Jude stood at one of the tables, inside of the L.A. County Museum of Art. His mind was on the fact that Olivia was dead. Murdered. Buried at Oscar's new Hollywood arena site. Facts that could be good or bad for him. His gaze shifted from the Bird of Paradise on the tabletop, his left hand gripping a bourbon as he looked up and saw Lionel strutting toward him. She was stunning. Dressed in a pink, form fitting dress, trailed by a bodyguard, who himself was trailed by paparazzi, trying to get photos of the actor.

"Lionel. Wow, you look..."

She quickly cut him off. "Oscar heard I'll be coming to all the games the rest of the season," she said with a cool breathy anger. What was the condition for that happening?"

"No Pete and Raquel."

"And what is that right there?" she said gesturing behind them to reveal the beautiful Devil's Playground manager, and Pete, Lionel's not yet, ex-husband, laughing and canoodling at a nearby table.

Shit. "Pete and Raquel," he repeated.

"I wasn't sitting courtside while he was screwing another woman on the downlow. I'm not sitting there while he's screwing her in public. I'm not taking that kind of a press hit." Lionel's blue eyes flashed.

Jude sometimes wondered whether all this created drama was worth it. For Lionel? For him? Why fight so hard for men who weren't worth the fight? He quickly pushed those thoughts away. "I'll fix it."

"In the meantime, I'm leaving. Tell Oscar goodbye for me, would you?" She then smoothly turned on her heel and glided out of the museum.

He quickly drained his drink, watching Pete and Raquel, his brain quickly formulating his plans.

"What happened to you, tonight?" Zero asked Jude as they sat in the back of Zero's large, black Escalade. Deep interest and surprise tinged the question, as he casually leaned back against the leather interior, looking at Jude's blackeye.

"Pete Davenport happened." After Jude had picked himself up off the pavement, sure in the knowledge that his work was done, he'd headed back toward the museum entrance to get his keys from the valet and head back to Studio City.

There he'd spotted Zero and Jelena and caught the tail end of their conversation as she walked away.

"...fly us to Cabo right now."

"Tweet me the pics."

Seeing him, Zero called out. Jude knew that he had not attended the party. He was clocking all her moves. Even her Devil Girls appearances.

Jude had to admit in that moment, Zero and Jelena dating was a great PR move. It made sense. Two of the sexiest people that he'd probably ever seen, hell most people had ever seen, could work together. He just didn't know why it bothered him so much. He was conspiring with Lionel when it came to Pete, for the plan, why should it bother him that Zero was helping himself to Jelena...for the plan?

"I basically called the mother of his kid a whore."

This got a laugh from Zero. An actual, genuine laugh. He shook his head and gave Jude a smile. "Well, yah know, I'm a great believer in whores!"

Jude tilted back and snorted a laugh. Then winced from the pain to his face. Derek and coke. Zero and hookers. The life of a baller (and an agent) was never dull. Although, he'd assisted the former, and not the latter with their vices. It was that excitement, despite his best reasoning, which kept him in the game. Kept him Team Zero.

"I've got to get out of here. Olivia Vincent's funeral tomorrow," said Zero. He said it matter of fact, because of course they would both be there. Olivia's funeral was going to be the social event of the season, Jude thought wryly. Zero was a pallbearer. Although, he'd never met her. Olivia's husband, Chase Vincent a former Devil's point guard and now Executive Vice President, and more than likely Oscar, as the owner, thought it a fitting sight. The former Director and an original Devil Girl, would have the Devils' star players, including Derek and Terrence be pallbearers at her funeral.

"How 'bout I drive you home?" he said with his trademark whisper, that naturally made the offer sound like an innuendo.

Jude's hazel eyes softened a bit, he took a beat, smiled. "No thanks. My car's here. I'll see you tomorrow." He nodded, opened the car door, and exited. He could have sworn he felt the other man's eyes on him as he walked away.

The next day everyone was at Olivia's funeral. Execs, players, dancers, etc. The entire Devils Nation was there. Jude exchanged a look with Pete as he and Raquel strode in arm and arm, He could tell that they were talking about him. Perfect. He had no doubt that there would be bumps ahead in that relationship.

Jude had noted Zero and Jelena arriving in a black Aston Martin, looking quite the pair. Although, it was apparent that Zero was far more interested in the dancer than she was in him. Anyone paying attention would have seen Terrance Wall sneak glances and winces at the two. Sometimes it's all about the chase, wanting who or what doesn't want you, he thought ruefully.

As everyone found their seats, Jelena followed by Zero strode in and headed to the front to speak.

It did not go well.

"I speak for all of the Devil Girls in expressing our deep sorrow at Olivia's passing. Olivia Vincent was the Devil Girls. She had strength...beauty...class." Suddenly a slight snicker escaped her full, red lips. Jelena managed to compose herself. "She had big ideas and an even bigger heart. I know any time any of us needed advice, she was the first person we ran to." The insincerity of her words was not lost on Jude or anyone else in the church. He watched in amazement as she laughed and ran a tawny arm over her face, desperately trying to recover. People were looking at each other, uncomfortable. "I learned a lot from Olivia these past four years. I hope that when I'm her age...I'm half the woman...that sh... That she wa..." The dam burst, as another laugh emerged, and Jelena could barely keep it together.

As if a knight in shining armor, Zero stood, and looked around the church, inviting everyone to feel as if he were talking to them individually. Jude sat a few pews back and witnessed Zero do what he did best, charm and seduce. This time Jelena.

"If I could just say a few words. Grief takes many forms. All we can be sure of is mourning the loss of a loved one is a very personal, profound journey. Matthew 5, verse 4."Blessed are those that mourn, for they shall be comforted. "God comforts us, loves us...so that we will share that love when we need it most. From Him to us...through us. I didn't know Olivia. But it's a testament to who she was that you are all here. May we all mourn her passing, each of us in our own way. And may we find comfort...in each other," Zero concluded looking directly into Jelena's piercing green eyes.

Jude looked around impressed, a slight smile just playing on his lips. Everyone, save obviously Jelena, and that bemused-looking, blonde dancer, named Kyle Hart, seemed to be buying it. Heads nodded and stark gazes filled the church.

"What's that about?" inquired Derek regarding Jude's black eye. Jude made a point of talking to the baller at the funeral. He needed Derek Roman to believe that he was still on his side. Honestly, it wasn't anything personal when it came to Derek. It was just that Zero came first, that was his priority.

"Fighting the good fight." he replied insincerely. "We haven't had a chance to talk since I helped bring Zero to L.A. Look, I'm not his agent, I know I'm not yours either, but I wanna tell you, I'm still your guy, if you need something." While he had no plans to score coke for Derek again, after Olivia's blackmail he realized that it was way too dangerous and risky. He only escaped it all due to her untimely and convenient death. However, he needed to stay on the baller's good side, so as not to raise suspicions about Zero and his relationship.

"We'll see." Doubt and distraction were all over Derek's face.

Jude could care less about what Derek was distracted by, but that damn doubt…