Chapter 11

Ten minutes later he watched Dara walk away back to the offices and cranked the engine. He tore out of he parking lot so fast his tired squealed. He could do this. He and The Cup. Maybe he wouldn't be the one to break the legend after all.

But he'd need Brenna's help to pull everything off.

The offices where his sister worked as a paralegal were in downtown San Antonio. He hit the Interstate and pushed he speed limit all the way. Then he wasted more time finding a space in the closest parking garage. By the time he rushed into the site of law offices almost thirty minutes had passed and he was getting a little nuts.

The reception area was carpeted and spacious, with comfortable couches long two walls where people were obviously waiting for their appointments. The woman sitting at the dark walnut reception desk stared at him.

"May I help you, sir?"

He stopped and gulped in a lungful of air. He knew he probably looked deranged, not the impression he wanted to make on Brenna's bosses and coworkers. He took another deep breath and was about to ask where Brenna Vorchak was when her voice cut through the air.

"Matt?" She hurried in from the wide hallway to the left, a stack of folders in her arms. "Matt, what are you doing here?"

He smiled at the woman behind the desk and gestured a Brenna. "My sister."

"Your very puzzled sister." She looked at the woman. "I've got this Sandy. Come on, Matt." She smiled apologetically at the waiting people, grabbed his arm and towed him down he hallway to the small office where she worked. Pointing to a chair she ordered, "Sit. Talk."

"Yes, ma'am." He tried on a grin for size, hoping to erase the scowl on her face. Then the grin disappeared. "But I need you to help me, Brenna. I wouldn't just barge in here otherwise."

She glared at him. "Did you screw up with Liz already?"

"I don't know. I don't think so. Maybe." He raked his fingers through his hair. "But I have a good lucky fairy who told me what to do, nly I need your help. I can't do this alone."

Brenna sighed. "Mattie, I'd love to help you, but I can't just walk out of here in the middle of he day - "

She was interrupted by a knock on the door, ten the door opened and a man in a carefully tailored suit stepped in. Matt figured he was one of her bosses.

"Rein?" He glanced at Matt. "Sandy buzzed me and said she thought you might have a problem, so I - " He looked at Matt again and blinked. "Damn ! Matt Vorchak." He held out his hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you. Saw your excellent play when The Rage won The Cup."

"Uh, thanks." Matt rose to take the man's hand.

"Charles Bandrich. One of the partners here." He glanced at Brenna. "Your sister is one of our bright shining stars. We're very lucky to have her."

"She's definitely a winner," Matt agreed, ignoring Brenna's blush. "Listen, sorry to barge in he re like this, but I have a kind of a problem. I was hoping to get Brenna to give me a little assist - "

"And I was just about to tell him I am swamped today," Brenna broke in. "No problem."

Bandrich shook his head. "Are you kidding? Your brother needs you. Go. Take the day. I now what's on your plate and it can all wait."

"Oh, well, thank you, sir." She fidgeted in place.

"And Matt? If there is anything this firm can ever do for you, just give us a holler. We're all fans."

Saying that, he walked out of he office and shut the door.

Matt stared at his sister. "Is that cool with you?"

She laughed. "I guess so. I've never seen that guy anything but serious and somber. I guess I better take care of my hockey star brother. So what's got your shorts in a bunch? Where do you want to start?"

"Is there a place here where we can get some coffee? I think better with caffeine."

"Right in the lobby of this building. Come on. I'll let the iron maiden out front know I've been given an outside assignment for the day."

He lifted an eyebrow. "You have to get her permission?"

"Not really, but she thinks I do, so it's about the same."

He tamped down his impatience until they were settled in the coffee shop, he with a large extra strong black and Brenna with a latte.

"Okay," she said, after she'd taken a sip and smiled with pleasure. "Let's have it."

He pulled out his cell phone and scrolled to the memo app. He'd taken notes while Dara was talking so he didn't forget anything. As they drank their coffee, he read the list, and with each word he saw the impossibility of he situation.

"How the hell am I going to do all this?" He raked his fingers through his hair. "I mean, Jesus, Brenna."

She laughed. "I think this is the first time I've ever seen you this flustered. I think I'm enjoying the sight."

"Thanks so much," he growled. "So can you help me? More importantly. Will you?"

She studied him for so long he began to squirm in his seat.

"What? Do I look funny?"

"I just want to make sure you're deadly serious about this. It's all going to be very public, so a lot of people will see you if you blow this. You'll never get anther chance with her if you screw this up."

"Hence my asking for your help."

"Plus, if I use my connections for some of this, they won't be happy to be part of a disaster.

"I'll do anything, and I mean it."

"Okay." She pulled out her cell phone. "Then let's get busy."