The three of them sat at a table once again. Though, this time it wasn’t the breakfast table. No. This one was a lot larger, less pleasant, and too many people sat around it for Gryff’s liking. Five of them on one side: Gryff, Trey, Rayne, Eli, their P.I., and one of Gryff’s senior associates, Grant. Then, there were all the others across from them. An ADA, a transcriber, and some other various people in conservative suits and skirts.

Gryff pulled at the knot in his tie and cleared his throat. “Let’s cut the bullshit, Charlie. You know and I know that this was a clear case of self-defense. We found not only one witness, but two that confirmed it. If you were smart, you’d dismiss the charges.”

Charlie Duncan, Assistant District Attorney, placed his palms on the table and leaned forward. “Ward, are you saying I’m not smart?”

“I’m not saying that, but I can’t help it if you take it as such.”

Under the table, Rayne slid a hand over Gryff’s thigh and squeezed.

“We’ve got the two witness statements here,” she said. With her free hand, she slid the folder across the table toward the ADA. “We can bring them in for a deposition, if necessary.”

Duncan’s eyes narrowed as he glanced from the folder that sat in the middle of the table to Gryff. “I’m surprised you’re taking a personal interest in Holloway’s case.”

Gryff kept his expression neutral. “I always take an interest in gross injustice.”

“Gross injustice,” Duncan repeated and then barked out a laugh. “Do I need to show you the pictures of the guys he put in the hospital?”

“I’ve seen them.”

“He had every right to protect himself,” Rayne added. Her fingers tightened on his thigh. Probably more to calm herself than him now.

“He did more than protect himself,” Duncan reminded them.

“He was being jumped by four men. I’d say he did what was necessary to survive,” Gryff replied, low and slow, so there was no mistaking his words.

“The officers on scene didn’t think so. Nor did the DA.” Duncan shot a look toward Trey. “He’s lucky they didn’t tack on sexual assault in addition to the agg assault.”

Trey stiffened. “That guy wanted it.”

Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Trey’s head spin toward Rayne. She was probably now squeezing his thigh, too, trying to keep him quiet and under control.

Duncan’s eyes cut to Trey and studied him. “Are you saying you’re gay, Mr. Holloway?”

“He’s not saying anything,” Gryff answered before Trey could. “And even if he was, it’s no one’s business.”

“Except the guy he tried to sexually assault.”

Gryff closed his eyes for a moment and inhaled a deep breath through his nostrils. He tamped down his growing temper.

“If you believed he tried to sexually assault the gentleman, why wasn’t he charged with that?”

Why not? Because they all knew it was bullshit, and the aggravated assault was easier to prove since physical evidence existed. That’s why they charged him with what they did. But Duncan would not admit that.

No, he certainly wouldn't.

Duncan steepled his fingers and leaned back in his overstuffed, overpriced chair, one of many that surrounded the long table. “So, let’s deal.”

Gryff pinned Duncan with a stare and said, “Let’s.”

“We’re willing to drop the felony charges to two misdemeanor assaults. This way he only does maybe six months or so if he’s a good boy. Plus, he pays a fine and their medical bills. It’s better than the year or two he might get if convicted of the felonies.”

Gryff pursed his lips pretending as if he actually contemplated that ridiculous offer. Though, he would never consider it. No way did he want Trey doing any jail time. Or taking a plea. His career with the Bulldogs would be over. Another team may pick him up eventually, but that was no guarantee. “No.”

Duncan didn’t look surprised. He heard a relieved sigh from Trey’s direction down the table. He ignored it.

“Okay, I get you want to play hardball. I’m willing to give a little bit. How about this? He pays the medical bills for the two men who ended up in the hospital. And he pleads to two counts of simple assault. He may do three months or so. He’ll be in and out before anyone misses him.”

“You insult me and my client,” he murmured, not breaking Duncan’s gaze.

“Ward, really. That’s a good deal. You should jump on it.”

“No.”

“Okay…” Duncan blew out a breath, leaned over to one of the suits that flanked him and they talked low to each other. When he straightened, he said, “He just pays for all the victims’ medical bills. And any future bills that stem from this assault.”

Victims. Assault. Gryff’s jaw tightened. His teeth started to grind, but he stopped them. He needed to keep his temper under control. This is why you don’t represent someone you have personal involvement with. Emotions become tangled and it gets messy.

Trey jumped in when Gryff didn’t answer right away. “Yeah, I can—”

Gryff shot him a look and Trey immediately shut up, lifting his hands slightly off the table in a half-assed show of surrender. Gryff had warned him before the meeting to keep his mouth shut unless Rayne or Gryff, or even Grant, addressed him.

“No.”

Duncan’s eyebrows spiked. “That’s my best deal.”

“I doubt it. You’re an ADA, what do you care about medical bills?”

“Just trying to get justice for the victims.”

“Justice.” Gryff snorted. “Right. The whole issue is that they got what they deserved. They weren’t victims. My client was the victim. You keep ignoring that fact.”

“Let me say this… Thompkins is chomping at the bit to preside over this trial. He hopes there’s no deal.”

“Why? That doesn’t sound like impartiality to me.”

“Why ask why when it comes to Thompkins? We all know he’s a bastard. He’d probably get a kick out of sending your boy to jail.”

Your boy.

If Duncan only knew how much Trey was actually his boy.

“So, half their expenses then.” At Gryff’s hesitation, Duncan sighed and rubbed a hand over his eyes. “Come on. I’ve got better cases to deal with. Bigger fish to fry. I don’t want to waste my time on a trial in this case, either. Work with me here.”

“No.”

“Jesus, Ward. What the hell do you want from me?”

“What I’ve been clear about from the beginning. A complete dismissal of charges.”

“You’re crazy. You said yourself, you’ve seen the photos of their injuries.”

“Yes.” Gryff stood up, sliding the untouched folder that still sat in the center of the table to directly in front of Duncan, and said, “I’ll give you time to read the witness accounts. Fifteen minutes should do it.”

Then he spun on his heels and left the conference room. His gaze sliced through Trey, Eli, and Grant as they scrambled to get out of their seats to follow him. Eventually, Rayne followed, shutting the conference room door firmly behind her.

He ignored the sparkle in her eyes and the pleased look on her face, and kept walking until he hit the glass double doors in the lobby and he stepped into the sunlight, sucking in fresh oxygen. Or somewhat fresh oxygen, since they were in the city and mid-day traffic filled the air with exhaust fumes. He studied the cars all trying to get somewhere fast, but getting snarled in traffic instead.

Grant stepped to his side. “Why are Eli and I here? You seem to have things under control.”

“I’m beginning to wonder that myself.” His voice sounded a little harsher than it should be so he softened it before saying, “Why don’t you two head back to the office? They will dismiss the charges.”

Trey squeezed between Grant and Gryff, bumping into Gryff’s side. Gryff curled his fingers, resisting the urge to touch him. It wouldn’t do to be standing on steps of the downtown District Attorney’s office, clinging to his male lover.

“What?” Trey’s fingers brushed against his. Just slightly and only knuckle to knuckle. Nothing too obvious. “How do you know?”

Their gazes locked. “I know.”

Grant whacked Trey on the back and said, “This is why he’s the best, Holloway. Right, Eli?” He looked up at the black P.I. who was just as large, if not larger than Gryff.

“He certainly is,” Eli confirmed.

Then, with Eli by his side, Grant walked away, shaking his head with a smile.

Trey spun and gave a questioning look to Rayne, who only shrugged and wandered over to a nearby low concrete wall to perch on it. She lifted her face to the warmth of the sun.

Suddenly, Gryff’s gut twisted as he watched her take a deep cleansing breath and close her eyes, her face still upturned. The sunlight made her hair glow around her. Her lips parted and slightly curved at the corners.

The shoes she wore had to have three or four inch heels and made her legs look endless, especially in those damn stockings of hers. Her skirt rode up slightly and he wondered if the stockings were thigh-highs. He couldn’t imagine her wearing anything else. He had the feeling the traffic would become more snarled if drivers caught a glimpse of her basking in the sun. She may even cause some rear-end collisions.

A whisper came close to his ear, “Stunning, right?”

Just then Rayne turned her head toward them, saw them standing close together, and gave them a warm smile. One that turned his blood to lava as it flowed through his body and landed in his balls.

He realized it wasn’t just a sexual reaction. No, it was more.

He wanted more.

Not just now. Or later. Or even tomorrow.

He wanted forever.

And that thought hit him hard. So hard his knees almost buckled, his heart raced, and a bead of sweat popped out on his forehead. He swiped it away with a shaky hand.

“You don’t look so well,” Trey observed.

“I’m fine.” Just a little shaken.

He finally peeled his eyes from Rayne and plastered them on the man standing next to him.

Trey should be considered competition.

But he wasn’t.

He shouldn’t be attracted to Trey. Not with a beautiful feminine specimen like Rayne only feet away.

But he was.

He shouldn’t be wondering when the next time Trey and he would be naked, exploring each other, satisfying each other’s needs.

He shouldn’t, because all he had to do is suggest getting together and both of his lovers would be willing. More than willing.

Trey did not have to steal moments in the back alleys of bars. Not any longer, at least.

No. He had woven himself into their lives. Made them want him. Made them care.

Gryff thought about the decision that was being made inside that conference room at that very minute.

They might lose Trey either way. Either he’d go to trial and he may end up in jail, which would pull him away from them for a time. Or the charges would be dismissed and the team would take him back, which in effect would put Trey back on the road for training, preseason, regular season. Not to mention everything else that went with being a star quarterback. That would actually last a lot longer than the jail sentence he would be handed if found guilty of aggravated assault.

No matter what, Trey didn’t deserve the hand he’d been dealt in this case. He needed to be completely exonerated.

Gryff wouldn’t accept anything less. His lover needed a clean slate. And he was the one that could give it to him.

* * *

Gryff’s long legs were cramped in the back of the cab. Being alone in the back seat, he twisted enough to stretch his legs a little more. Trey and Rayne had taken another cab together since they planned to go celebrate.

Even though Gryff was just as relieved as them, he didn’t feel in the mood to celebrate with them. He had other things on his mind.

When his phone chirped, he figured it had to be Rayne or Trey begging him once more to come join them.

He looked at the screen. Grae.

Well?

Gryff responded. Charges dropped. File closed.

Possible civil suit? Grae asked.

Doubt it. Those witness statements were solid gold. If so, we’ll deal with it.

There was a long pause before he got another text from Grae. With the length of it, Gryff realized why.

The Bulldogs’ owners will be pleased. He might not be ready in time for preseason, but he’ll definitely be ready for September, then the journey to Super Bowl Sunday. At least he’ll be out of your hair now.

Gryff read the last sentence again. He’ll be out of your hair now.

That reminded him of the conversation at his older brother’s home where Grae stated he didn’t want to sit across from Trey at the Thanksgiving table and see him eating their mother’s sweet potato pie.

It must have reminded Grae, too. Now it’s guaranteed he won’t be at Thanksgiving dinner. Game in Seattle that day.

Shit, he thought. They saved him from jail, only to be put back on the roster as the starting QB, which meant what he feared... Trey would soon be on the move.

But that wasn’t a risk, anyway. Right? Like I said, explore, figure out what you want, then scrape him off.

Gryff didn’t have to answer to anyone else but himself. Especially not his older brother. But still, Grae must have a reason to keep mentioning that Trey should only be temporary and not forever.

Gryff didn’t answer.

Right? came the next text.

While Gryff stared at his phone wondering whether he should bother answering, his phone rang. Somebody had become impatient. He swiped his finger across the screen and reluctantly put it to his ear.

Before he could even get out a greeting, Grae jumped all over him. “Please tell me you’re going to scrape him off now. He won’t be your client anymore and he’ll be busy with this upcoming season. You don’t need him in your life. Believe me. He needs to concentrate on being the best damn quarterback out there. Please don’t fuck that up.”

Gryff’s eyebrows knitted, and he frowned. “Are you saying I’ll distract him?”

“Yes, that’s what I’m saying. Sex tends to do that. He’s got a real shot this year to slide that ring on his finger now that this mess is behind him. Don’t take that away from him or his teammates.”

“If they don’t make it to the Super Bowl, it won’t be because of me, Grae.”

“Good to hear. Break it off soon.”

“You assume there’s something to break off.”

Grae got quiet on the other end of the line.

The hairs on the back of Gryff’s neck rose. “What do you know?” he asked softly.

“Only what you told me that day you were at my house.”

“Bullshit.” Gryff’s jaw tightened. “Gia?”

“Her…” Long pause. “And Trey.”

“Trey?”

“He came to me for some advice.”

Gryff pinched the bridge of his nose and leaned his head back against the backseat of the cab. “What kind of advice?”

“The kind that makes me think there may not be scraping any time soon.”

“Big brother—”

“Little brother,” Grae countered.

“I got it under control.”

“Sure you do. He’s not a stray kitten you get to keep.”

“Of course he’s not a fucking stray kitten.” Gryff closed his eyes as a rush of anger rose, and so did his voice. “Why can’t I keep him? Who are you to say what I can and cannot do? This doesn’t affect you one iota.”

Gryff heard Grae’s whisper. “Holy shit.”

He ignored him. “You do not dictate my sex life. Nor my love life.”

“Fuuuuck.”

“Shut up,” Gryff grumbled.

“You’ve got it bad, you stupid shit. Bad. And, you’re right, this doesn’t affect me personally but it might affect the team. I’ve already explained that.”

“I don’t give a fuck about the team.”

“No, I’m sure you don’t. But Trey does. And if you care about him, you’d realize just how important this season is to him.”

“To the team,” Gryff corrected.

“Them, too. He’s been jonesing for a Championship win. This is the team to get there. He is the QB who can get them there this season. Don’t fuck this up for him. He may not act like it matters, but it does. And it will matter in the end. Down the road, it will matter to him if he loses this chance. He’s had a fucked-up life. Let him have this. He’s getting to the age where things can go south easily. If it isn’t this season, it may not be ever. Do you get what I’m saying?”

Gryff gritted his teeth. “Yes. I get it.”

“Good.” Grae said softly. “Good. Now let him go. Find someone else. Or just stick with that woman attorney of yours. Concentrate your energy on her.”

Gryff rubbed at the sharp pain in his chest. When he went to answer his brother, he realized his phone had gone dark. His brother had hung up on him.

Damn it. He tucked his phone into his suit jacket pocket and scrubbed his face with his palms, then blew out a breath.

There was a shitty saying out there that went something like: if you loved something set it free…

If meant to be, Trey could come back to them after he reached his dream.

Grae was right, neither Gryff nor Rayne should do anything to keep Trey from achieving his goal. They might hold him back without meaning to.

In the meantime, Gryff could move forward with Rayne, because there was no way he would let her go.

He would do whatever he had to do to keep her.

That he could guarantee.