Page 74 of Recaptured by the Crime Lord

“I’mnotgoing to leave you,” she said and tugged off his suit jacket so it dropped to the deck. She unbuttoned his shirt halfway so he could cool off and register the cool breeze. “We needed time together so I rented the yacht for a week.”

Lyla poured him another glass of champagne and pet Beau to reassure him that neither of them was in danger. Gavin took the glass, which she forced him to drink before she stood beside him, looking out at the horizon as the sun set. It took Gavin a half hour to chill. The night was cool, but comfortable enough for them to lounge on the deck and listen to the water slosh against the sides.

“Are you still mad at me?” she asked.

“You’re trying to kill me.”

She clucked her tongue in disgust. “We’re going to have fun. Marcus is going to take care of the meetings that can’t be rescheduled and if there’s an emergency, I have your laptop.”

“Marcus?”

“Yes. We were talking about this trip when you went psycho on him yesterday.”

“I think I broke his jaw.”

Lyla sat up. “You what?”

“We boxed. Maybe I should see if he’s all right.”

“You’re damn right you should! Oh my God, you’re such an ass! He’s a great COO. Why would you do that?”

“He likes to push my buttons.”

“So you break his jaw?”

“I don’t know if I did or not. The ambulance came for him. I didn’t have a chance to check on his status since I had to take over his meetings for the day. I got your text, asking me to come home early and I forgot about him.”

“You’re ridiculous,” she snapped and pulled out her cell and called Janice who knew everything. “How’s Marcus?”

“He has a concussion and a bunch of bruises, but he’s fine,” Janice said crisply.

“We just wanted to make sure he’s okay. Thanks.” Lyla hung up and glared at Gavin. “You gave him a concussion.”

“Maybe I should teach him how to box.”

“You have a problem!” She got up and walked into the cabin. “Come on, Beau.”

Lyla walked into the master bedroom and ignored the romantic meal set up for them. She took a shower in the luxurious bathroom. When she came out, she found Gavin on the phone, standing in front of a row of windows that looked out at their surroundings. Lyla was slightly mollified when she realized he was talking to Marcus. Lyla fed Beau and made herself a plate of food from the assembled dishes.

Gavin hung up the phone and turned to her. “I offered to go back if he’s not feeling well, but he’s at the office right now.”

“He loves his job.”

Gavin grunted. “I’m gonna shower.”

Lyla turned on the TV and watched Friends reruns. The yacht tipped from side to side, lulling her into a doze. She had bursts of energy, which quickly faded. She needed this week away from Vegas as much as Gavin did, he just didn’t know it. Volunteering, fluctuating hormones and preparation for the baby was exhausting. Lyla drifted to sleep before Gavin joined her in the bedroom.

***

Lyla stared at crashing waves. Sea spray landed on her face in a light mist that made her feel cool and relaxed. She shifted her feet, which sank into fine, warm sand. A hand stroked her hair. Lyla turned her head and saw Manny sitting beside her on a white sand beach. He wore a shirt that was unbuttoned halfway and slacks. His bare toes wriggled in the sand. The gold chains around his neck and the rings on each finger glinted in the sun. Lyla’s heart gave a painful twist. Even as she realized that this must be a dream, she reached out to touch his face.

“Manny.” Her fingers touched skin marred only with age lines. She grasped his hand and buried her face against his warm palm. “I miss you so much.”

“I see Gavin listened to me.”

She looked up and took in every detail of his face. His chest was damp from the sea spray and the heat.

“Listened to you about what?” she asked.

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