Page 66 of Once A Crime Lord

Steven shook his head without looking away from his father. His hands dropped as a tear slid down his cheek.

“I should kill you,” he said quietly.

Steven’s thin body went rigid.

“If you’re smart, you’ll stick to the courtrooms and not get involved in the underworld like Rafael and your father.” He paused and added, “If you don’t, you’ll meet the same fate. You understand me?”

Steven didn’t move.

“Yes or no?”

“Y-yes,” Steven whispered.

He left the hospital room without another word. He scanned the hallway and saw his men standing in front of a room. He approached and told them about Paul Vega. They immediately set off to take care of the paperwork and whatever else was needed.

He walked into Maureen Stark’s hospital room. A lone sunflower perched in a vase on the table. He gripped the bedrail and leaned down to examine her. She had a shock of white hair, was on the heavy side, and bore no resemblance to Eli.

It had been over two years since Eli’s mother went into a coma, yet he hadn’t pulled the plug. The bloody trail he left in the wake of her attack was proof he had feelings for her, but his unwillingness to let her go revealed his devotion. The hospital bills were hefty and stacking up fast. Was that why Stark betrayed him?

Images of his own mother passed through his mind. She was soft-spoken, gentle, and affectionate. He thought of Lyla and Nora and turned away from the bed. His guards were watching him, waiting for orders.

A crime lord couldn’t afford to have a heart.

“Get rid of her,” he said as he walked past them and left Maureen Stark behind.

12

Lyla

She saton the floor with Nora who lay on her back and played with her toys. Beau sat beside her. She absently scratched his back as she glanced at her watch and then reached for her phone. Jonathan could have changed his number in the past two years, but... The phone rang four times. She wasn’t sure whether to be relieved or worried and then...

“Hello?”

“Jonathan?”

“Lyla? Are you okay?” he asked immediately.

She dropped her face in her hand. She wasn’t sure what she was. “Yes, I’m okay. Are you?”

“I’m back in Maine.”

“You still live in the same place?”

“Of course.”

She bit her lip. “Jonathan, you can’t stay there. I tried to talk to him, but...”

“No one can control him. That’s why that guy sedated him.”

She stiffened. “You saw?”

“Yes. You’re in danger, Lyla.”

He had no idea. “So are you. I’m so sorry—”

“I shouldn’t have interfered in your life. You left me for my own good. I realize that now.”

“I don’t know what he’s going to do, Jonathan.”

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