Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 86020 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 430(@200wpm)___ 344(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86020 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 430(@200wpm)___ 344(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
Both his sisters were holy terrors on the soccer field. And super competitive. Even he found their ruthlessness shocking. They could steal the ball out from under you in a split second. Of all the Harringtons, they were the fastest and wiliest. Soccer wasn’t about brute strength. It was about agility and strategy. And they were both excellent tacticians.
Gabby swiftly passed the ball to Ava, just as Matt Tremont made his move, going in for the steal. But he pulled up short, mystified to find the ball no longer there.
Dane and his siblings had played soccer with Gabby since she’d joined her middle school soccer team in the Bay Area, then had gone on to play all through high school. The family had used the game as a way to deal with their parents’ deaths in an avalanche while skiing in the French Alps. The blows had continued when they’d learned their parents had squandered their fortune, racking up huge debts. Soccer practice helped them blow off steam and kept the family from imploding. Dane had spent his entire adult life keeping his brothers and sisters together. They were all his best friends, the ones he turned to and counted on, be it critical middle-of-the-night calls or just goofing around.
But now they’d all found their own paths and were doing damn well. Even if each of them had yet to find a partner—or, hell, even a serious relationship. At thirty-eight years old, Dane’s life had become about business, his resorts, and expansion.
His team—his family—moved the soccer ball rapidly down the field toward the Mavericks’ goal net. While Clay played goalie, Troy and Ava kicked the ball back and forth, but soon Gabby would move in for the kill. Cal and Gideon yelled instructions from the sidelines while Matt, along with Evan Collins, tried vainly to steal the ball. They hadn’t a clue it was no use.
Gabby went for the goal. Sebastian Montgomery dove for the ball before it made it into the net, his fingers falling an inch short.
Of course one of his sisters scored first. Dane high-fived his teammates, while the Mavericks stomped the grass like angry stallions.
They were an equally competitive bunch, one of the many reasons they interested him. Since that New Year’s Eve gala at Dane’s Napa resort, the Mavericks and Harringtons had been feeling each other out over one-on-one lunches, drinks, or dinners. All the proceeds from the fundraiser had gone to benefit Lean on Us, Gideon’s foundation for veterans and foster kids. Dane had worked with Cal Danniger and Lyssa Spencer extensively on the holiday gala, getting to know them well. As he learned more about the Mavericks, he discovered a synergy between them he couldn’t quite explain. And he envied it.
A couple of days ago, Will Franconi had called him, saying they should all talk.
Dane had suggested the soccer game.
“Sounds perfect,” Will said. “Afterward, we’ll grab a pint in the city and talk.” After a beat, he added, “We feel there’s great potential in pursuing some business ventures with all of you.”
Dane thought the same thing. His family agreed. The Mavericks would complement everything his sisters and brothers brought to the table.
They got in position for the Mavericks’ turn at the ball. Now they’d had a taste of the Harringtons, the Mavericks would be on guard and not as easy to beat.
Dane went for the steal right under Evan’s nose. But the man saw him coming, and the ball whirled out of his reach to Matt, who dribbled it down the field. Yeah, the Mavericks were now playing tough.
He’d first met the Mavericks when he anonymously purchased a Miguel Fernando Correa painting from Gideon. The famous artist’s work had come into Gideon’s hands through an army comrade. After remaining unknown for generations, the painting was now worth millions. Instead of exploiting the windfall, Gideon had used the proceeds to start his nonprofit foundation.
Of course, Dane had heard of the Mavericks long before that. Who hadn’t? When Lyssa and Cal came to London with the intention of hitting him up for a donation, he’d revealed the Correa painting upstairs in his study. And told them of his desire to help the foundation in any way he could. He’d brought in more donations and offered his resort for the gala fundraiser Lyssa had planned.
But it was Cammie who’d first seen the magic in the painting, encouraging him to bid on it. He’d upped the bid until there was no doubt the amazing work of art would be his. After he’d enjoyed the painting in his London townhome for a few months, it was now making the rounds of galleries and museums worldwide. Cammie had set up the tour from her uncle’s bedside.
His gaze drifted once more to her on the sidelines. She watched the game as avidly as the Maverick ladies, all of them shouting encouragement as their men kicked the ball between them, moving it swiftly down the field, neither Gabby nor Ava able to check their momentum.