Page 14 of Break the Ice

“Where are my manners? One too many dirty martinis will do that to you! Quig, this is Marisse March, the Wolves’ new PR manager. Marisse darling, this is Quigley Blackman, owner and CEO of the Onyx Hotel and Resort properties. He also owns a small percent of the team.”

Already aware.

Quigley Blackman’s a regular staple of every business magazine in the country.

My smile morphs from shy and modest to bright familiarity as I hold out a hand to shake Mr. Blackman’s. “I have followed you and your company closely over the years. Your business acumen is very inspirational.”

“Thank you.” Mr. Blackman gives my hand a firm shake and glances at Mr. Hawk. “You might be right, Hawk. This one might be a keeper.”

“Told ya! She’s a real gem! Which reminds me, Marisse darling, I need you to stop by my penthouse suite tonight. There’s more we need to discuss. Here’s a key. Come by in about an hour, alright?”

“But, Mr. Hawk, I’d prefer if?—”

“Call me Hawk. Just Hawk. I’ll be waiting.”

He pushes a card into my hand with the expectant air that the matter is settled. Turning to face Mr. Blackman, the two men slip into another conversation. I’ve been summarily dismissed.

I turn away, my skin prickling a degree hotter. My gaze happens to land on a face in the crowd who already has his attention set on me—Rafe Golding’s pinned me with a hard, narrow-eyed glare. He was watching me interact with Mr. Hawk and Mr. Blackman.

Probably pissed both men welcomed me into the fold. Even if for only a short minute.

He hates that I’m here.

I’m going to be the one to turn things around for the Wolves.

If it were up to Rafe Golding, their image would be flushed even more down the toilet. He would be able to continue his chaotic reign.

I drag my gaze away from his and disappear into the crowd.

I stay on the move, never mingling too long with any one person. Networking has always been a special talent of mine, even when I was a competitive athlete myself. I spend time charming different investors and advertisers and check in with a few of the players.

Reception from the Ice Girls is more mixed—a few give me the cold shoulder while a couple others seem harmless and bubbly. As the team cheerleaders, they seem to feel a level of possessiveness over the players.

“Enjoying yourself?”

I turn away from the two Ice Girls I’ve been chatting with and find myself facing Mr. Quigley Blackman. I rush to put on a pleasant smile.

“So far.”

“You’ll adjust. You seem to be a fast learner.”

“There’s certainly a lot going on.” I glance around the room as another Ice Girl wanders off with a player.

Mr. Blackman leans closer, his tall and thick frame like an oak tree that towers over me. “Just about everyone in this room has skeletons in their closet. Some of those skeletons might tumble out of that closet tonight. Your job is to pretend you don’t see them—or, better yet, spin those bones into gold.”

“Oh…” I stammer before catching myself. “I’ll… erm, have to keep that in mind.”

“We’ll have to sit down and chat sometime. Perhaps over dinner. Excuse me, Ms. March.”

Mr. Blackman abandons my side to go address other business partners who have caught his eye. I don’t let it deter me from more mingling. Though I do notice him only a few minutes later, walking out the door with Mr. Hawk’s personal assistant, Jerry.

Nothing about tonight has been a surprise.

I’ve been to enough professional sporting events to know how men like Jasper Hawk and Quigley Blackman operate—rich, powerful men who have the whole world at their fingertips. The things they get up to, sweeping under the rug, don’t surprise me.

I’m in the business of public relations for a reason.

But… I expected more discretion. Some make believe. At least in the beginning. I haven’t even been on the job for more than forty-eight hours.