AN: Sorry for the wait guys, I was on holiday and didn't bring my laptop.

So without further ado here's the next chapter!

Hope you'll enjoy reading it!

Chapter 48

BPOV

I woke with a start as my alarm blared in my ear. I rarely had to rely on my alarm to actually wake me up and I groaned. I hated being woken up like this. I stretched and dragged my tired ass out of bed and into the shower, hoping it would soothe me a bit.

The shower worked a bit too well, and I lingered under the hot spray, letting myself be woken up by the lovely scent of my body wash and the fragrant steam that filled the shower. My phone pinged in the distance and I reluctantly turned off the shower and stepped out. I glanced at my phone and then groaned again, noting the time. I was running late. I hurried through my routine, skipping drying my hair and simply braiding it and twisting it up into a braided bun.

I hurried to my closet and grabbed a pair of slacks and a blouse, shrugging into it while I put on the coffee, and grabbed an apple for breakfast. Not the best start of the day, but it was a wonder I didn't fall over or hurt myself.

I quickly did my make up and then put the coffee in a travel cup.

'Are you ready boy?' I asked Jake as I stuffed my heels in my bag and stepped into my sneakers.

He wagged his tail and came lumbering over. I put his leash on and grabbed my bag and coffee mug and headed down. I put the bag and mug of coffee in the car first and then quickly went for a walk with Jake.

The one good thing about running late was that there were virtually no reporters anywhere to be seen. I breathed a sigh of relief as Jake and I stepped out of the building and headed on our short walk without interruption or nosy men stuffing their camera's in my face.

Mercifuly Jake was quick too, doing his business at the first sport of grass we came across, so I was back in my car with Jake loaded in the back on the way to the park in no time.

The reporters were surprisingly absent again as I drove into the Park. I hoped it meant they had finally given up on getting a juicy story. Though I doubted I would be so lucky. I quickly parked and headed inside with Jake in tow.

Jane greeted us at the door to my office, catching me up on everything I'd missed, which wasn't a lot since yesterday. But still it was good to have her go over everything that was done and everything that needed to be done today. I handed her the files I'd taken home yesterday and after she informed me about my appointments we both got to work.

Thankfully today was less busy than yesterday. I only had one meeting with Emily, and the rest of the day was going over the budgets. I had requested the budgets from all departments to be done by today, so I could go over them and see wether everything was going to plan, or if we needed to adjust.

I pulled everything up, but noticed HR hadn't sent the operational plan through for management yet. So I quickly sent them a reminder, telling them to have it to me by noon today.

I got on with some other work until Jane knocked on my door at ten thirty to signal that Emily had arrived. We spent an hour going over the progress everyone had been making with pilates, and I was pleased that there definitely was progress happening. We talked about a few problem players which according to her would benefit from extra sessions, and I told her to go ahead and schedule them, with Emmett's approval of course. It did have to fit in their scheules after all.

We set up a bi weekly meeting to go over the progress of all players and then I couldn't help myself but ask about Sam.

'So I saw you and Sam head out together yesterday.' I started after she'd put her things away.

'Oh yes, he offered to walk me to my car, because the reporters were still hovering around.'

'That's nice. Those reporters can be asholes.' I scowled.

Emily nodded. 'it's been ridiculous these past few days. but I'm getting gused to it. And Sam was really nice.' She smiled.

'That's good to hear. I'm glad all the coaches are getting a long well. I took a bit of a gamble changing things up when I started, but I'm glad it seems to be paying off.'

'I'm really glad you gave me the opportunity.' She smiled, gratefully, I waved her thanks away.

'I'm just glad you can hold your ground against those guys. I swear some of them have ego's the size of the empire state building.'

Emily snorted and nodded. 'yeah, it's a mess. The first class I had at least three guys come up to give me their number.'

I laughed and shook my head. 'they really think they're god's gift to women everywhere.'

Emily laughed and nodded in agreement.

'Emmett said Sam took a few of your classes as well.' I segued the conversation back to Sam.

Emily nodded. 'yeah, him and Jared joined the first session and then he came back a few times on his own. He said he liked seeing the guys in action, and that it's good for himself as well which of course I agree with. So I told him the door is always open.'

'that's kind of you. But do let me know if at any point you feel uncomfortable.'

Emily stared at me. 'oh no. I… He's always kind. I mean thank you that's great, but don't worry about Sam, he's very respectful. In fact he offered to take me to dinner Friday.'

'That's lovely. I'm glad you two seem to really like each other then.'

She blushed and nodded. 'I was going to ask HR what the policy was on dating before I gave him an answer though.'

I nodded. 'well, it's not a problem where I'm concerned. As long as you do keep it above board while at the club of course.'

'Yes, of course, I value professionalism, so I wouldn't jeopardize that.'

'Then I'm fine with you two dating. I'm happy for you.'

She smiled and thanked me. WE spent a few more moments talking before we said our goodbyes and she headed out again.

My email pinged as the door shut behind her and I opened it to see the missing documents from HR had finally arrived. It was nearing noon, so I quickly took Jake on a walk around the park and then sat myself down with a sanwhich and got to work.

It was gurelling and something I hated but it needed ot be done. Harry had given everyone the budget constraints, but still I needed to go over everything myself to make sure everything was the way it should be. Time flew by as I worked through the different numbers and made sure everything added up.

Sometime later between the numbers from management and merch sales Jane stuck her head in to say she'd be leaving. I waved her off and wished her a good night. Then Harry came by and said the same. I waved him off too.

Finally I sat back rubbing my face tiredly. I was almost done. Just another few pages and then I could head home too. I glanced at the clock and noticed it was already half past six. I groaned. Edward and I were having dinner tonight, though we'd not made firm plans yet about the time and place. I grabbed my phone intending to call him about it, when the door to my office opened. Jake was immediately on alert, and came over next to me.

'Hello? Who is there?' I enquired, standing up.

With a sneer on his face Mr Hunter stepped into my office like he owned the fucking place, trailing after him was Mr Dupont, still looking worse for wear, which I noted with satisfaction.

'What are you doing here?' I asked immediately, my hand reaching for the phone to call security.

But James held up an envelope and shook his head. 'I wouldn't do that if I were you.' he snarled. 'if you call anyone, or make a scene, I have instruments in place that will make this' he shook the envelope at me 'public.'

He threw the envelope down on my desk. I held his gaze for a moment but then reached for it and opened it, turning it upside down.

Pictures came tumbling out and spilled across my desk. There were dozens of pictures of me and Edward. They seemed to be recent. The first few were of that day in the pub. I was kissing him. We were wrapped around each other intimately. The next one was of me running away. The look of devastation on Edward's face was clear, and I shuddered. I knew I had hurt him that night but I hadn't realized the full extend of it. The picture hurt to look at.

Then there were pictures from inside the club we'd gone to the day after. Edward stood with his hands on my hips, my hands trailing over his arms, his shoulders, everywhere. Then us kissing again. Then us getting into a cab. It just got worse from there. They'd stalked us, used high level lenses to get the most intimate pictures.

I was disgusted. I was horrified. Bile rose in my throat and I gripped the desk to keep myself from falling over.

'who the fuck do you think you are?' I growled at them.

James just had a smug smile on his face, Laurent was looking slightly more uncomfortable, but angry as well.

'I think you might want to change your tone there, missy.' James drawled, sitting down in the chair opposite my desk.

I remained standing and just stared at him. What did they want with me? I was very grateful I'd decided to take Jake with me today, his presence next to me was comforting. They wouldn't be able to hurt me with Jake standing guard. But still it unnerved me that they seemed so comfortable, well James was at least. He seemed so sure he had the upper hand here and that made me nervous. What if they had weapons? I'd be screwed then. This clearly was not just a friendly chat. He came with a purpose, and it seemed clear that purpose was to threathen me or blackmail me.

James sat back, kicking his feet up on the desk. I stared at them pointedly, but he left them there. 'Why don't you sit your pretty ass down and we can discuss how you can make sure those pictures won't go public.'

I clenched my jaw, wanting very much to tell him to go fuck himself, but I also didn't want to provoke him. I sat down slowly. 'what do you want?' I asked.

'That's more like it.' he grinned, and I shuddered with disgust.

'You're giving me my job back with a pay raise.' Laurent snapped, clearly getting antsy at James's slow pace.

'I am not.' I told him steadily.

'Oh but you are, unless you want this all to come out.' James gestured to the photos, picking up a particularly revealing one; me standing in front of the window of my living room, dressed in nothing but Edward's button up that was not buttoned up all that well.

'I am a fucking great player. Without me this team will go down the drain. That asshole who did this.' He pointed ot his black and swollen eye. 'is the one that needs to be fired.'

'You wanted to attack me for suspending you. Why the fuck would I put you back on the team?' I snapped. 'why would you even want to get back on the team?'

'Because your fucking cunt of a PR person slandered me! I'm fucking blacklisted!' he yelled, jumping to his feet and leaning angrily over the desk. I sat back in my chair, shocked by his outburst. Jake pressed into me tighter, his hackles raised and he snapped warningly at Laurent.

Laurent seemed to pause for a moment as he took in Jake's aggressive stance, but then he pointed a finger at me. 'You fucking cost me my career. So you fucking better hire me back and as soon as we win this fucking world series I'm out again.'

'Fuck you, you deserve to be blacklisted.' I spat at him.

Laurent's eyes blazed with fury, but James put a hand out to stop him from leaping over the desk and attacking me.

'Even so. You will give my friend here his job back, with an extra two million bonus for his troubles.' James said, his tone warning me not to argue.

Laurent sat back down with a nod.

'and what do you want?' I asked James. No way he was here out of some altruistic sense for his friend.

'I'm so glad you asked.' He leant forward and smiled his creepy smile again. 'you will pay me fifty million for these pictures, and make me a majority shareholder of the club.'

I blinked, then stared at him. Was he kidding me?

'Are you serious?' I asked incredulously.

He nodded, still sporting that disgusting smile. 'dead serious.'

'Why the fuck would I do that?' I barked.

'Because princess, if you don't, the press will be having a fieldday tearing you to shreds, and not just you, but darling boytoy here and his family too.'

'All you have are some photos of two people in a relationship.' I argued back. 'that's not going to harm me. It will be annoying, yes. But that's it.'

His grin turned even nastier which I hadn't thought possible. 'oh but I have so much more than that.'

'what then?' I demanded.

'I have a story. A story of how a baseball player looking for fame and fortune, sidled up to a young vulnerable woman going through a tragic loss. He apporoached her in a dog park, he got his family in on it, all of them preying on her vulnerability to get fist class seats to games, a better cut of the merchandise and a prime position for his father; an exclusive contract.'

'You're going to drag Edward and his family through the mud? That's your play?' I asked angrily.

He shrugged. 'It's a good story. Press will eat it up. The public will be outraged on your behalf. His family won't be able to show their face in this town again.'

'No one will believe you.' I snapped.

He grinned. 'are you sure?'

He leant forward and shuffled through the pile of photos. He took one and held it up to show me. It was a picture of Edward holding me as I sobbed against him on a park bench. James tapped on the date. 'Notice anything?'

'I know when it was.' i ground out through clenched teeth.

'it won't take much to suggest that he was waiting for you. it won't be a leap for the public to judge him harshly. People don't like pretty young women being taken advantage of'

'Like you're doing right now?' I asked cocking a brow at him. He grinned at me, but didn't respond.

I leant my head in my hands, rubbing my temples as I tried desperately to think my way through this. 'even if I do give in…. what's to stop you from demanding more and more?'

Laurent rolled his eyes, but James leant forward with that nasty grin again. 'well, then you'll just have to decide what you value more. Your money or your boy toy's reputation.'

'and if I don't and instead turn you in to the police for blackmail?' I stated boldly.

He grinned, sitting back again and propping his feet up again. 'then you'd better start watching your back, lady.'

My blood ran cold in my veins at the threat in his voice. Laurent seemed shocked as well, staring at his buddy with big eyes.

My phone started buzzing on the desk, I moved to grab it, but James was faster. His hand shot out and he grabbed my phone.

Edward's name was flashing up across the display. 'Speak of the devil.' James said, smiling at me.

'give my phone back.'

'I don't think I will just yet. We won't want you to contact him before you are able to sign this very legally binding contract agreeing to the terms we've just discussed.'

He produced another manilla envelope and opened it, grabbing one single piece of paper from inside. He put it on the desk and slid it towards me. 'please sign at the bottom.'

My eyes scanned the contract. Everything he'd wanted was laid out. fifty million to be payed in five installments, a shareholders poision on the board, without a buy-in, and Laurent's position reinstated with a two million bonus.

'This will never hold up in court.' I told him, nearly rolling my eyes at the bad language usage and actual blackmail being spelled out in the supposed contract.

He scoffed. 'I've seen more than enough transfer of holding contracts. This will do just fine.'

I rolled my eyes. The fucking nerve of this guy. He was a slimeball through and through. But his overconfidence could be my saving grace. If I signed this now, I knew Kate would tear it to shreds easily, but it would be the evidence I needed to get him in serious trouble. I could make a report of blackmail and extortion. He would be locked away. I knew Leah could help spin the relationship story, to make sure Edward wouldn't be put through the wringer.

Was signing it the best thing to do?

I bit my lip, hesitating. I was fairly sure it was a nonsense contract, but then again, a signature was worth a lot. I could always plead duress, but it would probably end up being their word against mine, and there were two of them. Would I be believed?

James grinned and pushed a pen over to me. 'just one little signature, and all of this will go away.'

I snorted. 'except for the fact you two will be back in my club on a daily basis.' I snapped.

'Don't worry I'll be gone the moment I can be transferred.' Laurent snapped, crossing his arms over his chest.

'And who knows.' James leered at me, leaning forward. 'you might even grow to become fond of us.'

I wanted to vomit. Was this guy for real?

I couldn't do it. I couldn't sign it if there was even a slight chance this absolutely digusting piece of human could hold something over me. I didn't want him within a hundred feet of me ever again. He gave me the creeps. He was a creep.

I threw the pen down and crossed my arms over my chest. 'I won't sign it.' I told him, my voice trembling slightly.

'I think you will, princess.' James hissed, his eyes turning menacing. 'unless you want this evening to get a very different ending.'

I pushed back my chair, standing up immediately and taking a step back, the hair on the back of neck was standing up and my stomach was rolling at the threat in his voice. Jake immediately put himself between me and James, growling and barking warningly.

James stood up as well, leaning over the desk menancingly. Jake gave a sharp bark as James started reaching over the desk towards me.

'what the fuck is going on here?' a sudden angry shout burst through the room, making us all jump. I glanced at the open door, and relief flooded through me as Edward stood there, looking incredibly angry.