Page 10 of Once A Crime Lord

Gavin placed Nora in the car seat and rode shotgun while Blade drove. She scooted in beside Nora with Carmen on her other side.

“This is going to be the first time everyone sees her. You like her outfit?” Carmen asked.

Nora was dressed in black leggings, a knit sweater with a cute heart design, and matching boots and cap. She brushed the back of her hand against Nora’s cheek, which was toasty warm.

“She looks adorable.”

“Of course, she does. I bought her that,” Carmen said proudly.

She made faces at Nora, who giggled and reached for her. She allowed Nora to mess up her hair before she pulled back and left her hand on her daughter’s lap to play with. She couldn’t resist turning in her seat to look at the entourage of SUVs following them. It was normal to feel paranoid after what she had been through, right? Her eyes touched on the trunk. She had a vivid memory of lying back there holding Beau, willing him to live after he had been shot.

She took a deep breath and faced forward. She willed away the flashbacks, but they refused to be ignored. She could still hear the pop of gunfire as her guards turned on one another. Adrenaline flooded her body, urging her to go into fight or flight mode. She sat back, closed her eyes, and tried to calm down. She had done everything in her power to avoid situations that would cause her anxiety to skyrocket, such as leaving the house. When she felt steady enough, she opened her eyes and saw Blade watching her in the rearview mirror. She looked away.

Gavin’s fortress lay on the outskirts of the city, far from the prying eyes of society. The desert was an unforgiving place, much like the people who occupied it. She had come to appreciate its starkness and take comfort in the isolation of their home.

Las Vegas was an oasis in the middle of the Mojave Desert. The lure of money and sex had enticed millions to The Strip to try their luck since the 1930s. She resisted the urge to cover Nora’s eyes as they cruised down The Strip. Women with pasties on their nipples and skirts too short to cover their asses tried to make a quick buck by posing with nerdy tourists or preteen boys. Others dressed as popular characters while street performers tried to entertain the crowds.

Blade stopped in front of one of the Pyre Casinos. Gavin unbuckled Nora from her car seat and carried her inside. She shouldered the baby bag while Blade followed with the stroller. Despite her excitement about leaving the house, she was on edge. People were everywhere, and the noise was overwhelming. The smell of smoke was heavy in the air, and even though it wasn’t even ten o’clock, cocktail waitresses held trays laden with liquor. There were no kids in sight, of course. Las Vegas wasn’t child friendly, a point she tried to impress upon Manny when she was young and naïve. However, Manny had allowed her to create a black stallion statue instead of another naked figure for the gamblers to touch for luck.

They made their way through the casino to the executive offices. Gavin’s employees stopped and stared at the sight of him with a baby. Several of the braver souls stepped forward to greet Nora, who was fascinated by all the new faces. Gavin didn’t offer Nora to any of the cooing women gathered around him. He was a possessive bastard and didn’t want to give up his daughter for a second.

“Lyla!”

She smiled as Marcus approached. Before Gavin could interfere, his good-looking COO kissed her on the cheek and wrapped her in a tight hug. Marcus had become dear to her in the brief time she’d known him. Not only did he shoulder Gavin’s workload, he was also unfailingly loyal. Marcus acted as if he was a Pyre himself and pushed to expand the business and leave behind a legacy for the next generation.

“How are you?” Marcus asked as he cupped her cheek.

She loved that about Marcus. He could be cutthroat in business, but he was affectionate and treated her like a long-lost sister. He didn’t follow the rules of propriety where she was concerned, which drove Gavin insane.

“I’m good,” she said.

He stood back and beamed. “You look great!”

Her anxiety fell away. “Thank you.”

“Where’s my goddaughter?”

Gavin scowled as he broke through the ring of female employees around him. “I never made you Nora’s godfather.”

“You should,” Marcus said, unperturbed by his surly attitude. He bent to catch Nora’s attention. “Hi, baby, I’m Uncle Marcus.” He held his hands out to her.

Gavin began to smirk, but that vanished when Nora reached for Marcus, a complete stranger. Gavin started to turn away, but Marcus snatched Nora from her father who flushed with rage. Lyla wrapped her arm around Gavin’s waist so he wouldn’t harm Marcus.

“Cool it,” she said and tried to hide her smile.

“I don’t like him touching you,” Gavin growled.

How many times had she heard that since she met Marcus? It was obvious there was nothing romantic between them, but Gavin never failed to comment on it.

“He’s like my brother.”

They watched Marcus talk to Nora who was taken by his smooth voice and All-American good looks.

“We should make him her godfather,” she said.

Gavin stiffened. “Hell no.”

“Why not? Look at him with her. I trust Marcus with Nora.”

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