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)
He set a hand over one of hers. “You’re okay. Take some deep breaths.”
She glanced around at the chaos. Tears threatened to fall. “I’m so sorry. This is my fault, isn’t it?”
“No, Little one. It’s not your fault.”
“But I shouldn’t have come out here to play. I was feeling defiant and, and…” Her breath hitched. “I can’t believe the sprinklers went off. I didn’t think of that.”
Phoenix inched closer. “Lyra, I set off the sprinklers.”
Her eyes widened. “You did?”
“Yes, Crash. We were all watching that guy. He was stalking you. We didn’t want to alarm the hotel guests, so I created a diversion instead.”
“Isn’t everyone mad, though?” She lifted her gaze to find the hotel guests laughing as they shook out their blankets on the sidewalk.
“Nope. I think everyone took it pretty well. No one got soaked. They just jumped up and ran.” He squeezed her hand. “Let’s get you inside.”
“I’m in trouble, aren’t I?”
“What do you think, Little one?”
She slowly nodded.
“Why are you in trouble?” he asked, forcing her to voice what she’d done.
“Because I didn’t ask you first before I came out here. Are you going to spank me?” She sat up straighter. The thought made her heart race faster. Every time she thought about him spanking her bottom, she squirmed, which made her face heat with embarrassment.
“Yes, Crash. Daddy is going to spank your naughty bottom. I suspect you knew that might happen before you made this choice.” He lifted a brow.
She swallowed. Had she done this on purpose? Not inviting the stalker, of course. She hadn’t expected anyone to come after her. But in the back of her mind, she probably had known if she came outside and gathered a crowd for a performance, she would end up over his knees.
Phoenix rose to his feet. “Come.” He held out a hand.
She took it.
Sadie approached, holding a mic. She started speaking into it. “Folks, I’m so sorry about the sprinklers. Please let me know at the front desk if we caused anyone harm. I wasn’t thinking about them possibly going off when I set up this little concert.”
It looked like most of the crowd was still laughing and waved her off. A few people could be heard thanking Lyra for the music and hoping they would get to see her perform again soon.
Magnus picked up Lyra’s chair. “Did you not have any music or a stand?” he asked.
She shook her head. “No. I can play a lot of things without sheet music.”
“Impressive.” He grinned as he headed toward the side door.
Phoenix led her along behind him, threading his fingers with hers.
Yeah, she was going to get her bottom spanked, and she was pretty sure she was going to enjoy it.
Chapter Eleven
“What did he say?” Lyra asked an hour later. She’d spent that hour pacing in Phoenix’s apartment, where he’d led her and left her after a stern lecture not to come out for any reason.
She’d known he would be interrogating the man who’d approached her, and she was glad to have Phoenix and all the other men in her court, protecting her.
Phoenix sat on the couch and pulled her between his legs. He was so large and imposing that even sitting didn’t diminish his size. With his hands on her hips, he met her gaze. “He insisted he’s just a huge fan of yours and was hoping to get an autograph.”
She stiffened. “Do you believe him?”
“Not for a second, Crash. We are all confident he’s connected to Boyd, but there wasn’t much we could do except escort him off the property with a stern warning not to return.”
She started trembling. “Why would Boyd send someone to harass me? Do you think he wants to punish me for firing him?”
Phoenix pulled her closer. “Unfortunately, no. I think there’s more to it, Lyra, and until we figure out what Boyd’s motive is, I want you to stay out of sight. Unless I or one of my teammates can be with you, I want you to stay either on this floor or in the basement. No one besides us can access these two safe spaces.” His gaze was narrowed.
She set her hand on his shoulders. “Okay, Daddy.”
“Did you say your accountant handles payroll and is responsible for paying Boyd’s salary?”
“Yes. Tracy.”
“And you trust her?”
“Definitely. I’ve never had a single issue with her. She’s been with me since before I was even an adult.”
“Okay. Is she in Kentucky?”
Lyra nodded.
“Then, we should call her first thing tomorrow morning. We want to catch her before her work day is over. Make sure she knows that Boyd is no longer on the payroll and ensure that nothing wonky has been happening with your money.”
Her breath hitched. “Do you think he might be stealing from me?”
“I have no idea, but we have to assume something about you is lucrative to him. Based on what you’ve told me, the man has shown very little interest in you romantically for a long time. He’s obviously not in love with you if he ever was. Since he keeps you overbooked, I assume he’s somehow taking a cut of your earnings, either by siphoning from the top or taking money under the table. His behavior for the past few days suggests he’s desperate to keep you under his control. We need to know why. We’ll start with your accountant and move from there.”