Page 12 of Once A Crime Lord

“With Gavin and Marcus,” Lyla said.

Janice’s eyes bugged. “You trust them with a baby?”

“I don’t think I could pry her away from them. Gavin’s obsessed and Marcus has elected himself her godfather.”

“Blade, make yourself comfortable,” Janice said, ever courteous, and led Lyla to the table.

Janice introduced her to six women who were managing this event and immediately began to outline the festivities. Gavin helped repair two wings of the hospital, which had been destroyed during a fire, and made a sizable donation to build a new one. The hospital was celebrating the completion of the new wing, which Alice saw as an opportunity for the Pyre Foundation to reach out.

Alice spoke enthusiastically about the itinerary. It was clear this had taken months to plan, and the amount of people involved was staggering. Over one hundred Pyre employees were volunteering their time to pass out goodie bags and care baskets. Thanks to Carmen’s connections, they had an impressive list of celebrities attending the event to draw the press. Her brows shot up when she heard Kody Singer agreed to make a little girl’s dying wish come true. Carmen was talking to her past fling?

Every person in the room possessed an abundance of love, caring, and hope. It made the underworld seem like an alternate universe. How could there be people with no souls on the same planet with someone like Alice who believed in the good in every human being? Just being in this room filled with compassionate people soothed her fear and worry. The best way to combat the darkness was to get involved and be around those trying to make a positive difference in the world.

As the meeting concluded, the staff and volunteers hugged her. She had been alone for so long that the simple show of affection and camaraderie made her eyes sting with tears. Alice and Janice stayed behind to ask about Nora and how she was doing as a new mother. She hadn’t been this relaxed in months and found herself wishing everything could stay just as it was at this moment.

“So, are you coming to the event?” Alice asked.

“Yes.”

“Yay! I’m so glad. I’ve missed having you around.”

“Is Gavin coming?” Janice asked archly.

“No. He has other things to see to,” she said.

Janice didn’t push. She wasn’t sure how much Janice knew about the truth behind the rumors surrounding Gavin’s involvement in criminal activities.

“Gavin lets his money speak for him, which is what matters,” Janice said briskly. “He’s done wonders for the community through the Pyre Foundation.”

“We should have a girls’ day,” Alice said.

“Yes,” Janice agreed. “Carmen and the three of us... and Nora, of course. I gotta run.”

“Me too,” Alice said after a harried glance at her Minnie Mouse watch.

“Love you, see you soon,” Janice said and kissed Lyla on the cheek.

Alice copied her, and both women disappeared at a fast trot. She glanced at Blade who stood by the door during the meeting.

“Not a good idea,” he said bluntly.

“It’s a good cause. I want to help.”

“Too many variables. Gavin won’t allow it.”

Cold, hard reality smothered her good mood. She glared at Blade. “I can’t lock myself in the house for the rest of my life. People need help.”

“You can’t help anyone if you’re dead.”

She stepped up to Blade and pressed her gun against his middle. He didn’t flinch. He just stared at her with dark, fathomless eyes.

“I am so sick of hiding from that bastard. If he comes for me, I’ll be ready this time.”

“You can’t be prepared for everything.”

He disarmed her so quickly she didn’t have a chance to hang onto the gun. Her pistol thudded to the ground several feet away. He grabbed her arm and yanked hard. She whirled and found herself in a chokehold. Even as panic tried to grab her by the throat, the lesson her self-defense instructor drilled into her took over. She kicked her stiletto boot up hard and fast as if she would kick her own ass and felt it connect with her target. Blade released her instantly and sank to his knees, hands over his crotch. He didn’t make a sound as he knelt on the floor as if he was praying.

It had become a weekly ritual for Blade to surprise her at inopportune moments. The skirmishes were unexpected and tested her delicate nerves, but her response time kept getting better. It wasn’t easy to endure these attacks. It triggered memories of the past. She shuddered and tried to shake off the chill.

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