Page 17 of Once A Crime Lord

“He’s here for a conference.”

“Youtalkedto him?” Carmen asked in a scandalized whisper.

“I was having a panic attack, and he noticed me. Maybe that got his attention, I don’t know.” She grimaced and shook her head. “He wanted to know why I left him.”

“It’s been, what, over two years since you left? I can’t believe he spoke to you. Most guys would have flipped you off.”

“Jonathan’s not like that.”

“He’s an IT consultant, right?”

“Right.”

“What is that, by the way?”

“I don’t know. He’s obsessed with computers.”

Carmen shook her head. “I can’t imagine you with anyone besides Gavin.”

When they turned toward the casino, Blade materialized at her side.

“What are you doing?” he asked.

“I want to go home.”

Blade pulled out his phone. She had no doubt who he was calling. She resisted the urge to slap the phone out of his hand and decided her energy was put to better use by keeping an eye out for Jonathan.

“Lyla wants to go home,” Blade reported and then handed the phone to her.

She didn’t want to talk to him, but knew she wouldn’t be able to leave without his consent, which grated on her nerves. Coming out today had definitely been a mistake. The measures Gavin took to ensure her safety now felt like a noose around her neck.

She took the phone. “Yes?”

“What’s wrong with you?” Gavin growled.

“Nothing’s wrong with me. I want to go home.”

“You fight to go to the hospital event, and when I tell you no for your own good, you want to leave?”

“I’m tired.” It was the truth. The past two hours had put her through the wringer.

“You weren’t tired before you went to that meeting with Alice, and you weren’t tired a minute ago when you argued with me.”

God, he was such a bulldog. “I don’t want to argue. I just want to go home.”

“We’ll talk when I come home.”

That surprised her. “You’re coming home tonight?”

“Yes.” He sounded as if he was speaking through clenched teeth. “You welcomed me home last night, and you’re going to do the same tonight. If this meeting couldn’t be put off, I’d force you to come back to the office and settle this now.”

“There’s nothing to settle. You said no, and I’m supposed to do what you say, right?” She wasn’t sure where the words were coming from, but her tone was full of attitude.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Carmen make a clawing motion. Clearly, she approved, but Blade shook his head in warning.

“You’re going to pay for that,” he promised. “Give the phone to Blade.”

Her mouth was a tad bit dry as she handed the phone to Blade who listened for a moment and then pocketed it. He led the way into the casino, which meant Gavin had given his permission for her to leave.

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