Chapter 7

Chapter Seven

Drawing the bow across the strings, Lyra watched the curiosity on people's faces become interest and concentration. Sadie and Phoenix had helped her settle in a chair at the side of the large open gathering space to the side of the reception desk. Dressed in a simple black dress, Lyra knew she looked poised and elegant—not from vanity but from years of finetuning her social persona. Her long hair flowed over her shoulders, swaying to each beat as she lured in anyone who paused to listen.

My own siren song.

The chairs quickly filled, and people leaned against the walls to watch. A child she estimated to be about five years old approached to sit cross-legged on the floor about five feet away. His fascination made her smile. She noted his left hand tried to echo her chord changes. This was a child who loved an instrument. A violin, she decided.

Lyra deliberately chose songs that her audience would know and appreciate. The classics, with all their challenges and thrilling note progressions, were not in tune with the people gathering around her. Plus, as she played more popular songs, Lyra could take advantage of the more simplistic arrangements to pay attention to her surroundings.

Three women huddled close to the elevator. Two, she recognized. The other looked different from a distance—less striking, as if her beauty had been turned down a few notches. They pantomimed cheering, almost making her laugh, but she was in professional mode. Lyra did allow her lips to curve slightly, happy to have Celeste, Juniper, and Zara encouraging her.

In the middle of a rousing tune that had everyone's toes tapping as she plucked, strummed, and drummed on the large instrument before her, Lyra saw him enter out of the corner of her eye. She did not look at Boyd directly or give any indication that she knew he was there but continued to entertain her listeners. The young boy had risen to his knees in excitement as the upbeat music wrapped around him.

Finishing that song, she transitioned into a slow ballad. To her delight, she watched as several couples swayed closer to move in unison, seemingly without conscious thought. A musician could only hope to influence his or her audience with their interpretation of a song. Lyra loved that she had that effect on people.

As the last lingering note dwindled into silence, she lifted her bow and smiled at the crowd. Now that she had them in the palm of her hand, it was time to introduce herself. "Welcome, everyone, to Danger Bluff. It is my honor to play for you this evening. My name is Lyra Bloom, and this gorgeous instrument is a cello if you are not acquainted with it."

The overly loud clapping of one set of hands made everyone look toward a tall, blond man in his late thirties. His suit was impeccably pressed and styled, contrasting drastically with the casual resort attire worn by most guests at Danger Bluff. Lyra could see people wondering if they, too, should clap, and several copied his actions. She grabbed the water tumbler at her side and took a nonchalant sip as she waited for Boyd to make his move.

"Lyra, you are being too modest. Your audience should know that you have wowed kings and presidents on four continents and that you play with the world-celebrated Zhivers quartet."

"You are very flattering, Boyd, but my time with the quartet recently came to an end." Sweeping her gaze over the gathering, she asked, "Who knows this one?"

The draw of her bow across the strings cut off his answer as Lyra played an old-fashioned tune that she expected many would remember from their childhood. She watched Boyd from the corner of her eye when he stepped closer. Instantly, Phoenix moved into his path. His large bulk shifted athletically to stop Boyd's approach.

"Sir, you'll need to give Lyra some room. Please step back," Phoenix said politely but in a tone that brooked no refusal.

Lyra saw Boyd look around at the glares pointed his way for interrupting. She knew he would not make a scene in public. Ignoring his pointed look her way, she continued to entertain the crowd. To her satisfaction, Boyd complied.

Seeing him now fuming on the edges of the crowd, she chose a song to comfort herself. It was sweet, pulling at the listeners' emotions as the tune drew them into the melody and the opposing harmony. This time, the fairy tale felt incredibly real. Her heart rejoiced at the happy ending as tears gathered in her eyes.

When she lifted the bow from the strings, Lyra dabbed at the corners of her eyes, feeling silly. To her delight, she watched that movement repeat itself across the room. Many had felt the same strong connection to the notes. Lyra beamed. What a delight to play for this audience! She'd missed the intimate give and take between a musician and listeners without the bright lights and distance from the stage to the seats.

After a couple more songs, Sadie stepped forward. Noting Sadie's signal, she knew her time was up for the evening.

"My thanks to all of you for joining me tonight. You have been an amazing audience."

There was a fraction of a second hesitation, and then the lobby exploded with clapping. Lyra stood and took a bow, skillfully maneuvering the large instrument as she moved. As the crowd dispersed, she looked around to see if someone was bringing her case. With Boyd in the room, she was prepared to gather her cello in her arms to carry it away with her.

"Miss Bloom, Jeremiah wanted to thank you," a young woman said. She held the boy who had sat in front of her by the collar to keep him from getting too close. Her husband stood by her side with a smile.

"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."

"Even more reason for us to be gone when they bring him down with his suitcase," Phoenix suggested. "Come on, Crash. Let's go back to our apartment, and you can get comfortable."

Sadie appeared, toting Lyra's case carefully. "Here, Lyra. You played so beautifully. I could feel every emotion in the songs."

"Thank you, Sadie. I played some of my favorites. You probably want to fire me now."

"No way. We'll just station more bodyguards to keep everyone from swarming you," she said before adding, "You know…if you want to play… I'll understand if you don't."

"Oh, I loved playing tonight despite Boyd. And that worked out okay. I gave him my notice that he is no longer my agent in the sight of a bunch of witnesses," Lyra said breezily.

"Come on, brave one. It's time to unwind," Phoenix suggested.

"Yes. That would be nice."

Lyra quickly stowed her cello in its case and allowed Phoenix to push it on the rolling wheels to the elevator. He ushered her inside. For once, Lyra was grateful that fans tended to give her space. No one piled inside with them. The elevator glided smoothly up to the fifth floor.

"How do you like to celebrate an amazing performance, Little girl?" Phoenix asked.

"I usually just have a cup of hot tea in my room," Lyra shared as they walked into the large gathering area. "Tonight, I'd like to hang out with my new best friends. What time do you think Sadie gets off work?"

"She's probably on her way up here to change now."

"Think anyone likes scary movies?" she asked.

"Do you like that kind of movie?"

"Not usually, but it will wipe all the unpleasantness out of my mind," Lyra suggested.