Page 67 of Recaptured by the Crime Lord

Gavin grit his teeth. Another male who had a piece of her heart. He reluctantly released her, but kept his hand fisted in the back of her shirt as she leaned down and scratched the beast under the chin. The dog closed his eyes in ecstasy and Lyla chuckled.

“You’re such a sweet boy, aren’t you? You’re happy here, huh?” Lyla cooed before she turned to him. “Come on, dinner’s ready.”

He slipped off his shoes, but kept his hand on his gun. Lyla walked into the kitchen with the dog trotting happily after her.

“Enjoy the peace and quiet,” Lyla advised as she dug into her chicken. “Tomorrow is going to be madness. Carmen says she’ll be here with the party planner at seven.”

“I’ll be in my office.”

He had no interest in the decorations and games and shit. He just wanted to know the sex of the baby. It was Carmen’s idea to do the baby gender party and when Lyla agreed, he decided to indulge her. The doctor informed the baker making the cake what the sex of the baby was. If Gavin knew which bakery was making the cake, he would have called because he couldn’t stand the suspense. Tomorrow he would know what he was having—Nora or a boy. He thought of Marcus’s comment about Nora dating and scowled.

“What is it?” Lyla asked.

“Fucking Marcus.” He loathed the small smile that curved her mouth. If Marcus was stupid enough to show up at the boxing ring, he might show him his lethal right hook.

“What about him?” she asked.

“He invited himself to the baby gender party.”

“He wants to come? Oh my gosh. I didn’t think about giving him an invitation. He’s a man.”

“He’s a weird bastard.” Gavin eyed the dog that looked blissed to be near Lyla’s painted pink toenails. “I don’t even know how he knew about it.”

“Maybe Alice or Janice told him.”

He wasn’t sure how he felt about Lyla befriending his staff but the damage was done. Alice and Janice became Lyla’s fans when she forced him to attend the Incognito opening and volunteered at the dog shelter. They were becoming quite chummy with Carmen as well, which could only be a recipe for disaster, but he knew better than to interfere with Lyla’s attempts to socialize and make a life for herself. At least she was still in his realm, which meant he possessed a modicum of control.

“They’ll be here tomorrow?” Gavin asked.

“Yes. Janice and Carmen have been driving the party planner crazy. Some of the volunteers I met at the dog shelter are coming too.”

He didn’t care who came as long as Lyla was happy and he found out what the sex of the baby was. On that thought he smoothed his hands over the loose button up shirt she wore. “How is she?” He would assume the baby was a girl until it was confirmed otherwise.

“She’s active today.” Lyla waved her hands. “It feels like a weird flutter in my tummy.”

“I can’t wait for her to kick,” he said and pressed a kiss to her belly. He glanced once more at the dog that was doing a good imitation of a furry rug. The dog was obviously house trained and well associated with Lyla. “Do you know the dog’s story? Where he came from? Why he was turned in?”

“His name is Beau,” Lyla said primly, which made him want to bite her. “I don’t know how Beau came to be there, but he was in the shelter for about a year. He seems uneasy with males so only women walk him.”

“And out of all the dogs, he’s the one you wanted?” Beau looked like a freaking tank. If he used his teeth and muscle, he could easily take down a full-grown man. “You say he doesn’t like men?”

“He shies away from men. I think some asshole must have done something to him. I hope Beau fought back.”

Lyla rubbed her foot over the dog’s head. Gavin suppressed a snort when the dog’s tail began to wag. While Lyla talked about plans for tomorrow he ate and let the sound of her voice chase away his frustration and rage. Since finding out about the pregnancy, Lyla had become more like her old self. Pregnancy had the desired effect—Lyla looked towards the future with excitement and no small amount of trepidation. He loved the way she clung to him and demanded things from him. Before, she’d been too wary to ask for anything. Now, she called whenever she wanted to and it eased something inside of him. Lyla was settling into married life. He wanted to believe that things could go on as they were, but the grim reality of the past whispered in his ear whenever he wanted to believe in a happily ever after. He didn’t deserve Lyla and the miracle in her womb, but he would keep taking everything she had to give.

When he finished his meal, Lyla continued to talk as they headed upstairs. He wasnothappy when the dog followed. When he entered their bedroom, he saw Lyla point to a huge pillow on the floor on her side of the bed. The dog glanced at him before he obeyed, spinning twice on the pillow before he lay down with his head on his paws, not taking his eyes from Lyla. Apparently, she couldn’t resist the sad puppy dog look. She went on her knees beside the huge dog that made Gavin want to train his gun on it just in case. She whispered to the dog and kissed him on the head before she went into the bathroom. Lyla stripped and he admired the view before he followed her into the shower. Having his hands on her made the savage beast in his head retreat.

When they toweled off, he nixed the nightgown in favor of feeling her bare skin against his. They climbed into bed. She baby talked to the dog again and he realized the dog was here to stay because she was besotted with the damn thing.

“Thank you for letting me have Beau,” Lyla said, tossing an arm over his chest and snuggling close.

“If I’d known you were going to bring home a sixty pound beast, I would have laid down some conditions.”

“But he’s a good dog.”

“We’ll see.”

She nibbled on his neck. He suppressed a grin. He liked her bite.

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