Page 124 of Once A Crime Lord

Lucifer’s attention sharpened. “Her father?”

His sudden interest made Gavin tense. Blade was trying to negotiate for Lyla’s life by playing on Lucifer’s fondness for the violently unique, but he had a feeling this could backfire in a bad way.

“Her father sold her out. Lyla found him about to murder her kid. She shot him, no hesitation.”

Lucifer looked at Gavin. “You have a kid?”

“A daughter,” he said grudgingly.

Lucifer’s expression was thoughtful as he asked, “What else?”

“Lyla unloaded a clip each into three men who raped her mother. She has nine kills, and she just started. Who knows what she’ll do in the years to come?”

Lucifer looked unduly impressed. Graphic images of what he could do to Lucifer danced through his mind. He forced himself to look away and saw Angel staring at Lucifer as if they’d uncovered the devil. He understood the feeling. Dad brought him here to teach him a lesson—about real evil and how little those in Hell cared for life.

“Can you imagine how their daughter will turn out?” Blade continued. “Between Gavin and Lyla, she’s going to be a monster.”

He glared at Blade. What the fuck was he doing?

“They could have more kids,” Blade went on. “Do you know what havoc they’ll wreak? They could be regular patrons here.”

Lucifer held up a hand. “Okay, okay. Fuck.” Lucifer downed the last of his Coke as if it was a shot and got to his feet. “I have conditions.”

He shifted restlessly. Blade gripped his arm and squeezed.

“First, I’m coming with,” Lucifer declared.

Blade nodded.

“Two, I meet them once a year.”

He stiffened. “Meet who?”

“Lyla and your kid.”

He started toward Lucifer, but Angel and Blade held him back.

“What for?” Angel asked.

“To hear about their kills,” Lucifer said as if that should be obvious.

“What if Lyla doesn’t kill anyone else?” Blade asked.

“If she’s as interesting as you say, that shouldn’t be a problem.”

“Why do you want to see the kid?”

Lucifer had a peculiar expression on his face. “I’ve never been a part of a child’s life.”

“For good reason,” Angel muttered.

Lucifer frowned. “I could teach her. With their blood in her veins, she has to be a fighter. It would be... interesting.”

He lunged, but Blade and Angel hauled him back.

Lucifer frowned at him. “Don’t you want your daughter to be prepared?”

“For what?” he asked through clenched teeth. Adrenaline pumped through his body. The sounds of another battle in the pit made him yearn to feel the clash of steel and give Lucifer the fight he hungered for.

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