29

Weston took a deep breath, half laughing before asking a question. “Do I want to know what these emails said?”
“Simple and to the point. ‘Ten years ago, three men of the Elite including Clinton Cross murdered a bright rising star. Her soul has yet to be freed.’ Poetic.”
The two men sucked in their breaths. “Someone is playing a game,” Christian said. “We need to find out who.”
Weston took a deep breath. “Did either one of you get a strange text last night?”
I couldn’t help laughing. “One word. Soon?”
When Weston nodded, Christian exhaled. “Yeah, I tried calling the number. Not in service.”
“Yeah, well, don’t bother. Burner phone. No doubt,” I told them.
“Meaning you’ve gotten more than one text.” Weston lifted his eyebrows.
“Yes, I have.” I scanned the restaurant, almost laughing when I saw Maria’s personal assistant watching her from a distance. The woman certainly didn’t like me very much. As if I cared.
“Well, ain’t this peachy,” Christian growled. “I think we’re being set up. Why Chicago, Weston? New business?”
Weston’s expression went from confusion to disgust. “Yeah. Bart Cheveau is supposed to sell his textile firm, but he’s having seller’s remorse.”
I rubbed my jaw. “Strong company with tremendous profits. Why try and sell?”
“Why does the name Cheveau sound familiar?” Christian asked.
“You’re right, it does,” I said in passing.
“He’s legit,” Weston insisted. “But the change in his attitude was unexpected, forcing me to come to Chicago.”
Too many things were out of place, leaving a trail of bloody breadcrumbs. I glanced at Christian.
“You mentioned earlier that we needed to talk. What other joyful information did you bring us?” Whatever game was being played was already taxing.
He nodded, obviously mulling over everything that was going on. “William Watkins is determined to ruin us one way or another. An article came out in the Times in New York. Somehow, he either convinced or bought off a reporter to tell his story regarding the Elite. It’s a doozy. I took the liberty of printing a copy of the article for you. While he’s careful not to commit himself to a libel suit by mentioning us specifically, he paints an ugly picture of the university and the Elite.”
After he handed us a copy, I scanned it briefly. Then I balled the two sheets of paper into my fist. “The motherfucker needs to pay.” Why would he attempt to do this now? It didn’t make a lot of sense.
“Maybe that’s why the contract I came here to finalize has a chance of going south,” Weston hissed. “It would seem to me a plan is in motion to destroy us one way or another.”
We can’t allow that to happen, gentlemen,” Christian said as he looked from one to the other.
“At least it’s the university a-holes who’ll be forced to deal with this. I bet their attorneys will have this article retracted within a week, maybe sooner.” Weston folded it neatly, shoving it into his jacket pocket.
“That’s not the point, and you know it. However, if anyone asks us questions, then we’ll deal with it. Until then, we watch and wait to see who rears their ugly heads. And I assure you that they will.” Still, I was furious to the point additional security was in the process of being installed on every computer and communications system.
If the fucker wanted to play hardball, then so be it.
“Go enjoy your day,” I told Weston, although the jealous beast wasn’t too far under the surface.
He suddenly had the same look cross his face that he’d expressed before. “There’s no reason we can’t enjoy her together.”
Christian snorted. “Are you suggesting we could share a woman for real?”
“Are you dating anyone?” he asked. “Are you, Clinton?”
I shrugged.
Christian slowly turned his head towards Maria. “I’ve been busy with building the business.”
“Why do I have a feeling you’re going to say the same thing, Clinton?”
This time I lifted my eyebrow. “We live in different parts of the country, gentlemen. Unless she’s interested in a few nights of passion only, I’m not certain what our attraction could matter.” We barely knew the girl, but she had certainly sparked all our interests.
“It could be fascinating to see if it could work out. She does travel more than we do.” Christian chuckled. “But we can’t be serious. We’re grown men who need to eventually settle down.”
“Who said anything about settling down?” Weston threw in. “As mentioned, the girl is tough. What makes you think she’d want anything other than a casual fling?”
“Notice our boy here is certain he’s going to get her between the sheets. Talk about over confidence,” Christian said, laughing.
Christian had lightened up in the years that had followed our graduation. It was good to see the banter between us was the same. “Let’s face it, gentlemen. One night destroyed a huge part of us. Whether we want to admit it or not.”
Weston shook his head.
When neither one of them said anything, I thought about the suggestion. “But we could see what happens for old times’ sake. Maria has the night off. I know the perfect place where we can spend some quality time while engaging in pure sin. Are the two of you game?”
“I thought you’d never ask,” Weston answered.
I folded my arms and walked closer by a few feet. She seemed to be eyeing us carefully. When she removed her sunglasses, giving all three of us a onceover, I decided to take matters into my hands.
“All kidding aside. What would you think about keeping her?”
Weston flanked my side. “Are you being serious?”
“I am.”
“As a pet?” Christian asked.
“Perhaps. Perhaps more.” I mulled over the idea. Suddenly, a risky scenario slipped into the back of my mind. I wanted the crap with both The Iceman and Theo’s dad to be finished with once and for all. There was one way to ensure that happened.
To use a lure.
“And the logistics?” Weston asked.
I tipped my head towards Weston. “We’re three of the most powerful and wealthiest men in the world. I think we can handle logistics when they arise.”
He laughed. “You’re right, my friend. And I must admit, even though I’ve spent only a little time around her, she would be incredible to own.”
“There’s another reason,” Christian said as he studied my expression. “Isn’t there?
The deep breath I took didn’t fill my lungs. I had an ache inside for the woman and the thought of putting her in harm’s way was damning, yet it might be the single time we could effectively work together to eliminate our enemy. If things worked out, then we’d own a beautiful pet. “The obvious objective of both The Iceman, if he still exists or handed his legacy to someone else, as well as that of William Watkins is to either destroy or kill all three of us.”
Weston got in my face. “You want to use her as bait. You son of a bitch.”
“Not bait exactly.”
“Then what the fuck do you call it?”
I shifted my gaze towards him first, then to Christian. “She won’t be of interest to either one of them. Only the three of us will be.”
“And what if something happens when she’s with us?” Weston asked through gritted teeth.
“It won’t because we won’t allow it to.”
Christian laughed, the sound bitter. “Same old Clinton. He thinks he can control the world.”
“Do you really want to spend your life wondering when or if you’re going to be shot at or arrested?”
Weston dropped his head, cursing under his breath.
“I hear what you’re saying, Clinton, but that beautiful woman doesn’t deserve to be used.” Christian was adamant. “I thought you were interested in Maria, not in the fact she’s simply someone we can share. That’s no longer acceptable. I want to spend time with someone I care about, not just want to fuck. I’m ready to share my life with a special lady. Maybe have a few kids. The three of us talked about sharing someone for a long damn time. And you know? The idea was ridiculous to me at first. Then the more I thought about it, the better I liked it. But I will not use her. No fucking way.”
“Ditto,” Weston snarled.
There was no denying what I’d wanted. I glanced in her direction, overwhelmed with the kind of desire that would never leave. I’d experienced it once in my life and lost it. I wouldn’t do it again. “I care about very few people. You both know that. Women matter little in my life, or at least they haven’t up to this point. Like you, Christian, I long for more than just a night or a weekend of fucking. It was fun while we were younger. It’s not fun any longer, just… it simply satisfies a physical need. I want her. Maria. The woman. The beautiful talent with a laugh that can light up a room. I want her body and soul, but yes, I want her damn love as well.”
The two men were silent for a few seconds. Then Weston moved in front of me once again. “Maybe you do have a heart after all, Clinton. If you really feel that way, then fine, we will enjoy getting to know her, hoping for more. But you will fucking promise me that you’ll do everything in your power to keep her safe. If anything happens to her, I’ll fucking kill you myself.”
I knew in my blackened heart that I would do anything to protect her, no matter the circumstances or the cost.
“Then so be it. We begin the process. Within a few days, the lovely Maria Sadler will belong to us.”