Page 26 of Mission: Merry Christmas
“I’m the best negotiator around. A skill that gets me pretty much everything I want, including through your gate, which apparently has a code that the limo driver knows. Although to his credit, he wasn’t easy to persuade.” His lip twitched. “Everyone has a price.” He laughed, then lifted his chin. “You’ve got a price, don’t ya?”
“No. Actually, money has never been a driving factor for me.”
“Sure you do, son. Everyone does.” The man walked through the foyer as if he were assessing the value of the house. “Your contract’s coming up for renegotiation. You know, I’ve clinched the last few big deals with your ball club. I bet ol’ Gabe can’t get close to the numbers I’ve been getting. You gonna invite me in?”
“No. Actually, I’m not. I don’t do business over the holidays.”
Ware didn’t look too pleased. His nostrils flared, but he recovered quickly. “My apologies. I didn’t mean to intrude. Let me just lay out a couple things for you, and then I’m on my way. I have some parties in the Hamptons to get to. You’re welcome to come along if you like. There’ll be big commercial endorsements looking for the right face.” He eyed Drew. “You’re going to shave that off, aren’t you? Not really your best look.”
“I just said I don’t do business over the holidays. I’m spending time with my family.” Drew took a step toward the front door, trying to force Tom back that way.
“We’re the best agency. Number one, and you deserve the best.”
“Thank you,” but the words came out tight, and he didn’t care if it sounded polite or not at this point.
“I also happen to have the top sports medicine team at your complete disposal.”
“Really?” Drew wished his brow hadn’t arched like that, but the nerve of this guy. “I’m healthy but tell me more.”
“You haven’t heard?”
I heard you let Avery go right here before the holidays.
Tom rambled on about the exclusive sports wellness program his agency offered. “A customized plan for every single one of our athletes. This isn’t a one-size-fits-all physical therapy team. This is sports medicine at its finest. We’re protecting you. Doing everything possible to maximize your career and earning potential. How’s that sound?”
“Impressive. Who designed that?”
“Proprietary,” he said taking credit. “All in-house. The very best.”
Drew’s stomach turned. “You know, now that I think about it, I did hear about what you’re doing over there. Didn’t Avery Troupe set that program up for you?” He clicked his fingers. “Yeah, I’d love to talk to her.”
Tom looked like he’d swallowed a rotten egg. “Her entire team is excellent. No shortcuts, either.”
“You get me a meeting with Avery Troupe after the first of the year, then maybe we can talk.”
Drew saw the fleeting nanosecond of panic, but the guy recovered quickly. A skilled liar.
“You’re on,” Tom said. “I can absolutely make that happen. I’ll be in touch.” Tom made haste for the door. Probably afraid he’d promise something else he couldn’t deliver.
Drew stood there, watching as Tom got back into the one black limousine on the island. Drew dialed his phone as the car pulled away. “Jax. It’s Drew. Don’t say a word. You’ve got Tom Ware in your limo. I know he paid you off to get down my driveway. Be sure he goes straight to the airport and gets on a plane off this island, or you won’t be driving me anymore. Call me when he leaves. Got it?”
“Yes, sir. I’m dropping a customer off, and then I’ll call when I’m on the way back to schedule that with you. Merry Christmas.” Jax disconnected the call.
When Drew turned around, Avery was standing behind him as pale as the snow-white shirt she wore.
“One more minute, and I’d have run right into him in the driveway.” She looked shaken.
“But you didn’t.”
“You know, I pride myself in being unflappable. You were a challenge in the beginning, and I handled it. But this? This is more than I can take. I can’t let my problems interfere with your career.”
A smile crept across his face. His defenses lowered, there was nothing he could do about it.
“Then don’t worry,” he said.
“I promise I didn’t let anyone know I was here.”
“I believe you.”
