Page 29 of Crime Lord's Paradise

“I’m not like you,” she said quietly.

“I know.” He released her and kissed her forehead. “I love you.”

“I know.”

Hazel eyes bored into hers. “Say it back.”

“I love you,boss.”

He relaxed instantly. “That’s what I want to hear. Do you want me to stay home?”

Gavin Pyre was hot, cold, sweet, and brutal wrapped up into one confounding male. He beat her ass for something she couldn’t control and then asked her if she wanted him to stay home.

“Go to work.” It was going to be damn uncomfortable today, but she could handle it. She didn’t need him in her face. “I have stuff to do.”

He gave her a soft pat on the butt. “It’s been a while since you got a spanking.”

“That hurts, you ass!”

He gave her a wolfish grin. “That’s the point. You’ll be feeling me all day.”

“And how about in two days when we’re on the damn plane?”

“You’ll be fine by then.”

“How the hell do you know?”

“Not my first rodeo.”

She grabbed her perfume bottle and threw it at him. He laughed as he backed toward the exit.

“Why do you think I went easy on you?”

“Easy on me?” she shouted, but he was already gone. “Motherfucker.”

She surveyed her wardrobe. There was no way in hell she was going to wear jeans … or bottoms at all, for that matter. She eyed the dresses she bought for her tropical vacation. The light fabric would be her best friend today. She slipped into a fiery maxi dress with a halter neckline that covered her chest but had an open, sultry back. She secured the top with a bow on the back of her neck. She grabbed a jean jacket just in case and finished the outfit with fancy flip-flops.

When she entered the kitchen, she found Nora in a high chair with Blade eating oatmeal at the table. The dogs greeted her before they flopped on the floor. Lyla pressed kisses over her daughter’s animated face. The nightmare had been a new, terrifying one. It featured her in the pit with Steven, her father, and a bunch of men in white masks coming at her with weapons. She was holding Nora in the crook of her arm, and Manny was taking his last breaths at her feet. The arena was filled with the roar of the bloodthirsty crowd, and she had no help. She did the unthinkable, and even as she did it in the dream, Gavin was shaking her awake, which caused her to lash out. She’d slit her daughter’s throat so they wouldn’t torture her or force her to watch. What kind of mother even dreamed of such a thing?

She cupped Nora’s face with a shaking hand. “You’re safe.” It was just a dream.

When she looked up, Blade jerked his chin. She followed his silent direction and saw the painkillers waiting for her. She gave him a haughty look even as she reached for them. Gavin wouldn’t tell him, would he? She didn’t want to think about it. She fixed herself a bowl of oatmeal and decided to eat standing. Blade ignored her as he flipped through the newspaper. He had been giving her the cold shoulder since she suggested he take some time off while they went to Bora Bora. He was insulted when he should have been grateful.

“Anything interesting?” she asked.

He shook his head.

Mr. Communicative. “Are you ready for the trip?”

He grunted as he skimmed an article.

“Are the dogs fed?” He didn’t bother to answer since the dog bowls had been licked clean. Determined to get a reaction she asked, “How was your fuck last night?”

Blade eyed her reproachfully and flicked his eyes at Nora.

“Blade, she’s seven months.”

He went back to the newspaper. Blade worried about her language. She’d have to tell Carmen that one. Blade acted menacing and detached, but he was as sunk for Nora as Gavin. They were two warriors who managed to rein it in for a tiny baby. She couldn’t believe it. Blade had better luck keeping Nora quiet than she did. Even now, Nora sat in the high chair, playing with a bright hammer that would play snippets of sound whenever she hit something. How Blade could read with that racket was a mystery.

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