Page 54 of Bad Ruck

Before any of them could answer, I put my phone away and headed down to the elevators. After what felt like days of waiting, the doors finally opened and I stepped inside. I pressed the button to take me two floors higher and practiced my breathing exercises while the carriage rose.

The doors finally slid open and I stepped out, my heels clicking on the floor as I made my way to the desk in front of the GM's office. The woman who sat behind the desk reminded me of the teapot inBeauty and the Beast. Older, motherly. Not the kind of person I would have expected to find here. Which was probably the point.

"Doctor Chelsea Miller, to see the GM," I said. "He wanted to see me?"

"Oh yes, sweetie," she said, adding to the whole motherly vibe. If she was the kind of woman Dominic King would hire, maybe I was wrong about him. Or maybe she was here to confuse people like me. Throw us off so we weren't on guard around him. Unfortunately for him, I wasn't that naïve.

"Please, go on in." She half-rose and waved towards the door. "It shouldn't take too long. It better not, or I'll shake my finger at him again for working too hard." She finished with a laugh.

"We wouldn't want that," I said. I reminded myself she was probably the enemy and would be as likely to wave a gun at meas a finger. I stepped over to the door and pushed the rest of the way open.

"You wanted to see me?" I asked.

He held up a finger and listened to the phone that was pressed against his ear. "Make sure it gets done," he said. "Yes, that's right. Good." Without saying goodbye, he ended the call. He set the phone down on the desk beside his laptop and steepled his fingers.

"Close the door."

I took a step back and did as he asked, keeping my eyes on him the whole time. He wasn't someone I'd comfortably turn my back on. Although, if I did, I wouldn't have to see the calculating look in his eyes.

"Have a seat." He nodded to the chair opposite him.

Slowly, I sank down into it, my hands in my lap. If I looked non-threatening, maybe he'd be the same. I got the impression he wasn't about to pull out a gun and use it on me. No, whatever he wanted was worse than that.

"How are you settling in?" he asked.

Oh good, small talk.

I managed a smile. "Really well, thank you. What about you? How are you finding managing the Smashers?" It didn't hurt to be nice, right?

"Interesting and stimulating," he said. "I'd imagine you've found it the same?"

"Definitely," I said. I was pretty sure I found it interesting and stimulating in very different ways to him, but it was both of those things. "It's been everything I hoped it would be and more. Every day is a new challenge."

"Indeed." He inclined his head. "Each day, I don't know what I'll be faced with. It keeps things fresh and all of us on our toes."

"I feel exactly the same," I said carefully. "I love working for the team."

"I haven't brought you here to fire you," he said. "Quite the opposite."

That was a relief. Wasn't it? On second thought, what was the opposite of being fired? I wasn't quite sure. I had a feeling I wasn't going to like it, but I threw my hat in the ring by talking to Otis Skinner. Sooner or later this conversation was going to happen.

"That's great," I said. "What did you have in mind? I don't think Doctor Stuart is ready to retire yet."Thatmight be the opposite of being fired. It seemed unlikely he'd promote me instead of Otis Skinner. A girl could dream, right?

"I trust he isn't," King agreed. "His expertise is invaluable to the team."

I was relieved to hear that. Apparently Doctor Stuart wasn't getting in their way. Not yet, at least.

"It really is," I agreed. "I've learned so much from him and Doctor Skinner. I'm lucky to be able to work with both of them." Was I gushing? A little bit. Maybe I shouldn't lay it on so thick.

"Doctor Skinner mentioned your interest in his work," King said smoothly. "He suggested you might wish to become more involved. More…hands-on."

I swallowed. "I would," I agreed. Okay, I lied through my teeth. "If his work is the way of the future, I'd rather be on board now than…become obsolete." No doubt he'd follow my double meaning.

"You really think that'll happen?" he asked.

"Plenty of people have placed bets on the wrong team," I said. "They tend to regret it. I want to put my money on therightteam. When the game is over, I want to be standing on the field, celebrating the win, not crying over the loss."

He nodded slowly. "I always find it wiser to back the right team. Some people believe, because a team has always taken the cup, they always will."

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