by Mia Knight
Voices sounded from the bedroom. Juanita discreetly left to deal with it. She came back a minute later with a chagrined look on her face. “Master is very anxious.”
Manny was anxious? He didn’t seem anxious when he pulled a gun on her. Seriously, how the hell had she ever felt safe with the Pyres? She must have been brainwashed and naive. The Pyre family was dangerous, unpredictable and had their own set of rules. Manny held her at gunpoint and threatened to kill her. Why? She tried to figure out his motive, but couldn’t process anything right now. She didn’t even have the energy to wash herself, much less figure out how the Pyre mind worked. Juanita took over while Lyla’s mind went on vacation. It took a lot of effort to scrub Carmen’s makeup off, but they managed. Juanita had a prim nightgown ready for her. Whose nightgown was this? Did Manny have a girlfriend? This question seemed important for some reason.
Juanita asked if she was hungry. Lyla shook her head. Having her life threatened took care of her appetite for the foreseeable future. Juanita led her into Manny’s guest room, a room she occupied with Gavin a million years ago. The room was done in tasteful cream and gold. Lyla sat on the edge of the bed, staring at nothing after Juanita left. Not even a minute later, the door opened and Manny stood there, dressed in plaid pajamas and house slippers. He closed the door and approached her slowly. Lyla watched him with detached wariness. Now what? After taking care of her and making her feel safe, he would do something dastardly and turn on her again? That seemed to be the Pyre’s MO so far. Manny sat beside her on the bed and took her hand in his. Lyla’s skin prickled, but she didn’t pull away. She waited.
“I’m so sorry,” Manny said and his voice sounded strained. “I was very angry.”
No shit, she thought. People with anger problems shouldn’t carry guns for obvious reasons. Manny stroked his thumb over the back of her knuckles in a gesture that would have been comforting if she trusted him.
“I love my wife,” he said.
It didn't matter that she died over twenty years ago. Lyla heard the ache in his voice. There was no doubt in her mind that every day he mourned her. Manny squeezed Lyla’s hand with surprising strength.
“Even though we had so little time together, she gave me Gavin and a lifetime of memories. No one can ever measure up to her and I'm okay with that. I would rather have the real deal than a lukewarm imitation. Love is the most complex and rewarding emotion we can feel. I feel sorry for the poor bastards who never experience love or have it returned.”
Manny brushed her hair back from her face. She knew that he wanted her to look at him. She mentally braced yourself and turned her head. Manny's eyes weren't filled with incandescent rage any longer. His eyes were grief-stricken and imploring. It made her heart clench painfully because she loved him and hated to see that look on his face.
“Lyla.” He said her name like a prayer and kissed her hand. “I'm so sorry. I want you to know I would never hurt you. I love you as much as my own son and I want both of you to be happy. I just wish you could be happy with each other. That's always been my dream for both of you.”
A tear trickled down her cheek. She shook her head, but said nothing. Manny kissed her hand once more and clasped it between his own. She felt him tremble ever so slightly.
“You came into my life at a time when I wasn't sure I could go on without her.”
That penetrated through her numb fog. She frowned.
“I felt that Gavin knew enough about the business to take over. He was reckless, but I figured he would learn from his mistakes. I went into the office on the weekend to take care of some odds and ends and you peeked into my office.” Manny's mouth quirked. “You were waiting for your dad to finish work and you asked if I needed help with something. No one dared to disturb me and here you were, a slip of a girl, coming into my office and plopping down in a chair as if I was Santa Claus instead of the big bad wolf.”
It was strange to think that that moment changed the course of her life. If she had kept to herself, she never would have gotten involved with the Pyres and she wouldn't be here right now.
“I knew as soon as I met you that you were special.”
Manny’s words were an echo of what Carmen said earlier in the day. What the fuck was so special about her? No one, including herself, wanted to be where she was right now. If she was special, why did she have bruises on her body? If she was special, why was her life being dictated by other people? If she was special, why was she so afraid?
Almost as if Manny sensed her distress, he turned her hand over and pressed a kiss on her palm.
“You’re special,” he said again and searched her eyes. “Your father did a number on you, that worthless asshole. The only good thing he did in his life was bring you into this world. If he wasn't so selfish, he would realize that. Your mother isn't much better, that airhead.”
He shook his head. She saw a flicker of anger, which he instantly controlled.
“The day you came into my office, you changed my life,” he said solemnly. “I couldn't believe you were Pat’s daughter, that he managed to create something so beautiful and pure. You have so much of my wife in you, originally I suspected you were a reincarnation of her.”
Lyla stared at him. She wasn't sure how she felt about reincarnation, but she remembered being drawn to Manny, compelled even. As soon as they met, it felt as if they’d known each other all their lives. Manny felt like the safe haven she never had with her parents.
As she stared at Manny, she saw hope, loneliness and a plea for understanding. Something inside of her shifted. Lyla leaned forward and rested her forehead against Manny’s. His tears fell silently. She wrapped her arms around him and tried to offer him even a moment of respite from his grief.
“I wanted to tell you so many times, but I didn't know what you’d think. Now, I have to tell you or lose you like Gavin and I can't allow that. I love you, baby girl,” he whispered.
His words reverberated with truth and emotion. Lyla's heart split in two. She mourned with him—for what he lost and what she had never experienced. She wasn't sure how long they stayed that way, embracing and comforting one another before he moved. He sat with his back against the pillows and pulled her down so her head rested on his knee. His hand sifted through her hair. She had never felt more loved and cherished than she did at that moment. There was nothing sexual in his touch, it was a pure need for human contact.
“Meeting you, it gave me life again and hope, not only for myself, but for Gavin as well.” When she stiffened, he made a cooing sound and stroked her hair and face until she relaxed again. “Since Gavin and I are so similar, I knew he would recognize in you what I did and I was right. He's never committed to anyone the way he did to you. I knew he had other women on the side. I knew he would get rid of them once he made you his wife, but he kept putting it off and then it was too late. I saw you once after you found out he cheated. Your light, it was gone. I saw it had a profound effect on Gavin. I thought he would be able to change your mind. Before he could, you left.”
Silent tears ran from the corners of her eyes and were absorbed by his pajamas. It hadn't been an easy decision to leave.
“I knew within two weeks where you were.”
Lyla jerked and stared at him with wide eyes. He sniffed and wagged his pointer finger at her.
“Gavin still has a lot to learn, but I have my contacts.”
“You knew and didn't tell Gavin?”
“Gavin fucked up and because of that, I thought you deserved time to do what you wanted. I had a man check on you at least once a week in the beginning and then once you got established, once a month. One time Gavin’s investigator got close to discovering where you were so I derailed him with false information. That was kind of fun.”
Lyla laughed weakly. How could she be laughing after the hell she’d been put through? But, miracle of miracles, she was. She also felt calm and safe, two things she shouldn’t feel unless she was away from the Pyres. “Why did you do that?”
“Because you deserve to live your own life. You were content and Gavin fucked up. Sometimes you only get one chance and I wanted him to learn that lesson.”
Lyla hesitated and then asked as gently as she could, “So, are you going to let me leave?”
“No.”
Lyla closed her eyes as disappointment flared. She made a movement to get away from him, but his hand, gentle but firm, kept her in place.
“Let me tell you why.”
Lyla gave a curt nod and waited.
“Gavin changed when you left. He's relentless and merciless. That's why, when the investigator located you this time, I didn't interfere. Gavin needs you.”
“Manny, I can’t—” she began brokenly.
“The longer you've been away, the more remote he's become. I thought he might find someone else, but he never did, and he never stopped searching for you. I know he’s using your father to keep you in line. I would do the same thing.”
Manny smiled when Lyla clucked her tongue in disgust.
“What I didn't expect was for him to take his frustration and anger out on you. I assumed he would woo you gently so he could persuade you to stay.” Manny's smile faded. “If I'd known what he would do to you, I would never have let him find you.”
“What happens now?”
“Now we see how stupid Gavin is. I threatened you,” he paused to stroke her hair and press a kiss on her forehead to comfort her before he continued, “I wanted him to see how quickly you could be taken from him. You've been gone for three years. He should be kissing the ground you walk on, not scaring or hurting you. I gave you into his keeping, knowing that he needs light in his life to beat back the darkness. You humanize him, but if he's too far gone, I won't put you in his care. I’ll get you out.”
Lyla felt giddy with relief. “You promise?”
Manny had a pained expression on his face, but he said, “Yes. As much as I'd like you to stay around for myself because you make me happy, I know you deserve freedom.”
“But not yet,” she said sardonically.
He tapped her on the nose. “No. We're going to give Gavin one last chance.”
“And if he fails?”
“Then I might have to kill my own son.”
Chapter Six
The following day, Lyla felt almost normal. She walked downstairs and was directed outside to the pool where Manny was eating lunch. Manny kept up a steady stream of chatter that reminded her why she enjoyed his company so much. At times, she had flashbacks of Manny with the gun in his hand and then she remembered his admission that he had been contemplating suicide when she walked into his office all those years ago. Destiny. Lyla pushed that thought to the back of her mind and enjoyed the moment. Manny held her hands as he spoke to her. He treated her with care to erase last night's horror. There was no trace of the ruthless man she encountered last night. Manny teased her about her not so delicate probing into the criminal side of the business. Lyla smiled and tilted her chin at him before she saw movement out of the corner of her eye. She turned her head and saw Gavin standing nearby, watching them. Her smile disappeared. She would have pulled away from Manny if he didn't tighten his hold.
“Son,” Manny acknowledged with a chill in his tone.
Gavin walked forward and stopped several feet away. “I want to talk to you.”
Even as her hands clutched Manny’s, he kissed her knuckles and rose. Father and son disappeared inside the house. She paced around the pool, twisting her hands together. She believed Manny. He wouldn't let her be around Gavin if he suspected that his son wouldn't treat her right, but Gavin was a master manipulator and had to be furious at his father for his interference. Or, maybe Gavin wanted to wash his hands of her and she would be free earlier than expected.
“Lyla.”
She stiffened and turned to find Gavin less than three feet from her. She couldn't stop herself from taking a reflexive step back or her instinctive glance around the pool for help. She was not happy to see that they were alone. Where was Manny?
“Lyla.”
She took another step back when Gavin took one forward. His hands twitched at his sides. Did he want to strangle her? Her heart began to race.
“I'm sorry,” Gavin said.
Lyla blinked, sure she hadn't heard him right. “Excuse me?”
A muscle ticked in his jaw. “I'm sorry for putting my hands on you.”
“Oh,” she said, not sure how she was supposed to respond. “I'm okay.”
He ran a hand through his hair, which was mussed and untidy. She scanned him and noticed that his eyes were bloodshot and he looked exhausted. The fury and hatred he displayed towards her yesterday was absent and he seemed more human.
“What Dad did last night,” Gavin shook his head and then fixed her with an intense stare, “he knows how to make a statement.”
“Yes, he does,” she agreed.
“Do you want to be here?”
“Yes,” she said hastily.
Gavin didn’t look pleased with her answer, but he didn’t push. He clasped his hands behind his back and took a deep breath. “I know I haven’t given you any reason to trust me, but the reason I brought you back was to re-establish our relationship.”
So he blackmailed her to force her into a relationship that was over three years ago. Seriously, who could understand Gavin Pyre? “And if I don’t want to go back to our old relationship?”
Gavin’s face hardened and she saw him bite back whatever he wanted to say. She watched him rein it in with considerable force. His body was rigid with tension. “I want you to give me a chance.”
“Why?”
“Why?” he echoed in a dangerous voice.
“Yes. Why?” She threw her hands up, confident knowing that he couldn’t touch her and wasn’t able to kidnap her from Manny’s house. Gavin was her only obstacle in going back to a normal life. She wanted to get to the bottom of why he was fixated on her. There was no reason he couldn’t find someone more compatible for him. Gavin was good-looking, rich and could be charming when he chose. Surely, there was a woman in Las Vegas that could give him what he needed. “I’m nobody. There must be someone you’ve met since I’ve been gone... or even before?” He’d been with a crap load of women. Although he tried to conceal it, she could feel his anger rising. Why?
“You’re not a nobody. My father loves you like the daughter he never had. You make him happy,” Gavin said.
“Is that why you think you need to be in a relationship with me? Because of him?”
“No.”
He didn’t elaborate and she raised her brows. “Just, no?”
“Yeah.”
She shook her head. “I don’t understand you.”
“Likewise.” He stared at her as if she were a jigsaw puzzle. “I want to spend time with you. Come to dinner with me.”
“No.”
His eyes narrowed. “No?”
“Yes. My answer is no,” she said firmly and prepared to run when he tensed.
“What if Carmen comes?”
Lyla hesitated when she saw Manny watching them from a lawn chair. She didn’t want to go, but she wanted her life back, which meant spending time with Gavin and showing Manny that they weren’t meant for each other. Gavin wouldn’t change for her. He wasn’t capable of it. He was too far gone to be kind or considerate towards her and the sooner Manny saw that Gavin was a grenade waiting to self-destruct he would send her on her way.
“Where?” she asked.
“My club, Lux.”
“And Carmen will come?” she asked, needing to know she had a witness.
“And Vinny. Dad tells me he’ll send Ricardo as well.”
Lyla relaxed, knowing that Ricardo would report everything to Manny. “Okay.”
Gavin looked suspicious, but he didn’t know about her deal with Manny. If he knew that his lack of control would help her leave a second time, maybe he wouldn’t be so keen to face her again when she roused him to such anger.
Lyla knew that stonewalling someone like Gavin was dangerous. He had been raised to take what he wanted and her resistance went against everything he’d been taught. Lyla was sure that tonight would put her one step closer to leaving Vegas behind.
“I’ll see you tonight, then,” he said.
“Yes.”
He hesitated and then, “Can I send you something to wear?”
Lyla hesitated and then shrugged since she didn’t have anything at Manny’s and Carmen’s dress had been destroyed. “Okay.”
He nodded and took a step forward, but stopped when she stiffened. His amber eyes flickered with some emotion before they became unreadable.
“I honestly regret that I hurt you. That was never my intention. I want this to work. It was never about the debt, it was just a means to get you here without fighting. You may not admit it, but this is your home, Lyla. It always will be.”
She didn’t deny it because it was partly true.
“I won’t hurt you again, you have my word.”
She wanted to believe him, but the kitchen incident was too fresh in her mind. And, she knew what he was capable of.
“I hurt you by having other women. You hurt me by leaving. We’re even.”
They were not even, but she wasn’t going to argue with him. She just wanted him to leave.
“I’ll see you tonight, baby girl.”
With that, Gavin left. Lyla watched him go before she walked over to Manny who acted as if he was sleeping on the lawn chair. Lyla decided to do the same.
***
At four o'clock Carmen arrived. She looked great, as usual, but even her excellent makeup job couldn't mask her worry. Lyla rushed to her and hugged her tight.
“I'm fine,” she said immediately.
“Are you really?” Carmen asked.
“Really,” Lyla assured her.