Neil, Louisa - Pyxis Island Triangle (Siren Publishing Ménage And More) by Louisa Neil Page A

respect, my family had lots of money and realized when my father was young he had the same dysfunction. I inherited it from him. So, in my case, it causes oversensitivity to sunlight which affects my skin. Sunlight leaves me with nasty welts and scars if I’m not careful.”
    “I’m so sorry,” Ben whispered.
    “Let her finish,” Wyatt interceded.
    “It could be worse, in some cases, nerve damage, pain, and paralysis can occur. Some attacks are worse. Since my father had been diagnosed, the doctors knew what to test me for, and from then on, my life was adjusted to compensate for the problem. So I stay out of the sunlight and enjoy my island at night. Any questions?”
    “Too many to ask right now.”
      “This is a personal health issue, Ben, and not for public consumption. Are you disappointed I’m not a vampire?” She smiled and settled back in her seat.
    “No, not disappointed, just…sad, I think. I’m imagining you as a child not being allowed outside in the daytime.”
    “My parents made my life as normal as possible. But you have to remember it was more normal for me because of my father staying indoors during the day. It wasn’t until I was much older that I realized my true loss. I’ve come to terms with it and decided, much like my dad, that I can still have a full life, just not out in the daylight.”
    “Lila has used it to her advantage. The press thinks she’s being elusive and controlling. They always wind up in a frenzy when she makes an appearance for some social function.” Wyatt put his coffee cup aside. “Now you understand why she only goes out in the evening.”
    “My parents worked things the same way, saying work occupied their days, and evenings were their only time to slip away for suppers and social functions.”
    Ben glanced to Wyatt. “I assume some of your work is to find a cure for her?”
    “Not necessarily a cure per se but options that would allow not only Lila, but all who suffer with this to maintain a more normal life. Of course, we are doing research on other diseases here, too, which is why our security is so strict. And why it’s imperative you never speak about our work to anyone outside the company or wander into a lab uninvited. I get very cranky when my experiments are violated.”
    “And extremely preoccupied at times.” Lila stood and topped off their coffee cups.
    “So that’s why you take the helicopter to Manhattan for your long weekends.”
    “Of course. I love to drive but not in traffic. It’s really a matter of getting things accomplished in a timely manner. I fly to my offices in the city under the cover of darkness so I’m there ready to take care of business first thing in the morning. My offices and apartment are all designed to keep me out of the sunlight. While I’m there, I have my…personal beauty needs handled in-house, too. When I can slip away, I have the helicopter bring me back after dark.” She threw back her head and laughed. “Can you imagine me driving back and forth to Manhattan? It would be a total waste of my time. This way, many things get accomplished on each trip, and I can get back to my island as quick as possible.”
    “Of course that makes sense,” Ben mused. “You still have to oversee Abbott Industries. Getting everything done in a few days makes sense.”
    “And keeps up my appearances in public, always just at night. It’s a good excuse to have business suppers. I’m busy in the offices all day.”
    “I should have known you had this all worked out. And why you’re so tired when you get back.”
    “It would be worse if I had to go in daylight.”
    “I salute you, Lila. You have all the details worked out.”
    “You can look at it that way. Actually, I’m just continuing the same routine my father started. He’d be driven into the city at night when necessary, take care of business in his private offices, and then be driven back after dark. I’ve just updated the process using the