Piper and the Paparazzi King

4

“I’m listening. What’s your idea to get Ford back on top?” the older man asked, leaning his elbows onto his desk as he listened to his son.

Rusty was working to help him fix the mess they were in and every idea he had could help. And this idea might just be the answer they were looking for. “Ford needs help, right? His arm is hurt and he is struggling emotionally. Frankly, he needs a second hand with training new talent in our North Carolina gyms, too.”

“Right,” said the old man in agreement as he subtly pulled the candy dish on his desk out of his son’s reach before he emptied the bowl. Like father, like son, Rusty had a sweet tooth for those delicious cherry candies.

“I have this new girl I’m interviewing today. I was going to hire her with my team, but I think Ford needs someone more than I do right now. He’s doing this Vice President gig without any help. With the doctor visits, helping to run the show, and worrying about his kids, he’s under a lot of pressure. Not to mention we need him back in front of the cameras.” Rusty looked concerned for his former brother-in-law as he added, “He may never fight again, Dad. We both know that. His priorities have changed and raising the girls is number one on his list. If we can take some pressure off, maybe it will give him time to help us get things back on track.”

“And you think Ford is going to go for a woman working that close to him on his team, or being around his children? He’s not exactly women-friendly lately unless they are the ones he trains to fight.” Wyatt chuckled, but the smile quickly faded as he thought about the little girls in the middle of it all. “My granddaughters don’t deserve to go through this either. Why did Naomi do this?”

Rusty shook his head at his father, knowing damn well why she did it. “She’s a selfish b***h. That’s why.”

“Son, that’s your sister! Don’t talk like that.” Wyatt huffed. “I can’t believe Naomi set us all up. Having us both attacked because she didn’t get her way was childish. I knew she wanted to be my successor, but not like this. Hell, I think that’s why she stayed with Ford this long. She wanted to get that CEO spot for herself and thought she could control him. He’s a good man and didn’t deserve what she did to her family. I feel responsible for even starting this crazy show. I thought I raised you two better than that, but I failed you all.”

“Dad, you were great. You gave us the world at our fingertips, and your fight shows are the best in the industry. She chose to cheat on him all those years and planned the attack. Don’t blame yourself. I love Naomi as much as you do, but she’s just always been this way.” Rusty frowned, knowing his sister was just plain vindictive. “But... you did pamper her more than she deserved.”

“Are you saying I spoiled her?”

Rusty just raised a brow at his father with a knowing glance. Naomi’s brother always believed she was the spoiled youngest child. He also believed she got with Ford to be famous, starting with his first win as heavyweight champ. His sister was always drawn to money, power, and fame. With Ford, that’s exactly what she got.

The reality show diva charmed the pants off her ex early on and quickly got pregnant to ensure the celebrity fighter married her. She didn’t even want kids, at the start, but eventually fell into enjoying motherhood more than she expected. It was the one thing Naomi did well, and her daughters were the only ones in her life she truly cared for more than herself.

“Maybe you’re right, Son. So, tell me about this girl you want to hire.”

“This new girl could do anything we ask. I did a live-feed interview, and she’s real eye candy but seems sincere and very business savvy. She’s got some skill in the ring from working in indie wrestling for a while, and we can use her on the show, too. Right now, she’s interested in working with talent and development in Ford’s department. He could show her the ropes behind the scenes while he heals from his injury.”

Looking around his pristine office as he weighed his options, rubbing his sore hip. He liked what he was hearing, but would Ford even go for it? If he was going to hire an assistant for him, it needed to be someone he could relate to. In the meantime, she could start as his personal assistant until his arm healed.

“What about my granddaughters? I know Ford has been upset that Naomi keeps them from him.”

“She isn’t giving him much time with them at all. She keeps them in Europe at her new house with a nanny most of the time and Ford is beside himself with grief. You know how important those girls are to him.”

Rusty tried giving his dad a little idea of her new life with each chat they had, giving brief insight to keep him in the know. Since Naomi was behind the attacks, they hadn’t talked in months, and her older brother hated being the middleman for their arguments.

“Anyway Dad, this girl is a part-time fitness trainer and has gone to school for PR. She has this insane resume. She was a fitness competitor and Ford would love that since he competed in his early years. They have a lot in common, especially their work ethic.”

Wyatt rolled his eyes, saying, “She sounds too good to be true. Where did you find this girl, a science lab?”

Blowing out a puff of air, Rusty mirrored his father’s eye roll. “Come on, Dad. Give me the benefit of the doubt here. I did my research on this chick. She’s legit. Look, I have her information right here on my phone. This is her business headshot I found online and her resume.”

He handed over his phone with the photo of a brunette beauty with the kindest eyes and a sweet smile the older man had ever seen. While he listened to his son, he knew there was something to this. After all, Ford needed help, and this woman was looking to be the key that they had been hoping for.

“... She had a good following in the Indies. A little all over the place with her fighting skills, but she seems driven and ready to pick up wherever we need her. She was determined to work and was willing to do just about anything to make it happen. Except kissing your wrinkly old ass,” Rusty teased.

“Funny jokester. You know, she’s pretty and looks about Naomi’s age. And you’re right, this resume is impressive. Looks like she’s a go-getter.”

Wyatt mulled over what Rusty was saying as he tapped his fingers on the desk. Running his hand through his salt and pepper hair, he knew Ford would never go for this, but it was worth a try.

“Dad, the Diamond twins referred her to me. They say she has helped a lot at our training center with fitness workshops. In exchange for teaching rookies part-time, she started using our training ring to keep up her skills. Kiki says she’s loved by everyone in the center, but Ford hasn’t met her yet, even though he looks over that gym.”

“That’s surprising. Most people want that paycheck and still half-ass do their job. I see she lives in Ohio, but commutes to North Carolina a lot. Why?”

“She travels doing fitness modeling and workshops all over the Midwest and East Coast. As you said, she’s a real go-getter. I don’t know where she finds the time.”

Wyatt raised a brow. “Rusty... I don’t know. This girl seems to be all over the place. We need someone who can handle a full-time job here, not running after side projects. I’m impressed, but she needs to be ready. Ford won’t accept someone who isn’t one hundred percent in the game. If this woman can’t focus on the task at hand, we can’t use her.”

“I promise she’ll be ready,” he said, taking back the phone. “Those other gigs were just for extra cash. You know how it is starting in this business. You take whatever comes your way to pay the bills. I have already talked to her about that, and she is ready to work hard and commit to whatever task we have for her.”

Knowing he had no other choice, Wyatt agreed. “Fine. Let me interview this girl. I think you’re onto something. I may need to get your mother in on this one to have her convince Ford he needs this help. We all know he does, but he is stubborn. Being it’s a woman we’re hiring, he may buck on this idea. We both know he has this no-women thing going on right now.”

“Worth a try.”