Chapter Two
Tristan
“I’ve got to get my foot in this arena, no pun intended,” I said, as I clicked the remote and turned off the television. I spun in my desk chair to face my best friend, Bruce. “Diaz isn't represented, and from the research I’ve been doing, he needs someone to make sure he doesn't get taken to the cleaners. These meatheads are as stubborn as they can be stupid.”
“I get that, but you have to get to his manager…who is also his BFF.” Bruce laughed.
“Who the hell makes their best friend their manager? You’d think these guys would see that it's a completely bad fucking idea.”
“Well, I know that, and you know that, but how many of these idiots make us talk to their best bro before we actually get a sit-down with them?” Bruce asked.
“True, but you would think these big tough guys would be able to address an agent without a middleman. I mean, we’re here to get things done for them.” I sat behind my desk and kicked my feet up, leaning back and looking out over the city. If I knew how to do anything, it was how to sweet talk a person into joining my team. After leaving 360 and starting Thorne Enterprises, I had made it my life’s mission to sign as many big athletes as I could.
Drake Mathison had been the one who started it all. He might not have been my bread, but he sure as hell had been my butter, so to speak. After signing him and making sure he got a huge contract with Nike, I worked my magic on his contract negotiations. Having the most well-paid player in the NFL on my resume was definitely good for business.
Even with a few setbacks, I was at the top of my game. The biggest setback had been losing my longtime personal assistant, Adrienne. Thankfully, though, Amy Nolan had stepped in and was doing a fantastic job. It didn't hurt that she was more than a little easy on the eyes.
I liked walking into a meeting with her following behind me. Then I could watch as the men in the room tried not to appear obvious as they looked her over. She was a triple threat, for sure — smart, attractive, and sharp. She knew her stuff and was quick to let me know if something changed in the field.
I treasured her in more ways than one.
As if on cue, Amy poked her head into my office. “I set up the flight for the private jet and made sure you have a room in the hotel where the fight is being held. I also spoke to Diaz’s manager and got a meeting with him for the following day.”
“Thank you.” I smiled at her, trying not to stare at the way the sunlight illuminated her face.
“Is that all you need from me today?” she asked with a smirk. “Because I have a meeting set up with a few margaritas.”
I nodded and she disappeared behind the closing door.
“Have you checked this kid out?” Bruce turned his phone to face me.
“That’s the Rollins guy—he’s fighting Tate, right?”
“Yeah, I believe so.” Bruce turned the phone screen back around. “We seriously need to break into this market. One fighter isn't enough. Diaz is great, but we need to be tapping this. These guys have no representation and are signing the most ridiculous deals I have ever seen.”
“I've heard,” I said. “Let’s focus on getting Diaz, and after that, we’ll have a firm foot in the door. Once we start getting a couple of these guys big money, the rest will come running.” I turned in my chair, resting my hands behind my head and imagining the future as it unfolded in front of me.
* * * * *
Three days later, I boarded the plane bound for Vegas with some of the crew from Thorne Enterprises—Amy, Bruce, Scott, and Jessie. The fight was scheduled to begin at nine p.m., but I was hoping to grab a few minutes of face time with Diaz before he was in his zone. I was about to get my tablet out and go through my notes when I looked over at Amy and noticed she was watching me. A slight smile turned up one corner of her perfect lips as she subtly glanced toward the back of the plane and nodded in that direction. When she stood, I stood and followed her. I wasn’t watching the folder in her hand as she swayed down the small hallway ahead of me in her pencil skirt and heels. She opened the door to a small room that held a table, a few chairs around it, and a small couch. My mind immediately went to a very unprofessional place as I closed the door behind me. I shook the image of pushing her onto the couch and kissing her relentlessly from my head when she started talking.
“I found these stats on Diaz and printed them before I left the office this morning. I figured you would want to see them before the meeting.”
“Thanks.” I reached for the folder and made sure to brush my fingers over hers as I took it from her hand. She stepped back and sat in one of the white leather chairs, crossing her legs in a way that pulled my attention to them. She was looking down at the screen of her iPhone when I spoke.
“Where do you find this stuff?”
“There are about a million different websites, but I’ve found the Sports Advantage website to be the most reliable. I usually look at multiple sites and then average the information. It usually gives me the best numbers and the truest ones.” The entire time she spoke, she never looked up from her phone. I was realizing more and more that she was a gem, just like Adrienne had tried to tell me. This woman had been working in my office for nearly two years and I’d had no idea that she had this kind of knowledge or talent. She continued to type on her screen once she finished speaking.
I reached over and pulled the phone from her hands and put it in my inside jacket pocket.
“It’s usually frowned upon to speak to your boss while playing on your phone.” I looked down at her.
She smirked and reached to pull her phone from my pocket. I grabbed her hand and pulled her closer to me.
“Of course, it’s also usually frowned upon to do the things to your assistant I want to do to you,” I said with a smirk. As I leaned into kiss her, my phone started ringing, and she giggled.
“Fuck,” I cursed as I pulled my phone from my pants pocket and looked down at the screen. “I’ve gotta take this.”
She nodded and gave me an understanding smile. I turned and walked to the small couch and got comfortable as she closed the door behind her.
“What?” I barked, irritated that my moment with Amy had been interrupted.
I listened as one of my junior agents told me everything that was going down while I was in the air and hopeless to stop it. “Just try to put the fire out, and I'll handle it in a few hours.”
I slammed my phone down on the soft white leather beside me and dropped my head back against the cushion. As much as this business ran in my blood, sometimes it stressed me the hell out. Whiny athletes were a handful and sometimes I just wanted to tell them to suck it up. Seriously, most of the princesses we dealt with were grown-ass men.
I took several deep breaths before I walked back into the main sitting area. Everyone already had a drink in hand and they were chatting about Vegas and the fight.
“Bruce, can you please make sure that 360’s meeting isn't before mine. Also, can't you get Mason under control? I realize he’s being impatient, but he needs to cool his jets and let us do our jobs. If I get another call from another security detail about him showing his ass in a club, we’re done.”
“Seriously?” he asked, genuinely wondering if I was ready to drop a high-profile client.
“As a heart attack.” I sat down, grabbed my drink, and emptied my glass. I was handed another before I set my glass down. If there was one thing about Amy, she knew my every need and was always a step ahead.
“Thanks,” I said as she went to sit back down.
* * * * *
The rest of the flight was smooth sailing and even a bit relaxing, even though it seemed like we were in the air forever. As I stood at the hotel counter waiting to get our rooms squared away, I glanced around the open lobby. Gigantic glass balls pulled my attention toward the high ceiling, but the large displays of flowers were the focal point and gave the room a tropical feeling.
“We have your rooms ready for you,” the lady behind the counter said and smiled as she handed me the room cards. I turned, handing each one of my team members a key.
“I’m gonna come back down and try my hand at the Walking Dead machine!” Amy clapped like an excited little girl. It was pretty cute. “Look, Darryl is on it!”
She was so animated that I wanted to laugh at her but refrained. I needed to find Diaz and get a few minutes with him before his fight later tonight. Being distracted wasn’t an option at the moment.