2. Layla

Chapter two

Layla

I ’m a monster.

That’s the only thought in my head. I am a complete monster.

Only a monster would kill someone that they love to save face. I suppose I’ve truly become a cold-hearted mob boss now. The memory of Sean’s face when I held the gun to his head popped into my brain, and I sat up in bed. No! I can’t think about that. I can’t think about him, not like that. I forced myself out of bed as I shoved the image out of my brain.

What’s done is done. I have to try to move forward.

I took a quick shower and dressed for the day. Dash and Dire were waiting for me in the hall and flanked me as I went downstairs. Drew was at my side when my stilettos hit the foyer tile.

“How are you feeling?” he asked, trying to pull me into a hug.

I sidestepped him as I continued to my office. “I’m fine,” I told him.

I wasn’t fine—not even a little bit—but sometimes you have to fake it til you make it, and that’s what I was going to do.

“You don’t have to put on a brave face, Layla. Not with me,” Drew replied, following me into my office and shutting the door.

“I’m not,” I replied. “I said I’m fine, so I’m fine.”

“Do you want to talk about it?”

“There isn’t anything to talk about, Drew. Have we heard anything new about Keith?”

“We haven’t,” he replied. His look told me he wasn’t buying my act but wouldn’t press the issue for now. “I can call the hospital if you’d like.”

“No, I’ll call,” I told him as I sat at my desk. My wolves stuck close to my side, and I stroked their heads as I stared at him until he left. I shook my head at his back, dreading the over-the-top treatment I was going to be receiving from my men. Just because I understood their reasoning and loved how much they cared for me didn’t mean I had to like them treating me like a fragile little flower. I found the number and called AtlantiCare Regional. After going through their automated system, I reached the nurse’s desk for the ICU.

“Hello. This is Layla Romano. I’m calling for the status of Keith Simmons.”

“Just one moment, ma’am,” the nurse replied. The line clicked as elevator music began to play. I tapped my fingers on my desk impatiently while waiting for her to return on the line. I didn’t know what I would do if she came back with bad news. I didn’t think I could handle any more death right now.

“Ma’am?”

“Yes, I’m here,” I said nervously.

“Mr. Simmons made it out of surgery. The doctors were able to stop the bleeding. He is in a coma but stable for now. He isn’t out of the woods yet, but they are optimistic he will fully recover.”

I breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank you so much. If Keith’s status changes, can you call me right away?”

“Yes, ma’am, I can.”

I gave her my number and ended the call as Zach entered my office.

“Hey, LG. How are you holding up?” he asked as he came to sit on the edge of my desk.

I ignored my annoyance because I knew he was just worried about me. “I’m fine. I just got off the phone with the hospital. Keith is stable but still in a coma. The doctors are optimistic about his recovery.”

“That’s great news!” Zach replied. “Have you eaten?”

I glared at him. Zach didn’t typically act like a mother hen. “Not yet.”

“Can I bring you anything?”

“I’m good, Zach. Stop hovering. I promise I will let you know if I need something. How’s your arm?”

“A little sore, but nothing to worry about,” he replied.

“Good.” I didn’t want to think about how much worse it could have been.

“Are you sure I can’t get you anything? I’m heading to the kitchen now, and I have to pass right by you again.”

“Zach,” I warned. Zach sighed but left my office. Seconds later, the door reopened.

“I swear to God, if you don’t stop hovering over me, I will lose it!” I growled. I looked up to see Molly frozen in the doorway.

“Sorry, Boss. I can go...,” she trailed off.

“No, you’re fine, Molly. I thought you were one of my men. What are you doing here?”

She stepped the rest of the way into the office and closed the door behind her. “Colton called me and said the staff was allowed back at the house again, so I came right over. I figured there would be a lot of work to be done, so how can I help?”

I’ve never appreciated Molly more than I do right now. I didn’t know if she knew about Sean, but she wanted to get to work instead of peppering me for details about what happened. “Can you start compiling a list of everyone we lost? Their families will need to be notified, and I would rather it came from us than the police. I also want to cover all funeral expenses, so if you could work with the families and the funeral homes to get that done, I would appreciate it. Talk to Tyler if you have any questions or need checks written.”

“Consider it done,” Molly replied as she sat at her desk and got to work.

Now that she had taken that massive task off my plate, I decided to poke around the kitchen and find something to eat. Tyler was by my side when I stepped out of the office. “Not you, too,” I groaned.

“What?” he asked.

“I really need you guys to stop hovering over me like you’re waiting for me to fall apart. It isn’t helping. I know you mean well, but all you’re doing is annoying me,” I said.

“Hey,” Tyler said softly, grabbing my arm lightly to stop me. Begrudgingly, I turned to face him. “We’re just worried about you, baby. I know you aren’t fine and that’s ok. Just promise me that you won’t push yourself too hard.”

“I promise,” I grumbled.

“Thank you,” Tyler replied, kissing my cheek. “Have you eaten?”

I barely managed to keep from rolling my eyes. “I was headed to the kitchen now,” I replied with almost no attitude.

Tyler raised his eyebrows at my response.

Almost. I said almost. “Sorry,” I sighed.

“I’ll let it slide,” he teased. “Go eat; if you need anything, you know where to find me.”

I mock-saluted him and turned to walk away, earning myself a sharp slap on my ass. “Keep it up, Layla,” Tyler warned, sending tingles down my spine from the dark promise in his words. Beneath that nerdy shell was a man more than capable of getting rough when needed. I was beginning to think that maybe that was what I needed.

Cordy was at the stove when I entered the kitchen. Jenn and Autumn were sitting at the table. “Just in time!” Cordy announced when she saw me. “I made potato soup. Sit.”

I sat across from Autumn, grabbed a slice of freshly baked Italian bread, and spread butter on it. Soup and bread sounded heavenly.

“Where is Sean?” Autumn asked after I took a bite of my bread, causing me to nearly choke on it. “I haven’t seen him today.”

Jenn quickly poured me a glass of ice water to wash it down. I drank the water as I contemplated how I would answer Autumn’s question. I knew I couldn’t tell her the truth about how he died, but I couldn’t pretend he hadn’t.

I set the glass on the table, buying myself a few more precious moments before meeting Autumn’s eyes. “Autumn, sweety. You know how we ran into some trouble yesterday, and a lot of people got hurt or killed?”

“Yeah,” Autumn replied cautiously.

“Well, honey, Sean was one of the people who died. He’s gone, honey,” I said gently.

“No! I don’t believe you,” Autumn yelled, tears building in her eyes. “You said yesterday that everyone was ok. You lied!”

“I know it seems like that, but it wasn’t time to tell you yet,” I replied, reaching for her hand across the table. She pulled her hand into her lap and glared at me. I couldn’t blame her for how she felt. If she knew the truth, she’d truly hate me.

“I want to see him,” Autumn demanded.

“I’m really sorry, Autumn, but there isn’t anything to see. He’s been cremated. I know you’re going to miss him. I’m going to miss him too,” I said, choking back a sob. I stood and went to hug Autumn, but she turned and buried her face into her mother’s side instead.

“What about a funeral?” Jenn asked.

I shook my head as Cordy came to my side and wrapped her arms around me. “Can’t have a funeral. There is too much going on right now, and it wouldn’t be safe,” I replied. I patted Cordy’s arm and left the kitchen without another word, the sounds of Autumn’s sobs following me. I felt a lump grow in my throat as I returned to my office.

“Molly, you can leave or go work in your office for the rest of the day,” I said in a monotone voice as I crossed the threshold. She gave me a worried look as she gathered her things and left but didn’t question my order.

I locked the door behind her, grabbed a bottle of whisky from the bar cart, and put some ice in a glass. I took both back to my desk with Dash and Dire trailing behind me. Drinking my lunch sounded like a much better plan.