Off-Limits, page 13
Wondering about that, I had the security guard rewind so I could look for any signs that she was injured. Sure enough, as the person in black made their way back to their own vehicle, they were holding their arm at an awkward angle.
“Bet she fucked up her broken wrist all over again,” Lyla observed.
Clenching my jaw, I nodded, too pissed off to speak.
“She kept her face covered and averted the whole time so we can’t prove it’s Gwen, even though we know it’s her,” she said angrily. “Meaning we have no proof that she broke the restraining order again.”
Gwen wasn’t totally stupid, but she was only digging herself deeper into a hole she would never be able to climb out of.
Chapter 20
Lyla
After the craziness the day before had turned into, completely ruining the plans I’d had to stay in bed with Howler all evening, I was in desperate need of my best friend to vent to on Sunday.
Having gotten a text from Barrick the day before, I knew he and Mia were back together. Present in hand, I knocked on their door the next afternoon, feeling hopeful she was ready to forgive me too.
Braxton opened the door, his German Shepherd Sasha at his heel. “Hey,” he greeted, stepping back to let me in. “Howler let you out of the house without him?”
I shrugged. “He and Judge were talking and I was bored with the conversation, so I stole the town car and the driver and came over.” Turning, I waved at Tony, who was sitting in the driver’s seat parked in the driveway.
He tilted his head in acknowledgment and backed out, knowing his boss wouldn’t give him hell since I was with my cousins.
“Heard about the whole Gwen thing yesterday,” Braxton commented as we walked into the living room. “Watch your back, cuz. That skank has lost her mind.”
“Yeah,” I muttered, sitting on the couch. Sasha sat down on the floor in front of me, putting her head on my knee. Without even thinking, I scratched her head, getting a happy whine from her in reward. “She’s made everyone tense, and I’m getting tired of all this shit. I just want her to go away.”
Laughter coming from the kitchen caught my attention. I recognized Mia’s but the guy’s didn’t belong to Barrick. A moment later, my friend appeared, along with her date from Friday night.
I knew it was her friend Jordan, because Barrick had told me when I’d given him the keys to Howler’s SUV Friday night as he was rushing to chase after her, but it still surprised the hell out of me that Barrick was okay with the guy being in his house. Especially when I suspected that Mia and Jordan hadn’t always been just friends. The way Jordan had looked at her the other night, I was fairly sure he’d seen her naked.
Jordan’s eyes fell on me. “Well, hello there,” he greeted, a smoldering look on his handsome face. “I’m Jordan Moreitti. What’s your name, beautiful?”
Mia elbowed him in the ribs, hard. “Hands to yourself, dummy. This is Lyla, Barrick and Braxton’s cousin.”
His eyes danced with mirth. “So, you’re a bodyguard too. Well, baby, you can guard my body any day of the week.”
“Oh good gods, Jordan. Stop.” She shoved him into a chair before flopping down on the couch beside me.
I quickly thrust the gift into her hands. “Please don’t be mad at me anymore.”
“Don’t lie to me again,” she said, pointing a finger at me. “I mean it.”
“Technically, I didn’t lie,” I reminded her. “I just didn’t tell you the whole truth.”
Mia’s green eyes narrowed on me warningly.
“Okay, okay. I swear on my brother’s life, I will never lie or keep anything from you again.” I crossed my heart then pointed at the bag. “Happy day before your birthday.”
“You shouldn’t have,” she said, but she was already pulling the tissue paper out of the bag.
When she saw the Alex and Ani bracelet I’d created for her, she gasped softly. The charms had screamed Mia when I saw them. One was a pair of ballet slippers, the other simply read “inspire.” Even in the short time she’d been Josie’s dance teacher, I’d seen just how gifted Mia truly was. All of her students loved and looked up to her, and I was glad she was the one who was getting Josie to fall in love with dancing.
Sliding the bracelet onto her wrist, she threw her arms around me, sniffling suspiciously. “Thank you so much. I love it.”
I hugged her back tightly, glad she wasn’t pissed at me anymore. “Don’t cry. Barrick and Braxton will kill me if I make you cry.”
“Fuck yeah, I will,” my older cousin growled as he walked into the living room from the back of the house. He took one look at us, saw the tears in Mia’s eyes, and pointed at the door. “Out, Lyla. If you’re going to make her cry, you’re not welcome here.”
“Wait!” Mia rushed to correct him. “Happy tears, Beast.” She showed him her wrist with the bracelet. “Look at what she gave me for my birthday. Isn’t it pretty?”
“Beautiful,” he agreed, bending to kiss her forehead. When he lifted his head, his eyes were a little calmer. “I guess you can stay, then.”
“Way to shit on everyone else’s present, Lyla,” Braxton grumbled.
I lifted my brows at him. “What did you give her?”
“I’m not saying. Haven’t given it to her yet,” he said with a shrug. “Her birthday is tomorrow.”
“What about you?” I asked Jordan, who was watching us all like we were an entertaining sitcom. “What did you give the birthday girl?”
“Mia isn’t all that into presents. So, I flew out to spend the weekend with her. Not that we spent a lot of time together.” He shot her a mock glare.
“I said I was sorry,” she said sheepishly.
“I don’t see a single ounce of remorse in those pretty green eyes for ditching me yesterday,” he teased.
“What time is your flight again?” Barrick asked, pulling the other guy’s attention to him.
“Four. So I have to get on the road soon since I have to turn in my rental.”
“Are you sure you can’t stay one more night?” Mia asked hopefully. “Please?”
“I wish I could, love,” he told her regretfully. “But I promise I’ll see you again before I go to Italy.”
It wasn’t long before he was saying goodbye. Mia seemed upset, but Barrick led her to their room to cheer her up. I took that as my cue to go.
“See you tomorrow,” I told Braxton as he walked me out to the waiting cab I’d called because Tony hadn’t answered when I’d tried to call him. No doubt I’d catch hell for not waiting on my brother’s driver, but I really just wanted to go home.
“Watch your back, Lyla.” Opening the rear door for me, he gave me a quick hug before stepping back. “If you need anything, call me.”
“Yeah. Love ya, Brax.”
“Love you too, Ly.”
Walking into the house a little while later, I could hear Judge and Howler still talking in the kitchen, but there was no sign of Josie. Missing her, I texted Cherie to see when she was bringing Josie home or if we needed to pick her up.
I didn’t get an immediate reply, and I debated just going over and picking her up right then.
“…can’t fucking make me choose, Judge. Stop being a dick, and just deal with it.”
I stiffened when I heard what Howler was saying. Stopping midstep, I paused, waiting to listen as my heart started pounding out of control, practically holding my breath as I strained to hear.
“Just because you’re unhappy right now with this Ellianna shit doesn’t mean you get to go throwing your weight around and fucking up everyone else’s happiness.”
“This isn’t about me or Ellianna,” Judge told him in a hard voice. “This is about Lyla and her safety. Her happiness. When was the last time you even had a long-term relationship? Gwen? And how well did that end, Howler?”
“Because it’s always been Lyla for me. I love her, man. And I’m not giving her up.”
I closed my eyes, finally able to take a deep enough breath once again.
“Not even if I say you’re banned from the Underground? No more fights. No more—”
“Not even then, asshole. Take it away. Ban me. Stop being my friend. I don’t fucking care. I was stupid all these years, picking you and everything else over her. That’s over now. I won’t let you or anyone else stand in my way.”
Tears blurred my vision, and I had to cover my mouth with both hands to keep from sobbing.
He really is choosing me.
Chapter 21
Howler
The savage look on Judge’s face slowly morphed into a grin.
“About damn time you smartened up,” my best friend said with a smile as he slapped me on the back.
“What the fuck, man?” I demanded, pushing him away.
“Relax. I’m not actually making you choose, dumbass. Just making sure you pulled your head out of your ass and got your priorities straight.” He picked up his beer and drained it before dropping it in the recycling. “When’s Lyla supposed to be ho…me? Fuck.”
I turned at his muttered curse to find Lyla standing in the kitchen doorway, hands on her hips as she glared from me to her brother.
“Now, Lyla, just listen,” Judge began, his hands raised defensively.
“No, you listen, Zachary Bennet. If you ever—and I mean fucking ever—pull this shit again, I will cut you out of my life so fast you’ll get whiplash.” She pointed at the door. “Now, get the hell out. I want you out of my face for the foreseeable future.”
“Right, okay.” He nodded nervously. “I’m sorry, Lyla. Don’t be mad. I was only—”
“I don’t want to hear it,” she snapped at him. “Just go.”
I stood there, holding my breath as Judge shot me an apologetic grimace and made a run for it. Lyla didn’t move until the door slammed in the distance. When it did, she turned to face me, and I nearly dropped to my knees in front of her when I saw the tears in her eyes.
“Baby—”
“You picked me,” she whispered.
“Of course, I picked you. Did you think I wouldn’t?” Before she could answer, I lifted my hands. “Don’t answer that. I think your answer will make me want to kick my own ass.” Moving forward, I was finally able to breathe when I wrapped my arms around her. “I love you so damn much, Lyla. I’m so sorry it’s taken so long for me to put you first, but I swear on everything that is holy, I’ll never make that mistake again.”
Her smile was trembling when she looked up at me. “I believe you.”
I wanted to take her upstairs, but Josie was likely to come home at any time. Instead, I made do with a kiss that had her falling weakly against me, clinging to my shoulders until we heard the front door opening minutes later.
I lifted my head as I heard little feet running through the house. “Daddy! Grandma and I made cupcakes. Do you want one?”
I stepped back from Lyla to find Josie standing beside us with a container of cupcakes. Bending, I lifted her up and placed her on the counter before unboxing the dessert.
“Oh my goodness, Jo. These look so yummy,” Lyla told her as she pulled one from the container and bit into it. “Yup. Best cupcakes I’ve ever tasted.”
Beaming, Josie started telling us about how hard she’d worked on decorating the treats as my mom walked in.
The next day, Lyla went to work with me again, but she left early to get ready for her night out. She was meeting Mia Armstrong’s parents and having dinner to celebrate Mia’s birthday. When Josie and I got home, the house felt empty without her.
“Is Lyla coming home tonight?” Josie asked hopefully as we ate the pizza I’d picked up on the way home.
“Yeah, Jo. She’s just having dinner with Miss Mia,” I assured her.
“Oh yeah.” But not thirty minutes later, as I helped her get ready for bed, she sighed heavily. “I wish Lyla was home already.”
“Me too, sunshine. Me too.” But Lyla had told me she wouldn’t be back until at least after ten, and that was still a while away. I was glad she’d made up with her friend and they were spending time together, but I missed her. Now that I knew what it was like to have Lyla beside me twenty-four seven, I hated being without her for even a few hours.
“Daddy—” She broke off hesitantly, but I could tell she wanted to ask me something.
“What’s wrong, Josie?” I urged, keeping my tone soft.
“I want Lyla to live with us forever,” she finally blurted out, pink filling her cheeks. “Can’t you marry her and she can stay with us and she can be my new mommy?”
I stopped with my hand lifted to brush her hair. Tossing the brush on the bathroom vanity, I turned her to face me. “Is that what you really want, Jo? You want me to marry Lyla?”
She was nodding adamantly before I’d even finished the first question. “Please, Daddy. Please. We love Lyla, right? And she loves us. She takes good care of us, and I like having a mommy who doesn’t hit me and gives me cuddles.”
My heart broke for my little girl at the thought of her biological mother treating her like shit. I should have done something a hell of a lot sooner, should have known something wasn’t right with them. I was never going to forgive myself for not realizing it earlier.
“You’re right, baby girl. And I am going to ask Lyla to marry me, but let’s not tell her yet. Okay?”
“Like a secret?” she whispered.
I grinned. “Yeah. A secret. One only you and I know about. Not even Uncle Judge will know we want to marry Lyla and make her ours.”
She gave me a sly little grin and, like always, I was startled by how much my beautiful daughter looked like me. “Okay, Daddy. But can you marry Lyla soon? I really, really, really want to call her mommy.”
“Very, very soon, kiddo,” I promised.
Chapter 22
Lyla
I was running late to pick up Josie. She normally didn’t go to school on Tuesdays, but we were slowly easing her into going the full five days. This was her first week attending four days instead of the usual three. I’d gotten distracted with a new project Howler was thinking of doing, so when I realized what time it was, I started scrambling to get out the door.
“Hey, hey,” Howler called as he came out of his office. His sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, and the top buttons of his shirt were undone, giving me a tantalizing view of his sexy chest. “Slow down, baby. They aren’t going to hold Josie for ransom just because you’re a few minutes late.”
Grabbing me by the hips, he pulled me in for a slow, deep kiss. When he lifted his head, I was able to breathe a little deeper, and I melted against him. Smirking down at me, he kissed the tip of my nose. “You’re amazing, you know that?”
I blinked up at him, surprised by his comment. “How so?”
“How you love Josie so much, you freak out that you’re a little behind picking her up. How you take such good care of her—and me.” He kissed his way down my neck, not even caring that other staff in the office could see us. That his mother could see us. “I don’t know how I got so lucky that you love me and my daughter so damn much, but I’m thankful, Lyla.”
“Stop,” I whispered fiercely, fighting tears. “You’re going to make me cry.”
“Sorry, babe.” Kissing me again, he gave my ass a firm squeeze then stepped back. “Go. I’ll see you tonight. Hopefully I won’t be too much longer, and I can pick you and Josie up after her dance class.”
“Take your time. I got this.” Blowing him a kiss, I rushed out the door.
Tony was already waiting for me in the parking lot, and no sooner was I in the back seat than he was pulling out into traffic to go get Josie. Of all the security my brother had working for him, Tony was on the newer side, but he drove me almost every time I needed it. We only ever talked long enough for me to tell him where I was going, and I got the feeling he would rather do anything but drive me around like some glorified chauffeur. But my brother paid him well, so he never voiced any complaints that I knew of.
He pulled up in front of the preschool, and I didn’t wait for him to open my door before I was getting out and sprinting into the building. Thankfully, Josie wasn’t even close to being the last student for pickup, and she didn’t seem upset that I was later than usual.
Bouncing over to me, she threw her arms around both my legs. “I drew Miss Mia a birthday card during art time today,” she announced, showing me the folded piece of pink construction paper. “Do you think she will like it?”
I opened it to find a stick figure ballet dancer with red hair and a sloppily written “Happy Birthday! Love, Josie” across the bottom. It was the most precious birthday card I’d ever seen.
“I think she’s going to love it, Jo,” I assured her.
Her teacher came over to join us, bringing Josie’s backpack. “We had a great day today, Miss Bennet,” the woman informed me.
“Awesome. Thanks. Sorry I was late.”
She waved off my apology with a laugh. “Five minutes is nothing, trust me.”
Once Josie had her jacket on, I took her hand and we left. We got home with just enough time for her to have a quick snack and change for dance class before we had to leave again.
As we climbed into the back of the town car once more, I told Tony we were going to the dance school, and he nodded. But when he backed out of the driveway, he didn’t turn in the direction we needed to go.
“Are we going to Daddy’s work before class?” Josie asked casually as she glanced out the side window from her booster seat.
“Tony,” I called up to him. “This isn’t the way to Cora’s.”
His hands tightened around the wheel, and from where I was sitting, I saw a muscle tick in his jaw, but he didn’t answer.
“Tony, what are you doing?” I demanded, already pulling my phone from my purse to call Judge and bitch about the driver.
