Page 68 of Once A Crime Lord

“Marcus, you’re scaring me.”

He pulled back and set his hands on her shoulders. His eyes were troubled.

“I know what happened at the hospital yesterday,” he said.

“Oh.”

Of course, he did. How could Gavin be MIA at Pyre Casinos without Marcus’s cooperation? It surprised her, though. Marcus seemed too straitlaced to know everything that Gavin did on the side. Apparently, even Marcus wasn’t what he seemed.

“Are you all right?” he asked as he scanned her.

“Yes, I’m fine. Is that why you came?”

“Yes. Blade briefed me. I wanted to make sure you’re okay.”

That was thoughtful. After what happened yesterday, his concern was like a balm to her raw nerves. Fighting for her life had become a regular occurrence, but Marcus treated her like a fragile flower, and she liked it.

“I’m okay. You’re so sweet for coming out here.”

“Of course,” he said simply, as if his arrival was nothing out of the ordinary. “Blade said Carmen left the hospital before the shooting started?”

“Yes.”

“And she’s safe?”

“Uh, yeah. Did you want to…?” She pointed upstairs, but he shook his head.

“No, I just wanted to make sure everyone was fine.”

He looked down at Nora who screamed in delight at nothing in particular. He knelt beside the baby in his flawless suit and grinned at her.

“You’re a happy girl, aren’t you?” he asked as Nora’s eyes lit up. “You’re going to drive your daddy crazy, right? I’ll teach you how.”

The front door opened again, and she tensed, expecting to see Gavin, but was stunned when Alice and Janice rushed in.

“Oh, my gosh!” Alice shouted and gave her a bone crushing hug while she babbled fervent apologies.

“I’m so sorry! What are the chances that some gangsters would choose to come into that hospital to battle during our event? I’m sure Mr. Pyre is furious. I’m scared to check my emails. He can’t fire me over this, can he? I heard the authorities still don’t know why the gang members were there, but there were two incidents, one in the new Pyre wing and one in the parking garage.” Alice pulled back and examined her. “Are you hurt? Are you okay? Do you need to talk to someone?”

“No, I’m okay.” Their arrival was like a breath of fresh air, clearing out the doom and gloom hanging over the fortress.

“Are you sure?” Alice pushed. “Sometimes people can be traumatized by the sound of gunshots or what could have happened.”

If only she knew... “I’m fine.”

Alice stepped back and noticed Marcus holding Nora. Her expression cleared of all worry. She hopped and clapped her hands.

“I never got to hold her the other day. Oh, my God, she’s adorable! Give her to me, Marcus!”

Janice came forward and also gave her a hug. “I’m so sorry about yesterday. Although it was truly unfortunate, we got even more positive publicity for the Pyre Foundation so...” Janice juggled her hands as if they were scales. “No one was seriously injured except for the hospital director. Did you hear?”

Lyla suppressed a vivid image of the director lying in a pool of his own blood. “Yes, I did.” She felt as if there was a hole burning in her chest. Knowing the cause of the shooting and playing dumb was absolute hell.

“From the amount of damage done, the cops are shocked that only one innocent was killed in the crossfire.”

How many of Gavin’s men had been killed? Nora shrieked in delight as Alice blew raspberries on her neck. Beau decided the crowd was too much for him and trotted out to the backyard.

She surveyed the small group in her living room. “Coffee?”

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