Satisfied 2X

He laughed. “Only if it’s with Vanessa.”

My insides were twisting like a roller coaster. It was one thing to have Charlie working through problems on my behalf—trying to save the team’s reputation. It was another, trying to hide my life from her. Trying to cover up my own scandal. I felt like I should just go ahead and confess, but there was no way I could admit I was in a relationship with two men.

It wasn’t a one-time deal. Wasn’t that what three-ways were supposed to be? A one-time sexual experience that people experimented with? A way to explore something new? Something you could blame on a wild drunken impulse.

It had gone way beyond that for me. For them. We were in something that didn’t have a name. There was no way to define wanting both of them in my bed all the time. Needing them in my day and night. I doubted Charlie Maine was the kind of woman who would understand it.

“Can I get you a beer Charlie?” Dylan asked.

“No thank you. I have plans with Linc. I just stopped by to pick up something from Vanessa.”

The safe was sitting in the hallway coat closet. I had hauled it in after our meeting.

I realized with Dylan in the kitchen, discussing its contents wasn’t going to be easy.

Charlie was waiting.

There was a small study off the foyer I never used. It might become my home office.

“Dylan, I’ll be right back.”

“Sure. Take your time, darlin’. Good to see you, Charlie.” He winked at her.

Charlie shook her head. “You too, James.”

She followed me to the coat closet. I lugged it out from under my spring jackets and wheeled it into the study.

“You two look awfully serious,” she commented.

I didn’t know how to answer her. “It’s good,” I replied.

The glass door was the only thing between Dylan and us. I wanted to keep this as confidential as possible. The secrets were mounting around me. What if the guys found out about the safe? They already hated my grandfather. Realizing he kept dirt on them would only make that hatred grow.

“How you got Dylan James to agree to this, I don’t know. I’ve convinced a lot of athletes to do things they didn’t want to over the years, but it was for the sake of their careers. I was their last chance for redemption. How did Steve get him to sign on for this? Blackmail?”

“Oh God no.” I glared at her. “He wouldn’t do that.”

“Really?” She cocked her head to the side.

“Dylan wanted to do it. He volunteered.”

> Charlie laughed. “Come on. I know these guys. He’s a playboy. A notorious partier. He’s doing an excellent job of playing fiancé, I’ll give him that. I wouldn’t have known that was possible, he’s convincing. But, really? Why did he give up that up for this arrangement? What did you and Steve promise him? I need to know what the pay off was so I can prepare for it if that comes out somehow.”

I shook my head. “I don’t think all those details matter.”

“Before I open that safe and start learning about every dirty filthy thing those guys have done, I have to know what someone has collected on you. Because somewhere someone is doing the same thing your grandfather is. Only instead of at the top of the tab it says Vanessa McCade.”

My mouth dropped in horror. “No. Why would that happen?”

“Vanessa, I get it. This wasn’t your world. But it is now. The sooner you realize people are nothing but corrupt sons of bitches who want to take what’s yours, the quicker you’ll start covering your ass.”

I wanted to run out of the study. I wanted to find Dylan’s arms. I wanted Isaac to shield me from the ugliness of her words.

“What were the stakes for Dylan? Did Steve have something on him?”

“No.” I shook my head. “He won me.”

“Excuse me?”