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)
“Yes! Thank you, miss. I loved hearing your music. I play the violin, but it doesn’t sound like that. You could make that cello laugh, sing, and cry,” Jeremiah complimented energetically.
“You are very smart to play the violin. If you practice, you can get it to sound just as good as my cello, Jeremiah,” Lyra shared, beaming at the excited child. It wasn’t often that classical musicians were viewed like rock stars.
“I’ll practice. I promise!”
“You don’t by chance give lessons, do you?” the husband asked.
“I…”
Boyd’s voice interrupted her. “Sir, Lyra Bloom does not give lessons to beginning students.”
She continued to focus on Jeremiah, ignoring the man who’d once ruled her life and career. A glance from the corner of her eye told her all she needed to know. Phoenix already stood between herself and Boyd. Sadie had taken a place by her side. “I don’t usually have time to give lessons, but I’m here on a bit of a break. Did you bring your violin on vacation?”
“I did, miss. It goes everywhere with me.”
“You are very dedicated.”
Lyra looked up at the couple behind the boy and could read the eagerness in their eyes. The chance of running into a stunning young talent was minuscule, but anything was possible. “I would be glad to practice with you tomorrow at ten if the hotel has a room where we could meet…?”
Sadie immediately volunteered, “I will make sure the conference room is available from ten to ten thirty.”
“Reserve it for us until eleven, please, Sadie. I can tell we’ll need some time to work,” Lyra requested.
“May we come with Jeremiah?” his mother asked.
“Of course. I will ask that you remain quiet as we work together,” Lyra said.
“Thank you, Miss Bloom,” the father said. “What do you say, Jeremiah?”
“That’s bomb!” the young man said, bouncing excitedly.
“Try that again. Miss Bloom isn’t going to understand our New Zealand phrases,” his mom instructed firmly.
“Thank you. This is a true honor, miss,” Jeremiah said from the heart.
“You are very welcome. Who knows? Maybe I’ll get to say I practiced with the legendary Jeremiah…” Lyra allowed her voice to trail off.
“Saunders,” Jeremiah supplied.
“Oh, yes. I practiced with the legendary violinist Jeremiah Saunders,” Lyra said again, unable to prevent an amused smile from stretching her lips at his expression of joy.
“Come, Jeremiah,” the father said. “There are people waiting to talk to Miss Bloom. We’ll see you tomorrow at ten.”
“Lyra, call your goon off me,” Boyd demanded, trying to get around the large blockade in front of him.
“Phoenix, it’s okay. You can let him approach.” Lyra turned to pick up a piece of paper tucked under the small table holding her water. “I wanted to give you this.”
Keeping her face completely composed, she extended the paper to Boyd and held her breath as he opened it.
“What is this bullshit, Lyra? You have events scheduled throughout the next two years. You can’t just decide you’re not playing anymore,” Boyd said, bristling.
“I will be performing, Boyd, perhaps at those events or others. A new manager will soon represent me. The important part is I won’t be working with a man who locked me into a hotel room. That’s called kidnapping and was the last straw.”
“I didn’t kidnap you,” Boyd said quietly as he looked around. “I just found a secure place for you to come to your senses. If you’ll gather your things quickly, I’ll call to book seats on the next flight to Japan.”
“You should ask one of the other members of the quartet if they’d like to do a solo tour in Japan. I’m not going.”
“Look, bitch. You work for me. If I say you’re going to Japan, you’ll get your pampered ass on a plane,” Boyd hissed.
Lyra cringed away from him, scared for the first time by the look of rage that contorted her ex-manager’s face. What is going on? There were a million cellists out there. She was one of the top twenty but replaceable. Boyd knew that.
“That’s it. You’re done here. Please go get your things and leave the resort. Security will escort you directly there. Your room fee will be reimbursed,” Phoenix said, inserting himself once again between Boyd and Lyra as Hawking magically appeared to take Boyd’s arm and pull him away.
Boyd bristled and jerked his arm away.
Before he could bluster, Hawking calmly told him, “I will call the police and have you forcibly removed from the property if you do not leave quietly. In New Zealand, nonresidents are banned from the country quickly and efficiently if they create a problem.”
“Leaving is exactly what I’m trying to do. She needs to come with me.”
“That’s not going to happen. Let’s go.” Hawking shepherded Boyd with two other members of his security force to the elevator.
“I don’t know what’s going on,” Lyra protested to Phoenix. “That was way over the top for Boyd.”