Crime Lord's Captive (Crime Lord Series Book 1)

by Mia Knight

  “Oh. Who are you going to pass it off to?”

  “Don’t worry about it. We’ll get that other fucker. He isn’t allowed to live.”

  Lyla didn’t bother to contest that. She would feel better knowing that demon in human flesh was dead. “But you won’t...?”

  “No. I’ll get someone else to make the hit. You okay if I go to the office?”

  She didn’t want to be alone, but she knew he had to work and get this other shit tied up. She nodded.

  He cupped her chin in his hand and brushed his thumb over her bottom lip as he considered her. “You want to see my dad?”

  Her eyes filled with tears and she nodded.

  “Come, I’ll drop you off when I go to work.”

  Twenty minutes later, Gavin dressed in a flawless suit while she opted to stay as she was, in her oversized sweater and yoga pants. Gavin drove his own car while Blade and another group of men followed.

  “I won’t stay past eight,” he said as he grabbed her hand and placed it on his thigh.

  Lyla glanced at his intimidating face as his fingers threaded through hers.

  “Blade and several others will stay with you. My dad will be insulted if I let more than five of my men on his turf. He has his own security.”

  She nodded.

  “You want me to come and get you, you call me. You have your new phone?”

  “Yes.” She had a small bag with a change of clothes, pain killers and a new phone he gave on their way out the door.

  “It’ll take me some time to put things in order.”

  “I know, Gavin.”

  The Pyres had been running the underworld for generations. There was a niggle of doubt in her mind that he could get out, but she pushed it away. Gavin didn’t make false promises.

  Gavin drove as his thumb stroked her absently. She stared at his possessive hold and thought of the deal she made. Permanent. No future of independence, no Jonathan. Lyla closed her eyes and said goodbye to the man who had been there for her when she needed him. Jonathan deserved more than what she could give him. She had given her love to Gavin Pyre before she was old enough to understand the consequences. She committed willingly this time, knowing what he was capable of and witnessing the stain on his soul. She sensed yearning in him and something else... Need? He was capable of unspeakable cruelty and incredible gentleness. He was complicated, possessive, calculating and hers. He was her monster and she loved the hell out of him, always had, always would. The experience with her captors knocked down all barriers between them. On impulse, she raised his hand. Lyla kissed his raw and bruised knuckles.

  “What are you doing?” he asked hoarsely.

  “Loving you.”

  His fingers flexed around hers. The look he shot her made her stomach jitter. She cradled his hand in both of hers and placed it on her lap.

  “You won’t regret it,” he said gruffly.

  Lyla relaxed in her seat and closed her eyes. When Gavin pulled up to Manny’s house, they saw him standing on the steps. He rushed to her door and shouted in Spanish as he pulled her into his arms. Manny pulled back to look at her, crushed her against him and then pulled back once more to make sure she was whole. Gavin replied in Spanish and the words were spoken too rapidly for her to catch. Manny stiffened. She looked up and saw his dumbfounded expression. Gavin pulled her away from his father and into the house. Manny came after them, spewing angry Spanish. Father and son faced off. When Gavin took a threatening step towards his father, Lyla stepped between them.

  “What’s going on?” she asked.

  “Nothing,” Gavin said shortly and tipped her face up for a kiss. “You call me if you need me.”

  She nodded and he walked out of the house without saying another word to his father. Lyla stared at Manny who looked flustered and disturbed.

  “What is it? What’s wrong?” she asked.

  Manny shook himself and hugged her again. “You want him to give it up.”

  Lyla could tell from his tone of voice that he didn’t approve. Lyla stiffened and drew back. “Yes, I do.”

  Manny sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “I understand. I do, but...”

  “But what?” Lyla demanded. “He could be killed. Don’t you care how doing that side of the business affects him... and me?”

  “Of course I care, baby girl, of course but... We have contracts and deals.”

  Lyla crossed her arms, seeing Manny in a new light. Gavin agreed to give it up for her, but apparently, Manny wasn’t so eager. Her belly clenched. “What happened to me isn’t more important than your deals and contracts?”

  Manny drew back as if she struck him.

  “I was almost raped, Manny,” she said, voice thin and jagged. “He touched me. That doesn’t matter to you?”

  “Lyla.”

  He reached for her, but she stepped back.

  “I love you,” she stated, “and I love Gavin, but I don’t like what you do for a living. I don’t like that you take chances with your lives, your souls. You think that I can heal Gavin, but you have to stop sending him into the dark where the other monsters are. You don’t know what—” She wrapped her arms around herself and fought the urge to vomit as she remembered Gavin covered in blood. “The price is too high. It’s not worth it.”

  Manny stared at her for a long minute before he said, “I’ve done many things. Things I’ll never tell a living soul. At the time, they were necessary measures that had to be taken. Somebody needs to rule the underworld. I groomed Gavin to take that position. He’s damn good at it.” When she opened her mouth, he held up a hand and allowed, “Maybe too good. Gavin has built himself a reputation that keeps everyone in line. If he steps back, no matter who replaces him, they’ll have problems.”

  “And yet his reputation didn’t protect me,” Lyla said quietly.

  “A strike like this has never happened before. It was suicide. Those men were contracted by someone who was testing the waters. We need to send a message back, a bloody one that will send ripples through the underworld.”

  Manny didn’t look like a seventy year old man, he looked like a ruthless general. Lyla was strongly reminded of Gavin. That intensity in his personality would never fade, never yield to anyone. It was still thriving in his father who went antique shopping and had retired from the business.

  “So Gavin won’t be able to get out of it?” Lyla asked, stomach rocking.

  Manny’s face softened. “He’ll find a way.”

  “But you think it’s a mistake?”

  “He’s the best man for the job, but I see why he’s stepping back. You have a profound effect on him and this is your requirement to move forward.” He nodded. “If this is what you want, I wouldn’t hesitate to tell him to step down either. It was just the shock. I wasn’t prepared for it.” He gave her a small smile. “I hear you’re moving out?”

  She tried to smile, but was still troubled. “Yes, but, Manny—”

  He waved his hands. “Don’t worry. I shouldn’t have said anything. Don’t be upset with me.”

  “I’m not,” she said even though she was.

  “Come, we’ll watch movies,” he declared and led her into his ostentatious living room.

  “Manny—”

  He clasped her face. “Everything will be okay. Gavin will make sure of it.”

  Chapter Eleven

  When Manny asked what she wanted to watch, Lyla asked for Die Hard. Manny was surprised, but didn’t question her choice. Juanita brought a steady stream of food until Lyla pleaded for her to stop. It took Lyla a long time to relax, but eventually Manny coaxed her to stretch out on the couch. After a slew of action movies Manny popped in The Godfather. With her head on Manny’s lap Lyla watched the movie unfold. It was Manny’s favorite movie, no surprise there. Even while she saw parallels between the movie and the Pyre men, Lyla found it amusing that Manny could imitate Vito Corleone perfectly. He could quote the entire movie word for word. Manny cussed people out, all while playing with h
er hair.

  Lyla dozed off and woke when she felt herself being lifted. Lyla jolted and immediately relaxed when she realized that she was in Gavin’s arms. He spoke to Manny in Spanish. Manny’s tone was a lot softer than it had been earlier in the day. Gavin carried her to his car and deposited her in the passenger seat. She belted herself in and turned towards him as he got into the driver’s seat.

  “Okay?” he asked.

  Sleepy and relaxed, Lyla nodded. “Get a lot done?”

  “Yes, but I have to go in tomorrow.” A pause. “You okay with that?”

  “Yes.” He had an empire to run and she had to learn how to live, knowing there was pure evil out there.

  “I’ll ask Carmen to keep you company. You up for that?”

  “Yeah.” She felt more steady. She deliberately brought up the image of Pervert. Her heart began to race and her hands felt clammy. She reached out for Gavin. He took her hand, laced it with his and she could breathe again. She would fight this. It would be okay. She wouldn’t let psychos, perverts and murderers stop her from making a life, from being happy.

  “You okay?” he asked.

  “Trying to be.”

  He squeezed her hand. “You will be. Just give it time.”

  “Is everything okay with you and Manny?”

  “Just a difference of opinion. We’re fine. You had a good time with him?”

  “Yes. I love your dad.”

  His hand tightened on hers, but he said nothing else. They drove home in silence. One of the guards opened her door when the car stopped. She nodded to him and went inside.

  “I’ll meet you in our room. I need to take care of some things,” he said.

  She nodded as he went into his office and closed the door. She went upstairs and checked the closet, bathroom and under the bed before she stripped and got into the shower. It was the longest she’d gone without bathing herself. She saw that as a small victory. The feeling of being filthy was all in her mind, but she couldn’t help that she scrubbed her skin so hard that she was bright red when she stepped out of the shower. She claimed another oversized sweater and just finished slathering on a layer of lotion when Gavin walked into the bathroom. He kissed her cheek and stripped. Lyla watched him in the mirror and saw his cock standing at attention. Gavin ignored his body and stepped into the shower, washing himself briskly. Although Lyla felt a tingle of response between her legs, she walked into the bedroom. She couldn’t. She wasn’t ready.

  Lyla got into bed and curled on her side, staring out of the window at the stars. Gavin came out of the bathroom in a pair of boxers and nothing else. It was too quick to get himself off. He tossed his cell phone on the nightstand and for the first time, sat up in bed with a laptop. Lyla relaxed as she listened to him click and type. Lyla buried her face in her pillow, drew in Gavin’s scent and slowly let sleep take her.

  ***

  “Lyla.”

  Lyla moaned into her pillow.

  “Lyla, come on, baby. Wake up.”

  Large hands flipped her over. Lyla hung onto the pillow so it covered her face. Gavin chuckled and with one swift jerk, sent the pillow flying. Lyla glared balefully at him.

  “What?”

  “There’s my girl,” he crooned and brushed kisses over her face. “You slept through the night, baby girl.”

  Lyla blinked. Another victory. She didn’t dream at all. Gavin was dressed for the office and he smelled delicious.

  “I have to go. Carmen should be here any minute. I thought I’d give you a warning,” Gavin said.

  Lyla nodded. “Thanks.”

  “You’re okay?” he asked, brushing a gentle hand over her body.

  She rested her hands on his chest and remembered his hard on last night. He usually woke up hard. Did he get off this morning? Lyla was annoyed with herself for obsessing about Gavin’s dick. Didn’t she have more pressing things to worry about besides his masturbating schedule? He wouldn’t cheat on you after what happened, she told herself. But, what if she couldn’t... Gavin had needs and she might not be able to—

  “Lyla?”

  “What?”

  “You’re okay?” he repeated.

  “Umm hmm.”

  He gave her an odd look before he kissed her forehead. “I’ll have my phone on me at all times. Do you need anything?”

  “No.”

  “I’ll see you tonight.”

  Gavin grabbed his phone and laptop and walked out of the room. Lyla lay there for several minutes, letting her mind drift before she showered. This time she didn’t scrub herself hard enough to bleed. Another victory. Lyla took the time to braid her hair and put on a little makeup. For some reason, it was painful to look at her reflection. She couldn’t meet her own gaze. Lyla settled for jeans and a shirt today and because she felt too exposed, pulled on a slouchy jacket.

  When she walked downstairs, she saw Blade standing guard by the door. Lyla automatically averted her eyes until he called her name. When she looked up, he came forward.

  “I-I want you to feel safe,” he said awkwardly.

  Lyla considered this and muttered, “Thanks.”

  “What happened the other day, no one else will ever touch you. Not on my watch.”

  He feels guilty, she realized. “I’m okay, Blade.”

  He clasped his hands behind him and spread his legs in a military stance. “I want you to know, I’ll protect you with my life.”

  This was a far cry from the man who laughed at her fear when he picked her up in Maine. “Thanks, Blade.”

  He gave a curt nod and then said, “You make the boss happy.”

  Lyla was saved from saying anything when the front door burst open. Blade drew his gun before he turned. Carmen stood in the doorway, tears streaming down her face. She didn’t notice Blade or the gun in his hand. She let out a scream that could have broken glass and hurled herself at Lyla. She cried as if her heart were breaking.

  “Carmen?”

  “It’s all my fault!” Carmen wailed, sniveling. “If I hadn’t tried on those crotchless panties I would have been there!”

  Blade hastily holstered his gun and walked away while Lyla ran a hand over Carmen’s back.

  “We would have both been kidnapped,” Lyla said, holding her cousin tightly.

  “At least you wouldn’t be alone and I could have helped kill those bastards!” Carmen wailed.

  Because her body was still sore, Lyla led Carmen to the sofa. Carmen went willingly enough, but she didn’t release Lyla for a moment. Carmen babbled about all the ways she would have defended Lyla.

  “Carmen, I’m fine,” Lyla said.

  Carmen drew away, makeup streaming down her face. “Are you?”

  The concern made Lyla’s eyes burn with tears, but she took a deep, fortifying breath and gave a small nod. “Yes.”

  Carmen clasped their hands together. “Tell me everything.”

  Lyla stared at her. She hadn’t told anyone what happened. No one asked and even a day ago, she wouldn’t have been able to. But, she had to talk about it, get it off her chest.

  “Tell me,” Carmen insisted.

  Lyla took a deep breath and told Carmen about her hours in hell. Lyla faltered when she talked about what Pervert did. Seeing the horror on Carmen’s face made her feel guilty and better at the same time.

  “Go on,” Carmen said, squeezing Lyla’s trembling hands.

  Lyla brushed away the tears and continued. She told Carmen about Gavin’s rescue, how he stayed by her side all these days and about the test results from the doctor. Carmen hugged Lyla and bawled her eyes out. Lyla felt better now that it wasn’t festering in her chest. Carmen raged enough for the both of them. They went through half a box of Kleenex before Lyla felt a very basic urge.

  “I’m hungry.”

  Carmen snapped to attention. “Yes. You need to eat. I’ll cook.”

  “You cook?” Lyla asked as Carmen led her to the kitchen.

  “Is pouring milk in cereal cooking?”


  Lyla cracked a smile as she sat at the dining table. Carmen rummaged through the fridge.

  “We’re in luck. There’s breakfast burritos already made that we just have to heat up. Thank God.”

  Carmen set the oven and then made coffee. She sat, grabbed Lyla’s hand and teared up again.

  “God, I’m so sorry—” Carmen began again.

  “Carmen, I’m okay,” she said.

  “How can you be? You were kidnapped, nearly raped... or raped. We don’t know.” Carmen’s eyes flamed. “I’m glad that fucking pervert is dead. Gavin should have shoved a rusty spike through his asshole and let him suffer for days until the Devil came to drag him down to hell where he belongs.”

  Lyla blinked. “Wow. Gross.”

  “What about the other fucker?”

  “Gavin’s looking for him.”

  “Good. I want to know when he’s dead,” Carmen said.

  Carmen fetched her purse and pulled out a hand mirror with her name spelled on the rim in rhinestones. She repaired her makeup and squirted a fresh wave of perfume on her chest. When the bell dinged, Carmen jumped up to put the burritos in the oven. Lyla drank her coffee and tried to recover from the draining talk.

  “So you’re here instead of at Manny’s,” Carmen commented as she put her makeup away.

  “Yes. Gavin stayed in bed with me for days. Whatever I needed, he was there.”

  Carmen clasped her hands over her heart. “I’m glad.”

  “Yes.” Lyla turned the cup between her hands. “But, you know why I left the first time and now this... I can’t live like this, knowing what he does at night, risking himself. You don’t know what he looked like that night. He’s so distant. Nothing can reach him. He’s just cold. He shuts off. It scares me.”

  “That’s what he needs to do, Lyla.”

  “I don’t want him to do it so... He said he would give it up if I stay with him. Permanently.”

  Carmen goggled. “What?”

  “And so he’s giving it up.”

  Carmen held both hands up like a traffic cop. “So you’re staying?”

  “If he gives it up.”