"Wow. And I thought Phoenix looked like you," Mia said absently. They had the same black hair, the same prominent nose. The only difference was Sid's eyes were green, although not nearly as dark as Phoenix's.

Ellen chuckled. "He's the spitting image of his father when he was Phoenix's age. Take your time looking around. I'll be in the kitchen finishing up."

Mia nodded, unable to look away from all the pictures. They were everywhere. Not only on surfaces; they also decorated the walls of the hallways. They were likely Ellen's daily reminder of the two men she'd built her life around. Mia felt a pang in her heart as she thought about what Ellen had gone through losing her husband.

"They're quite handsome, don't you think?" Ellen asked when Mia joined her in the kitchen.

"I think that's an understatement," Mia said honestly. "Can I help you with something?"

"You can set the table if you'd like."

Mia busied herself setting the table while Ellen pulled something out of the oven and then moved on to stir a pot on the stove. A few minutes later, they were sitting at the table, a delicious aroma surrounding them.

"This is one of Phoenix's favorites, although he'll claim he doesn't have one. Homemade shepherd's pie. Peas, carrots, ground beef, and mashed potatoes. Simple. So very unlike him," Ellen explained.

Mia laughed. "He certainly is rather complex," she agreed. "This looks wonderful."

Once Ellen served herself, Mia did the same, hoping she didn't look as nervous as she felt. Sitting down to dinner with Ellen was ... unexpected. Dating Phoenix and Tarik was one thing; spending time with their parents was something else.

"I informed Phoenix that I stole you for the evening," Ellen informed her as they ate.

Mia smiled. "What did he say?"

"He told me to go easy on you."

"Is that right?"

"He's always worried, that one. I think he spends so much time worrying about everyone else that he forgets to think about himself sometimes."

Mia understood what Ellen was saying. From the day she'd met him, Phoenix had been worried about one thing or another. He wasn't just complex, he was intense. Although he did know how to have a good time, it seemed to take quite a bit of work to get his mind to clear. It seemed to her that she and Tarik balanced him out well.

"At least the Arrows are doing well this season," Ellen said. "That should be one less worry he has."

"I've heard they may make the playoffs," Mia said. "For the record, I don't know anything about hockey. I've been to one game in my life, and that was with Phoenix and Tarik."

"Phoenix's entire life has been about hockey. His father got him into it when he was very young. Oh, he was so good. That's ultimately how Sid ended up going down the path he was on, purchasing the Arrows. It kept the two of them close."

Mia remembered the conversation she'd had with Phoenix about the same subject. "Could he have played professionally?"

"Absolutely. But he didn't want to. His mind has always been on business. He's a lot like his grandfather - Sid's father - was in that sense. We never discouraged him from doing what he wanted to do. When he decided he wanted to be part of the team from a business perspective, Sid was delighted. They made a good team."

Mia noticed the sadness that distorted Ellen's features. Reaching across the table, Mia touched her hand softly. "I'm so sorry for your loss. That'll never make it better, I know."

Ellen smiled, but it was sad. "Thank you. I miss him every day. It pains me all that Phoenix has had to deal with since Sid died. He hasn't had much time to grieve himself."

Mia nodded. "You're referring to the lawsuit," Mia said, swallowing hard. She was suddenly no longer hungry. Thinking about what Damien was doing to Phoenix made her blood boil. The idea that Damien was using her to get at Phoenix made her chest hurt and her stomach churn.

"Don't you dare take that on yourself, young lady," Ellen stated firmly, shocking Mia with the authority in her tone. "I see your mind working in that pretty little head of yours. This isn't your fault. I know that. Phoenix and Tarik know that. They'll fix this. I know they will."

"I hope so," Mia said. She wanted it all to go away. Things were going so well between her and Tarik and Phoenix, she didn't want anything to interfere, certainly not Damien.

"It will. The three of you need to keep doing what you're doing. Lean on one another. That's all anyone can ask for."

Mia couldn't hide the surprise on her face as her eyes rose to meet Ellen's. Phoenix's mother answered with a laugh.

"Honey, if you think I don't see everything that goes on, you're just as oblivious as my son."

Mia didn't know what to say to that. She took a sip of her water, hoping not to choke. "So you know about..."

"About Tarik and Phoenix? Or about the three of you? I see more than he gives me credit for. I've known for a very long time how Tarik feels about Phoenix. I also know that Phoenix has been confused a long time, too. Until you."

"Until me?" Mia was confused.

"I don't know what it is about you, but when you came along, Phoenix changed. And don't take that the wrong way. It's definitely a good thing. It's like his guard came down. He let you in. He let Tarik in. He's evolving. I thought for a while he was going to regress. He's always been ... adventurous," Ellen stated, smiling. "This little triad you have going with them isn't the norm, but ... it seems to be working. I hope you aren't questioning that."

Mia couldn't believe that Ellen was freely telling her that she approved of their "triad," as she had called it. Mia hadn't even considered how her own mother would react when she found out - which no doubt she would. Eventually.

"That's probably the only thing I'm not questioning," Mia said softly.

"That's good," Ellen said. "There are some things in life you fight for, and there are some things in life you don't fight against. This is one of those times that you do both." Ellen pointed at Mia's plate with her fork. "Now, finish eating. We've got a game to watch."

"IT'S A DAMN good thing the team wasn't depending on you for that W tonight," Tarik joked as he and Phoenix made their way into their hotel room after the game. The room they were sharing this time - something they'd never done before.

He'd been preoccupied with so many things, one of which was the fact that his girlfriend was having dinner with this mother. As soon as the game was over, Phoenix had texted Mia to check in. She'd congratulated him on the win and assured him that dinner had been fantastic. He'd breathed a little easier at that point.

Phoenix glared back at him but didn't say a word. It was the truth; he couldn't deny that. He'd been so preoccupied with his thoughts, his team could've put on fucking tutus and danced around the ice for all he knew.

"Where're you at?" Tarik asked, his tone softer, the teasing tone absent. "You're lost in your own head."

Taking off his suit coat, Phoenix folded it and laid it over the back of the chair before dropping to the bed. He proceeded to remove his shoes, socks, tie, belt. All while watching Tarik watching him. When he started to unbutton his shirt, he saw the glimmer of heat that sparked in Tarik's eyes. It was something Phoenix had seen more often than not these last few weeks. For the longest time, he'd pretended not to notice Tarik, pretended he wasn't drawn to him in ways he'd never imagined. He couldn't deny any of that anymore.

After removing his cuff links on his shirt, Phoenix crooked his finger at Tarik, loving how the big man moved closer without a word being spoken. It was empowering to know the sort of control he had over Tarik. But it wasn't a power trip. There was something deeper, more complex than anything Phoenix had ever known.

Phoenix reached for Tarik's belt, unhooking it while he kept his eyes locked with Tarik's as Tarik stood above him. Without a word, he proceeded to undress Tarik until he was standing in front of him, his erection bobbing out from between his thighs. Leaning forward, Phoenix sucked Tarik into his mouth, tearing his eyes away from Tarik's so he could focus.

"Fuck yes," Tarik groaned softly, his fingers sliding into Phoenix's hair. "God, that's good. Your mouth... So fucking good."

Phoenix swept his tongue along Tarik's thick shaft, curling around the head, swiping over the tip, tasting him. He took his time, savoring the salty taste, the musky scent, the way Tarik groaned when Phoenix focused on the vein that ran the length of Tarik's cock.

When Tarik pulled his hair, effectively dislodging his cock from Phoenix's mouth, Phoenix didn't complain. He looked up as Tarik moved over him, pushing him to the bed as their mouths met, their tongues dueled. No words were necessary as they came together. Phoenix knew what Tarik would give him. Security, peace of mind... It was all there. And he craved it like a fucking drug.

Tarik's lips left his mouth but trailed down his neck, his chest, his nipple. While Tarik pleasured him with his lips, tongue, and teeth, he worked to remove the rest of Phoenix's clothes, and Phoenix did his best to help him. When they were both naked, Tarik reached for something in one of the bags on the chair and returned with a bottle of lubricant.

Phoenix reached for it. It was his turn this time. His turn to claim Tarik.

"On your back," Phoenix instructed as he squirted lube into his hand, coating his cock as he watched Tarik's impressive body sprawl out on the bed before him.

With Tarik propped up on the pillows, Phoenix knelt between his thighs, adding more lube to his hand, then working two fingers into Tarik's asshole.

Tarik's eyes closed, and his head tilted back, his corded neck too much of a temptation for Phoenix to resist. He sucked on Tarik's skin while he finger fucked him, working him open, getting him ready for him. When Tarik began rocking on the bed, Phoenix removed his fingers and replaced them with the head of his cock. He grabbed Tarik's right leg and bent it, forcing Tarik's knee up near his chest as he pushed his way in, his eyes locked on Tarik's face.

"Fuck yes," Tarik moaned. "Deeper. I want to feel you all the way inside me."

Phoenix pushed in farther, until his pelvis rested against Tarik's ass. He didn't want to wait, didn't have reason to ease into him, so he began pumping his hips, fucking Tarik slow and easy, keeping a steady rhythm while Tarik's ass stretched around his cock.

Tarik's hand came up, wrapping behind Phoenix's neck, and he leaned down until their mouths were just a breath apart.

"Fuck me, Phoenix," Tarik commanded. "Fuck me hard."

Phoenix met his gaze, studying him as so many thoughts swamped his head. Thoughts of doing this forever, having Tarik and Mia all to himself for the rest of his life. It was enough to make his cock jump eagerly.

"I own you," Phoenix told Tarik roughly. "And I don't mean just right now."

Tarik nodded as Phoenix began to drive his hips forward, pulling them back and then driving them forward again. He began pounding into him, Tarik's ass clenching around his dick, the pleasure driving every thought from his brain.

"Always, Tarik. I own you, always." Phoenix couldn't stop the words. Tarik's hand tightened behind Phoenix's neck, their foreheads touching, their breaths rushing between them as Phoenix fucked him harder. "Say it, Tarik. Tell me you understand."

"You own me," Tarik said on a primal growl. "The same as I own you. Fuck! Coming!"

Phoenix's hips stilled as his release shot from him, filling Tarik's ass at the same time his words pierced his heart. Tarik was right. Tarik owned him the same way Mia owned him.

Chapter Thirty-Eight.

GETTING BACK HOME to Mia had been the only thing on Tarik's mind since he'd woken up that morning. The last few days away from her had been hell, and he was beginning to wonder how they were going to keep doing it. If he had his way, she'd be traveling with them, but with her classes, he knew that wasn't an option.

For most of the time they'd been gone, Phoenix had been preoccupied, with the exception of when they went to bed. And then they were too busy undoing one another for anything else to intrude. Except when they were finished, they would talk about Mia, about getting back to her.

When she'd called Phoenix to tell him she was having dinner with Ellen, Tarik had thought Phoenix's head was going to explode. Her assurance afterward that things had gone well was the only thing that had saved him. Tarik found it all amusing, which Phoenix hadn't found at all funny.

Now, as he drove to the condos from the private airport where Phoenix kept his company jet, Tarik's anxiety level was rising. They had both received a text from Mia that morning, informing them that she needed to talk to them as soon as possible. And not by phone, which had filled him with an overwhelming sense of dread.

"Did she answer your text?" Tarik asked, referring to the fact that Phoenix had texted Mia as soon as the plane had landed. As he drove, he tossed a glance at Phoenix, who was typing something into his phone.

"No. Not yet. I'm just gonna call her."

Phoenix put the phone to his ear, and Tarik returned his attention to the road.

"Mia? Hey. Where are you?"

Tarik couldn't hear Mia talking on the other end of the line, and he desperately wanted to know what she was saying. After the text they'd both received that morning, he knew whatever she had to tell them wasn't going to be good.

"Okay, baby. We'll be there in a few."

"Where is she?"

"At her condo. Alex and Johnathan are there with her."

Tarik darted another look at Phoenix.

"So is my mother," Phoenix added, his face grim.

"Did she tell you what the hell is going on?" Tarik asked, his voice rough.

"No. So pay attention to the road and fucking drive."

Tarik knew Phoenix was feeling the same dread he was, so he brushed off the harsh words and focused on the road.

Twenty minutes later, Tarik was knocking on Mia's front door, Phoenix standing beside him. When the door opened, Ellen greeted them, her face lined with worry.

"What's going on?" Phoenix demanded as he pushed past Tarik and Ellen on his way to find Mia.

The second she saw them, Mia was off the couch and rushing toward them. She walked right into Phoenix's arms first but then released him and headed for Tarik. He was surprised that she stayed in his arms a little longer. The feel of her against him soothed that restless energy that had been pulsing since her text.

"Someone really needs to tell me what the fuck is going on," Phoenix demanded.

Mia pulled away from Tarik and turned to face Phoenix.

"I was served with papers this morning. Apparently, Damien is suing me for three million dollars."

"What?" Phoenix roared. "He's lost his fucking mind."

"No, he's hard up for money," Alex said softly. "I mean really hard up."

"Damien's in the process of suing Mia for the three million he paid her in the divorce. He claims that she was the one cheating on him; therefore, she shouldn't have received the money," Johnathan explained.

"That's not all," Ellen said.

Tarik, along with everyone else in the room, turned his attention to Phoenix's mother. She was sitting on the edge of the chair, her hands clasped together in her lap. "Phil asked me to provide some of your father's handwriting samples. He had some, but he wanted a few more. Damien's lawyers told Phil that they would be sending him the document showing that Sid did make a deal to sell the Arrows."

"I've got to sit down," Phoenix said, sounding defeated.

Ellen stood, then went to him, easing down beside him when he dropped to the sofa. Tarik watched the scene before him for a moment.

Tarik leaned down to Mia's ear. "I'll be back in a few minutes. Don't go anywhere."

She nodded, and with that, Tarik walked out the door. It was time to put a stop to this shit once and for fucking all.