Page 44 of Recaptured by the Crime Lord

He’d been moody ever since she had lunch with Marcus, Janice and Alice, but he didn’t object when Alice asked if she would be interested in volunteering at a local dog shelter. Lyla told Carmen about it and she decided to come as well. Lyla understood Gavin’s need for control, but she wouldn’t let it dictate her life. She needed something to keep her occupied. Being able to help others through the Pyre Foundation seemed like a win-win.

“I don’t want you out of my sight,” Gavin said.

“I know,” she said.

“Blade and the others will be there as well.”

Lyla didn’t complain because she knew his concern for her safety wasn’t unfounded. She had been kidnapped and attacked by a killer who’d carved her up like a turkey on Thanksgiving. Gavin wouldn’t allow it to happen again. This event was giving Manny’s killer an opening if he wanted to finish the job. Lyla almost backed out, but stubbornness forced her to attend. She couldn’t hide forever and this was good publicity for the casino and Gavin’s image. There were more pros than cons so, despite Gavin’s bitching, here they were.

Lyla reached over and took Gavin’s hand. “It’s going to be fine.”

Gavin didn’t answer, but he squeezed her hand. Lyla looked out at the colorful Strip as the SUV crawled through traffic. It was Friday night in Las Vegas and The Strip was pumping with people looking for a good time. The SUV pulled up to one of the Pyre Casinos. Gavin opened the door and helped her out. Janice prepped her for the press coverage, but Lyla hadn’t anticipated the size of the crowd or the noise. Reporters called out their names and begged for pictures. Janice appeared out of nowhere and told them where to stand to be photographed. Lyla attended many of these in her younger days, but she and Gavin had both changed since then. Her anxiety skyrocketed and her palms were damp with sweat. She instantly regretted coming and felt exposed and uncomfortable.

“I love you,” Gavin said.

Distracted, she looked up as the click of cameras echoed around them. “What?”

“I love you,” he said as if his staff, the press and a ridiculous amount of people begging to explore a new Pyre nightclub didn’t surround them.

“I love you too,” she said.

He raised her hand to his lips and kissed her palm. The paparazzi went nuts and Lyla was nearly blinded by camera flashes.

“Dad would be proud of you for forcing me to come out for this,” Gavin said.

Lyla smiled up at him. “He loved these events.”

He grunted. “He thrived on the energy. I used to and now... I don’t know.”

Lyla placed her hand on his chest and smiled for the cameras so they could move on. “We’re different people now. We don’t have to attend every opening, but we should go every now and then.”

“Great, amazing!” Janice said and ushered them into the club. “Thank you for bringing him, Lyla,” she said in a low undertone before she addressed Gavin. “We have Ricky Mars and his band playing for three hours and two other hot artists going on after him. We have ten celebrities, one at each VIP table. Athletes, singers, movie stars. We only have room for about a quarter of the people waiting outside, but there’s always tomorrow night. We’re giving masks at the door because itisIncognito.”

“Are we going for kinky?” Gavin asked.

“It’s an added layer of mystery to keep the libido going. The celebrities are going to wear their masks unless they’re taking pictures, of course. Please stay at least two hours. Looks like we’ll be wrapping this up around five,” Janice said.

“In the morning?” Lyla asked, shocked.

Janice winked. “If I’m lucky. I have a table reserved for you, but you should circulate, Gavin. There’s a lot of heavy hitters tonight. I know Marcus has a list of people he wants you to meet so you might want to hook up with him to discuss. Gotta go. Enjoy and here are your masks.”

Lyla took her mask, which was made of elaborate black lace with diamonds framing her eyes. Gavin had a black mask that was very “Phantom of the Opera”. It covered his eyes and half of his face. Lyla froze when he donned the mask. Even though she knew it was him, a part of her went cold with fear, remembering Manny’s murderer’s mask.

“Here,” Gavin said and took the strip of lace from her cold fingers and tied the ribbon in the back of her head to secure it. “I’m getting too old for this shit, but we’ll do it to make Janice happy.”

Lyla shook herself as Gavin led her through the nightclub, which had a very different vibe to it than Lux and The Room. Incognito had two levels. From the second level, Lyla looked out over the whole club. Sweeping staircases gave the club Renaissance flair and everything was lit by a seductive crimson light that invited one to indulge in dark fantasies. The furniture was unrelieved black, as were the walls. Large mirrors on the walls reflected light and would project images of people writhing on the dance floor.There was an undercurrent of sexuality in this club and Lyla could tell it was going to be a success. The bartenders and servers wore lace masks that enhanced their features and leather and lace uniforms. The staff was amped and ready to go.

“What do you think?” Gavin asked.

“There is gonna be a lot of sex in this club,” Lyla said wryly.

Gavin laughed. “If they have the stamp from the club, they get a discount on a room in the hotel. Let’s hope people want a full one night stand instead of a quickie.”

“ThisisSin City.”

“You gotta love it,” Gavin said and put an arm around her as he led her down the staircase.

Staff inclined their heads to them as a woman wearing a gorgeous bustier and black leather skirt escorted them to their private table. A woman sitting at the table rose. It took Lyla a moment to recognize Carmen who wore skintight leather pants, sky-high heels and a lace bustier that bared two inches of her flat, toned stomach. Her white lace mask had ruby colored stones surrounding glittering blue eyes. Gavin stopped and cursed under his breath. Lyla rushed to Carmen and threw her arms around her.

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