Chapter
One
Roxie
“You can’t fire me!” The booming voice of the Narwhals’ former head coach boomed out of the conference room. Something hit the wall but Jeremiah Kingsford stared at him looking unamused.
The owner of the North Crossing Narwhals was going full scorched Earth.
It was an absolute power move to conduct these meetings in a glass lined conference room that did little to filter out the screams of protest.
This was the third firing in twenty minutes. The first two were quiet, the resigned alphas walking out, boxes in hand and heads hung low.
Clearly, this one was not going to go out the same way.
The secretary and I shared a look as a coffee mug shattered and Jeremiah finally tapped the phone in front of him.
Less than a minute later, two beefy alpha security guards were stalking in. They wrestled the coach out, dragging the flailing alpha between them.
“You’ll hear from my lawyer!” he seethed but not one person listened to his complaints.
If I wrote a gossip magazine this would be juicy as hell. I had a feeling that was why Jeremiah Kingsford called me in today of all days. He wanted me to see that he was taking this seriously.
When he’d first called me I thought it was a joke. No one offers the kind of money he did for a job like this.
We’d gone back and forth with the contract a few times with revisions, but eventually settled on set terms.
The team was getting a full overhaul at the moment. Not surprising after the scandal between the three main players of the Narwhals’ first line and their ex, Lana Flynn. She was now the nutritionist over with the Westgrave Wardens but those assholes packed up with her for years, neglecting her, only using her for her status as the AHA's princess.
I’d helped her tell her story, and it did not leave them in a positive light.
Abandoning your omega in heat and nearly killing her in the process would do that to a reputation.
I wasn’t sorry to see their firing aired publicly. They had breached a conduct clause in their contract and deserved everything that was coming for them.
Jeremiah stepped out of the room and looked completely unfazed. I truly wished that one day I could reach that level of unbothered.
“Sorry to keep you waiting, Miss Crane. But I wanted you to know we are serious about improving the team. That starts with the staff and players that enabled that sort of behavior.”
“It’s been quite the show,” I mused as I stood to greet him.
“This is just the beginning,” he said as he waved for me to follow. I fell into step beside him. Nearly everyone we passed was a mix of terrified and curious. Likely wondering who I was and which of them might be next.
“Did you find replacements for the team rosters?” I questioned as we turned into his office. It was the same one he brought me to when we had our initial meeting.
He’d been so confident and straightforward that I knew this was the kind of offer you didn’t say no to.
“We have. The team is in a bit of turmoil and there are quite a few staff and players that are uneasy. I don’t think it would help to have you start right away. Frankly, they need time to get their shit together. You’ll still receive the advance we discussed as soon as we sign those tax papers today. My goal is to have you here in one month. Let’s give everyone time to become a team while winter break comes to an end and have you join us after.”
“That gives me time to find a place here in North Crossing and get my teams prepared for an extended absence,” I said, letting out a relieved breath.
“Remember to send us the information for your rent and we’ll handle payment,” he promised easily. “I’m going to hand you over to my assistant for all the paperwork and you have my contact information if anything comes up. Never be afraid to reach out. I appreciate your efforts here, Miss Crane.”
“Thank you. I look forward to working with you and your team, Mr. Kingsford,” I said, holding out my hand. He shook it and offered a smile before calling his assistant in.
I spent the next few hours signing all the contracts and tax documents that he needed. Along with several NDAs, of course, which was a tricky one to navigate back and forth thanks to the fact that I had to use information in my articles.
Once they assured me that it was down to things like plays and information that could be used by other teams against them, it made a lot more sense.
