Page 61 of Love From Left Field (Knights of Passion)

Several hours later,Ruth poked her head in Lucas’s office. “Mr. Wainright? Mr. Callahan would like to see you. Now.”

He nodded, having expected this summons for most of the day. Callahan had left him for last, for late in the afternoon. So much for working part-time. He headed upstairs and knocked on Seamus’s door.

A gruff, “Come in” greeted him.

“Wainright. Sit down.” Seamus leaned back in his chair and studied Lucas. Lucas noted his pale face and the exhaustion that Seamus couldn’t quite hide.

“So we have ourselves a pickle here. I don’t want you here and I can’t imagine you want to be where you’re not wanted.”

“Miranda wants me here. Roger wants me here. That’s enough for me.” Lucas kept his tone cool and he was satisfied to see the barb about both Miranda and Roger hit home.

Seamus frowned. “Well, I called Roger today and suggested it was time you went home. We’re doing just fine here and don’t need your advice any longer.”

Lucas crossed an ankle over his knee. “Pardon me, but I’ve heard your plans for the team. Directly against everything we’ve already done. Not only will that be confusing for the team and the fans, but it could seriously screw up your wins. And if your wins decrease, so do ticket sales and then your ability to pay your bills. That’s why I’m here. To make sure this doesn’t happen.”

Seamus growled. “You’ve turned my daughter against me. You’ve turned my leaders against me. And you’ve turned my general manager against me. You’re a poison, a wedge sent here to drive me out of the team. My team.”

“For now.” Lucas stood, keeping his calm, hoping it would soothe Callahan but the accusations were getting old, and, like a splinter, festering deep inside. “Your actions put your team in jeopardy. Your daughter, your staff, your general manager have all busted their asses to save this team. And you’re spitting in their faces, insulting their efforts. You’re acting like a spoiled child who isn’t getting his way rather than the savvy businessman who built a company from nothing. If you don’t get past your ego, you won’t have anything left.”

“How dare you speak to me that way!” Seamus roared and struggled to his feet.

“I don’t work for you. And I won’t coddle you. You should leave the running of the team to your daughter. She’ll save you from yourself. If you let her.” He straightened. “I’m not going anywhere until the payment. So get used to me.”

He turned to leave and stopped when he saw Miranda in the doorway, shock written on her face. “Miranda.”

“Not here.” She spoke through gritted teeth, glaring at Lucas. “I’ll be right back.”

“You’re in for it now, boyo.” Seamus chortled then stopped at the sharp look Miranda sent him.

“I’ll deal with you later.” She grabbed Lucas’s arm and marched him outside the office and to the conference room next door. Closing the door with a slam, she turned and glared at him. “Just what in the hell are you doing? My father has just returned from major heart surgery and you’re trying to antagonize him? I thought we agreed that I would handle this.”

He held up his hands and stepped back. “Hey, I was defending you and your decisions, not to mention my own position. A little gratitude would be nice.”

The anger drained out of her, deflating her right before his eyes. “I’m sorry. I know you were. I just heard raised voices and I got worried about his health.”

“I get that, but if he’s healthy enough to be back here, then he doesn’t need to be treated with kid gloves. Earlier today, you were asking for my help.”

“Earlier today, you said it was my problem; that you couldn’t get involved. Has it ever occurred to you that I have a plan, one that involves keeping my father calm and not stressed and helping the team at the same time?” She glared up at him, hands planted on her hips.

“Then do it. But as long as I’m here, I have a responsibility to push for the most financially sound decisions and I won’t back off.” He leaned into her, not backing down one inch, confused how things had spiraled off the rails so quickly.

She stiffened and backed away from him. “Do what you need to do, just don’t include me in your fights, okay? I’m not a pawn for you two to fight over.”

“Fine.” He nodded sharply, then sighed, changing tactics. “Why don’t we talk about this over dinner tonight?”

She glared at him. “You’re kidding, right?”

“Fine, I guess I’ll talk to you later.”

He watched her walk out of the room, and it felt like out of his life, too.

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