Linda began her nightly ritual of straightening Carl's office. Although it was the drudge's duties Linda enjoyed personally taking her of Carl.

"Do you really think you can play with Jude and Zero's lives?" She asked as Carl passed by her desk treating her to a wink that never failed to send sweeping spirals of warmth through her yogalites made body.

He paused "I'm not playing. I'm deadly serious all three of those kids have been messing up their love lives and I'm sick of watching from the sidelines."

"Look who's talking." She muttered "They're young and entitled to make mistakes. What's your excuse?"

He rolled his eyes and ignored her jibe.

"Jude's picked real losers and because of that he wouldn't know a decent man if he bit him in the ass."

"And suddenly Zero is a decent man? Just yesterday you called him a lowlife, blood-sucking snake."

He chuckled "Any man with the balls to gravel is ok in my book. I missed the kid and besides the two complement each other well."

"You're a hard man to read Carl, just a few years ago you used to harass athletes that came onto your kids and now you're playing cupid?" Linda shook her head.

Carl laughed. "I'm getting old."

"Anyway did you get tomorrow's schedule?" Linda asked.

"Read it to me love will ya?"

She sighed wondering when he'd admit to having a problem. "You have your weekly breakfast with Atticus. A conference call with Green and Sophie then nothing." Linda hesitated then bit it "I was thinking Dr Howard could fit you in for that eye exam you cancelled last month."

Carl scowled, the frown doing nothing to distract from his good looks. She knew that look and before he could spit any more excuses she went on " Which magazine am I holding up?" she knew good and well he couldn't tell.

"I'm making an appointment, the driver will take us." She informed him. already reaching for her iPhone.

"Damned bossy woman." He muttered and Linda suppressed a smile.

                                                                ***

Jude waited outside for Zero to pick him up and thought longingly of his car parked in the New York City parking garage below his apartment. His mind drifted to the man recalling his sexy gaze, hot body and disdain he sensed smouldering just below the surface.

Jude had been standing outside his uncle's office with Linda and heard him ask for Steven then Sophie. He'd basically begged for all but him. It seemed he was settling for him and resented the implication that he wasn't as good as his siblings.

Jude had no clue what the jock had against him or maybe he just didn't like gay people. Some athletes were like that. But regardless Jude wanted to do a good job and high tail out of that town fast.

A black Lincoln Navigator SUV pulled up to a stop and Zero stepped out. Dark shades covered his eyes but he could sense him staring as he came to help out with his luggage bags.

Sammy the ageing doorman in the building attempted to bent over, then grabbed his back as though he pulled a muscle.

"I can handle it," Zero said lightly slapping the older man on the shoulder "The knee is bad but you wouldn't want to make me feel like a complete has been would you?"

"You're as good as your reputation Sir," Sammy said obviously having recognized him.

Jude was used to the self-absorbed stars and Zero's attempt to use his own injury as an excuse to protect Sammy's pride was so unexpected. A suspicious tingling warmth rose in Jude's chest.

Zero palmed his gratuity in a ten note into Sammy's hand.

As the doorman walked off, Zero took a look at the bag hanging off Jude's arm and slid his glasses down his nose "No frigging way."

Jude grit his teeth "I'm not leaving her behind."

"You're only going to be gone a few days. Isn't there a neighbour who can take her?" He asked looking pained at the thought of bringing a pet to his house.

"Not it, her. And she's still skittish from being on death row. She needs to know I'm not going to abandon her." And since Jude knew exactly what that fear felt like, there was no room for compromise here.

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