Page 4 of The Owner

It’s so heartwarming to see and feel all the love in the air.

I feel a little tug on my heart knowing there’s no one waiting for me.

But that’s okay. It would just be a distraction.

A distraction I don’t need.

I’m just fine on my own.

This is exactly how I want it.

CHAPTER TWO

Riley

“Beautiful,” the cameraman says as he clicks away, that long lens pointed at me. “You’re a powerful dominatrix. You rule everyone around you.”

I arch my back, hold my pen, and look up at the ceiling, pretending I’m a modern-day Cleopatra as he keeps taking photos.

“You’re a ballbuster,” he says as he circles around me, that index finger clicking away. “You’re a boss bitch. You take no prisoners.”

I grin as I tilt my head and switch poses.

This is my first photoshoot and I’m feeling pretty awkward. How do people do this for a living? I’d die.

“Yes,” he says as he unscrews the lens and puts a smaller one on. “Stand by the window and look out at the city. It’s yours. Every block, every person, yours for the taking.”

Geez, where did they get this guy?

I do as he says and stand at the window, looking out of my office at the city spreading out into the distance.

It reminds me of when I was a little girl and stuck in here for hours on end when my father was running the place. I’d stare out the window, making up stories in my head about where all the people were going as my father chewed out the equipment manager or got one of his unruly players in line.

He wanted me there for all of it. Even when I was seven years old, he knew I’d be here one day, taking over the family business. He knew I’d be in charge when he passed and he wanted me to be ready.

I turn to the camera and grin. I am ready. I’m fucking kicking ass.

“Sensational,” the cameraman says as he takes a few more shots and then lowers the camera.

He cycles through the photos on the tiny screen and then whistles low. “Looks like the cover to me,” he says, showing me a picture where I’m staring down the camera, arms crossed. I look powerful in it. I look in control.

My heart starts beating a little harder knowing my face will be the new face of the Cincinnati Vipers.

It’s okay. I’m ready for this.

The truth is, I’ve been in control for the past four years, ever since I turned thirty. That was when my dad got diagnosed with cancer. That’s when he started to move away from the business. He kept himself as the face of the organization while I stayed in the background, doing all the work and making all the decisions.

He died two months ago, and now I’m the face.

This article and cover shoot for Sports Animated Magazine is my coming out party. It’s where I publicly take over as owner of the Cincinnati Vipers.

“I’m all done,” the cameraman says as he starts packing up his lights. “Marsha will take over for the interview portion.”

Marsha walks into my office with a big friendly smile on her face. My assistant Rachel gets us some coffee before leaving us alone.

“What’s it like not only being the sole female owner of a hockey franchise, but being the youngest one as well at only thirty-four years old?” Marsha asks.

I sit back in my chair and take a deep breath. “Exciting.”

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