Page 164 of Awakened by Sin

“I wanted a girls’ day, my treat,” Carmen said.

“But what wereallyneed to discuss is the art items she donated to be auctioned off,” Alice said primly.

“Those pieces are amazing. I can’t believe you’re giving them up,” Janice said.

“It’s for a good cause.” She hugged her mom and snatched Nora who wore adorable overalls with a white long-sleeve with tiaras and diamonds on it. “Oh, my baby! Why are you socute?!” She gnawed on Nora’s neck, which made her shriek in delight.

“Hey, girls.” Lyla hugged Alice and Janice before turning to Maddie. “Nice to meet you, Maddie.”

Maddie looked a little dazed as she shook her hand. “Nice to meet you too. You’re married to Gavin Pyre.”

Lyla’s mouth curved. “That’s me.”

Maddie’s eyes flicked to all the guards. “Is that why you have so much security? Because you’re rich?”

Lyla’s mouth twitched. “Gavin’s over the top.” She slipped an arm over Maddie’s shoulders and gave her a squeeze. “You’ll meet him later, when he’s not on edge and psycho.”

“Psycho?” Maddie echoed warily and glanced at Carmen with big eyes.

“He’s a lot, but you’ll get used to him. Carmen tells me you’re going to school for hotel management and business.”

“Yes.”

“I’ll tell Gavin to give you a spot if you’re interested. I used to work for his father, Manny. He was amazing.”

They were directed to two chairs side by side. Alice, Janice, and her mother were deep in conversation, which left her with Nora. She hugged her goddaughter close.

“Pretty girl,” she cooed and nibbled on her fingers.

“I thought we would get action with this job, but nothing’s happened,” Frederick grumbled.

She turned and saw Blade standing near the door with Frederick and Mickey while the other guards milled around outside.

“This job may be over soon,” Blade said in his neutral tone. “Roman’s been rounding them up quicker than expected.”

“I heard it’s not just the Black Vipers he’s been working on, but several gangs,” Mickey said eagerly.

“He hasn’t wasted time declaring war on the city,” Blade said. “He also had a group of men arrive from New York, and they’re proved to be very effective.”

“And we’re missing out,” Frederick grumbled.

“I’m fine,” Mickey said.

“Don’t get complacent. Carmen’s a handful. If it wasn’t this thing with the Black Vipers, it would be something else,” Blade said. “She’s a magnet for trouble.”

“Blade, you know you love me!” she called.

Blade walked over to her and crossed his arms. “I heard it took you two shots to put him down. You need to train more.”

She glared. “Do I get to use you as practice?”

“If it would improve your aim. Two shots is pathetic. Your father would be embarrassed.”

“Don’t talk about my father!”

“Then don’t give me something to talk about. You need to come to the house for more training.”

“I got the guy in the desert with one shot!”

---