Page 73 of Cole

“Cole, this is Duncan Burke,” the GM said. “Mr. Burke, this is Cole Halverson.”

Cole held out his hand and when the other man took it, he found his grip to be firm and strong. This was a man who commanded attention. Whose presence filled the whole room.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” Cole said. “What can I do for you?”

“I’d like to have a chat with you,” the man replied, his voice deep and steady.

“Sure.” What else could he say?

The GM directed them to his office, though he didn’t follow them there. Another man was standing in the office, also wearing a suit.

As Duncan Burke closed the door behind Cole, he said, “This is Mark Irving. He’s a lawyer for my company.”

Lawyer? Cole’s unease went up another notch. What on earth was this meeting about?

“Have a seat,” the older man said, gesturing to a chair that Cole had sat in on previous visits to the GM’s office. Only now, sitting in the chair opposite him was not the GM but one of the wealthiest men in the world. “I’d like for you to sign an NDA before we begin.”

“An NDA?” Cole asked with a frown. “Why do I need to sign an NDA?”

This was just getting stranger and stranger.

“I need to discuss some things with you, but they can’t be mentioned outside of this office.”

Cole hesitated, his mind racing through possible scenarios. None of them made any sense. He’d never had to sign an NDA just to have a conversation before.

“I understand your hesitation,” Duncan said, his expression softening slightly. “Let me assure you, this has nothing to do with your position on the team or your performance tonight.”

That didn’t exactly put Cole at ease, because it still didn’t reveal the purpose of the meeting. Apparently, he needed to sign the NDA in order to find that out.

The lawyer stepped forward, placing a document on the desk between them. “This is standard procedure for Mr. Burke when discussing sensitive personal matters.”

Personal matters? Cole’s brow furrowed. What personal connection could he possibly have to Duncan Burke?

“Alright,” Cole said finally, reaching for the pen. He skimmed the document—straightforward legal language preventing him from discussing whatever was about to be revealed. He signed his name at the bottom, the scratch of pen against paper unnaturally loud in the quiet office.

Duncan nodded to the lawyer, who collected the document and stepped toward the door. “I’ll wait outside, sir.”

Once they were alone, Duncan studied Cole with an intensity that made him shift in his seat.

“I’ll get straight to the point, Mr. Halverson. This concerns my daughter, Annalisa.”

Cole frowned. “Annalisa?”

“You probably know her as Annie.”

For a moment, Cole wondered if there were cameras hidden in the office. Surely this was some sort of prank.

“So you’re Annie and Benji’s dad?” he would play along for now. At least until the punchline landed. Then he’d have a laugh with everyone and go home.

“Yes. Annalisa and Benjamin are two of my children.”

“How does this concern Annie?”

“I need you to break up with her.”

Cole stared at the man opposite him in shock. “Break up with her?”

“Yes. You are living your life in the spotlight, and I need Annalisa to stay out of it.”

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