Page 59 of Fierce Storm
I’d love to be annoyed, but of course, I can’t be. Nothing she does annoys me. And that’s part of the reason I don’t want to mess with what we have, with her age and brother coming in a close second.
Tony opens my door as I pack up my unused laptop, and when I step out, I find a concierge waiting for me.
“Mr. D’Angelo?”
“Yes?” I say curiously, now wondering if I’m recognizable, or if I have my name written somewhere on my clothes.
“Mr. Myers is waiting for you in our private dining room. He asked me to escort you when you arrived.”
“Thank you. Lead the way.”
“I’ll wait for you in the parking lot, sir,” Tony confirms and I smile in thanks before I leave.
We pass a tank of a man in a tight black tee and sleeve tattoos as we enter the dining room, and my brow furrows as my eyes lock on Beckett sitting alone at a table by the bar. Did he bring security?
Is this his way of saying he doesn’t trust me or my team?
Beckett glances up as I approach, and a warm smile tugs at his lips as he stands. “Mr. D’Angelo, it’s good to meet you, sir.”
“Please, call me Sal. It’s great to meet you too, Beckett. I’ve got to be honest; I was worried you’d cancel again.”
“Sorry about that, sir. I mean, Sal. IfI’mbeing honest, the latest reports about the team freaked me out a little. I’ve been with Colorado since I was drafted. I’m ready for a change, but it has to be a change for the better.”
“I completely understand, which is why I wanted to meet with you in person. I want to lay it all out. Tell you what’s going on with the team. The truth about management and the players behind closed doors. Some of what I’m going to tell you isn’t even known by them. But I’m here to gain your trust and to show you that we are not the team we’re portrayed to be.”
“I’m listening.”
“Thank you. I’ll start by saying that the reports about our culture are utter bullshit. At the heart of it, we’re a family-oriented team. We have each other’s backs and protect our own. I’m not going to sit here and pretend the controversies we’ve faced lately haven’t been warranted. I have no intention of lying to you. But I will say that what you read on Monday was so far from the truth that it’s defamatory.
“Our previous owner—and this is the part no one else knows—drove the franchise into the ground, putting us in a hell of a lot of debt to launch his production company. And from what I’ve found out since hearing about the upcoming book, it’s not doing so well. My guess is that he’s written this book as a way to draw attention to his new venture as a producer, and we’ve been caught in the crossfire because controversy sells. Especially after our Super Bowl win last year. We’re working on getting the Storm name cleared again. But while I can’t guarantee you won’t face questions if you choose to sign with us, I can promise you that after spending five minutes with the team, you’ll be convinced you made the right choice.”
“How can you possibly know that?”
“Because I know my players. I know my staff. And we are not who they say we are.”
“Okay.”
“There’s also a good chance we’ll make the Super Bowl again—we’ve won two in the last three years—and I happen to know that’s something you’re striving for. Can any other teams offer you that?”
“With all due respect, you can’t really offer that either. But I agree, the odds are higher.”
Beckett’s serious expression has me pausing for a beat until he finally smiles, making me relax.
“Do you have any questions for me? I’m here to provide all the answers. I’m an open book. We want you on the team. So hit me with your concerns.”
Beckett’s quiet for a beat before he leans back in his chair, visibly relaxing. “I’ve got some questions. But I promise not to take up too much of your time.”
Chapter Seventeen
KEELEY
My eyes crack open as the sun shines through the gap in my curtains, and I groan out loud. Another sleepless night, another morning beginning with a headache.
For the first time in years, I worked from home for the full day yesterday, and if I didn’t know Sal was away on business today—according to his calendar—I would have done it again.
I can’t face him. Not because of what happened between us. That is what it is and something to worry about after this little breakdown.
For now, my concern is Vance fucking McMillan and how I’m going to get through this unscathed.
