I wouldn’t, though. I worked for what I had. I’d take what they offered for Huey, so he’d have the best possible chance in life, but he wasn’t my meal ticket and I wouldn’t exploit him like that.

The man across from me narrowed his eyes, tilting his head as he stared at me, like he was trying to figure out my angle. I just held my chin higher. Finally, he nodded. “Okay. We’ll figure out the logistics. I’ll call our lawyers now, get them to contact yours. We’ll make an agreement so airtight in your favor, you won’t have any opportunity to doubt our intentions.” He stepped around the kitchen counter, moving toward me. He didn’t walk like a normal male; he swaggered like a man who was entirely in control of himself. It was a little intoxicating. He held out his hand. “You’re making the right choice.”

I wrapped my palm around his and shook. God, I could only hope he was right.

Mr. Lief called me that afternoon to say he’d received word from the personal lawyers of River Cooper. Together, they’d drafted up an agreement that definitely leaned in my favor, including financial and punitive repercussions for any wrong-doing on their part. If I felt uncomfortable or harassed in any way, I could sue the shit out of them for breach of contract or something. I didn’t understand the jargon, but Mr. Lief said they were contractually shackling themselves to my whims. He said it with a bit of disapproval, like he couldn’t even fathom someone signing a contract where the terms were so one-sided.

Whatever, as long as they sided in my favor, I was okay with it.

I’d given Devan my email address, and within hours, proof started pouring into my inbox. First, there were the criminal checks from all three men. Rigby had a speeding fine from three years ago, but that was it.

Then came the testimonials. I wasn’t sure what they’d done, but I soon had emails from all their teammates, business associates and most of the coaching staff of the Ann Arbor IceCaps, as well as three of River and Rigby’s ex-girlfriends. River’s all said the same thing. He was a good guy, loyal to a fault, but when it came time to get serious, he ran away like his tail was on fire. Rigby’s were a little kinder, but most of them said they couldn’t stand being second to ice hockey. I could understand that. I didn’t want to date them, though; I just didn’t want them to murder me in my sleep.