Page 96 of A Whole New Trick

The guy has some nerve to stand in front of me and suggest such a thing with a serious face.

The only thing stopping me from screaming in this asshole’s face is the fact he’s the owner of the team I want to play for, but that doesn’t stop me from injecting ice into my next words.

“Morgan and I followed the team’s dating policy to the letter.” Morgan had insisted on it. She didn’t want our fake relationship to bite her in the ass. Understandably so.

And I’ll be damned if I let our real relationship negatively affect her, either.

“Yes,” Vincent nods. “And I’ve personally instructed our HR department to amend the policy to prevent any relationships of this nature from occurring in the future.”

I frown. “Relationships of what nature?”

“The Ranchers no longer want players to have romantic relations with anyone in the organization. We want to avoid conflicts of interest and potential distractions.”

The red haze grows. “My relationship with Morgan caused neither of those things.”

“Well, it led you to assault another member of our staff, didn’t it?” Vincent Jr.’s placating smile is forced.

“That staff member was harassing her, and he has been accused of harassing at least one other woman.” I widen my stance and cross my arms, ready to go to battle.

I don’t give a fuck if Vincent Jr. is the owner. I won’t roll over and let him make these statements unchallenged.

“A change in policy does seem a little reactionary,” Coach Miller remarks.

I’d forgotten he was in here.

I look toward the seated man and note his lips are curved in a disappointed frown. But it’s not directed at me.

“Your input is noted, Mr. Miller,” Vincent Jr. says dismissively. “But the policy change is underway, nonetheless.”

The Ranchers can do whatever they want with their employee handbook. I have no say in that, but I do have a say in what I will or will not agree to regarding my relationship.

“Morgan and I aren’t going to break up, and she isn’t quitting her job,” I state, pushing off the wall and straightening to my full height. “We did nothing wrong.”

Vincent’s oily smile falters. “Then we will be pursuing a trade. If that is not what you desire, I suggest you reconsider your decision.”

Fuck this asshole.

Owner or not, I’m not going to stand here and be blackmailed like this. I don’t fucking need this job. And I don’t want to play for an asshole who’d put someone in this position.

“Fine,” I growl. “Then consider this my notice that I plan to retire at the end of the season.”

“Larson, don’t be?—”

“I will finish this season strong for my teammates,” I speak over Coach Miller. It’s against my instinct to dismiss a coach’s words, but I need to let this conniving piece of shit knows he can’t manipulate me to do what he wants.

“But make no mistake, Gianni.” I let hatred seep into the words, hoping they convey at least a fraction of the disdain I have for the manipulative Nepo baby. “I’m done with the Ranchers. Enjoy explainingthatto your board.”

31

MORGAN

A knock soundson my apartment door. A thrill races through me as I hop up from my couch.

I’d thought Dane had changed his mind about coming over. He and the rest of the team landed in Dallas after a ninety-minute flight, around midnight. I’d assumed he was either busy celebrating with the team or too tired to come over when I didn’t hear from him.

I’m glad I was wrong.

“Hey!” I swing the door open after confirming his identity through the peephole. “I didn’t know you were still coming over!” My smile falls when I take in Dane’s expression. Alarm squeezes my chest. “What is it? What’s wrong?”

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