Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 53862 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 269(@200wpm)___ 215(@250wpm)___ 180(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 53862 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 269(@200wpm)___ 215(@250wpm)___ 180(@300wpm)
“I know you didn’t arrange for me to protect her from a disgruntled agent who liked to overwork her. The man she fired yesterday has no reason to return to harass her further.”
“You’re correct. There’s more to it. I’m sure your gut already tells you that,” Kingsley responded.
Phoenix rubbed his forehead. “I don’t believe the asshole who showed up this morning was simply a rabid fan with no connection to Zhivers, either.”
“I agree.”
“So what am I working with here, Kingsley?” Phoenix asked in frustration. “There has to be money involved. A fuckton of it if my speculation is correct. I know Lyra is a well-known cellist, but she’s not making billions of dollars playing her instrument. Setting her up to play all over the globe night after night is not making Boyd Zhivers rich. He’s on a salary.”
“Have you verified that Zhivers is not siphoning her money?” Kingsley asked.
“Not yet. We intend to call her accountant to make sure her financial situation hasn’t been compromised by Boyd, but it just doesn’t make any sense. I keep circling back to the fact that she can’t possibly be making enough money to line Boyd’s pockets and make him rich even if he stole all of it.”
“And this is why I’ve arranged for you to protect her,” Kingsley said, his voice roughening. “It doesn’t add up.”
“Perhaps she has an inheritance coming that she’s unaware of,” Phoenix suggested.
“It’s a possibility.”
Phoenix wracked his brain. “I wonder if Boyd is gambling or has some other financial dealings in the locations where he arranges for her to play.”
“I’ve considered those options, but they seem like a stretch. He could just as easily have left her to vacation in New Zealand as she’d requested and gone to Japan without her if he wanted to gamble or meet with people. Why force her to go with him? This isn’t the first time. He has made arrangements for her to play in unusual locations all over the world in between tours with her quartet. The woman must be exhausted.”
“She is.” Phoenix glanced at the monitor in front of him and smiled. Lyra was sound asleep with that tarantula clutched in her arms. Exhausted was an understatement.
“I’m sorry I don’t have more information for you, but do not let your guard down. My gut tells me you have not seen the last of Zhivers.”
Phoenix drew in a deep breath. “Understood. Thank you.”
“Keep that precious Little girl safe, Phoenix. I know I don’t have to tell you that.” His voice was lighter. The omniscient man was well aware that Phoenix had already claimed her as his own.
As he ended the call, Phoenix sat back and stared at the ceiling. Kingsley was the most mysterious man on earth. It was mindboggling. None of the team quite understood him. Maybe they never would.
Chapter Fifteen
Lyra was slightly nervous as she stepped into the elevator with her Daddy later that afternoon. She felt like a million bucks after her nap—even though she was loath to tell Phoenix he’d been right. He’d woken her up after an hour, dressed her in clothing he’d apparently purchased for her, and left her to practice in their apartment for three hours.
When he’d returned fifteen minutes ago, he’d informed her she needed some downtime to get to know the women who lived with the other Daddies.
She’d met them all but hadn’t spent much time with them yet. Apparently, they’d planned a craft hour with her before dinner.
She looked up at her Daddy as the elevator descended. “Are you sure about this?” She glanced down at her dress. She’d loved it from the moment he’d put it on her. It was nothing like anything she’d owned in the last twenty years. Not since she’d been a child.
The dress was pink with a row of tiny roses sewn into the hem, the neckline, and the short sleeves. It was feminine and so pretty, but she looked and felt like she was five. That had been fine and even fun while she’d been alone practicing, but what would the other women think when they saw her?
“Positive, Little one. Trust me.”
Lyra chewed on her bottom lip, uncertain. What did Phoenix know about women’s clothing? Surely, he was mistaken, and she was about to feel incredibly foolish.
When the elevator opened and they stepped out into the basement level, a loud chorus of “Surprise!” made her jump. All four of the other women were waiting for her, bouncing on their feet excitedly. They were also dressed similarly in pretty dresses and cute shoes. They had their hair up in pigtails and braids.
The vision was surreal, but Lyra felt relieved and kind of excited. “What’s the surprise?” she asked as Phoenix encouraged her to step closer, his hands on her shoulders.
Sadie giggled. “We just wanted to officially welcome you to the family. We asked the Daddies to let us have a little welcome party. We even have treats.” She pointed toward a table that had been set up in the corner of the room. It was so pretty. In the center was a three-tiered arrangement covered with tiny cakes and cookies. There was pink punch in a pitcher. Each place setting had pretty paper plates and cups covered with flowers.