Only Mine (Honey Mountain #5)(10)

I pushed to my feet. “Braxton. Thanks for coming.”

“I wasn’t going to come if I’m being honest. Hell, I didn’t even remember agreeing to meet. My assistant handles my calendar, and if you knew how many people want to meet with me this time of year for a quick conversation about one of my guys…” he said as he shook my hand. “But how could anyone turn down Dilly?”

Dilly? What the fuck was that about? He already had a nickname for her. They’d known one another for what? Half a fucking second?

You call her Minx, asshole. You’re not any better.

“I don’t know,” I said dryly as I studied her.

Her lips turned up in the corners, and she beamed at me. She was fucking cute when she was trying to make a point.

I pulled out her chair, and Braxton dropped into the seat beside her. He placed his elbow on the table, rested his chin in his hand, and gaped at her. Was this guy for fucking real?

Our server returned and took our drink order. I switched back to Coke because I needed to get my ass in work mode now. We had the agent for the top defender in the league at the table. This was our chance to make an impact. Plant the seed for just how good of a fit it would be for Juan Rivera to consider the Lions. Braxton ordered a mai tai. Who the fuck orders a mai tai that isn’t sitting on a beach on vacation? Dylan ordered sparkling water with two limes and then proceeded to choose several appetizers for us to share. Once our server stepped away, I turned to face him.

“So, Braxton, we just wanted to let you know how pleased we are to have Jonathan on the team. The Lions have a strong lineup this season.”

“Yep, I’m keeping a close eye on you guys, and Jonathan is a good man,” he said. “I think you were the right fit for him. And I know there’s a lot of talk about Hawk Madden retiring after this year. Jonathan seems to think Juan Rivera would be a good fit. He’d like to play for a strong team once he enters free agency after this season, and he and Jonathan played together a few years back. I figured I’d be hearing from your father and that other guy that joined him when we negotiated Jonathan’s contract.”

“Yes, that was our chief legal, Roger Strafford.” I didn’t want to remind him that he’d been an asshole to them before he finally agreed to meet.

“I thought you were chief legal for the Lions.” He looked at Dylan as the server set down his cocktail, and he sucked it through a straw, nearly emptying the tall hurricane glass in one sip.

“I’m in a trial period, but I feel confident that I’ll come out victorious. Roger is leaving after this year, and I’m hoping to step into the position permanently.” She sipped her water and smiled.

“Well, Juan won’t be coming to any meetings in June unless Dilly is part of the team. Damn. That didn’t sound right. No pun intended, darling. But we won’t be talking to the Lions unless she’s there.” He winked at her.

The cheesedick.

He’s known her for all of five minutes. We hadn’t discussed money or the millions of dollars we were willing to offer him. And he was going to draw a line in the sand for a person that he didn’t even know?

“I assure you, whoever replaces Roger will be the best of the best, and our offer will be impressive.”

“Dilly made it clear that the Lions will be competitive. I’m not worried about that. Juan’s the best defensive player in the NHL, so we all know what that offer will need to look like. Obviously, you have my attention and his. Juan and I go way back, and he trusts me. And I’ve always been a man who trusts his gut. This girl has some giant balls, storming into a bar and telling me I missed a meeting with her. I like a person who knows what they want and isn’t afraid to go after it. I don’t meet a lot of genuine people these days, so I know one when I see one.” He shrugged.

Our server set down several appetizers in the center of the table before handing us each a small plate. I reached for a slice of bread and some artichoke dip before turning my attention back to Braxton.

“I hope you aren’t expecting some sort of sexual favor out of this. That’s not what we’re here for. It’s not how we operate.”

His eyes widened, and he smirked. Dylan shot me a warning look that almost made me laugh. If looks could kill, I’d be a dead man. Lucky for me—looks could not kill, and I’d proven over the last decade that neither could a few bullet wounds, so she’d best sharpen her steak knife, because her intimidation tactics were not working here.

“What exactly are you insinuating?” Braxton asked.

“I just find it interesting that we’re discussing the possibilities of the largest package the NHL has ever seen—off the record, of course—and you’re making demands about a woman you’ve known for five minutes. I’m wondering what that’s about, Braxton, and if Juan would be okay with you making such demands on his behalf.”

“Well, Wolf, as I said, I’m a man who trusts my gut. Juan pays me to do just that. You aren’t going to be the only team to offer him that package. You aren’t even the first. But I like her, and she’s the reason I’m at this meeting. I don’t take most meetings because it’s just a bunch of people blowing smoke up my ass, and it’s too early to make a decision now, anyway. We know he can go anywhere he wants to go, so take it however you want. But I’ve got to tell you, I like that you’re protective of your employees. That’s another point for the Lions. Unless I’m misreading the situation. Are you two together?”