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“It seems so.” I stand.
“I look forward to watching you earn your stripes, Luc Le Blanche.”
I don’t answer. It’s best I don’t. Instead, I leave.
It’s not until I’m near the elevator shaft that the tension living in my shoulders lifts and my head clears as I absorb the takeaway from the meeting.
That fucking asshole wants me to earn his trust and stay away from his daughter. One and the same thing.
Given the host of problems I have with Shawn Jakobe, I should be agreeable to both. It would be the sensible thing to do, but when I think of how I left things with Autumn staying away without at least telling her why doesn’t sit right with me.
I guess I made my choice, then.
Stay away.
Jakobe had to tie me up to beat me.Shit.This isn’t me at all, but I have to think of the bigger picture—my career.
At the same time I need to see her.For closure.
A proper goodbye that closes the chapter on our time spent in Vegas as Venus and Aries.
The problem is… I still want her.
Chapter 13
Luc
The Pulse PR building boasts a sleek, contemporary architectural design with its cosmopolitan allure showcased in the polished, upscale expansive glass walls.
Upon approaching the grand entrance, automatic glass slides open and welcomes me into a spacious lobby where I’m greeted by a uniformed doorman and a courteous receptionist who directs me to Autumn’s office.
It’s just past ten in the morning, so there are quite a few people milling around and talking to each other in groups. A few recognize me and smile so I acknowledge them as I walk by.
Pulse PR took over everything to do with marketing, advertising, and public relations campaigns when Jakobe bought the team. It wasn’t surprising given his wife owns the company, but no one complained because they were generally better than the last company we had.
The previous company wasn’t terrible, but Pulse has provided many of the guys on the team additional gigs they never had before. Many have also stated that the services offeredby Pulse suit the caliber of the Hawks better than any other company that has represented us.
I wouldn’t know one way or the other because I hate all that stuff. I hate photoshoots and interviews and anything that takes me outside of the relevance of the game.
I do the required group photo once a year with the team, charity events and fundraisers, and an interview with ESPN. That’s it.
Anything labeled optional to me means it’s not relevant.
Unlike some athletes I don’t need to live in a continuous spotlight or have my face and body shoved around New York for all to see.
So while the other guys have been here at least once a month in the last six, this is only my second time. And I’m not even here for business.
Or maybe I can hide under the façade of that label just so I can see my girl.
My girl.I know she’s not. But she was mine for the time I had her in Vegas.
I find her office. It’s the last on the first floor.
As the door is open I walk up to it and stop by the entrance when I see her.
Looking like a vision that could set the world on fire, Autumn Jakobe is standing behind her desk sorting through some files. Today she’s dressed in a simple camisole top and wraparound skirt that screamsfuck me.
She’s completely unaware of my presence, which gives me the chance to look at her—the woman I never thought I’d see again.
