Santa's Pet by Rachelle Ayala Read Free Book Online Page A

Bamm-Bamm turns pro, you can walk into any bar and have your pick of chicks.”
    “Yeah, something to look forward to once I get out of this joint.” Ben turned away from the drunk and palmed his face.
    That was too close. Where the heck was his agent? He’d used his single phone call to leave her a message. There was no sense getting his grandfather riled up and possibly cause another heart attack.
    True, the cops had taken Grandpa’s dog, but Treat was enjoying all of the doggy treats thrown his way. Last he heard, the traitor was singing and howling to the entire station’s entertainment.
    The heavy metal door swung open and a jailer said, “Mr. Powers. Your attorney’s here.”
    “Powers?” the drunk slurred. “Did I hear right?”
    “Bowers with a ‘B’,” Ben said as he followed the guard. Since he wasn’t deemed a danger, they left him without handcuffs. It was about time Dominque, his agent, found him a lawyer.
    The guard brought him to the secured cubbyhole with a bolted down wooden table and three plastic chairs. Dominque sat there with another woman who looked like she could be her twin.
    Ben waited until the guard retreated through the door before taking a seat across from the two women.
    “Dominique, thanks for coming on a Saturday evening. I hope I haven’t disturbed your plans.” He nodded to her and waited for an introduction.
    “I’m not pleased with this at all.” The black woman glared at him. She was one of the top sports agents in the country, and he was well aware she was counting on him getting picked in the first round and earning her big numbers on the contract.
    “It’s not what it looks like. I’m sure I’ll be vindicated when the witnesses come forward.” Ben glanced at the other woman. She wore her hair short and naturally curly, while Dominique had a head full of sleek, shoulder-length braids which she tied to one side.
    “My sister, Delaine DeMarie, defense attorney. You’re lucky she owes me a favor.” Dominique tilted her head at her sister. “Tell this slimeball what trouble he’s in.”
    Delaine stuck her hand out for a quick shake. “Indecent exposure is a serious charge, Mr. Powers. If convicted, you will be registered as a sex offender. Couple that with lewd misconduct and the possibility that your codefendant might sue you for sexual harassment …”
    “Hold it!” Ben leaned forward. “Sexual harassment of who?”
    “The elf, Brittney Reed,” Delaine said. “Her attorney’s looking at that angle to get the charges of lewd misconduct dropped for her.”
    “Wait, you spoke to him before talking to me?”
    “I ran into him in the hallway,” Delaine replied. “It was professional courtesy for him to let me know what I’m up against.”
    “Why don’t you hear me out?” Ben turned his gaze on Dominique. “If you two think I’m guilty, how will I ever get a fair trial?”
    “We have no opinion whether you’re guilty or not,” Dominique said. “Of course, as your agent, I’m on your side—if your reputation is reparable. At the same time, I have standards. I will not tolerate you lying to me nor will I put up with clients who are disrespectful to women. You want to be a bad boy, get yourself a bad boy agent. There are plenty of them around.”
    “I might not want a bad boy agent, but I definitely deserve a good one who believes in me.” Ben folded his hands in front of him and stared down the two women.
    “Fair enough,” Dominique said. “Delaine wanted to let you know how serious the charges are, but the good news is, she can get you off if the state cannot prove intent.”
    “Intent?” Ben repeated.
    “Yes, intent is important in an indecent exposure case,” Delaine said. “The prosecution has to prove that you intended to gratify or arouse either yourself or another person sexually by exposing your genitals, or that you intended to offend someone else sexually.”
    Ben slapped the table. “Then they don’t have a case. I