Page 140 of Awakened by Sin

Lyla turned. “Look how happy he is! I’ve never seen him like this.”

Nora smiled and drooled as she approached. She took her goddaughter from Lyla and covered her face in loud, smacking kisses. Her guards drifted toward Blade and talked in low mumbles.

“What’s her name?” Lyla asked as she went on her haunches to pet Beau who sat at her feet.

Honey stopped a few feet away and examined them all warily.

“Her name’s Honey, and I brought her here because she hasn’t moved in five days,” she said dryly.

Lyla gave her a puzzled look. “What are you talking about?”

“Frederick had to carry this dog to the car because she won’t walk on her own. She doesn’t eat unless I leave the room, and she just sits in the corner facing the wall all day. I brought her here to get some pointers from you, but when she saw Beau, she lit up.”

“Come on, Honey,” Lyla coaxed.

“I’ve tried that—” She broke off as Honey inched forward and hit Lyla’s palm. “I can’t believe this.”

“Maybe she needs another dog to teach her how to trust people,” Lyla mused as she stroked Honey’s head.

Carmen sat on a bench and bounced Nora on her knees. Blade stood nearby, watching the dogs play with his gun still out.

“You’ve settled into your new place?” Lyla asked.

“Yup and it’sgorg.”

“I’m sure it is.” Lyla let out a long breath as she stroked the dogs. “I had a panic attack today.”

Nora chortled and pulled on her top. Carmen kissed the baby’s cheek and watched her mother closely.

“It was a bad one,” Lyla continued. “I swear, I thought I saw a man in the nursery. I grabbed my gun and was ready to shoot, but no one was there.” She shook her head. “I’m going crazy. Blade heard me scream and came with his gun. When he told Gavin, he almost left work, but I made him stay.” She shook her head. “I’m a fucking mess.”

“Have you been sleeping?”

“Probably not as much as I should.” Lyla plopped down on the bench beside her and leaned against her. “I’m glad you came over and brought your new baby. Liven things up around here. I definitely need a distraction. Tell me something interesting.”

“I’m going to have three stepsiblings. Levi is a mechanic and too hot for his own good, the second son lives in Japan, so they’re holding off the wedding until his wife gives birth, and Maddie is a freshman in college and has the same shoe size as us so she may steal some of yours.”

Lyla scrunched up her nose. “That’s all you got?”

Carmen hesitated only a moment before she dropped her bomb. “I’m banging Marcus.”

Lyla didn’t react. “Marcus who?”

“Marcus Marcus.”

“His name is Marcus Marcus?”

“No, Marcus Fletcher.”

Lyla’s head turned so fast, Carmen was surprised she didn’t get whiplash.

“What?”

“We’re friends with benefits.”

Lyla shot up from the bench with both hands up like a traffic cop. “What? How? When?”

“The first time was the night you were in Hell. He came over to keep me company.”

---