Page 84 of Awakened by Sin

“I just went to visit Sally.”

“Sally?”

“My RV.”

“Are you planning to go on the road again?”

“I don’t know.”

Gavin glanced at Lyla, who laughed at something Blade said. “I think it’s best if you stay put for now.”

She had been planning to anyway, but she didn’t like him ordering her to do so. “We’ll see.”

His attention snapped back to her. “Don’t make me freeze your accounts again.”

“What do you care what I do?” she demanded and then it hit her. “You think she’ll still want to come with me? You’re high.”

A muscle clenched in his cheek. “I didn’t say that.”

“But that’s what you’re thinking.”

“Stay put, and we won’t have problems,” he said through clenched teeth.

“You have someone following me?”

He hesitated and then said, “I keep tabs.”

“Why?”

“You and your fucking wild hairs. You could decide to convince Lyla to go skydiving or travel to Bermuda on a moment’s notice. After you took her from me twice, you think I wouldn’t have you watched as closely as I do her?”

“So you have someone following me?” she pushed.

“I don’t employ someone to follow you, but I will if you force me to.”

“What I do is none of your concern.”

“It does when it concerns Lyla.” The light bouncing off the pool made his eyes appear gold instead of hazel. “She’s been through a lot. She needs you, and until things settle down, I’m telling you to stay put.”

“And if I don’t?”

“You’ll get your own security detail who will keep you grounded in Las Vegas by any means.”

She lifted her chin defiantly. “If I want to leave, I will.”

He crowded her, but she refused to back away.

“You talk a big game,” he said quietly, “but you love her and wouldn’t add to her burden.”

She went on tiptoes to hiss, “Then why threaten me at all?”

“Just in case you decide to be selfish and go on the run.”

“Why would I do that?”

“Because you have to deal with your life, and you don’t like it, and when you don’t like something, you do stupid, impulsive, and sometimes dangerous shit.”

That hit far too close to home. “You know what, Gavin? You can suck it.”

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