Laken’s face has turned ashen, and Nico looks moments away from losing his shit.
“She’s going to stay here with us for a few days,” I say carefully. “The doctor said she shouldn’t fly for at least seventy-two hours due to what she was drugged with and a possible concussion.”
I’m lying through my ass, but my instincts are screaming at me not to let her go home, especially because it’s clearly not what she wants.
“No, Laken will be coming home.”
“No, she won’t,” I snap. “It was my men that stepped into a dangerous situation to save your daughter, and therefore she will remain in our care until I’m certain it’s safe for her to fly across the country.”
“Who do you think you are? How do I know you won’t hurt her?”
“Because my girlfriend would kill me herself if I ever laid hands on a woman. Now, I called out of courtesy, but I will organize for Laken to fly home once a doctor has cleared her.” My tone leaves no room for arguments, but that’s not going to stop him.
He sees his daughter like a commodity, not a human being, and as such, it’s clear he thinks he’ll get his own way. Which he won’t.
“Put my daughter on,” he demands.
I meet Laken’s gaze. “No can do. She’s asleep, and the doctor said it was important she get some rest. I’ll have her call you when she’s feeling up to it.”
“Wake her up then,” he growls.
“No. Like I said, while Laken is here in De Luca care, we will be following the doctor’s orders to the letter. Thank you for returning my call. We’ll speak soon.”
I hang up before he can respond, and Cruz chuckles. “God, I hate that guy,” he says. “Glad it was you dealing with him and not me.”
“Your dad is a real piece of work,” I say to Laken.
“You have no idea,” she murmurs, dropping her gaze to her hands.
I don’t like that.
I don’t like that one bit.
Lexi glances over her shoulder at me, worry etched into her brow. “We’ll work something out,” I tell her softly.
I don’t know how, because that asshole doesn’t seem like a reasonable member of society and clearly only views his daughter as a stepping stone, but it won’t be the first shitty Mafia boss we’ve dealt with, and likely won’t be the last.
“How about we all get some rest? Unfortunately, I don’t have a spare bedroom, but the couches are more than comfortable enough to sleep on.” I’m asking both Laken and Nico what they want to do, because it’s clear he’s going wherever she goes.
“I don’t want to be an inconvenience,” she says softly.
Lexi pushes out of my lap, and I allow her to go despite how badly I need to feel her in my arms. She drops into a crouch beside Laken and places a gentle hand on her knee. “You’re not an inconvenience to us. You saved us today. You protected me even when your own eyes were burning from the smoke. Please stay with us. Even if it’s just for tonight.”
Laken swallows before nodding once, which in turn allows Nico’s shoulders to relax.
I’d probably give him shit for how clearly obsessed he is, but seeing as I’ve stalked my girlfriend for most of our lives, I don’t have a leg to stand on.
“The couch would be great,” he says, pushing himself to his feet. “I’ll get one of my guys to bring my bag to reception.”
“You don’t have to get back to Vegas?” Lexi asks with a smirk.
He levels her with a glare. “Not tonight.”
Welcome to the simp club, Nico Sinclair. Population: all the men in this room.
FIFTY-EIGHT
LEXI
