Hammer's Fall (The Breakers' Bad Boys)(49)
Hammer wanted to curse as Gene “Rhino” Durbin walked toward them. The owner of the CFL was a big man, and he would usually be happy to see him, but not right now. Not when he hadn’t told Kali about the offer, and certainly not when he had been about to fucking propose to the woman he loved.
“Rhino. What the hell are you doing here? And Jesus, could that shirt get any brighter?”
“Don’t you sass me, boy,” Rhino growled. “I’m here because we’ve got business to discuss. I need you in Las Vegas with me tomorrow, and I came to personally collect you.”
“Damn it,” Hammer muttered under his breath.
“Manners, Hammer. Hello, sweetheart. I’m Big Gene, and who might you be?”
“Kalista Redford.” Kalista took the offered hand and shook it. She noticed that the big man took her hand gently, just as Jared and most of his friends did. It seemed automatic for strong men with good hearts to temper their strength so they didn’t hurt anyone weaker than them. Kalista smiled at the older man even though her emotions were swirling inside her. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“So you say, although I interrupted you.”
“That’s okay, I have to get back to work anyway. I’ll leave you two to your discussion. Jared, I’ll see to later.”
“Kali…”
Hammer felt helpless as she rose to her toes to kiss him on his cheek, then she left, leaving him feeling a surge of anger at the older man. He rounded on Gene when she disappeared through the doorway. “Damn it, Rhino.”
“That your new girl? She’s a pretty little thing.”
“She is. I could fucking strangle you.”
“Well, do it inside once we’re out of the cold. Leanne is waiting.”
Hammer wanted to groan. “You brought your wife?”
“Of course I did. If I couldn’t talk some sense into you, I know she can.”
Gene slapped Hammer on the shoulder, and if he was a smaller man, the friendly tap would have sent him flying to the floor.
His day was really not going according to plan.
Chapter Ten
Even though he was pissed, Hammer had to smile as he saw Leanne Durbin standing in the main gym. The tall blonde could have been an Amazon warrior in another life, but she was no less lethal in a smart looking outfit of black pants and a cream colored sweater. A former model, Leanne looked like a socialite, hiding the fact that she was one of the driving forces that made the CFL such a success.
Leanne turned as Hammer and Gene walked over to her and she smiled, her midnight blue eyes warming with affection when she saw him. “Hammer, it’s so good to see you.”
He kissed her cheek in greeting, then stood, looking at the pair of them for a moment. They always struck him as an odd looking couple, the tall, slim blonde completely opposite her big, burly husband, but he knew they were madly in love with each other. Leanne was a good four inches taller than Gene, and she looked elegant compared to her husband’s rough appearance.
“I guess we should take this into my office,” Hammer said with a sigh. He led the couple into his office in the back and sat down on one of the chairs in the sitting area after Leanne took a seat on the couch. Gene sat down next to her and started to speak, but Hammer held up his hand. “You’re gonna want to give me another minute and wait for the urge to punch you to pass.”
Leanne let out a sigh as she patted her husband’s knee affectionately. “What have you done now?”
“Me? Why the hell do you think I did anything? All I did was go outside and say hello to him and his woman,” Gene sputtered, looking extremely offended.
“I was about to fucking propose, but you had to show up and ruin it,” Hammer growled out.
“Well, shit…” Gene said, finally looking contrite.
“Oh, Hammer! I’m so happy for you!” Leanne beamed at him.
“I told you I didn’t want the job,” Hammer said, ignoring Leanne as he continued to glare at Gene.
“Damn it, boy. You know you’re perfect for it and—”
“Of course you don’t want the job,” Leanne said, cutting off her husband. “Your place is here now. And I must say, you have a very impressive facility. I would love to see the rehab center upstairs before we leave.”
“Sure,” Hammer said automatically.
“Now, wait a minute,” Gene began. “There is no reason you can’t be an announcer if—”
“Gene, let it go,” Leanne warned. She smiled at Hammer. “Since you didn’t do it yet, can I see the ring?”
“I don’t have one yet.” Hammer shifted uncomfortably in his chair, and he wanted to wince at the look of censure that crossed over her face.