Chapter 22

Chapter Twenty-Two

Hearing Phoenix's voice in the gathering room outside their apartment, Lyra quickly set down her bow and balanced the cello on its side. Standing, she burst through the door to see him coming through the big room.

"Daddy!" Lyra ran forward to throw herself into Phoenix's arms.

He caught her easily and hugged her tightly before capturing her upturned lips in a sizzling kiss. "Now that's a proper way to greet your Daddy," he teased before kissing her lightly this time.

Lyra wiggled herself down to stand in front of him. "You're all cut up. What happened to you? Do you need to go to the doctor? Tell me what's going on," she demanded.

Phoenix raised one eyebrow. "Want to try that again?"

"Sorry. I've been so worried. Can you tell me what's happening?"

"I can tell you some of it. Let's go downstairs and join the others," he invited.

Ushering her over to the elevator, Phoenix pushed the button and led her inside. Seconds later, they stepped into the crowded basement and joined everyone gathered around the giant sectional. Phoenix lifted her off her feet and helped her settle onto his lap. She smoothed a finger over one scrape on his cheek and immediately lifted her hand when he grimaced. "Sorry. Where did all these come from?"

"Kestrel did that by flying the helicopter directly overhead," Phoenix reported, throwing his teammate under the bus. "He created the distraction we needed to take the first guy down and get the second out of the vehicle. Unfortunately, he stirred up so many small pieces of gravel we all got a bit sliced and diced."

"Sorry, guys," Kestrel said with a grin. "At least I kept the bad guys from being able to target you."

"We're not complaining," Hawking commented. "A few scrapes will heal."

"So, what did you do with the bad guys?" Lyra asked.

"Thankfully, Kingsley had a few contacts in the police department. We called in all five of them and turned over the bad guys, the diamonds, and the guns they'd created," Phoenix shared.

"Out of everything, they were the most pissed about the guns," Caesar said, shaking his head. "Turns out that in New Zealand, the blatant attempt to circumvent the country's arms regulations made them the angriest. Smuggling is a problem for a country with fifteen thousand kilometers of coastline. Diamonds are uncommon for them. It turns out cigarettes are the hot commodity for smuggling here."

"What are they going to do with Boyd?" Lyra asked.

"For now, they're holding him. I would bet he'll be transported back to the US for prosecution. Kingsley will make sure that he pays for endangering you," Phoenix promised her.

"What about all the information that Boyd gave them about me?" Lyra asked and pulled her feet up to wrap her arms around her shins.

"Unfortunately, the men's phones were completely smashed during the skirmish. The SIM cards containing photos and taped conversations were destroyed," Hawking said.

"With luck, they didn't upload them to any online storage platforms. I am currently monitoring those," Magnus told her.

"So, we won't know how badly my identity is screwed for a while," Lyra said before dropping her forehead to her knees.

"The men were operating on a private cell network that did not function here in NZ. It's doubtful they uploaded anything," Magnus said, trying to reassure her as Phoenix rubbed her back.

"We'll be vigilant and monitor everything," Phoenix said gruffly. "Magnus has already notified your bank and credit cards that your information has been compromised."

"You did that for me?" she asked, peeking up at the tech guy.

"I did. We all take care of each other here, Lyra," Magnus assured her.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome."

"What are we supposed to do now?" she asked.

"We're going to take showers and rinse the grime away from Kestrel's tornado. The kitchen is preparing a spaghetti and meatball feast for us. And then I thought you might like to relax and watch a movie," Phoenix suggested.

"Not a scary one," Lyra said to make sure her Daddy remembered what had happened the last time.

"Not a scary one," Phoenix agreed and rubbed the slight green bruise that lingered on his jaw.

"We thought the stuffies might want to join us for a pajama movie marathon," Hawking said.

"That would be so fun," Celeste cheered, clapping her hands. "Let's go get cleaned up!"

The Littles jumped from their Daddies' laps and raced to the elevator. Crowding in together, they chattered happily about the plans. Lyra activated the fifth floor. As the doors closed, a loud sound of a throat clearing interrupted their conversation. The women turned to see their Daddies standing just outside the door as the panels slid together.

"We forgot them!" Zara laughed, sparking instant giggles that filled the car as it rose.

"Oops!" Lyra said, trying to look sorry.

That only made everyone laugh harder.

Kestrel pushed the dinner cart off the elevator. The aroma of delicious Italian seasonings drifted through the air, making people sniff appreciatively and walk quickly to the table. As they settled into their seats, Kestrel unloaded the cart. When the wrapped garlic bread and the covered dish sat on the table, he picked up the silver ladle and handed it to Lyra.

"I hear you have some announcements for us," Kestrel said with a smile.

"I do. I've decided to stay at Danger Bluff with you all for an extended time. I had already planned to take two months off before my next concert. Now, I'll need to find a new manager. So, I'm going to extend that break for six months. That gives me time to practice, tend to business items, and make sure that no one else from the illegal gem market is out there to threaten me. I hope you all can put up with my music upstairs," she said, looking around the room.

"Put up with it? Are you kidding? We love it," Zara rushed to assure her.

"And you can continue to play for the guests here if you would like," Sadie offered.

"I hoped you might suggest that, Sadie. Thank you. I'd love to play at the resort. Without the sprinklers going off, please," Lyra requested as she turned to Magnus.

"Duly noted," he said, nodding.

"Thank you all. I traveled so often away from my family that I'd forgotten how wonderful it was to have people around me who cared."

"You're one of us, Little girl," Phoenix assured her.

"I know. And that feels incredible." Lyra's eyes filled with tears that she blinked away. She held the ladle out toward Caesar. "Enough about me. I think Caesar gets this next."

"Why do I get the speaking spoon next?" Caesar asked, looking around the group.

Kestrel pulled an oversized, brown envelope from the place he'd stashed it on the bottom of the cart. "You'll want to tell us what this is," he suggested as he handed it over.

Caesar grabbed the thick envelope and ripped the top open. Tilting it, he emptied the contents into his hand. Everyone stared at the flash drive with the swirling symbol.

Lyra caught the fluttering slip of paper that emerged next. She handed it to Caesar, who read:

Caesar Heskett, your marker has been called into effect. Here is your assignment. Protect Isla Callas. The encrypted drive contains all the background information I can provide you.

Baldwin Kingsley III

"Damn it! Someone, bring me a plate," Magnus grumped as he stood to walk over to his computer. He looked over his shoulder to see Caesar still sitting, looking at the slim drive on his palm. "Come on. You've waited for this all your life."

With a roar of delight, Caesar erupted from his chair to jog after him.