Free Rafael by Faith Gibson Page B

was hot.” Nik laughed as the newcomer scrambled away from him. The plays
continued with Jasper’s team holding Lorenzo’s to no score.
    Now on offense,
Gregor snapped the ball to Julian. He handed it off to Jasper who ran up the
middle for about ten yards until he was tackled by Sixx. Next play, Julian
pumped the ball a couple of times, muscles rippling in his toned arms. He
wasn’t as bulky as some of the others who spent a lot of time in the gym. He
was more streamlined and sleek, like a panther. He passed a perfect spiral to
Dante who ran the ball in for a touchdown.
    Play continued
for about an hour until Rafe called the game a tie. Jasper didn’t show any
signs of aggression other than tackling really well. At some point during the
game, Jonathan brought water bottles down to the field. They all clapped each
other on the back recalling catches and tackles while they rehydrated.
    “Great job men.
Nothing like a friendly game to welcome family. Jasper, you and Lorenzo will be
staying here at the manor with me until we find your permanent homes. Tonight
we will let you settle in. Tomorrow night you can begin scouting rotation.
Before any of you leave, I’d like to speak with Jonathan. He’s been monitoring
the perimeter for any sign of Miss Kane. I want to make sure she isn’t hanging
out by the road. It’s bad enough she saw all your vehicles coming in at once.
Should she single any of you out and ask what you were doing here, tell her we
were playing poker.”
    Once Jonathan
gave the all-clear, the men headed to their respective transportation. They all
said goodbye and left for home. Frey helped the two new members grab their
luggage, and Priscilla directed them to their rooms.
    Rafe walked him
to his SUV. “Well, what do you think?” Rafe respected Frey’s opinion as much as
anyone’s.
    “I have a
feeling I know what the problem is, but until I know for sure, I’d rather not
speculate. If I’m correct, we need to speak to Sin. Have Jasper and Lor come
see me tomorrow at the dojo.”
    Rafe clasped his
hand, shaking it then pulled him in for a hug. “Thank you, Brother. I will talk
to you tomorrow.” He waited until Frey was out of sight then went in search of
his new houseguests. Voices coming from the kitchen told him Priscilla was entertaining
them.
    Rafe leaned
against the door jamb while Lorenzo was telling Priscilla all about Sinclair’s
housekeeper, Ingrid. Jasper was watching Lorenzo intently. Rafe’s laughter
startled them all but none more than Jasper. If a Gargoyle could blush, his
face would be scarlet. The fact that he wouldn’t meet Rafe’s gaze was a clear
sign he was embarrassed. Rafe walked up behind his cousin and placed his hands
on his shoulders, offering a comforting gesture.
    “Priscilla, how
long has it been since you spoke to Ingrid?” Most of the servants came from the
same family lines, and he should have realized they were related.
    “I talked to her
just yesterday. She called to warn me about these two.” She pointed at them
with the spoon she was using to stir some sort of sweet batter. Priscilla was
always baking something sinful and fattening since Rafe loved his sweets. “She
told me that Lorenzo is a health nut and that Jasper really likes his meat.”
    Rafe could feel
the younger man tense beneath his hands. Instead of playing off the double
meaning, he patted his cousin on the shoulder and let it go. “Then Jas and I
will get along famously since I love a good steak as well.” He used the
shortened name hoping to ease the tension he felt pouring off his new brother.
Is this what Frey was going to find out for certain, that Jasper preferred men?
Rafe didn’t care who he liked as long as he was loyal to the family and did his
job. He wouldn’t be the first gay Clan member. Rafe realized a long time ago
that love was love, no matter the gender.
    Jasper relaxed,
glancing back at his King. Rafe squeezed his shoulder for extra reassurance.
“If you two are okay