Cruel Betrayals (Savannah Sharks Hockey and Mafia #3)

Chapter 8

Chapter Eight

JOSEPH

The mafia lifestyle and violence go together like spaghetti and meatballs. That’s the way it’s been my entire life. Dad and Uncle Tony were always violence first and talking second.

It’s always worked for us, but Alexandra’s idea of talking first seemed productive. Justin didn’t want to talk to me. He only talked to her. She is less intimidating, so I didn’t take offense.

Justin Miller has a wife and two kids who are being held hostage. He’s being blackmailed by Giuseppe Rossi to work for him and gather information about rival businesses and even us.

He got on Giuseppe’s bad side and is repaying his debt by working as an informant. At least he was until we scooped him up.

He was supposed to give Rossi a report this morning about the information he dug up on the Reapers. From his findings, the members of the Reapers all work for the city. They wear all black clothing and contacts to conceal their true identities.

Their meetup spot is an underground bar. I’ll need to do some surveillance and scope the place out before barging in on some half assed plan. I’ll have to get a team together to come with me on a night that we don’t have a game.

I stare at the folder Francesca dropped off last night containing the details of the Savannah Sharks community event. Grabbing my phone, I call Alvin to see.

He answers on the first ring. “Mr. Marino, is everything alright?”

“I was just looking at Francesca’s plan for the community event and wanted to get your professional opinion.”

Alvin sighs. “I would strongly recommend the team not take part in any community event right now. The threat from Giuseppe Rossi was real, and there’s no telling when his revenge is coming.”

“Unfortunately, we have to participate in the community event because Francesca already leaked it to the press.”

“Why would she leak it when it hasn’t been approved yet?”

“She wanted to make the team look good despite everything going on. Those are her words, not mine. The event is supposed to take place this weekend.”

Alvin scoffs. “Piss poor timing. That’s not a lot of time to pull off an event of this caliber.”

“I couldn’t have said it any better, myself. I’m not worried about the event. Francesca is an excellent planner and negotiator, but my concern is the security.”

“I’ll be there and only vetted security officers will be there as well.”

“Alexandra was able to get our prisoner to open up yesterday. He’s been digging into the Reapers’ true identities. I don’t know how, but he thinks they all work for the city.”

“Hmm, that seems a little far-fetched. Is he confident?”

“We snatched him before he could find out for sure, but he did find their base. I’m going to get a team together to do surveillance and then, when the time is right, we will strike.”

“I’ll help anyway I can, but you should do your due diligence and make sure it’s the correct place. I just wonder how he was able to get answers and not one of our informants could.”

“I appreciate your help and will double check everything. If his research is true, then our trusted circle just got a lot smaller. If the Reapers were able to get to our informants, then we need to clean house.”

“I agree. I’ll ask some of my people if they’ve heard anything.”

“Thanks.” I end the call and throw the folder back on the table.

Glancing at my watch, I hop up and head upstairs to get ready for the club opening. It feels stupid getting dressed up to attend the opening of a strip club that deals drugs, but it will be good publicity for the family.

It will also send a message to Giuseppe Rossi that we aren’t afraid of him or his threat of coming for blood.

I head into my large closet and grab the suit still hanging in the dry cleaner’s bag. It’s my favorite fitted custom made suit from a top designer in New York.

The jacket is black with a hand sewn floral design that came from Italy with satin lapels and a red satin pocket square. The vest is plain red satin to match the square, and the tie is black with a hand sewn red floral design to match the jacket.

Laying the suit on the mattress, I grab a fitted white button up from the closet before laying out the rest of my attire.

I want to look good for the press and the opening, but mostly, I want to look good for Alexandra.

When I am dressed, I give myself a once over in the mirror. I button the single satin button of my jacket and make my way downstairs.

Dad is deep in conversation with Alvin that he doesn’t hear me approach the bar cart. Pulling out three whiskey glasses, I pour each of us a drink and carry them over to the men.

“Great timing, son,” Dad says as he takes a glass from me.

I hand Alvin another glass before downing my drink.

Alvin looks at my suit before whistling. “Damn, you look too good for your own good. You’re going to have women falling all over you tonight.”

There’s only one woman I want falling all over me, and I’m not even sure she’s going to come to the opening.

I give him a dry laugh in return. “I highly doubt that, and if they do, it’s because they want my money.”

“That’s the downside of being young, rich, and handsome, but what a problem to have.”

I roll my eyes and he laughs.

Dad downs his whiskey and claps me on the back. “Be safe out there, son. Keep your guard up.”

I place my empty glass on the bar cart and say, “I always do.”

Making my way to the garage, I unbutton my jacket and climb into the driver’s seat. The drive to the club usually takes fifteen minutes, but tonight, traffic is backed up on the interstate.

I turn on the radio and find the local traffic station. The reporter is in the middle of a traffic report.

“The overturned tractor trailer has caused all lanes to be shut down. For the folks trying to get to Tybee Island, you might want to make other plans. Those of you coming to the city will have your lanes opened here shortly.”

Fucking great.

I send a group text to Rhett, Francesca, and Spencer.

I’m stuck in traffic. Will be there as soon as I can.

Traffic inches forward ever so slowly. I flip through the radio channels, stopping when I get to a rock station playing Disturbed.

A smile forms on my face as long-forgotten memories come back. The summer after we moved to Savannah, I begged Dad to take me to their concert. I offered to do all the household chores and help him and Uncle Tony file the paperwork for all of their businesses.

He refused, saying it was a waste of time and money.

It wasn’t until Francesca asked to come that Dad agreed to take us. Uncle Tony and AJ tagged along to keep Dad company and to keep Francesca and me from arguing.

That concert was the last time we acted like a real family.

Dad and Uncle Tony went their separate ways with their own businesses. I grew up and helped Dad grow our family name and our connections, and Francesca moved away for college.

We aren’t the close knit family we used to be.

Traffic continues to move slowly, and before long, I drive around the accident. Speeding up, I pass the slow cars and head straight to the club. I pull into the shipyard and park in the back.

Brian stops moving the empty pallets and raises his eyebrow at me until I step out of my car. “Damn, where are you heading looking like that? The Grammy’s?”

Laughing, I shake my head and button the button on my jacket. “Across the street. I didn’t want to get trapped in by other cars. It’s the club re-opening. You should stop by after you are finished here.”

“I’m already finished for the night. I was just tidying up a bit for the crane work tomorrow.”

“Why don’t you finish this and head over? I’ll tell the bouncer at the door you are with me and put you on the VIP list.”

“I’m not really dressed as nicely as you.”

I narrow my eyes at him. “I don’t give a fuck what you’re wearing. You work for my family; you’re one of us. Come over, eat all the food you can, drink expensive champagne and whiskey, and watch the girls dance. You deserve it.”

Brian has been working at the shipyard for three years now and has never missed a day. He’s the first one here and the last one to leave. He shows up on short notice and never complains.

It helps that he doesn’t have a family to go home to. Working is his life.

He glances around the shipyard. “Alright, I’ll come over, but if the boss complains about the pallets, I’m throwing your ass under the bus.”

“I’ll call him right now and tell him.”

His face pales. “God, no. Don’t do that. There’s no point in interrupting him.”

I laugh. Dad and Alvin are probably three drinks in and shooting the shit right now.

Brian moves the forklift back inside the building and locks up. We walk across the street and head straight to the door, bypassing the long line waiting to get in.

Terry, our new bouncer, gives me a head nod and lets us in, despite several groans from the crowd.

As the door closes behind me, Terry yells at the crowd. “Shut the fuck up or get the hell out of my line. That’s the owner, and he gets priority entrance.”

I chuckle and head straight to the new VIP lounge. The club is empty, with only workers finishing up their last-minute tasks and the caterers setting up the food next to the bar.

We enter the VIP area and are immediately greeted by a cocktail waitress who offers us a private dance.

“I’m good for now, but why don’t you take my good friend Brian to one of the private rooms?”

Brian looks at me wide eyed. “Are you sure? I am just here to enjoy the food, booze, and festivities.”

I reach into my pocket and pull out a wad of cash, handing it to the woman. “Brian, this is part of the festivities. This dance is on me. Make it a good one.”

She pulls Brian to the back of the club, and I head to the bar. “Whiskey neat, please.”

The bartender nods and makes my drink. I hand him a couple of bills, but he refuses. “VIP drinks are on the house, sir.”

“Then take it as a tip to keep my drink full and immediately serve me when I come over.”

The bartender hesitates but eventually takes the cash. “Thank you, sir.”

I wave him off, and head to the lights control panel to dim the lights and turn them a deep dark red instead of the bright white. The darker lights set the erotic mood.

The main door to the club opens and Gage Roberts, Phoenix Young, and Chase Williams head straight for me.

They are all dressed in perfectly tailored suits.

Gage reaches me first. “Hall sends his congratulations for the opening, but his wife is sick and they are unable to make it tonight.”

Easton is the only married player on the team and has children. He’s also the oldest.

“Thanks. I’ll send him a message later. Feel free to look around or get a dance. I’m heading back to the VIP lounge before the doors open.”

Gage follows me as Chase and Phoenix order drinks at the bar.

I grab my phone and type out a quick message to Easton, hoping his wife feels better soon before tucking my phone back in my pocket.

Commotion and loud banging at the front causes me and Gage to jump up and run to the main room of the club.

Spencer and Savannah are sitting at the end of the bar, talking with Chase and Phoenix.

I glance at Gage, who looks just as bewildered as me. “Did we just imagine the banging, or was it them?”

He shrugs. “I’m wondering the same thing.”

The door opens once again and I’m momentarily stunned as Alexandra walks in wearing a formfitting black dress with a deep V in the front showing off her cleavage and a dangerously high slit that showcases her smooth thigh.

Gage gasps and whispers, “Whoa. That dress is a showstopper.”

He took the words right out of my mouth. Alexandra is a walking GQ wet dream.

I can’t believe she showed up tonight.

She leans her head back and laughs. It’s not until I look to her side to see that she’s hanging out with Rhett.

Alexandra heads to the bar where Spencer and Savannah are sipping on their drinks.

I march over to Rhett and pull him to the side. “What the fuck, dude.”

He glances around the club, looking confused. “What?”

“You came with Alexandra?” I hiss.

He points toward the stage where Francesca is speaking with one of our new dancers. “Uh, no. I came with Chessie. Alexandra was pacing back and forth outside, trying to talk herself into coming inside and facing you. Chessie spent almost ten minutes trying to get her to come inside.”

“That’s not what it looked like.”

“Think whatever you want, but that’s the truth.”

I haven’t spoken to Rhett since the day in my gym. Tension is high, and it’s clear that he still objects to working with the Valentinos.

Francesca joins us and wraps her arm around Rhett. “Do I need to find someone else to spend the night with because you two are going to be gossiping all night?”

Rhett glares at me before turning to my sister. “Fuck no. You’re mine and only mine.”

He pulls her closer to his side and they go their separate way. Spencer comes over to me, carrying a couple of bottles of beer.

“Thanks.” I say, taking one from him.

He quickly glances at Rhett’s retreating figure before turning his attention to me. “What’s going on with you two?”

“Rhett doesn’t agree with some of the family’s future decisions.”

“Like what?”

“Like working with the Valentino family.”

“The other mafia family that escaped the stressful life of New York City?” At my questioning look, he says, “Arturo filled me in this afternoon because he didn’t want you to stress about this alone.”

“I can handle it.” I grumble.

“I know you can, but he doesn’t want you to stress about it alone. We might not be blood related, but we’re family. Some of us more than the others.” He glances to where Francesca and Rhett are sitting.

“He might be marrying into my family, but there’s still a hierarchy to things.”

Spencer holds up his hands. “Hey, I get it. If you want to tell me to fuck off and let you handle things on your own, then I will respect that, but I’m also here and willing to help however I can.”

I glance over to the bar where Alexandra and Savannah are laughing.

“How do you feel about the Valentino family? Specifically, about them running a prostitution ring.”

He thinks for a moment before saying, “This lifestyle isn’t black or white. There are things we deal with that normal citizens don’t. I understood that before I agreed to work for you and your father. Prostitution is a lucrative business, and one that I’m surprised Arturo never dived into.”

I’m surprised by his response. Rhett was so against it, I assumed Spencer would be as well.

“We discussed it years ago, but decided the club was a safer option. Now that we have the Reapers and Giuseppe coming after us, we have to keep it on the back burner.”

He follows my gaze to the women at the bar. “And what’s going on with you and Alexandra? You keep looking at her, but you’re not going over to the bar to talk to her.”

I sigh. “She wanted more, and like a jackass, I said no.”

“Why? I see how you look at each other. You want her and clearly she wants you.”

“That was before-”

“Before what?”

“She changed. She doesn’t want a future with me.”

She wants me to fuck her and pleasure her, but she doesn’t want to be with me.

Spencer and I head into the VIP lounge as Terry opens the door and lets people in. I can drown my sorrows in food, booze, and friendships, but no one can replace Alexandra.

A cocktail waitress greets Spencer. “Would either of you men care for a private dance?”

Savannah pushes past the waitress and sits on Spencer’s lap, claiming her territory. “He’s already taken.”

The waitress scoffs and turns to me. “What about you? Are you taken?”

Movement behind the waitress gets my attention. Alexandra stands next to the waitress and crosses her arms while she waits for my answer.

I smirk. “Not yet, but hopefully one day soon the woman of my dreams will come to her senses and realize what a great catch I am.”

Alexandra purses her lips and fumes. Spencer chuckles and Savannah slaps him on his chest.

The waitress laughs and drags her finger along my hand. “Her loss. How about-”

Her question is cut off by yelling. A few seconds later, someone yells, “Smoke grenade!”

Spencer jumps up and grabs Savannah’s hand. I stand and grab Alexandra as smoke fills the club. “Everyone needs to head to the back door. My car is across the street at the shipyard. We can group there and figure out what the hell is going on.”

I try to keep a positive look on my face, but I already know what’s going on. Giuseppe Rossi is coming for his revenge.