Page 109 of Once A Crime Lord

“I have wild oats to sow, baby.”

“You just said family means everything, blah, blah.”

“Yeah, but that doesn’t mean I have to get married. I’m sure I’ll have nieces and nephews one day… and cousins. Lots of cousins. I’m built to protect; that’s my job.”

She wasn’t hungry, but she took the tray Angel handed her. She frowned when he put a salad and sandwich on it. Blade and the other guards piled mounds of food on their trays and took up a section of the cafeteria.

“Eat,” Angel said before he bit into his pizza.

When she made no move to eat, he grabbed her fork and stabbed greens and a piece of chicken. When he brought it toward her face, she snatched the fork from him. Clearly, he intended to feed her. She chewed and when she didn’t go back for more, he took the fork and repeated the process.

“I can feed myself!” she snapped.

“Then do so.”

“No wonder you’ve never married. No woman would put up with your bullshit,” she muttered.

“It’s not bullshit. I’m taking care of you.”

“It’s not your job to take care of me.”

“Of course, it is.”

She looked at Blade. “I can’t pass on these genes. I’m not having any more kids.”

“Don’t count on it,” Angel muttered.

She didn’t realize she’d reached for her sandwich until she swallowed the first bite. She glared at Angel when he snickered. “You’re annoying.”

“So, I’ve heard. By the way, Luci wants to visit after Gavin guts this motherfucker.”

“Luci?” Blade echoed.

“Yeah.”

“She’s coming to Las Vegas?” Blade asked sharply.

“When it’s safe.”

She raised her brows. “You know her?”

“Met her a long time ago,” Blade said.

Angel’s expression tightened. “Yes, a very long time ago.”

She looked back and forth between them. “When?”

Blade glanced at Angel and then her food. “Eat and I’ll tell you.”

Angel held Blade’s gaze for a long moment before he demolished his hospital food. Apparently, Blade had history with the Romans. Not surprising, really, but she had the feeling it wasn’t going to be a happy story. Nevertheless, she wanted to hear it. When she finished, Blade dumped her tray and signaled to the other guards who were already on their feet.

As they left the cafeteria, she asked, “So, what’s the story?”

When Blade didn’t speak, she glanced up and saw him looking down the corridor. She followed his gaze and halted when she saw Gavin striding toward her. He wore a black suit and crimson tie. Her stomach rebelled at the sight of him.

19

Lyla

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