Page 58 of Vicious Intentions

I rubbed my jaw. “Strong company with tremendous profits. Why try and sell?”

“Why does the name Coplan sound familiar?” Cristiano asked.

“You’re right, it does,” I said in passing.

“He’s legit,” Hunter 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 Cristiano.

“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,” Hunter 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,” Cristiano 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.” Hunter 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 Hunter, 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.”

Cristiano snorted. “Are you suggesting we could share a woman for real?”

“Are you dating anyone?” he asked. “Are you, Cain?”

I shrugged.

Cristiano slowly turned his head towards Rose. “I’ve been busy with building the business.”

“Why do I have a feeling you’re going to say the same thing, Cain?”

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.” Cristiano chuckled. “But we can’t be serious. We’re grown men who need to eventually settle down.”

“Who said anything about settling down?” Hunter 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,” Cristiano said, laughing.

Cristiano 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.”

Hunter 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. Rose 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,” Hunter 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?”

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