Fast Break (Brooklyn Monarchs 1)
Albert flushed. “I’m sorry, Jackie.”
Frustration threaded her words. “How much money do you need? How much is enough for you?”
Albert shifted in his seat. “It’s not just the money. I’m tired of having to worry about the team as well.”
Jaclyn gripped her coffee cup between her palms. “Then sell your shares to me.”
Albert shook his head. “I promised Gerry I wouldn’t.”
That caught her off guard. “Why not?”
“He said having three partners keeps us honest. Otherwise, it would just be you and him butting heads all the time.”
In other words, Gerald wanted to keep Albert as his puppet and force Jaclyn to divide her attention and energy between the two of them. Clever.
She settled back into the thickly padded chair. “If the solution to keeping the franchise in Brooklyn is to fill the arena, then I expect your support in bringing the fans back.”
Albert returned his gaze to her. “What do you mean?”
“If we’re going to increase attendance, we have to win. So I expect your support for the personnel and marketing decisions I make to help turn the team around.”
Albert frowned. “I saw the e-mail message announcing you’re the GM now. But the franchise doesn’t have much money.”
“I know. Gerry spent the franchise’s money as though it was his own. I’ll have to put us on a stricter budget and get creative.”
“Is that why you replaced Gerry?”
“Gerry’s interim term was over.” Jaclyn stood, setting her half-empty cup on the small coffee table. “Can I expect your support?”
Albert’s smile didn’t mask the unease in his inky eyes. “Of course, Jackie.”
Jaclyn turned to leave. “I’m glad to hear it.” Even if she didn’t believe it.
She knocked this time. DeMarcus looked around to see Jaclyn standing in his office threshold. Her fist was still raised and resting on his door. The bright orange dress followed her slender curves. Her smile and that dress lit up his office like a bolt of lightning.
She waved a stack of papers in her left hand as she strode into his office. “I have your revised contract. Gerry, Bert and I have signed it.”
DeMarcus stood, reaching for the documents she extended to him. He caught a whiff of lilacs and inhaled again. ”That was fast.”
Her lips parted in a teasing grin. “I didn’t want to give you a chance to change your mind.”
DeMarcus caught the sparkle in her cinnamon eyes. Disarming. Where was the woman who’d wanted to rip him a new one two days ago? He gestured toward the three black guest chairs between them. “Do you have time to wait while I sign these?”
“I believe I do. I’m just upstairs now.” Jaclyn swayed around the chair to slip onto the seat.
DeMarcus sat. “How did Gerry take your e-mail reclaiming your GM position?”
Jaclyn crossed her long legs. She swung her shapely right calf to an idle beat only she could hear. “I’ve learned that Gerry doesn’t believe in confrontations. I’m sure he’s planning a sneak attack. You should watch for those, too.”
DeMarcus shrugged his eyebrows. “Thanks for the warning. You’re in the office starting today?”
Jaclyn nodded. “Close at hand to lend managerial support.”
He dropped his gaze to the contract. Her response sent a dangerous shot of heat to his stomach. The words in the document finally pulled into focus. Jaclyn grew still as he reviewed the new contract. He couldn’t block out her presence, though. He doubted any man could.
He signed his name to both copies and returned one to her. “Thanks for revising the contract.”
Jaclyn relaxed into the armchair. “I’m glad we were able to find a suitable compromise. How are things going today?”