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)
“Sounds like you have a smart accountant.”
“Boyd didn’t like her, but I didn’t want to hassle with changing to someone else. It would’ve taken me away from practicing. Besides, I always felt that Boyd did more at the end of the month when he would have to fill out that form. It motivated him to find gigs for me.”
“Thank goodness you didn’t allow him to pressure you to change.”
She slumped back against her chair. “What are we going to do when he gets here? Should I just tell him that he’s fired as my agent?”
“You could leave him a letter at the desk,” Phoenix suggested.
“I’m not afraid of Boyd,” Lyra stated firmly.
“I am.”
She raised her eyebrows. “You could snap Boyd in half with one arm tied behind your back.”
He liked how her eyes traced his powerful shoulders and down one arm. “I’m not concerned with what he’ll do to me. I can protect myself. I am worried about how he’ll act when he sees you.”
“What can he do? I’m my own person. I completed my legal obligations and can do what I want. I wish he hadn’t found me, but he already knows I’m here. Or that I’ve been here. Even with the tracker turned off, he’ll hear my music and know I’m here,” Lyra pointed out.
“The basement is soundproofed. You could practice there.”
Immediately, Lyra shook her head. “I’ll drive everyone crazy. I repeat the same passage over and over until I have it perfected. Then I start back at the beginning of the song and play it until I hit another roadblock.”
“You did fine practicing here this morning,” Phoenix pointed out. “When I passed, I saw several people stop to figure out where the music was coming from. They were transfixed.”
“Boyd will recognize my style immediately.” She sighed. “I guess it doesn’t matter. I’ll have to talk to him sometime.”
“Not alone,” Phoenix growled.
“I’ll let you back me up if you’ll let me handle him. Promise that you’ll be an observer only.”
“I promise as long as he’s pleasant, I’ll smile. If he becomes a jerk, I’ll step in,” Phoenix firmly stated. He wouldn’t allow Boyd to hurt her in any way.
“I can live with that.”
“Does this clear up any questions you were struggling with about what I know and what my motivation is?”
Lyra’s gaze went back to the screen. “It’s eerie to see my life boiled down to a form. There are a lot of blanks there,” she pointed out.
Phoenix scanned the empty spaces. She didn’t have any friends or enemies listed, no pets, no debts… It was practically devoid of all the usual things most people would have. Even playing the cello was listed on a blank spot labeled “Other.” Lyra definitely wasn’t compatible with the average profile.
“Thank you for sharing this with me. It felt icky not knowing what you knew and whether it was truthful. I should’ve trusted you. I do trust you,” she quickly said, amending her statement.
“I’m glad. It’s always okay to ask questions, Little girl. If you’re worried, talk to me.”
“Okay. I promise.”
“So, you’re going to talk to him?” Phoenix asked after a second’s pause.
“Yes. I’ll ask Sadie to set up a place and time for us when he checks in.”
Phoenix felt his phone buzz. He looked at his screen and related the message. “Hawking just spotted someone fitting Boyd’s description at the front door.”
“I don’t want to talk to him now,” Lyra said, her face turning pale.
“You don’t have to ever talk to him,” Phoenix assured her.
When her eyes narrowed, he amended his answer. “You can meet with him if you wish, but only if that’s what you choose.”
Her shoulders lowered from around her ears as her fight impulse dissolved at his answer. “Thank you, Phoenix. I’m sorry, but my emotions are all over the place. I didn’t see this coming, and I’m struggling to get everything resolved in my brain.”
“It’s okay, Little girl. You do this on your schedule. What would help you most? Playing your cello or taking a nap?”
“Cello.”
“Then that’s what you’re going to do.”
“And if he hears the music?” Lyra asked.
“The front desk would never reveal the location of any guest without their permission. He’ll just have to wait until you’re ready to talk to him.”
“Does Sadie still want me to perform tonight?”
“I’m sure Sadie would like you to play for the guests whenever you are prepared to do so,” Phoenix assured her.
“Tell her I’ll play tonight at seven,” Lyra said with a determined glimmer in her eyes.
“I’ll do it, Little girl. I’ll come get you for an early dinner,” Phoenix suggested.
“Oh, no. I don’t eat before a performance. I’ll practice until it’s time to appear. You’ll come to take me to the right location?” Lyra asked.
“Yes, Crash. I’ll be your escort.”
“Could I have several sheets of paper? I want to fire Boyd officially in writing.”