Page 7 of Once A Crime Lord

She beamed. “You’re spending the night?” It was a night for romance and miracles.

“Yeah. I just need to check my phone.”

She flopped onto the pillows and listened to his voice as he spoke to someone in Spanish. She let the sound of his voice lull her and slipped into the first peaceful sleep she had in months.

2

Lyla

She woketo the most beautiful sight in the world. Gavin sat on the bed with Nora on his lap. He spoke to his daughter who bounced excitedly, bright blue eyes shining as she responded to him. It made her stomach feel warm and squishy. This is what she always wanted. Seeing them together was her version of utopia. Gavin had been the one who insisted on kids, and she was so happy he had.

He nuzzled Nora, who made a happy shrieking sound and wrapped her arms around his head. Beau pranced, wanting to play, but knew that Gavin wouldn’t allow him on the bed. Beau ran to her so she could smother him with kisses while he growled low in his throat in appreciation.

“Nora’s trying to sit up,” she said.

Gavin gave his daughter an admonishing look. “Stop trying to grow up so fast!”

Nora wasn’t intimidated by her father. She let out a happy gurgle and drooled. Lyla sat up, clutching the sheet to her bare chest.

“Da da da,” Nora chanted as she bounced.

“Yes, I’m your daddy,” he said and brushed kisses over her face, “and he loves you so much.”

Her heart clenched. During the short stretches of time that Gavin was home, he doted on Nora. Carmen warned him that he would spoil her. The last time she said this, Gavin gave her a cool look. “She deserves to be spoiled. She’s mine.” Carmen threw up her hands, but Lyla saw her hiding a smirk. Carmen couldn’t resist giving Gavin shit. They had an odd relationship, but it worked for them, so she didn’t interfere.

“She’s hungry,” he said.

She reached for the baby. He watched as Nora found her breast and latched on. She flushed when she caught his heated gaze. She wasn’t used to having him around for feedings.

“You shouldn’t feel insecure about your body, especially about something natural like lactating. It made me hot to see you pregnant. Why would it be any different to see this?”

“I didn’t think men would—”

His eyes narrowed. “You don’t need to think about what other men want. You only need to think about me.”

She rolled her eyes. “Obviously, I’m not thinking of anyone else. How could I?”

“Make sure it stays that way.” He ran a hand down her face. “You slept deep?”

“Like the dead.”

“Feel good?”

She nodded. He ruffled Nora’s hair. In the bright morning light, she saw a fresh cut on the back of his hand. She grabbed his hand to examine it and felt her stomach dip.

“Is this from a knife?” she asked.

“It’s nothing.”

Fear cascaded through her. “What happened?”

“It was nothing.”

“I can’t lose you,” she whispered.

“You won’t.”

“What if you’re shot or—”

---