Sinner(109)
So much for that idea.
And he’s clearly thinking the same thing. Robert’s still rattling on about something to do with the specifics of the estate transfer, but it seems we’ve both basically tuned him out as we stand there staring at each other.
Suddenly, Robert says something that seems to snap Landon’s attention back to him.
“What?”
Robert clears his throat. “I said, it’s a thirty-day probationary period, per Samuel’s wishes. In thirty days, your board will vote to either approve and move forward with the new ownership, or to liquidate and sell the team.”
Landon swears, whirling and pushing a hand through his hair before balling it into a fist.
“Wait, in thirty days, your organization is going to sell the team?” I shake my head. “The Rattlesnakes are one of the most popular, most profitable teams in the league, why on earth would the board sell out?”
“Ah, well-”
Landon whirls at the older man. “Robert.”
The attorney gives him a look. “Landon, she’s signing an extremely comprehensive nondisclosure agreement.”
Landon sighs before turning back to me. “The Rattlesnakes aren’t as financially solid as people think. There are more than a few shareholders who’d be more than happy to sell right now.”
“Okay, so-”
“So that’s not happening. Not under my watch.”
He turns and paces towards the windows overlooking downtown Denver before he whirls back to me.
“Do you have any idea what you’re doing?”
“No,” I snap. “Happy?”
“Not in the slightest.”
“Yeah, well deal with it.”
He holds my gaze, and we say nothing for a moment before I break.
“Look, the answer is no, okay? No, I don’t know what I’m doing. I’ve never owned a fucking football team before.”
“No kidding.”
I glare at him.
“But I do know football.”
“Good for you. But you don’t know Sam Horn.”
I go silent.
“No.”
“And you live in Texas.”
“Yep.”
“And you work for another football team.”
I chew on my lip and nod.
“Who suck.”
I glare at him. “Hey-”
“They’re terrible, Serena.”
Okay, he’s right. The Bulls are the bottom of the league. But I’ve got loyalties, and loyalty means a lot to me. My best friend London, and her father Archie Jacobs have basically been my family since my dad passed – before that really, from when my mom died young.
Houston, the Bulls, the Jacobs family – that’s all I’ve ever known.
Until this.
“For the record, this makes about as much sense to me as it does you.”
Landon smiles thinly. “Wonderful, we do agree on something.”
Robert stands. “If we could all sit and go over some of the details-”
“Look I’m not some lost little girl, you know,” I spit at Landon.
He rolls his eyes. “Yeah, you look right at home.”
“Fuck you.” I shake my head as I turn and go for my bag.
“You know what? Screw this, I’m out of here, I want nothing to do with any of this.”
I have a job. I have a life back in Houston. And whatever this shit storm is that I’ve seemingly walked into, there’s no way it can be worth all this.
“Ms. Roth!”
I’ve started to turn for the door when Robert stops me.
“Do you have any idea what a share in this team is worth?”
“I’m not interest-”
“One million dollars,” he says evenly. “A share.”
I freeze. “What?”
Landon swears and turns to the window again as Robert nods. “Each share in this football organization is currently valued at one million dollars. And you and Mr. Reece’s owner-control puts you at twenty-four and a half shares.”
Holy shit-
“Each,” Robert finishes.
And that’s when the floor drops out.
“Robert, can we have the room for a minute?”
I’m still reeling as Landon’s voice cuts through the silence of the room. I look up to see his eyes glaring right into mine.
Robert nods. “I’ll be in my office.”
“Thanks.”
The door to the conference room shuts with a click, and then I’m alone with him.
“I assume this means you’ll be staying now.”
I blink, nodding absently and trying to even process the number I’ve just heard.
“Uh, yeah.”
Landon nods, his mouth tight across his jaw.
“Look,” he mutters, pulling my eyes up to his. “This might be happening whether I want it to or not, but if you think for a second that what happened in Houston is going to color our work relationship in any-”