Page 14 of Once A Crime Lord

“Are you looking for a friend?”

She took in his awkward smile and nerdy appearance. It wasn’t the first time she had been asked out, but it was the first time that line had been used, and it hit her in the gut. She had been alone for so long, and this guy exuded quiet strength and goodness. It was the lack of artifice in his clothing and smile that tempted her to drop her shields.

Even though she wanted to say yes, she replied with, “Maybe some other time.”

Jonathan didn’t give up. For the next two months, he came in at least once a week and wait until she was free, even if it was to withdraw ten dollars. Despite his persistence, he always kept the conversation light and never failed to make her smile. He always ended with a request to go out, and she finally accepted. It was one of the best things she had ever done.

Her first everything had been Gavin. She didn’t know anything else. Jonathan was a breath of fresh air. He lived modestly and had a normal nine to five. He filled her life with innocent movie dates and weekends exploring lighthouses along the coast. Their relationship morphed naturally. She kept waiting for something fucked up to surface, but it never had. Being with Jonathan restored her faith in humanity until Blade arrived and shattered her world.

“Morgan,” Jonathan said and stepped forward.

He stopped when her guards blocked his way. Lyla drank him in. It was like seeing a ghost. She mourned the simple life she’d had in Maine, and now it was in her face, rousing memories that made her feel as if she was in free fall.

“Morgan, are you all right?” Jonathan asked urgently.

“I’m...” She couldn’t think. Her past life and lover was here. She had been happy with him and now... She was suddenly very aware of the layer of cold sweat on her skin, her scarred chest, and the gun in her purse. What happened to the bank teller who dated Jonathan Huskin and lived an ordinary life on the East Coast?

“We need to go,” Blade said abruptly and grasped her arm.

When Blade fetched her from Maine, Jonathan had been on a business trip. That was a lucky coincidence since Blade had orders to kill him. Blade had never met Jonathan, but he wasn’t slow on the uptake. Blade knew exactly who he was.

“What are you doing in Las Vegas? Who are these men?” Jonathan asked.

Her stomach rocked with regret and guilt. Jonathan was a great guy. She hadn’t let herself think of him after she returned to Gavin, but it was all coming back. Jonathan had been gentle, caring, and dependable. He coaxed her out of her fear and paranoia and into a healthy relationship that left her cautiously hopeful until Gavin ruthlessly took over.

“Why did you leave, Morgan?”

The ache in his voice made her eyes sting with tears. After all this time, he still cared. She opened her mouth, but no sound came out. Blade propelled her forward.

“Morgan!” Jonathan kept his distance so the guards didn’t get physical with him. “What’s going on? Who are these people?”

“We’re her security detail,” Blade said. “I’d back off if I were you.”

“Why do you need security?”

She closed her eyes against the sound of his voice, which roused nostalgia and happy memories that clashed with her recent panic attack. Her insides were a mishmash of emotion and turbulence.

“Morgan, tell me why you left,” he begged.

Morgan. That name belonged to a woman who didn’t exist. Seeing Jonathan was just too much on top of everything else. “What are you doing here?”

“I’m here for a conference. Why do you need security? Did something happen? Are you all right?”

“She’s married to the casino owner, Gavin Pyre,” Blade said abruptly. “I’d watch my step if I were you.”

Jonathan stopped in his tracks and disappeared from sight as Blade marched her along.

When she discovered who Gavin was beneath the tailored suits, she left him. She got as far away from him as possible and met Jonathan, who could offer her the normal life she craved. Jonathan loved her out of her trust issues and many hang-ups. He became her rock and talked about moving to the suburbs, starting his own company, and having her be a stay-at-home mom. That felt like a lifetime ago.

“There’s no going back.”

She glanced at Blade. “I know that.”

“Then why do you look so devastated?”

He led her to Gavin’s office and gave a perfunctory knock before he opened the door. Nora stood on Gavin’s desk, hands braced against her father’s chest as he conducted a business call on speakerphone. Blade closed the door behind her. She stood there for a moment, trying to get herself together. Nora bounced excitedly and held out her hands.

“Hold,” Gavin said and pressed the mute button on the phone.

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