“You really want to do this?” He asked, rubbing the back of his neck.
She studied him for a long moment, hearing the doubt in his voice. His condition made sense. Her father didn’t want to change anything, even in the face of evidence that they needed to do things differently. She, better than anyone, had seen that when she tried to streamline processes and make the operations more efficient. They had saved money but he barely glanced at her improvements. Only the team mattered. That was their product and her biggest challenge.
“I’ll consider your advice and include you on all discussions. I make the final decision. You can’t stop me from making changes or not.” She leaned forward. “What else do you want? I make the payment by the All-Star break and the Knights have a winning record, with an uptick in ticket sales. Say ten percent.”
Now he laughed. “You really think you can do that? You don’t have the time to make any significant changes that will actually do anything for you.”
She responded with a stone face. “I don’t have a choice. Do we have a deal?”
He leaned back in his chair and studied her for a long moment. She resisted the urge to squirm under his perusal and instead met his gaze straight on, no wavering. There was one thing her father taught her—how to bluff and never show weakness, especially in a negotiation. And this was a life or death situation. She couldn’t risk that. She’d do whatever it took to keep the team going.
Finally, he nodded. “Fine. If you think you can do it, I agree. But I have a couple more conditions.”
She gritted her teeth again but kept the smile in place. “Name them.”
“I’m involved in all discussions about the team. If I hear of any plan that could jeopardize the financial situation, I can veto it. Two, you and I meet twice a week for a review of the status.”
“So, you want to be a babysitter? I’m perfectly capable of handling this on my own. I can call you with any updates.”
He stood and leaned over the desk. “I’m staying right here, princess. We’ll meet in person. And I’m not babysitting you. I’m watching out for our investment. Take it or leave it.”
She smiled and lowered her eyes, opting for a little pageant charm. “Fine. You have a deal. I hope you’ll work with us. I could use your advice.”
He settled back on his heels and a considering look entered his eyes, as if suspicious of her statements. “For now, we have a deal. Shake on it?” He held out his hand.
She stood and grasped it firmly, praying it wouldn’t quiver. “Deal.”
He released her and turned to leave. “I’ll have Maggie set up regular meetings for us.”
“Wait,” she called out. “I have one more condition.”
He slowly turned and arched an eyebrow at her. “Another one? We already shook on the deal.”
She shook her hand. “This is personal. No more kisses.” Heat rose in her cheeks as a slow smile spread across his face.
He stepped closer to the desk and planted his hands on either side of her, leaning close until she could see the flecks of gold in his eyes.
“You’re right. Thatispersonal. And I think you liked it. I know I did.” He straightened. “If you say I can’t kiss you, then I’ll want to even more.”
Before she could protest, he strolled out of the office, closing the door firmly behind him. Damn his arrogance. And damn her traitorous libido, standing at attention and all but begging for him to kiss her right then, damn the consequences. She’d have to be careful. Not only was Lucas dangerous to her team, but he was dangerous to her body.
At least she got what she wanted for the team. Time to find a way to make the payment and get new players. Time to prove to her father she could do the job. Time to save the Knights. Four months wasn’t all that long, especially being in spring training already. She needed some new ideas. She pressed the intercom button for her assistant.
“Get me Tom in Houston.”
*
Miranda swiveled inher office chair to stare at the back wall. She took deep, even breaths, striving for a calm she feared wouldn’t arrive before the call. Her heart pounded in her chest and she could hear the blood rushing in her ears. Rarely had anyone except her father been able to push her buttons quite like Lucas. His calm, even demeanor and resolute logic made her want to scream, even though a part of her acknowledged he was right about what he said.
The buzz of the phone made her jump. “Houston, line one.”
She picked up the phone. “Tom, thanks for taking the time to speak with me today.”
“No problem, Miranda.” The deep raspy voice echoed through the phone, making her wince with the volume. “Sorry to hear about your father. How is he?”
“He’s hanging in there, thanks for asking.” She paused. Now that the moment was here, she wasn’t sure what she wanted to ask.
Her father had beaten into her to never show weakness and asking for help was weakness in the extreme to Seamus Callahan. But she didn’t see a way around it this time.