Key went to the television and grabbed the remote. Right as Alec decided to start questioning the parts he didn’t understand, his cell phone buzzed. Key took a seat on the sofa, turning on the television as Alec went for his phone, surprised to see Marc’s name crossing the screen.

He didn’t hesitate to check his messages.

“You talkin’ in here?”

The volume button that Key had been actively turning up started its descent. “No, I’ll go to my office.”

Alec read the message as he went. “I sent you an email outlining the stipulations Judge Jenkins has added. He’s ready to finalize, please advise. Alec, this is as good as its going to get. I strongly recommend Keyes agree.”

Alec’s mind raced as he jogged toward the front of the house and into his office. By the time he rounded his desk, his heart pounded, blood thundering so loudly through his veins his hands shook as he tossed the phone to the side of his monitor and quickly typed on his keyboard to open his email. In those few long seconds it took for the program to open, Alec dropped his chin to chest and willed himself to calm.

For the majority of last several days, he had diligently worked with Betty in the district attorney’s office and with Marc Manners, trying to rush Key’s plea deal along, not letting too much time pass for Twiford to blow this case up, but he’d never expected anything to happen this quickly. Betty could see the truth of the situation…that Key wasn’t interfering with an informant. She’d agreed to reduce the charges to a misdemeanor and three years unsupervised probation. Now they just had to get it through the final judge sign-off.

With a click of the mouse, Alec opened Marc’s email then the attachment. With each word he read, the pounding of his heart turned into a sinking feeling, his shoulders slumped a little further until he sat back in the seat defeated.

Alec lifted his gaze, re-reading the small paragraph written by the judge. Nothing changed over the second read through and he scanned the rewritten plea agreement attachment that included the stated changes. Keyes Dixon could have no contact with the Disciples of Havoc for the length of his probation period, which the judge had also expanded from three to five years.

The club was Key’s life.

Alec was silent, bringing his chin to his palm, staring at the screen, his mind racing over the possibilities.

For Alec, this could be a chance to fight for their future—his and Key’s. For Key…well, he would he see this as losing everything. The club was his foundation.

But if Keyes were incarcerated, he wouldn’t have access to his brothers then or during any probation he received after release. That wouldn’t change. And the risks of taking this case to trial were too great. Public opinion on the Disciples was too negative and that would flow through to the jury pool and influence not only the disposition of the case but also the sentencing.

Marc was right. There was no choice.

“All right,” he muttered to the silent room before typing back a message of acceptance to Marc. He pushed send before he allowed his downward spiraling emotions to get the best of him. How in the world was he going to walk into the living room and tell Key he couldn’t have anything to do with his family for five years?

The pit in his stomach grew. He felt sick. The guilt was back in full force. What could he say to help Key see this as anything other than his world ending? Even with Key’s adamant instruction for Alec to handle the details of his case, would he actually agree to stay away from his brothers?

Alec looked at the door when he heard a quiet rapping from the outside.

Would Key ever believe this wasn’t in the deal from the start? Anxiety rolled though him as the door pushed open.

“Sorry—you gotta see this,” Key whispered, sticking his head inside the door.

“Come in. I’m done. See what?” he asked, confused why Key looked so eager with all the horrible news Alec had just received.

“I paused the channel. Come see.” The excited Key left the room. Alec rose, and grabbed his cell phone, defeat heavy on his heart. He trailed after Key who stood behind the sofa with the remote in one hand and Nash in the other. When he came to stand beside Key, his guy pressed play. Alec was still distracted and hadn’t really been paying attention when he heard District Attorney Twiford’s name along with seeing several images of a younger Twiford hanging on to a Disciples of Havoc biker. She beamed brightly in every single picture. Key had told him these pictures existed, and Alec instantly perked up.

“Who released this information?”

“Doesn’t say. It’s exclusive breakin’ news on Channel 8. It’s got it all, Ray-Ray’s name, her connection to the club. Said they contacted her office, but she’s been on leave and hasn’t released a statement.”

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