned towards Lyla, elbow on the table as she spoke. Blade nudged Gavin in the side, a warning to keep his head before taking a seat at another table.

The server interrupted Lyla and Marcus’s intense conversation. Gavin ordered whiskey to drown out the unreasonable jealousy fizzing in his veins. Lyla gave him an odd look before Marcus claimed her attention again. Marcus was a relentless businessman—keen, ruthless and sharp. Gavin respected the hell out of him, but at the moment he wanted to kill him.

“What are you doing this Friday?” Marcus asked Lyla.

Gavin’s temper went black. “Are you asking my wife out?”

“Well, yes,” Marcus said with a shrug. “She should be at the opening for our new nightclub, Incognito.”

“My wife doesn’t go out,” Gavin said through gritted teeth.

“Why—? Oh,” Marcus’s expression sobered. “Forgive me. I understand. You mustn’t be comfortable going out after—”

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