Page 59 of Her Guardian
“Really?” I blink a few times and shake my head. “I definitely don’t remember that.”
“Big Boyd got rid of him before he even had a chance to talk to you,” Lea laughs. “But the way Big Boyd was looking at you? I saw it.”
“So, was this whole thing your idea?” My brow furrows. “You told Massimo to put me with Big Boyd to see if the sparks would fly?”
“Oh, no, I didn’t have anything to do with that.” Lea shakes her head. “That was all Massimo. Honestly, he probably just wanted to prove me wrong. When I told him what I saw, he said no fucking way. Not Big Boyd.”
“Well, you were right,” I sigh. “I almost talked to him at the wedding, but I chickened out. I mean, I wasn’t expecting to date him or anything. I just… I don’t know. Thought he seemed interesting.”
“He’s a good man,” Lea says. “Massimo has told me some things about him. Has he told you what happened to the girl he used to be with?”
“The showgirl?” I question. “He said that wasn’t serious.”
“No, the girl from… what was it… the Broken Lily? Rowan’s dad owns it.” Lea’s face scrunches like she’s trying to recall more information.
“Yeah, that’s the place,” I confirm. “Boyd took me there. Rowan’s dad called them the Four Musketeers. Massimo, Leo, Rowan, and Boyd. Five when Emilio came with them.”
“Musketeers?” Lea laughs. “Massimo said they were the Four Horsemen. Anyway, there was a girl named Beth. Big Boyd cared about her a lot. He even proposed to her.”
“Oh, my goodness!” My hand flies to my mouth. “He said there was a girl he cared about once, but didn’t really elaborate.”
“She turned him down. Said she couldn’t be with a guy like him. Not long term, at least. He was in love, but it was just a fling for her,” Lea sighs. “Massimo said after that, Big Boyd was never really the same. He never got close to anyone. Probably because he was scared—if a guy like Big Boyd ever gets scared.”
“I mean, I get it,” I say, moving my hand to my lap and fiddling with the hem of my t-shirt. “You were pretty hesitant, too. Being with someone like Massimo.”
“Absolutely,” Lea admits. “And if you have the same hesitations, I understand. Just don’t lead him on. He might be the biggest guy in most rooms, but I think there’s more to him than that.”
I nod in understanding. It doesn’t make me see Boyd in a new light or anything, but it does make me understand him a little more. Why he’s so possessive. Why he’s so protective. Why he’s so adamant that I’mhis.
“I’ll be honest with him,” I sigh. “But enough about that. What’s going on with you? Are you still going to wait to find out if you’re having a boy or girl?”
“Massimo wants to wait,” Lea answers. “I didn’t want to, but with the Mafia Prince Killer in Las Vegas, I’m okay with waiting.You don’t think I have anything worry about, right? Massimo has so many people following me around, I’ve never felt safer, but…”
“He’s never targeted a pregnant woman before,” I say, my voice reflecting some unease, despite what I’m saying. “And he’s had an opportunity. In New Jersey, he killed the stepson, rather than the new wife who was pregnant. He gassed her while she was sitting in a nursery that was definitely for a boy.”
“So, they just need to catch him before I give birth,” Lea says, putting her hand on her stomach.
“At the speed he’s moving, I don’t think he’ll be here that long.” I lean over and pat her hand. “Seriously, three victims in two days? He might be done before the end of the week.”
“Unless Massimo finds him first,” Lea mutters. “Or the cops, I suppose. What about the other guy? The one in prison? Do you think it’s the real Mafia Prince Killer in Las Vegas or a copycat?”
“I don’t know.” I shrug. “The nerve agent is different, but that doesn’t mean it’s a different killer. They could be working together, but it didn’t sound like it based on what he wrote on the wall at the first murder in Las Vegas.”
“I saw your podcast is trending,” Lea says with a hint of a smile. “I guess you’re getting what you came to Las Vegas for, even if isn’t what you were expecting.”
“That’s true,” I admit. “But I’d be happy to cut this series short because he gets caught. Either by Massimo’s menorthe cops.”
Lea and I spent some more time catching up before she leaves with her entourage. I don’t have a message from Boyd yet, so I wander into the casino.
I’m not in the mood to gamble, even if I can count cards and win some money.
I just need something to distract me until I hear from Boyd, otherwise I’m going to spend the entire time worrying about him.
CHAPTER 23
Boyd
This might be the first time I’ve felt a little guilty about drawing my weapon and putting down a bunch of assholes.
