Page 42 of Once A Crime Lord

Somehow, she ended up on the basketball court with the NBA star and was obliged to take a shot at the basket in front of a crowd of onlookers. Thankfully, she made the shot and settled on a bench to watch the festivities with a smile on her face. She wished Nora were here. How would she be in a crowd? Would she cry or be fascinated by all the activity?

“Lyla.”

When she glanced behind her, her smile vanished. Jonathan wore a cap, sunglasses, and high collared jacket. She glanced around for Blade who was ten feet away, talking to another member of her security team. She gripped the edge of the stone bench as it hit her. Jonathan called her Lyla. He knew her real name.

“You shouldn’t be here,” she said, staring straight ahead.

“Because your husband is a mob boss?”

She stiffened. Apparently, Jonathan had done his homework. But if he believed the rumors about Gavin, why was here? “You don’t know anything about my husband.”

“Is your real name Morgan or Lyla?”

She silently willed him to walk away. She promised Gavin that she wouldn’t talk to him, but she owed him her name at least. “Lyla.”

“And you created a new identity when you left him? Is that it? Is that why you tried to warn me off?”

He was too perceptive for his own good. She wanted to turn, but didn’t dare. She felt Blade’s gaze on her. Jonathan stood back far enough that he was coasting beneath the radar. “What are you doing here?”

“I needed to see you.”

“Why?”

“Because I need to know the truth.”

“About what?”

“Why you called yourself Morgan, why you left.”

“I can’t discuss it. You should go.” The answers to those questions didn’t matter anymore.

“Are you afraid of him?”

“I’m not afraid of my husband, but you should be. If he sees you, he’ll—” She broke off as Blade started toward her. “Get out of here.”

“Problem?” Blade asked.

She turned casually and saw that Jonathan had faded into the crowd. She shook her head and got to her feet. “I’m hungry.”

“There’s a spread in the lobby.”

Like her trip to the casino, her day wasn’t turning out exactly the way she imagined it. First the Vega’s and now Jonathan. She grabbed a sandwich and bowl of fruit and settled on a seat in the lobby. Her guards settled around her. When Janice joined them, Blade moved to accommodate her.

“This is fantastic!” Janice said as she pocketed her phone.

“You and Alice have done an amazing job,” she agreed.

“I think she’s trying to outwork me, but I won’t let her.” Janice stole some fruit from her plate. “Who’s watching the princess?”

“Carmen’s mom.”

“I still haven’t seen her yet. When are we going to get together?”

“When are you and Alice free? You work around the clock.”

“We’ll figure out a day,” Janice said and took a sip from her drink.

“Can I get you something?” Blade asked.

---