Chapter Forty-Eight
* Hard Cake and Hard Truths*
Lyra heard the soft beep of the penthouse door unlocking much earlier than expected. She jumped up from the sofa, a bolt of panic shooting through her. She had about three seconds.
Xami Lax walked in, looking tired but sharp in his dark suit. He was loosening his tie. “Lyra? I’m home early. The board meeting was…” He stopped, noticing the look on her face. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing!” she said, too quickly. She moved to block his path from the foyer to the open-plan kitchen. “How… how was the meeting? Do you want some water? I’ll get it.”
She tried to gently steer him toward the living room.
Xami’s eyes narrowed. He was a man who sensed evasion for a living. “I’m fine. I’ll get it myself.” He stepped around her, his long strides carrying
