Page 33 of Collateral Damage
“Listen, the payment will be great. It might even be more than your NHL contract.”
He snorts. “Bullshit.”
“Tell your manager we are working with seven and even eight figure payments for three months of filming.” I give him a wink. “I’m sure she’ll be happy to negotiate a payout for you both.”
His mouth drops open. “That’s better than most of my endorsements.”
Money always talks. My Dad taught me that.
Benton is wealthy from his hockey success and the endorsements that followed, but he doesn’t have the kind of wealth that comes from generations of success. I obviously don’t regret my upbringing, but I’m aware of the privileges I’ve been afforded. It’s my duty to give back. It’s part of why I’m so passionate about the Laurence Foundation.
“Well, you will have to do more. We’ll be filming for three months of your life over the summer. It won’t mess with your off-season too much, so I think it’s perfect for you, which is why I asked you before anyone else.”
“Fine, I’ll hear you guys out, but if this bites me in the ass, I’m going to blame you for it.”
I’ll blame myself, too.
“It won’t,” I assure him. “It’ll make America fall in love with you more than they already have. At least the woman will.” I give him a sly smirk, and his dimples pop again.
I’ve got him.
Ten minutes later, we roll up to Cooper and Ethan’s building. I refuse to be nervous, pressing my palms to my thighs and ignoring my rising heart rate.
Benton and I ride the elevator together to the penthouse floor.
The building is newer, with the largest apartments at the top. There are only two penthouses, and Ethan and Cooper purchased them both.
Ethan’s was impressive before, but now that Arden is living with him, it’s even better. Mostly because I helped them design it. Neither of them has an eye for that stuff and asked me for help.
The elevator opens, and we step out into a long, luxurious hallway, a door on either end.
“It’s this one,” I say, pointing toward the door I’ve yet to use.
Benton whistles low, his eyes roaming the decor. “Who are we meeting, Syb? Nobody on my team can afford a place like this. Not in this city.”
Cooper and Ethan inherited billion-dollar trusts a few years ago. I don’t talk about how much I inherited when my dad died. It’s not a billion, but it’s millions, plus the stocks. It’s more money than I’ll ever know what to do with, and I’ll always bemore than comfortable, but I’m trying to focus on my career goals regardless of what’s in my bank accounts.
“This is Cooper King’s place. He and Perry Hargrove are the other producers on the show, but Perry is also the creator. Cooper is offering his place for these dinners since it’s discreet. Nobody will ever know what you talked about here unless you decide to do the show.”
“King?” Benton shakes his head. “Is that the family you hate?”
I wince. “Hate is a strong word.”
His eyes widen. “Come on. You hate them.”
“I know what I’m doing.”
“Do you?”
I elbow him in the ribcage for the second time tonight. “Shush, you. Just think about the money, will you? There’s new money and old money coming to the table for this show. My family is the old, but King Media? They’re the new money, and they have a lot of it. The Hargrove’s money runs deep, too, but Perry is doing his own thing. He gave up the family ready-made career in plastics manufacturing and is following his talents instead. It’s admirable. Have you heard of a tv show calledThe Verb?”
Benton nods. “I watched some of it. That show is insane.”
Yes. It’s a social experiment show where contestants have to live together, competing under a different “verb” in each episode. One might be “compete” and the next might be “compromise” but the way it’s built creates tons of drama. It’s a fun and interesting concept and has gone on to do well.
“It’s popular,” I say. “That was Perry’s first show. He sold it, and this new show is his baby now. He needed capital, and we came together because we believe in him.”
He raises a big brown eyebrow. “That’s pretty weird, considering your companies hate each other, but okay. Whatever you say. Let’s go talk to these guys.”
