Sing, Canary - Ashley Amy Page 0,4

a meek mouse in her chair. She never called attention to herself. My heart always stopped when I saw her.

Never in my life would something be as pretty as the princess of the mafia king. My fascination with Lyra started years ago.

Back then, it came from a more protective state of mind, but I knew that shifted the more she grew into a woman.

Radiant in her countenance, everyone wanted to gaze upon the purest beauty among us. She glowed her heavenly magic, but I knew what she had been through.

I knew what had broken the princess years ago. I was a young cop then, fresh out of the academy. I'll never forget what I walked in on, the day I rescued her. Still, I'd uphold my promise to never let it be known to anyone.

Armoni might've been a criminal, but he was also a close friend of mine. We both just had to watch what one said in front of the other. When it came to his daughter, Armoni knew no one was as devoted to her as I was.

He also knew I'd never cross the line of friends to lovers with her unless she wanted it. Armoni was the one who made me feel less guilty for my lustful thoughts. As her dad, he hated any man nearing her now that she was an adult.

One time, when we met at a bar for him to give me a tip, he told me I would be the least hated among her suitors. I took great pride in that, but I also struggled from noticing her change in her late teens. She still hadn't turned twenty yet.

I stayed away, unless they needed me. It helped keep me in check. I had dated some as well, hoping to find a girl who could take my infatuation away.

None of it worked.

Now, the woman I secretly loved, was behind bars.

It all started with the scene only I was privy to witnessing right now.

Augustine was in his chair, sitting to Armoni's right. He was probably the only reason why I wasn't shitting bricks about Lyra being arrested. If anyone felt devoted to the Stamos line, it was him.

Next to Lyra, Caine sat across from Axel. The food was already out when I met my limit for what the power could give me. Sighing, I watched the conversation flow as Lyra kept her face down. She never spoke unless spoken to by her father or August.

If Caine or Axel goaded her, one of the other two men would shut them up. Of course, Caine muttered things about babying Lyra or her being a daddy's girl.

She never reacted to him, though. She just sipped her water, watching the clock. Some would think that might appear suspicious, but that's what she did through every meal.

Lyra was kept on a pedestal. After retrieving her, Armoni never let her out of their home, without him, again. She was sheltered, but the other members of the crew had no idea why.

They didn't see what I had, that one fretful day. They didn't have to give that kind of news to a girl's father.

So, I understood everything the quiet girl never said. Her hair was always curled in pretty waves or ringlets that cascaded down her back. She wore pretty dresses and always appeared ready for the public to see her. Lyra just rarely got to show it.

So, paying close attention to the others, I knew she was out of the running. She would still get interviewed by me later this week, but I needed to watch the other two.

Caine and Axel had always been a throbbing thorn in my side. They were an itch I could never be rid of. August was too devoted to Armoni to do something so open with his death.

Nothing really called to me—which is what I feared happening, from waiting too long. As I let the vision of the past fade, I was greeted by the police tape in this room. Fellow investigators were in and out, unknowing of the things I did.

Some joked about finally snagging the top criminals of the drug ring, but I also knew Lyra's wings were still pristine. Her wings were what would help me prove her innocence.

Resting my hand on the back of the large, head chair, I pretended my old friend was in it now. "I'll protect her, Armoni. Your soul can rest, old man. I'll take care of her from here."

Leaving, I had too much to do to