I check the clock as I open the next letter. It’s getting late. This is the last one I’ll read tonight. I want to be home when Trey calls from his room in Miami.
My hands freeze, the letter pinched between them pulled taught with my anger. My amazement.
“What the actual fuck?” I growl at it angrily, reading it again.
Trey,
I reached out to you and you ignored me. We’re family. How could you do that? How could you turn your back on family, huh? Guess you’ve already forgotten where you came from.
Hopefully you haven’t forgotten your last lay. Tish. She sends her love. Hers and the love of the baby you made her abort. I know all about it, man. And if you don’t make this right between us, the whole world is gonna know about it too. About how Prince Charming is a baby killer. Just ask her. She’s ready to talk. She’s kept your secret long enough.
Maybe now you’ll write me back.
David
I can’t believe it. I can’t believe the amount of bullshit piled inside such a small letter. It’s impressive. It’s ballsy.
It’s a dumb fuckin’ move.
I smash my finger down on the intercom. “Carey!” I bark at the assistant I have to share with six other agents. “Get in here! Now!”
I don’t wait for her to answer before I disconnect the line. I stare at the letter as I wait, collecting my thoughts. Forming my plan.
Just as Carey comes running into my office I pick up my cell, checking the time. Trey’s flight will have landed. He should be heading to his hotel. I dial his number, putting the phone to my ear and giving Carey the ‘wait a minute’ finger.
He answers on the second ring.
“Business or pleasure?” he asks briskly.
“Business.”
“Damn.”
“I need to ask you about that guy, David. The cousin who contacted you before.”
“Yeah. I asked my mom about him. She said we’re not related, remember?”
“I remember, but the thing is, he’s back.”
Trey groans. “Oh God. Great. How much does he want?”
“He hasn’t said yet. I think he’s waiting to talk to you before he sets his price.”
“Price for what?”
“Blackmail.”
Carey’s eyes go wide as she smartly shuts the door behind her.
“Are you fucking kidding me?” Trey asks quietly, his voice going muffled. He’s hiding his phone in his hands or his coat to keep people from hearing.
“I wish I was. I got a letter from him today. He’s threatening to tell a story about you. One I’m going to ask you about the legitimacy of strictly out of necessity. Do you understand me?”
“Ask it.”
“Did you force a girl named Tish to have an abortion?”
I’m surprised when he laughs. I don’t think it’s a particularly funny question, but he finds it hilarious.
“No,” he laughs. “Hell no. She never got into that kind of trouble. Not with me. I made sure of it.”
“Are you on the bus?”
“Yeah. Everyone is here.”
“Okay, why don’t you call me when you get to the hotel and you’re alone? We can talk candidly then. In the meantime I’ll do some research on your accusers.”
“It didn’t happen, Sloane,” he promises soberly. “I swear.”
“I believe you. Call me later.”
I hang up, turning my attention to Carey. “I need a background check right now.”
“Names?” she asks quickly, pulling a notepad out of nowhere.
“David Brandt is the first. Tish… of shit, I should have asked her real name. I’ll get it to you later.”
“Where is David Brandt most likely from, so I can narrow it down?”
“Idaho.”
“Got it. I’ll get started on his name and you’ll get back to me with the woman’s?”
“As soon as I can.”
Carey vanishes silently, a ghost of a thing but efficient as shit. I sort of love her.
Hopefully she loves me because we’re in the thick of it together tonight. I’ll keep her late as we sort this out, finding out who these two opportunists are. It doesn’t escape me that Trey didn’t deny sleeping with Tish. He only denied the abortion and the idea that he could have knocked her up. She was obviously someone he spent time with regularly, meaning she could be a jilted ex. One looking to find a pay day since he ditched her before he got rich.
He was supposed to be the golden child. The Heisman Trophy come to life, but since the moment I met him, Trey Domata has been nothing but trouble.
Hyatt Regency
Miami, FL
I’m rooming with Colt. That’s something.
It’s not uncommon for younger guys to bunk together. I was lucky to have my own room that night in Louisiana when Sloane came to stay with me. I haven’t had my own space since, but I’ve never doubled up with Avery before. He and Tyus are tight, buddies since the start of their careers. They know they’re going to have to share space with someone so they ask that it be with each other. Tyus is out this week, though. He’s back in California nursing a concussion compliments of the Broncos defensive line. I drilled two thirty-yard passes into their end zone to thank them for it. We won the game, 30-20.
Fuck the Broncos.