But I’d be professional because I wanted this job.
I had ninety days to prove myself.
But I knew Wolf didn’t want me there, so I’d keep my eye on him.
“Good morning. I’m Casper,” the older man said as he stood in front of a black car and opened the back door for me.
“Good morning. Thank you for picking me up.” I climbed into the car and buckled up.
As we made our way to the hangar, where a private plane would fly us to New York, I looked over my notes that Roger and I had gone over yesterday after the interview from hell. There were a lot of dynamics to consider since there were regulations in place to keep teams from contacting players during the season. The interview window was very short and ran from June 25 to June 30. Five days to meet with players to discuss general contract terms, and deals couldn’t be signed until July 1. We needed several new players, and laying the groundwork now was going to be key to pulling that off. Meeting with agents, especially those who represented current athletes on our roster, wasn’t breaking any rules. If we mentioned interest in other players in casual conversation, we’d at least find out if they were interested in being pursued by the Lions when the time came. I’d done my research on both Juan Rivera and his agent and followed them on social media so I could get a feel for exactly what we were walking into.
I glanced out the window as we moved down the highway toward the hangar. I wondered if it would be awkward traveling with Wolf after he’d made it clear that he didn’t want to work with me.
I knew what I had to do. I had to win over Braxton Jones to prove that I deserved this opportunity. Roger had prepared me about having a thick skin because when he and Duke had flown out to meet him last year, he’d no-showed on the first meeting. Apparently, he represented some of the top guys in the league, and a man with too many options could make you chase after him. It was probably part of his game.
I’d memorized all of Juan’s stats so if I had a chance to meet with Braxton, I’d at least look like I knew what I was talking about.
When we pulled up at the hangar, Casper helped me with my bag and walked alongside me to the large plane that sat just a few feet in front of us. He climbed the steps and set my luggage inside before jogging back down toward me and motioning for me to step inside.
“Safe travels, Miss Thomas. And welcome to the team.”
“Thank you.” I made my way up the steps, and when I turned the corner, my gaze locked with Wolf’s.
There were maybe six rows of two seats on each side of the aisle, and I scanned the area trying to decide where to sit. He was on the aisle in the second row.
“I don’t bite,” he said, his voice deep and void of any humor.
I fought the desire to roll my eyes or say something snide because I was here to prove that I could handle my temper.
I moved to the seat on the other side of the aisle from his and set my briefcase on the empty seat before sitting down and buckling my seat belt. “I’m not worried. We’re both professionals.”
“As long as I don’t cut in front of you in line, right?” His jaw ticked.
“Well, you took your shot. You did what you could to make sure I didn’t get this job, yet here I am, sitting beside you. I’d say that’s a bit worse than cutting in front of someone in line.”
Something passed in his dark blue gaze, but I couldn’t read it. Maybe he felt bad? Maybe he was just trying to see how far to push me.
A man appeared in front of us. “Mr. Wayburn, we’re ready for takeoff.”
“Leo, you’ve known me since I was a kid. Please call me Wolf.” He didn’t chuckle, but there was the slightest bit of humor in his tone. Most people would miss it, being intimidated by this brute of a man. But I paid attention to the little things.
The pilot smiled. “You got it, Wolf. Nice to meet you, Miss Thomas.”
“Oh, you can call me Dylan. It’s nice to meet you, too.”
“Great. Let’s get this baby up in the air.” He turned and disappeared behind a door just as a woman with long, dark hair stepped out from the back of the plane.
“Hi there. I’m Valentina. Once we’re up in the air, I’ll get your drink order and bring you some pastries.” She smiled at me, and I didn’t miss the way her hooded gaze took in Wolf.
The man was a sight, no doubt about it. He was tall with broad shoulders. A chiseled jaw that was sharp and distinct and peppered in just the right amount of dark scruff. His lips were plump, and he rarely smiled the few times I’d been around him, yet it was difficult not to stare at his mouth. He radiated confidence and probably intimidated most people he came into contact with.
I just wasn’t most people.
Wolf Wayburn did not scare me.
Sure, he held my future in his hands. But my work ethic spoke for itself. I knew I’d do whatever it took to do this job well, and if that didn’t impress him, I’d be just fine. I had several job offers; this just happened to be the one that I wanted most.
He didn’t flinch at the way the gorgeous woman took him in. He just nodded, and she turned to walk to the back of the plane.
I glanced over to see him unbutton and roll up the sleeves on each arm. I was fascinated by the way his veins on his forearms bulged against his golden skin.
I forced myself to look away and pulled out the binder I got from Roger just as the plane started to move. We took off down the runway, and I clutched the binder just a little until we were up in the air. I could feel Wolf’s eyes on me. I’d never flown on a private plane, so this was new. I wouldn’t say that I was nervous exactly, but I was a bit out of my element. I actually liked it. Pushing myself outside of my comfort zone was one of my favorite things to do.
“You okay?” he asked.
“Yep. Of course. I’m fine.” I opened the binder as the plane bounced a little, and we continued to climb higher and higher.
“I want you to know that it wasn’t personal when I said that I didn’t think you were the right person for the job. I just call it as I see it.”
I turned to look at him. The arrogant prick. He wanted me to be okay with him insisting I wasn’t right for the job? “Well, we have that in common. I call it as I see it, too. And it sure sounded personal. But that’s fine, Wolf. I have no problem showing everyone just how good I am at what I do. Prepare to be dazzled.”
“I won’t hold my breath.”
The bastard was egging me on. He wanted to see if he could get a reaction out of me. I had to give him credit. He was damn good at poking the bear.
“Isn’t that what you did for a living as a SEAL?” Two could play this game.
He barked out a laugh, and it managed to be completely free of humor. “I see ignorance is your superpower.”
I forced the fakest smile. “Just calling it as I see it.”
Valentina showed up out of nowhere and looked between us, and I swear you could cut the tension with a knife.
“May I get you something to drink?” she purred. Her eyes were on Wolf, and I wanted to wave my hand in her face and remind her that I was sitting here, too. “Orange juice, mimosa, sparkling water?”
“I’ll take a whiskey, straight up.” He pulled a file from his briefcase and dropped the table down in front of him.