by Mia Knight
“You’re busy.”
“So?”
“You have better things to do.”
His hand tightened on her sensitive breast. “Lyla, you’re my first priority always.”
“Giving me orgasms isn’t a priority.”
“It is to me.” He dropped his forehead on hers. “I’ve been waiting to have you again. I jerked off watching you in my car, took care of business and came to you as soon as I could.”
“That’s romantic,” she said dryly.
“You want romance?”
Lyla made a face. “Romance?” Their relationship had never been about flamboyant gestures or sweet words.
He looked offended. “You don’t think I can do romance?”
“I don’t need romance,” she said.
Gavin eyed her narrowly. “I can give you romance.”
She imagined him on his knees with a rose clamped between his teeth and began to laugh. Gavin didn’t have a romantic bone in his body. When she ran from him, he blackmailed her into coming back. A year and a half later he gained her marriage vows by threatening to harm her cousin, Carmen. He was no prince charming. The thought of him trying to be romantic was ludicrous. It wasn’t until she glanced at his face that she realized he had taken exception to her amusement.
“Gavin, it’s not a big deal,” she said, patting his arm. He was a crime lord, not Romeo. “I never asked for romance.”
He grasped her chin and glared down at her. “Was your ex romantic?”
“Jonathan?”
God, she hadn’t thought of him in months. Jonathan, the IT consultant she left behind in Maine had been the definition of a gentleman. He was the sweetest man she had ever met and it wasn’t an act. He wooed her with long drives along the coast, picnics on the beach and conversation. The memories slipping through her mind seemed like they were from another lifetime. A growl from Gavin had her gaze jumping back to him.
“What?” she asked.
“You’re smiling.”
“Oh.”
“You’re still smiling.”
Lyla couldn’t straighten out her lips, not when Gavin was giving her such a disgruntled look.
“Was he romantic?”
She shrugged.
“What does that mean?”
She threw her hands in the air. “Who cares if Jonathan was romantic?”
“I do.”
“Well, it doesn’t matter now, does it?”
“It does.”
She rolled her eyes. “You are seriously one of the most primitive men I’ve ever met.” She held up left hand and wriggled her ring finger. The blue diamond sparkled. “We’re married and have a kid together.”
“Was he romantic?”
Gavin was such a bullheaded ass. “Yes, he was.”
He tensed and she realized she should have lied.
“Gavin, romance is nothing compared to—”
“I’ll give you fucking romance.”
He got out of the tub and she grit her teeth.
“Gavin, this is stupid,” she said.
He hauled her out of the tub and toweled her dry.
“Gavin, you don’t have to—”
He picked her up like a bride and carried her into the bedroom. He dropped her on the bed and braced himself on all fours over her.
“I want to be the one to give you everything,” he stated.
She clasped his face between her hands. “You do give me everything.”
“Except romance.”
She jerked his head down and kissed him. He tried to pull away, but she wouldn’t let him. She licked his bottom lip until he opened his mouth and slid her tongue inside. Her emotions, which had always been volatile whenever it revolved around him, flared. She poured her love into him so he could feel it.
Gavin shuddered and kissed her back. He kissed her with such force that she sank into the mattress. His hands moved over her body, reclaiming every inch for himself. She smiled against his mouth as he slid inside of her. He rocked himself deep and they both groaned.
“I live for you,” he said.
Her heart thudded against her rib cage. “I know. You’re risking your life for me.”
“Since my life means nothing without you, it’s not a hardship.” His eyes bored into hers. “What do you want, Lyla?”
“I want to feel safe.” It was the one thing he couldn’t give her, not until Sadist was dead. It was the reason she couldn’t sleep. When she slept, she had nightmares of the knife-wielding psycho. Her paranoia even leaked into her waking hours. A slamming door or tone of voice could send her drowning in flashbacks.
“I’m going to get him,” Gavin said.
If there was a man who would find the fucker who haunted her nightmares, it was Gavin. “I know.”
“I’m going to bring his head to you on a platter,” he vowed.
She grinned. “Is that your idea of romance?”
He paused, chagrined. Lyla laughed and wrapped herself around him.
“Anyone can give me romance, but no one can give me what you do.”
The monster inside of him that made him the most feared man in the underworld watched her with starving eyes.
“And what’s that?”
“Real love.”
He stopped moving. “Real love?”
“Any man handing out roses on the street can charm a woman. Any man can plan an elaborate proposal with jet planes spelling out the big question, but no one can promise to love you forever. No one can promise that they won’t get divorced or be there for each other through thick and thin.” She gave him a mock glare. “Do you promise to love me forever?”
“Yes.”
No hesitation. Her heart warmed. She smiled as she clasped his face between her hands.
“What about a divorce?”
“Fuck no.”
“You promise never to leave me?”
He leaned down and said against her lips, “Once this is over, you won’t be able to get rid of me.”
She didn’t have to ask the last question because they had been through more than most couples went through in several lifetimes.
Gavin made love to her with a gentleness that brought tears to her eyes. He adored her. It was in every touch, every look. Gavin played with her, teasing until she clawed his back and cursed at him. Then he brought her to an orgasm so good that she did cry, holding onto him, absorbing the fact that he was strong, warm and alive. Sending Gavin back into the underworld made her sick with worry, but they had no other choice.
“I love you,” he whispered.
She smiled with her eyes closed. Maybe Gavin wasn’t what most people would call romantic, but he was her type of romantic and that’s all that mattered.
He shifted to get out of bed and she clung, not wanting to let go of this moment.
“Not yet. Ten more minutes,” she mumbled sleepily. She hadn’t had a good night of sleep for four months. If he just lay with her for an hour...
“I’m not leaving.”
One eye opened. “You aren’t?”
“You think I can leave you now that I had you again?”
She beamed. “You’re spending the night?” It was a night of romance and miracles.
“Yeah. I just need to check my phone.”
Lyla flopped onto the pillows and listened to his voice as he spoke to someone in Spanish. She let the sound of his voice lull her and slipped into the first peaceful sleep she had in months.
CHAPTER TWO
Lyla
Lyla woke to the most beautiful sight in the world. Gavin sat up in bed with Nora on his lap. He spoke to his daughter who bounced excitedly, bright blue eyes shining as she responded to him. It made her stomach feel warm and squishy. This is what she always wanted. Seeing them together was her version of utopia. Gavin had been the one who insisted on kids and she was so happy he had.
Gavin nuzzled Nora who made a happy shrieking sound and wrapped her arms around his head. Beau pranced, wanting to pla
“Nora’s trying to sit up,” Lyla said.
Gavin gave his daughter an admonishing look. “Stop trying to grow up so fast!”
Nora wasn’t intimidated by her father. She let out a happy gurgle and drooled. Lyla sat up, clutching the sheet to her bare chest.
“Da da da,” Nora chanted as she bounced.
“Yes, I’m your daddy,” Gavin said and brushed kisses over her face, “and he loves you so much.”
Lyla’s heart clenched. During the short stretches of time that Gavin was home, he doted on Nora. Carmen warned him that he was going to spoil her. The last time she said this, Gavin gave her a cool look.
“She deserves to be spoiled. She’s mine.”
Carmen threw up her hands, but Lyla saw her hiding a smirk. Carmen couldn’t resist giving Gavin shit. They had an odd relationship, but it worked for them so Lyla didn’t interfere.
“She’s hungry,” Gavin said.
Lyla sat up and reached for the baby. Gavin watched as Nora found her breast and latched on hungrily. Lyla flushed when she saw Gavin’s heated gaze. She wasn’t used to having him around for feedings.
“You shouldn’t feel insecure about your body, especially about something natural like lactating. It made me hot to see you pregnant. Why would it be any different to see this?”
“I didn’t think men would—”
His eyes narrowed. “You don’t need to think about what other men want. You only need to think about me.”
Lyla rolled her eyes. “Obviously I’m not thinking of anyone else. How could I?”
“Make sure it stays that way.” He ran a hand down her face. “You slept good?”
“Like the dead.”
“Feel good?”
She nodded.
“Good.”
His hand ruffled through Nora’s hair. In the bright morning light, she saw a fresh cut on the back of his hand. She grabbed his hand to examine it and felt her stomach dip.
“Is this from a knife?” she asked.
“It’s nothing, baby.”
She stared at him as fear cascaded through her. “What happened?”
“It was nothing.”
“I won’t lose you,” she whispered.
“You won’t lose me.”
“What if you’re shot or—”
“I’ve survived much worse.”
She bit her lip. “Gavin, if you can’t find him, maybe—”
His expression tightened. “Don’t, Lyla. I’m going to find him.”
“But it’s been four months. Maybe you killed him already and don’t know it,” she said hopefully even though she didn’t believe it.
“He’ll surface. He always does.”
She ordered him back into the underworld. Guilt and worry lay heavily on her. She had become a paranoid recluse, only leaving the house to go to doctor’s appointments. Thank God Carmen was here. Carmen didn’t ask if she could move in. After Nora was born, she arrived with two suitcases and claimed a room. Surprisingly, Gavin didn’t make a fuss about it. Carmen made her house arrest bearable.
“I know what I’m doing, Lyla. Don’t worry about me.”
“How can I not worry about you?” she snapped.
“I was raised in the underworld. I’m getting close.”
She tightened her hold on Nora. “You are?”
“I’m making people nervous. That’s good.” His eyes glittered. “I’m going to get him.”
“I just want this to be over.” It had been over two years since the attack that claimed Manny’s life and left her scarred.
“It will be.” Gavin sucked on her neck. “Coming home to you keeps me human.”
She elbowed him. “Sex isn’t the answer to everything!”
“Yes, it is. It reminds me how much I have to lose and that fucking isn’t happening.”
She waved a hand in his face and then dropped her eyes to Nora. “Watch your language, Gavin.”
He grinned. “She’s four months old.”
“So?”
He shook his head. “I’m heading into the office. Janice and Alice have been asking about you and the baby. Do you want to come with me?”
Effectively distracted by the offer, her heart leapt with excitement while her belly iced with fear. “Is it safe to go out?”
“You’re in my casino. Your security detail will be with you and you won’t be left alone. Do you want to go?”
She hesitated only a moment before she said, “Yes, I’d like to go.”
“We’ll leave in two hours,” Gavin said and headed for the bathroom.
Even while she felt safe in Gavin’s fortress, lately she was beginning to feel the first stages of cabin fever. Before, she went out three to four times a week. Now, she left the house once a month.
Not only did Carmen help with Nora, she also trained with Lyla four times a week with a self-defense/mixed martial arts instructor and Blade who took them to a gun range on property. Carmen, who had been raised with an enforcer father and married into the Pyre clan understood what measures needed to be taken.
Lyla texted Carmen who responded immediately, saying she was down for the ‘excursion.’ Lyla scanned her messages and saw a text from her mother: Please call. Really need to talk to you. Lyla ignored the text. The last time she spoke to her mother was the day Nora was born. Her mother asked for money, of course. Traumatized by the attack at the field and Nora's birth, she hung up on her mother and ignored all messages and requests to talk since. Her father, a gambling addict, had fucked up again. It was nothing new. She was tired of cleaning up his shit.
Just as Nora finished eating, Gavin emerged from the shower. He took Nora so she could get ready. This felt so normal and domesticated. Lyla had an extra spring in her step as she applied makeup for the first time in months and donned a navy blue wrap dress. She added a white scarf to cover her scarred chest and a cover if she had to nurse Nora. She draped a coat over her arm and added stiletto boots.
She found Carmen in Nora’s nursery with a bulging baby bag.
Carmen gave her a lascivious grin. “Did you get any sleep last night?”
Lyla smiled. “A little.”
Carmen no longer looked like the Playboy bunny she had been when her husband was alive. It had been over two years since Carmen lost her husband. The crying spells waned and Carmen seemed to be adjusting to her new lot in life. She took out her breast implants, dyed her hair black and still managed to hook every man within a ten-foot radius. After wearing sweat pants for four months it was a shock to see Carmen looking like her old self. Today’s ensemble was a nude skirt that hugged every curve of her body from waist to ankle and a white lace blouse. Carmen completed the look with white heels and large diamond stud earrings. The look was deceivingly demure, but an outright challenge to any man.
“You’re asking for trouble,” Lyla said with a grin.
Carmen beamed and posed with her hands on the stroller, looking like a seductive MILF. “I love trouble.”
Carmen ruined her image by twerking in her tight skirt. Apparently, Carmen had been feeling the effects of cabin fever and had finally cracked.
“Okay, so you’re dying for trouble. I get it. You already packed Nora’s things?” Lyla asked.
Carmen gave a mock salute. “Yes, ma’am and I dressed Nora too. Let’s get the hell out of here!”
Lyla laughed as Carmen wheeled everything towards the hallway. Blade, Lyla’s bodyguard, efficiently folded the stroller and shouldered the baby bag.
“You’re getting good at that, Blade. When are you going to become a daddy?” Carmen asked as she sashayed past.
“When hell freezes over.” Blade glanced at Lyla who had her arms crossed. “No offense. Babies aren’t my thing.”
“But Nora loves you,” Lyla said.
“I like her well enough since she’s my goddaughter,” Blade said with a straight face, “but she needs a lot of everything and I don’t have time for that.”
Lyla patted him on the chest. There was a time when Blade scared the living daylights out of her, but those days were long gone. Blade took a bullet for her and was fast becoming part of the family, something he didn’t seem thrilled with.
“Maybe when things calm down you can have your own life,” Lyla said.
Blade’s dubious expression clearly stated that he didn’t believe there would ever be a time that they wouldn’t need his services. When they walked into the kitchen, they found the cook finishing up fresh omelets.
“I miss coffee,” Lyla said as she dug into her omelet.
“You can have some, can’t you?” Carmen asked as she ate a banana.
“Not much and I want to load it with creamer, so it’s best not to.”
Her weird pregnancy cravings were gone, thank God, but she was still eating more than she used to. The workouts with her instructors and breastfeeding were burning off calories, but her body still needed more to produce milk. She was a bit self-conscious with the extra weight, but if Gavin didn’t mind then why should she? She was a mother, after all, not a super model. Lyla jolted when Beau flopped at her feet. Lyla glanced down and received a baleful look from Beau who realized they were leaving him behind.
“I don’t think daddy’s going to let you in his casino,” she said to him.
“I’ve been texting Alice,” Carmen said.
Lyla looked up. “About what?”
“Some of her volunteer projects.”
Alice, the Community Outreach Coordinator for the Pyre Foundation, was in charge of putting a good foot forward for Pyre Casinos. Last year Carmen and Lyla volunteered at a dog shelter, which is how Lyla ended up with Beau. Lyla enjoyed helping Alice, but after the last attack she retreated completely.
“Next week Alice has a volunteer day at a hospital. Gavin gave a generous donation to add a new wing.”
Gavin walked in with Nora cradled in one arm. Lyla was momentarily sidetracked as she took in Gavin’s slick appearance. He wore a crisp gray suit with a light blue shirt and silver tie. There was nothing hotter than a man with a baby.
Gavin raised a brow. “Ready?”
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