Page 43 of Recaptured by the Crime Lord

He let out a long breath, trying to get rid of his jealousy and anger. “I've always had you to myself. I like it like that. Marcus is closer to your age and you two hit it off so easily... I don't like seeing any man close to you.”

Lyla said nothing and his heart began to pound. Had he just eradicated the past four months with foolish words?

“I'm sorry,” he said as he exited the freeway. “I’m fucked up. When it comes to you, my emotions are all over the place. I'm still trying to adjust to having you here. I want you to be happy, but I also want to be the center of your world. I know that's messed up, but it's how I am.”

He glanced at her, but the fall of her hair concealed her expression.

“Lyla?”

No answer.

“I'm going to try and rein it in. If you want to volunteer with outreach that's fine.”

Still no response.

“If you need more things to keep you busy, maybe you can work with me.” He floored the gas pedal so they could get home faster and he could see how badly he was fucking this up. “I haven't been trying to hide you away, I've been trying to give you time to recover. Me too. It's not easy going into work and acting like everything is okay. Sometimes I pick up the phone before I realize Vinny’s not going to pick up the other end. Knowing I can't call my dad is even worse. The only bright spot in my life is you and I need to have access to you. That makes me greedy and selfish and I don't want to share you with anyone. I want your whole focus on me when I come home. But, I realize that you do need more and I'm going to have to adjust to that. Yes, I watch you on the home security cameras. Not because I think you're doing something wrong. I need to see for myself that you're okay. I may always be like that. Knowing the man who murdered Dad and hurt you is still out there will always make me paranoid.”

Gavin turned into the driveway of their home and turned to her.

“Look at me,” he said.

Lyla turned her silver blue eyes on him and his stomach clenched with want.

“I'm sorry.”

Lyla shook her head.

“What?”

“I like the way Marcus, Alice and Janice looked at me today. They didn't see me as a victim or in recovery. They just saw me for me and that felt good. It made me feel normal. Marcus liked my ideas and Alice was ecstatic that I wanted to help her with outreach. I need to be needed too, Gavin.”

“I understand that.” His need for her would only go so far. She needed to have a life. At least she would be working for Pyre Casinos. He should be thankful for that.

“I think Marcus is hot.”

His need to make amends flew out the window.“What?”

Lyla grinned mischievously. “I can admire his looks without being interested in him sexually.”

“No, you can’t.” He reached for her and hauled her over the console. “You're not allowed to think that any man is remotely attractive. I can't take it.”

“I belong to you, Gavin.”

That didn’t reassure him.

“I won't leave you and I think you're the hottest man I've ever seen. I love you. You're a great man and you’re mine.” She pressed a chaste kiss on his lips. “Now, go back to work and when you come home, you're going to make it up to me.”

Gavin's heart was in his throat as she got out of the car and sashayed slowly to the front door.

CHAPTER NINE

Lyla

“Stop, Gavin.”

“I don’t like this,” he said for the eighth time in an hour.

Lyla eyed her over possessive husband who looked amazing in a tux. Gavin freaked out when he saw what she was wearing—a crisscross black halter dress with a row of diamonds low on her back and stilettos. Lyla and Carmen had their hair done at the salon and Carmen did her makeup. Lyla rather enjoyed Gavin’s stupefied look when she posed for him. He made love to her twice and begged her to change into another dress, but she held firm. She had to repair both her makeup and hair while he changed.

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