18. Emma

Chapter 18

Emma

M arching into Highland Spirits office, I'm greeted by a woman who looks like she could handle border control all on her own.

"Name?" she states.

"You won't find me in any diary," I say, trying to match her attitude. "I'm here to speak to the person who cancelled my meeting the other day." Fuck. I don't even know who that is. Gillian was just the Admin.

She blinks slowly at me, like an owl with a bad ‘tude. "I'm sorry, I can't let you in without an appointment."

"No?" I say, my temper flaring slightly. "Well, tough shit!" I march past her to the lifts and stab the button for the top floor. For a moment, I worry she might tackle me enforcer-style, but she stays at her desk, glaring daggers at my back.

As the lift whisks me upwards, I take a deep breath and try to calm down. When the doors slide open, I step out into an opulent reception area with plush carpets and walls lined with awards and framed photographs. Highland Spirits obviously takes itself very seriously. I also realise I'm in the wrong place. There is no way the people up here deal with sponsorships. The trouble is, I have no idea which floor I should go to, so I take the Highland by its Spirits and march over to the really plush reception area and fling my shoulders back, head held high.

I approach a sleek glass door and am about to knock when it swings open suddenly. A tall man in a sharply tailored suit stands there, looking slightly surprised but mostly curious, but I know who he is. "Gregor," I state coolly. "Nice to see you again."

His eyes pinch as he takes me in and gestures with his head for me to follow him into his office. I do with a superior glare at the bewildered receptionist.

"Miss Thornton," Gregor says, indicating that I close the door behind me. "You're making quite a stir."

"Well, you're to blame. If you hadn't come to tell me someone was sabotaging me, I wouldn't be here," I point out with more force than necessary.

He chuckles. "Quite. You are on the wrong floor. You need floor two."

"Fine. Thank you." I turn to leave but pause when he falls into step beside me and reaches for the door handle.

"I'll escort you. Cathy is spitting feathers and has sent Security after you."

"Well, Cathy needs to mind her own damn business," I mutter but then feel bad. She's only doing her job, and quite admirably at that, as we come face-to-face with a burly Security man who is about the same size as Gregor but way younger and more muscular.

"It's fine, Scott," Gregor murmurs. "I've got this."

"You sure?" Scott burrs, giving me the stink-eye.

"Quite sure."

Scott nods and lets us pass. We wait for the elevator in silence but as soon as we are inside, Gregor turns to me with a half-smile. "This wasn't quite what I had in mind."

"I know, and I apologise. I just didn't know where I was going and then figured, fake it til you make it."

"I can appreciate that. Grant might have other ideas." Gregor gives me a searching stare.

"Grant? Is he the one in charge of sponsorships?"

"Mm-hm. Grant McCrae."

The name hits the pit of my stomach with lightning force. "McCrae?"

Gregor raises an eyebrow but says no more as the doors ding open.

I step out onto the second floor, my heart pounding as Gregor follows me into a less opulent yet still intimidatingly professional area. The walls are lined with sleek black-and-white photographs of Highland Spirits' sponsored athletes, all with serious expressions and perfectly styled hair. It's like stepping into an alternative universe where everyone takes themselves far too seriously.

Gregor leads me towards a door at the end of the corridor. "This is Grant's office," he says, knocking lightly before pushing it open.

Inside, a man with prematurely greying hair looks up from his desk, his eyes narrowing as they land on me. He knows exactly who I am, judging by the sour look on his face. "Miss Thornton," he says, his voice clipped and professional. "To what do I owe this surprise?"

I force myself to stand tall. "I believe you cancelled my meeting, and I'm here to tell you how wrong you were."

Grant leans back in his chair, steepling his fingers as if considering some grand chess move. His eyes flicker with something unreadable before he stands and gestures for me to take a seat. "Please, sit down. Let's discuss this like adults."

I sit reluctantly, perching on the edge of the chair as Grant settles back behind his desk. Gregor disappears, leaving me to my fate. Great.

"Miss Thornton," Grant begins slowly, "the reason your meeting was cancelled is because we have some concerns about your leadership and the direction in which the team is going."

"I've been the team owner for five minutes. The team isn't going anywhere it wasn't already headed. That has fuck all… erm… nothing to do with me taking over from my dad. We both know that's a pile of rubbish, so let's cut to the chase. You are somehow related to Colin McCrae, who has a bee in his bonnet about working for a girl, and when he quit, he decided to make life difficult for me, and you're assisting him in being a, no offence, complete arsehole."

Grant blinks, but I can see the smile he's trying to hide. "None taken," he murmurs but then frowns. "This has taken an unwanted turn."

"No kidding. Do you think I want to be here after you cancelled on me? I really don't. But I'm not going to let someone destroy what I'm trying to do. I didn't ask for any of this, but I'm here because my dad needed me. I don't need people like Colin and you, making it even more difficult for me. It's unethical." I lift my chin higher.

Grant taps his fingers thoughtfully on the desk, eyeing me with a mixture of curiosity and wariness. "Miss Thornton, I understand your frustrations, but there's more at play here than just Colin's grievances. Highland Spirits has a reputation to uphold, and we need to be sure our sponsorships are in capable hands."

"Capable? I've been in charge for a short time, yes. But my father wouldn't have left the team to me if he didn't think I could handle it," I say, hoping I'm right.

Grant sighs, leaning forward. "It's not about doubting your abilities. It's about ensuring stability. The team has been through a lot of changes recently. We need reassurances, and Colin quitting wasn't very reassuring."

I take a deep breath, trying to rein in my frustration. "Colin quit after you cancelled on me. I'm pointing the finger here, Grant," I say boldly. "You're not being truthful."

Grant's face goes stonier than before. "Colin might've come to me with grievances that you were fraternising with some members of the team." His cheeks go slightly pink. "And some rival team members as well."

"And?" I grit out. "My personal life is no one's business."

"It is when it's my business," he counterattacks. "We have a reputation to uphold."

I nod slowly and rise. "I see. Well, I know the truth now, and that's what I came for. I didn't come here to beg for your money. I have better options than a company that can't see past its own prejudices. Now, if you'll excuse me, Grant, I have better things to do with my time."

I turn on my heel and march out of his office, heart thudding in my chest but with my head held high. As the door closes behind me, I feel anger and relief wash over me. I might've got what I came for, but it doesn't hurt any less. But I have a plan, and it has to work, and when we become the most popular team in Scotland, Highland Spirits will be banging down my door, and I will give them the finger just like they did with me. What goes around…

Now, all I have to do is make sure I can deliver that future, but I am more determined than ever to get off my sorry arse and make this a successful business and sports team.

At least the elevator ride back downstairs gives me a moment to calm the storm raging inside me. Once outside, I take a deep breath of the crisp Scottish air.

Lachlan, Keir and Taran are waiting for me in the car park, and it brings a smile to my face.

"You came," I say, on the verge of tears again.

"How'd it go?" Lachlan asks, wrapping his arms around me.

"About as well as could be expected," I grumble. "Grant McCrae's got a stick up his arse, and it's firmly wedged there."

"McCrae? As in Colin?"

"Yeah. He didn't confirm their relationship, but obviously, it's there, and Colin has been telling him stories about what a slut I am and how I'm going to drive this team into the ground."

Lachlan's grip on me tightens, and I can feel the tension in his muscles. "Fucking arsehole," he mutters darkly.

Keir steps forward, his green eyes flashing with protective anger. "Grant and Colin can both piss off," he says firmly. "We know what you're capable of, Emma."

Taran leans over to kiss the top of my head. "You know we're with you, no matter what. Which brings me to the subject of this cheating dickhead, Carrick, is it? Him tracking you down all this way from London is concerning."

I see Lachlan and Keir exchange worried stares and know that they're fully up to speed on the situation, no doubt thanks to Anna and Jamie.

"Look, he's an idiot, and I want nothing to do with him. Jamie gave him something to think about. I don't think he'll be back."

"Still, Anna made him sound like a pretty rank human being," Lachlan says.

"Like him cheating on me didn't convince you?" I snap, suddenly annoyed for no reason I can fathom.

"Whoa, wait a second," Lachlan says, holding his hands up. "Of course, he's a complete arsehole for that, but Anna told us things that are deeply concerning. He might retaliate for you not giving him his shot. We're worried."

"Deeply concerning how?" I ignore the fact that my friend appears to have been keeping secrets about my ex from me. That can be dealt with later.

"He is a snake when it comes to business. Sabotage, blackmail, that kind of stuff. We just want you to be safe, that's all," Keir says.

I close my eyes and exhale, trying to process the whirlwind of emotions and information. "Thanks, guys. I appreciate it. Really, I do."

Keir looks at me with those earnest green eyes. "We mean it, Emma. We're here for you. No matter what. But maybe we could take turns in staying over? Or you staying with us? Just until we know he's gone back to London?"

I blink at him. "Take turns?"

"Sure," Taran says quickly. "We all need one-on-one time with you anyway."

Lachlan nods in agreement, his grip on me loosening a bit but staying supportive. "It's a great idea. We don't really want Jamie swooping in to save our girl again. That is not good for our manly egos."

I snort, feeling lighter than I have all morning that they're so caring and supportive of me and each other. "Okay, sounds like a plan. But no fighting over who gets to stay when and where. Draw straws or something fair, yeah? I have no say in this. It's up to you."

Mainly because I don't want any of them to think I'm favouring one over the other if I choose them first.

"Sounds like a plan. We'll discuss it and let you know," Taran states happily.

"And Highland Spirits can piss off," Keir says. "I am raring to go round the villages looking for new sponsors. It's going to be awesome!"

He looks so enthusiastic that it buoys my flagging resolve. "My thoughts exactly," I reply, my spirits lifting from the heavy cloud of doubt that had settled. "So shall we meet at The Lamb and head out to local businesses from there?"

"Sounds good, Red," Lachlan says.

"I'll come with you," Taran says, slipping his hand into mine.

I smile up at him. "Okay,"

"That was sneaky," Keir murmurs.

"Look, you two live together, so don't think you can get away with double time with her just because of that. This has to be fair."

Giggling, I nod. "He's right. Fair's fair."

"Dammit," Lachlan mutters with a good-natured smirk. "We're busted, Keir."

Laughing, we make our way to our respective cars, but when we get to mine, Taran opens the back door and slips inside, dragging me with him. "Those prudes in there think you're a slut? Let's give them something to really talk about?"

"Oh, you're bad," I murmur but crawl onto his lap, my hands clasping behind his neck. "But you're on."