Cruel Betrayals (Savannah Sharks Hockey and Mafia #3)

Chapter 16

Chapter Sixteen

JOSEPH

It’s been a week since I’ve seen or heard from Alexandra. Gage keeps tabs on her when he’s home, but we’ve had back to back away games and haven’t been home in three days.

Being away has given me a chance to process everything alone, with no one voicing their opinions or telling me what I should do.

Alexandra’s pregnant.

With my child.

I should be ecstatic and over the fucking moon, but I’m anything but that. How can I be happy when she lied to me and betrayed me like my mother betrayed my father?

I turn up the speed on the treadmill, needing something to concentrate on. No matter how fast I run or how hard I hit the punching bag, I can’t get her off my mind.

I go to bed thinking about her, and I wake up with her on my mind. If I had dreams, I’m pretty sure they would be of her.

When my muscles burn and I can’t run any longer, I slow the treadmill down to a light job, and after a minute, I stop the machine and head upstairs to shower.

I know what I need to do. It’s what I’ve planned to do for almost a week now, but my heart protests.

I don’t want this to be the end of us. I want to punish her and make her pay, but I can’t live with what she’s done. I can’t look into her eyes and trust her ever again. What kind of relationship would we have if there isn’t trust?

Maybe I do love her, but sometimes, love isn’t enough.

I get dressed, opting for gym clothes and my sneakers. I tuck a gun into the waistband of my shorts and grab the two duffle bags from my closet.

Sneaking out the back door, I throw the bags in my trunk and quietly drive away. Dad has been working from home for several days, and Alvin has been interviewing for another security officer that will help him with the workload.

Blasting my music, I try to stay calm, but the closer to Alexandra I get, the angrier I am.

I feel like I’m going to eat, breathe, and live in the gym. No matter how much pain I cause myself, I can’t get her out of my system. I know I can’t keep living like this, but I can’t deal with the pain. I’d rather cut off all emotions and move on with my life.

The truth is, I feel like a part of me died that day, and the rest died as I read her sweet words in the card. I could tell she was nervous. Happy, but extremely nervous. She showed up with the gift and was going to share the news that I’m going to be a dad, like she hadn’t betrayed me, but I knew.

I could see the truth in her eyes. I didn’t need to read the paperwork in the envelope to know the detective was telling the truth. She gave herself away.

It doesn’t make sense, though. Nothing makes sense.

Her betrayal- why now? Her sweet words- how can someone who is working with Giuseppe Rossi to take down my family, write those words to me? Even the way she begged me to listen to my father doesn’t add up. It’s like she just gave up.

Besides, what does Dad have to do with all of this?

Did she think a baby would make up for years of lies and betrayal?

I shake my head, getting rid of any lingering emotion. She made her bed, and now she has to lie in it. After today, I’m done with her. I won’t think about her, and I sure as fuck won’t talk about her.

She’s dead to me.

When I get to the team’s apartment building. I park in front of the main doors. Darla, the apartment manager, is standing outside smoking a cigarette.

“You aren’t supposed to park there.” She croaks out.

I ignore her and head to the back of my car.

She speaks louder. “Excuse me, young man. That is a no parking zone. If you don’t move your vehicle, I’ll call to get it towed.”

Her condescending tone irks me.

Does she really think I’m going to be staying here long enough for a tow truck to get here?

“Sir, I will tow your vehicle.” She holds up her cell phone to show me she means business.

I unleash my anger on her. “Do you know who I am? Do you realize I could fire your ass for violating the employee code of conduct for smoking that close to the entryway? Not to mention, leaving your desk and all resident information unattended because I’m sure you didn’t lock your office. Am I right?”

Her face pales.

Good. It’s about time people start fearing me and stop thinking I’m a pushover. I’m a Marino, and I will make an example out of those that disrespect me and my family name.

Changes are coming, and not everyone will be spared.

“I’d worry more about doing your job and keeping this place up to standards than worrying about where I park. Remember that next time I show up, because this is your only warning.”

If looks could kill, I’d be dead. She clenches her jaw and glares at me while trying to put the pieces of the puzzle together. Even though I’ve been here multiple times, Darla doesn’t know who I am.

Rhett pushes the doors open and jogs outside. “Hey Marino. What are you doing here? Are you up for a little run, or are you too busy?”

“Maybe later. I have a list of errands to do first.”

“Alright. Hit me up later, and we can all get together for dinner and drinks.” He jogs away with a wave.

I guess Coach Bobby’s warning about staying in shape hit him hard. He hasn’t been hitting the gym lately. At least not as often as he used to since he and Francesca got back together. Spencer was also on Coach Bobby’s shit list, but not as much as Rhett.

Realization covers Darla’s face. “I’m so sorry, Mr. Marino. Please don’t-”

I grab the bags of cash from my trunk and glare at her as I walk through the main doors. I don’t want to hear her excuses. I don’t want to hear her beg me not to tell my father.

My father would never fire her. Mainly because she’s closing in on sixty years old and retirement age. Dad has a soft spot for the elderly.

While I can understand his reasoning, and I respect my elders, we are running a business. We are very much for profit, and sometimes, a business has to fire its weakest employee in order to take the business to the next level.

I take the stairs to the second floor and make my way to Alexandra’s apartment. After dropping the duffle bags, I take a deep breath and knock on her door.

There’s no answer. There’s not even any movement inside her apartment. Did she already move out? I was generous and gave her an entire month to find a new job and apartment.

I knock again, this time harder. The banging echoes through the hallway.

Shuffling footsteps sound from the other side of the door. The unlock clicks open and she cracks the door before slamming it in my face.

I raise my fist to knock again when I hear the chain slide open.

At least she’s locking her door now.

She opens the door and stares at me. Her eyes are red and puffy, and she’s wearing an oversized sweater that swallows her whole.

Has she been crying nonstop for the past week? That can’t be healthy for her or the baby. My heart aches as I think about the stress this is putting on the baby and the risks associated with my callousness.

I shake my head. She should have thought about that before she went behind my back and sold out my family.

I pick up the two duffle bags and hand them over to Alexandra. She hesitates at first, but eventually takes them. She drops the bags and squats down to open one of them.

She eyes the cash before zipping the bag back up and glaring at me. “What is the meaning of this? What is the cash for? Why are you showing up now?”

I look past her into her apartment. Taped up boxes litter the small living room while take out containers fill her trash can. It looks as if she’s locked herself away for the past week.

I clear my throat. “The money is for you and the baby, if you choose to keep it.” I say, with no emotion in my voice. “I wanted to hand it directly to you, so I knew you had it and would be set for life. Believe it or not, I don’t want you struggling.”

She holds her stomach as she stands and looks down at the bags of money. “Joseph, please let me explain.”

The pain in her voice threatens to tear me apart and change my mind, but I have to stay strong. I can’t give in now. “There’s nothing left to say, Alexandra. I want you out of my life. I want nothing to do with you or the baby.”

This will be the last time I speak her name.

She stares at me as tears fall down her cheeks. “Joseph, please-”

I spin around and leave. Her sobs echo through the hallway and tear at my heart, but I can’t be with a traitor. Not after what my mother did.

With time, she will move on and so will I.

I take the stairs two at a time. I need to get away from here. Away from her and any reminders of what could have been.

Grabbing my phone, I call Dad. He answers on the third ring. “What’s wrong, son?”

“We need to have a heart to heart and talk about the future of the Marino legacy. I have some ideas.”

“Great. I finished with my meetings early and am starving, so let’s grab a bite to eat.”

“I’ll meet you at Mario’s in ten minutes.”

I end the call and head straight to the restaurant. It will be good to do a checkup on the businesses we protect. Spencer usually handles it, but being the boss’s son, I need to make an appearance every once in a while.

I park on the side road and the laundromat that’s next door to Mario’s Pizzeria. The owner, Bruno, is sitting behind the counter changing the channels on the small television that’s hanging from the ceiling.

He stands up as soon as I pull the door open and step inside. “Mr. Marino, what can I do for you?”

“I’m just checking on things before I get a bite to eat with my father and making sure you are being taken care of.”

“Oh, yes, sir. I’m extremely grateful for the added protection. There hasn’t been an incident since the last time. The Reapers don’t come around anymore.”

“Good. That’s what I like to hear. Let me know if anyone ever causes problems. I’ll make sure you’re taken care of.”

“Thank you for everything.” He goes to the register. “Are you here to collect the payment as well?”

“No. I was just in the area and checking up on things. Keep with the same payment schedule.”

“I wanted to thank you for being so lenient when I got behind on my payments.”

“That’s no issue. Is the backroom working out for you?”

After he struggled to make payments, I came up with the idea of using the back storage room for weekly poker games. Of course, he pays me a small percentage for sending guys his way, but it’s turned his business around overnight.

“It’s been great. If there’s anything I can do to repay you, just let me know.”

“That’s not necessary. Your loyalty to my family is enough for now.”

When a small family comes inside to wash their clothes, I head next door to Mario’s Pizzeria. Mario and Lucia are in the kitchen cooking, while a few patrons occupy a couple of booths along the side wall.

They greet me with a friendly smile when they see me.

“Look who it is! Little Joey Marino. It’s been forever. And you’re not so little anymore.”

“Hi, Lucia. How are you?”

The older woman rushes over to me and wraps her arms around my waist. “My God. If you put on any more muscle, I won’t be able to hug you.”

Mario comes out of the kitchen for a minute to give me his normal handshake, with a clap on my back. “It’s good to see you, son. How are things?”

Growing up, Mario’s door was always open to me when I would need to escape Dad’s overprotectiveness. Sure, he might have put me to work, but I knew I was safe here and Dad knew I was off the streets.

“Eh, you know how it is. Some good days and some bad days. The Reapers seem to have crawled back into the hole they came from, but that usually means they are plotting something.”

Mario lowers his voice. “How are things with Rossi?”

“Not good. He shot at Dad when he was entering the arena, and he tried to have me killed. I almost didn’t make it out of my burning car.”

“He’s playing with you guys. He wants you to be scared.”

“I know. I’m planning to hit them before they can come after us again.”

“Be careful.” Lucia pats my arm. “I’m glad you are here because there’s something we need to tell you. We sold the restaurant and will be moving at the end of next month.”

I’ll have to meet the new owners and offer our services to them.

“That’s wonderful. Where are you moving to?”

Lucia beams. “Right outside of Tampa.”

“You two deserve it.”

“If you’re ever down that way, come visit us.”

“I will.”

Our conversation is cut off when Dad arrives. He orders us a pizza and an order of garlic knots. He greets Mario and Lucia, but their demeanor changes. I wonder if Dad ever said something to them about letting me come here when I was younger.

Lucia writes down the order and says, “Sit anywhere you’d like, and we will bring it out to you as soon as it’s ready.”

I thank them and offer them another smile before following Dad to a booth in the back corner of the restaurant.

Dad jumps straight to the chase. He’s usually not one for small talk. “So, what do you want to tell me?”

“Well, the other night, Francesca started the idea and I’ve come up with a plan, but it all starts with bringing AJ and Uncle Tony into our future plans.”

Dad’s jaw clenches. I knew it was going to be a touchy subject, but I press on.

“We need to join forces in order to get rid of both Rossi and the Reapers. We need to attack the Rossi estate head on before they can come after us again. Unfortunately, we are spread too thin with several guys on the team and having to travel for games. Uncle Tony and AJ are always here and they have several great men.”

Dad hesitates, but doesn’t immediately shoot down the idea. “It’s risky.”

I nod in agreement. “The bigger the risk, the bigger the reward.”

He reaches up and rubs his chin like he does when he’s deep in thought. I can see it in his eyes that he’s still not convinced. “Your plan seems pretty reckless and not fully thought out.”

“Maybe, but don’t you want to send them packing? Don’t you want to live life without looking over your shoulder? What kind of future do you want for Franny and Rhett and the children they are going to bring into the world?”

At the mention of children, a stabbing pain gnaws at my heart. I have a child that’s going to be brought into this world.

“What about the Reapers?” Dad asks, bringing me out of my thoughts.

“They are going to be harder to get rid of because we still don’t know their true identities. We thought they all worked for the city because that’s what the Rossi informant, Justin Miller, said, but our findings were inconclusive.”

“But there’s still a chance they work for the city?”

“Maybe. I can’t for sure say yes, but it would make sense if they did.”

No one had bruises or busted lips after Gage and I started the bar fight, and believe me, we showed up early to city hall and looked at everyone who entered the building.

“We can put the Reapers on the back burner for now. I’ll have Alvin look into the backgrounds of every city employee. I’ll hire a few more security men to help with the extra workload.”

Lucia brings our order of garlic knots and a large side of marinara over to us with two sodas. “Enjoy.”

When she leaves, Dad grins and says, “Great work, Joseph. You keep proving yourself. I’m happy to let you take the lead on the Rossi plan if you want it.”

“Hell yeah, I do.”

“Then make me proud.” He reaches for a garlic knot with a smile on his face.

It’s been a long time since I’ve seen Dad this carefree and happy. It makes me wonder if he’s thinking about retirement, or maybe he’s met a woman.

Either way, my plan is a go. All I have to do is wait for the supplies to arrive, then all hell will rain down on Giuseppe Rossi and anyone that stands in our way.