by Mia Knight
“This is Lyla, Gavin’s wife,” Janice explained. “She used to work with Manny Pyre.”
“Is that right? You projects were you involved in?” Alice asked.
Gavin wanted to bang his head against the table. Everyone ignored him and focused on his wife. He should have expected this. With the way Lyla stayed out of the public eye and the rumors surrounding the day his father was killed, it was only natural they were curious about her. Add Lyla’s beauty, age and obvious intelligence and everyone was hooked on her. Gavin listened as Lyla outlined the projects she’d been involved in and noticed Janice and Alice exchange looks.
Lunch was served. Gavin firmly turned the conversation back to Janice’s plans for publicity at Incognito. He planned to head there the night of the opening to make sure all was well, but now it looked like he’d be there all night. Lyla listened attentively and even clarified some key points that made Janice blink in surprise.
“Are you looking for a job?” Marcus asked bluntly.
Lyla flushed. “Actually—”
“No,” Gavin snapped.
Lyla turned to him. “Excuse me?”
“You’re not getting a job.”
Lyla turned back to their fascinated audience. “I’ll get back to you on that.”
Gavin wanted to strangle Marcus who slapped his hand on the table and roared with laughter. This was all Marcus’s fault. Gavin wanted to haul Lyla out of the restaurant and cart her back to his office where he would show her who’s boss. Instead, he was forced to sit there and act as if his blood wasn’t boiling. Lyla seemed completely at ease, eating and chatting with his staff as if they were old friends.
“I’d like to help you with outreach,” Lyla said to Alice who looked excited until she glanced at Gavin’s face.
By the time lunch was over, Gavin could barely contain himself. Marcus kissed Lyla’s hand and took off at a trot, talking to his secretary on his phone as he went. Janice and Alice both shook Lyla’s hand and said they would see her on Friday before they took off.
“I’m taking her home,” Gavin said to Blade.
Lyla looked up as he clamped a hand on her waist. “What? Why?”
Gavin didn’t say a thing as he led her through the casino. They took the elevator down to the parking garage. Lyla gave him a strange look before she got into the Aston Martin. He revved the engine and liked the sound of the car’s squealing tires as he drove into traffic.
“Is there a reason you’re driving me home?” Lyla asked.
“We need to talk,” he said, flexing his hands on the wheel.
“About what?”
“Do you find Marcus attractive?”
She turned in her seat towards him. “Are you fucking serious?”
“You let him touch you and you were hanging on every word he said.” Yeah, he sounded like a possessive bastard, but he couldn't help it. He couldn't stand seeing another man touch her or enjoy her company. It made him feel homicidal, thinking that she might have chemistry with another man. He wouldn't allow that.
“I still have your come inside me,” she said.
The unexpected comment made him glance at her. She looked furious, gorgeous and all his.
“You really think I would cheat on you?” Lyla demanded, voice rising in the small space.
“Don’t test me, Lyla.”
“You are such an idiot!”
“I'm an idiot for noticing your fascination with each other?”
“If you weren't such a blind prick, you would've noticed that our fascination wasn't for each other but a mutual caring for your company. The reason I came by today is because I've been going stir crazy. I've been on the road for over a year. In Maine I had a full-time job. It's all well and good to go out with Carmen and Aunt Isabel, but I need something to get my mind off the past.”
“I don't want you to get a job.”
“Why?”
He didn't know how to put it into words how he felt because everything he wanted to say was downright selfish.
“Why?” Lyla persisted and jabbed him in the arm. “Because you want me at your beck and call?”
“I don't want you to have to quit a job when you get pregnant.” That sounded like the least selfish thing to say.
“And if I never get pregnant?”
His hands tightened on the wheel. “Lyla, I run a company. When I come home, I want you there. I don't want you working a different schedule from me where we never get to see each other and you're exhausted.”
“But I need to do something and I love your company. If we’d never dated, I would still be working there.”
“Dad taught you a lot in a short amount of time.” That much was obvious.
“Yes. I want to go to the opening of Incognito. Have there been other parties that you've turned down because you don’t think I want to go?”
“Yes and no. I'd rather be at home with you.”
“I think it'll be good for us to go out. I'll have Carmen come too.”
Gavin gritted his teeth. Not only would he have to keep an eye on Lyla, now he had to watch out for Carmen too and she was unpredictable.
“If you won't let me work then I'm going to volunteer with Alice for outreach.”
That was something he couldn’t object to. If he tried to stop her, she might accept a job through Marcus and that couldn't happen. “That will make Janice happy. I believe Alice has a project every month, but you don't need to do everything.”
Lyla circled back to her earlier question, “Do you really think I would cheat on you?”
She hadn't done anything to deserve his accusation. He was the one who had been unfaithful and feared she would find someone kind, gentle and normal. He honestly didn't know what she saw in him. “No, I know you wouldn’t.”
“Then why accuse me of that?”
He was going to sound like an asshole. There was no getting around that. “I'm selfish.”
“I know,” she said.
He let out a long breath, trying to get rid of his jealousy and anger. “I've always had you to myself. I like it like that. Marcus is closer to your age and you two hit it off so easily... I don't like seeing any man close to you.”
Lyla said nothing and his heart began to pound. Had he just eradicated the past four months with foolish words?
“I'm sorry,” he said as he exited the freeway. “I’m fucked up. When it comes to you, my emotions are all over the place. I'm still trying to adjust to having you here. I want you to be happy, but I also want to be the center of your world. I know that's messed up, but it's how I am.”
He glanced at her, but the fall of her hair concealed her expression.
“Lyla?”
No answer.
“I'm going to try and rein it in. If you want to volunteer with outreach that's fine.”
Still no response.
“If you need more things to keep you busy, maybe you can work with me.” He floored the gas pedal so they could get home faster and he could see how badly he was fucking this up. “I haven't been trying to hide you away, I've been trying to give you time to recover. Me too. It's not easy going into work and acting like everything is okay. Sometimes I pick up the phone before I realize Vinny’s not going to pick up the other end. Knowing I can't call my dad is even worse. The only bright spot in my life is you and I need to have access to you. That makes me greedy and selfish and I don't want to share you with anyone. I want your whole focus on me when I come home. But, I realize that you do need more and I'm going to have to adjust to that. Yes, I watch you on the home security cameras. Not because I think you're doing something wrong. I need to see for myself that you're okay. I may always be like that. Knowing the man who murdered Dad and hurt you is still out there will always make me paranoid.”
Gavin turned into the driveway of their home and turned to her.
“Look at me,” he said.
Lyla turned her silver blue eyes on him and his stomach clenched with want.
“I'm sorry
.”
Lyla shook her head.
“What?”
“I like the way Marcus, Alice and Janice looked at me today. They didn't see me as a victim or in recovery. They just saw me for me and that felt good. It made me feel normal. Marcus liked my ideas and Alice was ecstatic that I wanted to help her with outreach. I need to be needed too, Gavin.”
“I understand that.” His need for her would only go so far. She needed to have a life. At least she would be working for Pyre Casinos. He should be thankful for that.
“I think Marcus is hot.”
His need to make amends flew out the window. “What?”
Lyla grinned mischievously. “I can admire his looks without being interested in him sexually.”
“No, you can’t.” He reached for her and hauled her over the console. “You're not allowed to think that any man is remotely attractive. I can't take it.”
“I belong to you, Gavin.”
That didn’t reassure him.
“I won't leave you and I think you're the hottest man I've ever seen. I love you. You're a great man and you’re mine.” She pressed a chaste kiss on his lips. “Now, go back to work and when you come home, you're going to make it up to me.”
Gavin's heart was in his throat as she got out of the car and sashayed slowly to the front door.
CHAPTER NINE
Lyla
“Stop, Gavin.”
“I don’t like this,” he said for the eighth time in an hour.
Lyla eyed her over possessive husband who looked amazing in a tux. Gavin freaked out when he saw what she was wearing—a crisscross black halter dress with a row of diamonds low on her back and stilettos. Lyla and Carmen had their hair done at the salon and Carmen did her makeup. Lyla rather enjoyed Gavin’s stupefied look when she posed for him. He made love to her twice and begged her to change into another dress, but she held firm. She had to repair both her makeup and hair while he changed.
He’d been moody ever since she had lunch with Marcus, Janice and Alice, but he didn’t object when Alice asked if she would be interested in volunteering at a local dog shelter. Lyla told Carmen about it and she decided to come as well. Lyla understood Gavin’s need for control, but she wouldn’t let it dictate her life. She needed something to keep her occupied. Being able to help others through the Pyre Foundation seemed like a win-win.
“I don’t want you out of my sight,” Gavin said.
“I know,” she said.
“Blade and the others will be there as well.”
Lyla didn’t complain because she knew his concern for her safety wasn’t unfounded. She had been kidnapped and attacked by a killer who’d carved her up like a turkey on Thanksgiving. Gavin wouldn’t allow it to happen again. This event was giving Manny’s killer an opening if he wanted to finish the job. Lyla almost backed out, but stubbornness forced her to attend. She couldn’t hide forever and this was good publicity for the casino and Gavin’s image. There were more pros than cons so, despite Gavin’s bitching, here they were.
Lyla reached over and took Gavin’s hand. “It’s going to be fine.”
Gavin didn’t answer, but he squeezed her hand. Lyla looked out at the colorful Strip as the SUV crawled through traffic. It was Friday night in Las Vegas and The Strip was pumping with people looking for a good time. The SUV pulled up to one of the Pyre Casinos. Gavin opened the door and helped her out. Janice prepped her for the press coverage, but Lyla hadn’t anticipated the size of the crowd or the noise. Reporters called out their names and begged for pictures. Janice appeared out of nowhere and told them where to stand to be photographed. Lyla attended many of these in her younger days, but she and Gavin had both changed since then. Her anxiety skyrocketed and her palms were damp with sweat. She instantly regretted coming and felt exposed and uncomfortable.
“I love you,” Gavin said.
Distracted, she looked up as the click of cameras echoed around them. “What?”
“I love you,” he said as if his staff, the press and a ridiculous amount of people begging to explore a new Pyre nightclub didn’t surround them.
“I love you too,” she said.
He raised her hand to his lips and kissed her palm. The paparazzi went nuts and Lyla was nearly blinded by camera flashes.
“Dad would be proud of you for forcing me to come out for this,” Gavin said.
Lyla smiled up at him. “He loved these events.”
He grunted. “He thrived on the energy. I used to and now... I don’t know.”
Lyla placed her hand on his chest and smiled for the cameras so they could move on. “We’re different people now. We don’t have to attend every opening, but we should go every now and then.”
“Great, amazing!” Janice said and ushered them into the club. “Thank you for bringing him, Lyla,” she said in a low undertone before she addressed Gavin. “We have Ricky Mars and his band playing for three hours and two other hot artists going on after him. We have ten celebrities, one at each VIP table. Athletes, singers, movie stars. We only have room for about a quarter of the people waiting outside, but there’s always tomorrow night. We’re giving masks at the door because it is Incognito.”
“Are we going for kinky?” Gavin asked.
“It’s an added layer of mystery to keep the libido going. The celebrities are going to wear their masks unless they’re taking pictures, of course. Please stay at least two hours. Looks like we’ll be wrapping this up around five,” Janice said.
“In the morning?” Lyla asked, shocked.
Janice winked. “If I’m lucky. I have a table reserved for you, but you should circulate, Gavin. There’s a lot of heavy hitters tonight. I know Marcus has a list of people he wants you to meet so you might want to hook up with him to discuss. Gotta go. Enjoy and here are your masks.”
Lyla took her mask, which was made of elaborate black lace with diamonds framing her eyes. Gavin had a black mask that was very “Phantom of the Opera”. It covered his eyes and half of his face. Lyla froze when he donned the mask. Even though she knew it was him, a part of her went cold with fear, remembering Manny’s murderer’s mask.
“Here,” Gavin said and took the strip of lace from her cold fingers and tied the ribbon in the back of her head to secure it. “I’m getting too old for this shit, but we’ll do it to make Janice happy.”
Lyla shook herself as Gavin led her through the nightclub, which had a very different vibe to it than Lux and The Room. Incognito had two levels. From the second level, Lyla looked out over the whole club. Sweeping staircases gave the club Renaissance flair and everything was lit by a seductive crimson light that invited one to indulge in dark fantasies. The furniture was unrelieved black, as were the walls. Large mirrors on the walls reflected light and would project images of people writhing on the dance floor. There was an undercurrent of sexuality in this club and Lyla could tell it was going to be a success. The bartenders and servers wore lace masks that enhanced their features and leather and lace uniforms. The staff was amped and ready to go.
“What do you think?” Gavin asked.
“There is gonna be a lot of sex in this club,” Lyla said wryly.
Gavin laughed. “If they have the stamp from the club, they get a discount on a room in the hotel. Let’s hope people want a full one night stand instead of a quickie.”
“This is Sin City.”
“You gotta love it,” Gavin said and put an arm around her as he led her down the staircase.
Staff inclined their heads to them as a woman wearing a gorgeous bustier and black leather skirt escorted them to their private table. A woman sitting at the table rose. It took Lyla a moment to recognize Carmen who wore skintight leather pants, sky-high heels and a lace bustier that bared two inches of her flat, toned stomach. Her white lace mask had ruby colored stones surrounding glittering blue eyes. Gavin stopped and cursed under his breath. Lyla rushed to Carmen and threw her arms around her.
“You look great!” Lyla said.
�
��You too,” Carmen said and give her ass a sharp smack.
“Carmen,” Gavin said, voice tight.
Carmen gave him a cool look. “Gavin.”
“Don’t get into trouble tonight, Carmen.”
Carmen stiffened and put her hands on hips. “Excuse me?”
“You look like—”
Lyla clapped a hand over Gavin’s mouth. “You look hot and you’re going to cause a commotion. He’s nervous.”
Carmen flipped her hair and fixed her boobs in her top. “He should be.”
Gavin yanked Lyla’s hand from his mouth. “I just want to get through tonight without drama. Got me?”
“I’m not making any promises,” Carmen said.
“Gavin?” Marcus joined their group, wearing a dashing cape and a scarlet shirt with his tux. He wore a red mask identical to Gavin’s. He kissed Lyla on the cheek and smiled at her. “You look great.” His eyes moved to Carmen and swept her from head to toe. “I don’t think we’ve met.”
“This is Vinny’s widow, Carmen,” Gavin said.
Marcus took Carmen’s hand and kissed her knuckles. “My condolences.”
Carmen gave Gavin a steely look before she focused on Marcus. “Thank you. And you are?”
“Marcus. I’m the new COO.”
Carmen’s lips pursed and she withdrew her hand. “Vinny’s replacement. Nice to meet you. You finished Incognito. It looks great.”
Marcus’s eyes were intense behind his mask. “I’d like to talk to you, if you don’t mind.”
Gavin stiffened, but Lyla kept her gaze on Carmen who looked surprised.
“I’m here to have fun and keep Lyla company. I don’t want to talk about my husband,” Carmen said.
“We don’t have to talk about him. We can talk about something else,” Marcus said.
“Marcus, can I talk to you?” Gavin said abruptly.
“Sure.” Marcus nodded to Carmen. “I’ll look for you later.”
As Gavin led Marcus away, Carmen voiced what Lyla was thinking.
“For what?”
“Marcus is blunt and a bit strange, but I like him,” Lyla said.