Page 37 of Once A Crime Lord

She looked up at the camera in the living room and shook her head. Damn Gavin. Had he been watching her before she called or tapped in after he answered? He would always keep her on her toes.

Her phone rang and she almost answered before she saw her mother’s name. She declined the call and skipped into the kitchen.

“I’m going!” she crowed.

“Awesome. I’ll text Mom about Nora.”

“And I’ll call Alice,” she said gleefully and stopped when her phone chimed from a voicemail.

“Who’s that?”

“My mom.”

Carmen cocked her head. “You think she wants to see Nora?”

She sighed. “That’s what I want to think, but I don’t think so.”

Carmen shook her head. “Your dad is an ass.”

“Yeah.” She wished her mother would leave him. She would happily take her mother in, but that would never happen. Her mother would rather suffer with her father than get out of the toxic, hopeless marriage. She couldn’t be a part of it anymore. She had enough shit on her plate.

Lyla spun her phone on the table. “Am I being selfish by asking Gavin to go to this event?”

Deep down, she knew Gavin was right. The smart, safe thing to do was hide in the fortress until he killed Sadist, but how long would that take? It had been four months of silence, and she was ready to do something. She couldn’t let another opportunity pass her by. Since her trip to the casino, she had been more restless than ever. She was nervous about leaving Nora, but that time would have come eventually.

“Wanting to attend an event that will help others isn’t selfish,” Carmen said. “Not every outing will end in blood. It’s going to be okay, Lyla.”

7

Lyla

Lyla tooka deep breath as the SUV pulled up to the hospital, which was teeming with press, celebrities, volunteers, patients, and medical staff. Gavin stood on the sidewalk and opened her door. He looked as polished as always in a navy suit and matching tie. He wore aviator glasses that concealed his mood. He helped her out of the car and turned to help Carmen as well. Carmen ran a hand over a blush-colored gown that made her look deceptively sweet. She had turned into British royalty for the day. Lyla wore an army green dress she’d been wanting to wear for a while with a black trench coat.

“The Pyre family is here!” Janice exclaimed, making her way through the crowd. “This is great! Gavin, do you want to give a speech?”

“No.”

Janice didn’t look surprised by his abrupt answer. “No problem. Alice is prepared. I’m so glad you decided to come.”

Janice led them through a group of celebrities talking to reporters. Carmen had definitely pulled together an eclectic and high-profile group of celebrities. Up front was Bridgette Mackee, an actress who starred in a summer blockbuster, and the brilliant and eccentric film director, Phoenix, along with The Punisher, a UFC fighter.

Kody Singer spotted Carmen and abruptly left his interview to greet her. He smiled and grasped both of her hands as he talked. As Gavin pulled Lyla through the crowd, Kody caught sight of him and took a hasty step back. Clearly, Kody hadn’t forgiven Gavin for putting him in a headlock during the opening night of Incognito.

When she waved at Kody, he averted his face. She inwardly shrugged and squeezed Gavin’s hand. “Okay?”

“Yeah,” he said without looking at her.

She ignored his clipped tone and focused on her hectic surroundings. Gavin shook hands with the celebrities, all of whom were staying at one of the Pyre Casinos. He introduced her to those she didn’t know and grudgingly obliged the press when they asked for pictures of them.

Gavin stepped away from her to take a call. From his body language, she suspected something serious happened. His mouth was tight when he returned to her side. Everyone around her took a step back. She didn’t ask what happened because he wouldn’t tell her anyway.

Janice and the hospital director led the way to the new wing of the hospital, which was marked off with a bright red ribbon. Alice faced the crowd and beamed with pride.

“Thanks to the Pyre Foundation, we were able to build a new wing and restore two damaged by a fire. Let’s give a round of applause to Gavin Pyre!” Alice announced.

Cheers sounded around them. Lyla smiled while Gavin acknowledged the crowd with a curt nod.

“Mr. Pyre, will you do the honors?” Alice asked, holding out a massive pair of scissors.

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