Title: Fighting for Redemption
Series: The Elite: Book Four
Author: USA Today Bestselling Author, Nicole Flockton
Genre: Adult, Sports Romance
Coming: May 23, 2017
 From USA Today Bestselling Author, Nicole Flockton, the final book in The Elite Series.Bad Boy Brett Hunter is on a downward spiral after a poor performance at the Rio Olympic Games. His sponsors are threatening to drop him and trouble seems to find him wherever he goes. He’s comfortable with his bad boy image, it’s what he deserves after what he’s done. The last thing he wants to do is change the public’s perception of him, but his agent tells him, change his image or lose his sponsors. Cassandra Fielder doesn’t like working with diva athletes – she’s been there, done that and has the divorce decree to go with it. When she finds out her new client is Olympian Brett Hunter, for the first time in her career she wants to tell her boss no, unfortunately, saying no isn’t an option. What she isn’t prepared for is the unexpected attraction flaring between them. She has no plans to play on that particular field again. As she spends time with Brett, she begins to see there is more to him than what he shows the public. But why is he trying so hard to hang on to his bad boy image? Being with Cassandra has Brett facing old foes and a past he is desperately trying to forget. When the truth comes out, a fledging love is put to the test. Can it survive or has trust been irrevocably shattered? |
Fighting for Redemption (The Elite: Book Four) Excerpt © Nicole Flockton 2017
"You're kidding me aren't you?" Cassandra Fielder looked at her boss, Frank, hoping he was pulling one of his rare pranks.
"No, I never joke when it comes to a client."
Well crap, he’s using is no-nonsense tone which meant one thing; it was a no prank day.
"Since when has Brett Hunter been one of our clients? I thought Powerz had him in an airtight contract."
"As of yesterday he became one of ours. He and Powerz had a mutual parting of ways."
"Why doesn't that surprise me," she muttered under her breath.
"Now, now Cassandra,” Frank tutted. “Given your experience with athletes, and given your ability to make an Eskimo buy ice, you're the best person on staff to handle Brett. I’m sure you’ll come up with some unique ideas to change the public's perception of his image. His Agent, Dan, is a friend of mine. I assured him we'd do everything we can to take Brett from being public enemy number one to hero of the hour."
God, the task was almost impossible. For his whole career Brett appeared to go from one scandal to another, culminating in a poor performance at the recent Olympics—in the pool and more drama than you could throw a stick at, out of it. The guy was a veritable marketers nightmare. And, lucky her, he was her nightmare now.
There was no point in arguing with Frank Allen, managing director of Star Image Consultants, once he'd made up his mind not even a jackhammer could prise the command loose. She supposed she should be flattered he thought so highly of her, even though he had to throw part of her past in her face. It was the very reason she didn't want to work with Brett. Athletes weren't high on her list of favorite clients she wanted to work with. Her only option was to suck it up and hope that she can do the impossible and do it quickly.
"Seeing as you have so much faith in me, and it’s obvious I have no choice. I'll contact his agent and set up an appointment time."
"No you don’t and there’s no need to contact Dan." Frank leaned forward and Cass knew she wasn't going to like what was coming next. "He's already in the conference room waiting to speak to you."
Fan-friggin-tastic. No time to prepare. No time to come up with any ideas to present to him. Hell, she needed time to think, image improvements didn’t just rain down from the sky. It was clear Frank was throwing her in the deep end and expecting her to swim to victory. Well she was no Olympic swimmer and the one waiting for her was just going to have to wait a little while longer.
"Well I'm going to need a few minutes to plan and look into things to see what I can come up with."
"No. I need you to see Brett now. Just meet him and then you can work out the best way to improve his image after you’ve talked to him."
God, how she wanted to stamp her feet and cry why me, but a diva she wasn't. A consummate professional she was.
"Fine. But next time, a little warning would be nice." She stood and headed toward the door.
"Oh, Cass?" She stopped, turned and faced Frank, lifting her eyebrow in query. "What fun would it be if I'd given you ample warning?"
This time Cass didn't hold back, she rolled her eyes and chuckled. "You're lucky I love you, Frank."
Still chuckling she walked out the door and headed for her own office to gather the things she needed. If it took her more than the five minutes it should, what did it matter? Brett Hunter could stew a little longer.
***
Not ready at all for this meeting, but knowing she'd delayed long enough, Cass straightened her shoulders, opened the door to the conference room, and found it—empty.
Great.
Fantastic.
He couldn't even wait ten minutes. Damn, why had she been so caught up trying to show Frank she couldn't be manipulated. Trying to get the upper hand in a meeting she was going blind into. She should've just grabbed a pen and notepad from someone else's desk, marched straight into the conference room, and dealt with Brett. If she'd done that she may have been back in her office, going over her notes.
Now she had to walk around the office to try and find her elusive new client. All the while making sure Frank didn’t notice she’d misplaced their now star client. Hoping like hell he hadn’t already left the building and was well on his way to getting into trouble. She had to find him fast.
If I was a disgraced athlete where would I go?
To the nearest exit and the closest bar?
That could be her scenario if she Brett didn’t turn up somewhere in the office.
"Are you my new brand expert?"
A deep voice sounded behind her. Relief coursed through her knowing that she wouldn't have to walk into Frank's office and tell him she'd lost his friend's client.
She turned, faced her quarry, and stuck out her hand. "Good morning Mr. Hunter, I'm Cassandra Fielder and yes I will be working with you to tidy up your image."
Her breath caught when Brett took possession of her hand in his and gave it a firm shake. Liquid heat wound its way through her bloodstream.
What the hell?
 USA Today Bestselling Author, Nicole Flockton writes sexy contemporary romances, seducing you one kiss at a time as you turn the pages. Nicole likes nothing better than taking characters and creating unique situations where they fight to find their true love.On her first school report her teacher noted "Nicole likes to tell her own stories". It wasn’t until after the birth of her first child and after having fun on a romance community forum that she finally decided to take the plunge and write a book. Apart from writing Nicole is busy looking after her very own hero – her wonderfully supportive husband, and two fabulous kids. She also enjoys watching sports and, of course, reading. |
