Page 52 of Awakened by Sin

“Well, she is your family. She’s first cousins with Gavin.”

She blew out a breath. “It would be nice to have more family, especially after …”

After Lyla was forced to kill her own father and her mother was on the skids? Yes, family was important. It was time to rebuild after years of terror and death. “Yes. I’m gonna head out, okay?”

“Okay. Tell Alice and Janice I said hi and give my apologies for not being able to help with this event.”

Carmen rose and kissed Lyla’s temple. “It’ll get better, babe. See ya. Call me if you need me.”

“Okay,” Lyla said softly.

Beau jumped on the sofa, interrupting Lyla’s solemn contemplation. He licked her face, making her sputter and laugh. Carmen walked out of the house and saw her car parked beside a black Lamborghini Aventador. She paused to admire the sweet ride and heard the front door slam. Angel sauntered down the front steps with his hands in pockets.

“Yours?” she asked.

“For the moment. I’m trying it on for size. Nice Ferrari. I should have known you would have a gold car.”

Angel lifted the door, and she got a whiff of that new car smell that anyone who gave a shit about cars craved. She liked luxurious things and fast cars. Put those things together and she was close to orgasmic. It was surprising she hadn’t married a race car driver. She attended the Formula 1 race every year since she was a kid.

“I got a place on Grove Crest Lane. You want to see it?” Angel asked.

“Grove Crest?” It was an exclusive community where the most affordable homes were in the twenty-million-dollar range. Her interest was piqued. “Sure.”

Angel gestured at the Lamborghini. “Want a ride?”

She hesitated for a second before she shook her head. “No, I’m good. I’ll follow you.”

“Suit yourself.” He climbed into the car and revved the engine.

Carmen slipped into the Ferrari and raised her brows as he roared past. “Oh, no, you don’t.”

She put her car in gear and chased after him. When they reached the deserted highway that led back to the city, she cruised beside him on the opposite lane before she cut in front. Angel didn’t like that and tried to overtake her, but she didn’t give him an opening. When a truck approached, Angel was forced to fall into place behind her, which made her laugh maniacally. She loved winning, fast cars, traveling, and so much more. How could she have forgotten how much fun it was to play?

Once they reached the city, she allowed Angel to lead the way to the exclusive community. He pulled up to a gated property and punched in the code. They drove up the drive and parked in front of a lavish house. Palm trees offered shade and privacy around the property. The mansion was a two-story monstrosity with a cascade of water on either side of the front door.

“This place is ridiculous,” she said.

Angel grinned as he unlocked the front door. “I know. It’s Las Vegas at its finest.”

The house had a European flair mixed with gaudy Las Vegas. The shiny marble floor was cream colored. Elaborate chandeliers hung above their heads while candelabras and mirrors reflected the light. Marble columns gave the place an elegant, stately feel.

“Oh, my God,” she said, voice echoing in the massive foyer.

A curved double staircase led to the second story. She walked beneath the staircases into a massive living room. The main feature was an eight-foot water wall that splashed gently into a pool and trickled into a larger outdoor one.

“How big is this place?” she asked.

“Six bedrooms, eleven baths.”

“Decadent,” she said as she peeked into the rooms decorated with luxurious furniture and custom chandeliers.

“It’ll do,” Angel said.

“Are you planning to host pool parties while handling the underworld?”

He slanted her an amused look. “I always make time to play. I never had the chance to have anything this massive in New York, so I wanted to take advantage.”

“No kidding?”

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