Cruel Betrayals (Savannah Sharks Hockey and Mafia #3)

Chapter 24

Chapter Twenty-Four

JOSEPH

It’s been one week since Francesca told me not to give up on Alexandra. One week of me giving her space so she can figure things out without my presence and gifts.

But tonight, that all changes.

Tonight is the dinner with a player event at the arena. Alexandra won my auction, so like a gentleman, I’m going to pick her up from her apartment.

After I get dressed, that is.

I had a custom suit made just for tonight’s reunion. I want to look nice for Alexandra, and I want her to enjoy tonight. That’s why I begged, pleaded, and paid Savannah to make Alexandra a stunning dress that she will feel beautiful and loved in.

I polish my shoes before getting dressed. The all black suit has velvet lapels and a silk pocket square that matches the tie.

Staring at my reflection in the mirror, I make sure there are no wrinkles or lint lingering.

Damn, I look nice. I just hope Alexandra thinks so, too.

I grab my phone and wallet and slip them into my pockets before heading across the hallway to the guest bedroom where Rhett is getting ready for his date with my sister.

With a gentle knock on the door, I crack it open. “Are you almost ready?”

“Yeah, come on in.”

I push the door open and see him tying his bowtie.

“Damn, you cleaned up well.” I say as I eye his pristine white tux with black lapels.

“You don’t look so bad yourself. I’m almost done. I’m just trying to tie this damn thing.”

“Why do you think I usually opt for a tie or a clip on bowtie?” I walk over to the chair in the corner of the room and sit down.

Rhett adjusts his bowtie and gives himself a once over in the mirror. He fixes his hair before turning toward me. “Thanks for letting me get ready here. I just wanted to pick Francesca up like it’s an actual date.”

“Hey, no problem. We have all these guest rooms. We might as well put them to use.” I laugh and ask, “What do you plan to do once you two are married and have children?”

“I still plan to pick her up for our dates. Besides, you just said you have all these guest rooms. I’m sure you will always have room for your brother-in-law.”

“Alright, let’s go. Our women are waiting.”

“You don’t have to tell me twice.” He grabs his duffle bag and heads downstairs.

I follow him down the stairs and reminisced about old times when he and Franny just started dating, and he came to pick her up for the Sharks Gala. She made me follow her down the stairs because she didn’t want to miss out on her stair debut.

I knew from the way Rhett looked at her in her ballgown that he was head over heels in love with her.

“I know I don’t say it often, but I’m glad Franny has a good man like you. It used to bug the hell out of me you and her were sneaking around, but I know you will take care of her.”

Rhett spins around as he reaches the bottom of the steps. “Are you alright?”

“Yeah, why?”

He stares at me for a moment before saying, “You are speaking like you are on your deathbed.”

“I was just remembering when you came to pick up Franny for the Sharks Gala. Even back then, you were all in with her.”

He chuckles. “Yeah, and she was just as stubborn as she is now. She made Arturo take a hundred pictures.”

We share a laugh as we remember having to pose for pictures on the stairs, in the backyard, and in front of the front door. Of course, Franny wanted pictures of all of us alone and together. She also wanted pictures of just me and her, her and Rhett, and even Rhett and me.

It took over an hour, and we were late for the event.

“Tonight, I’m not taking any pictures.” I warn. “You will have to find someone else to do it.”

He claps me on my back. “You have more pressing issues to attend to, but make sure you get at least one picture taken with Alexandra. It might be nice to look back on when you’re an old married couple.”

I roll my eyes. “She has to accept my apology and forgive me first.”

“I’m sure she will. Do you think Francesca and Savannah would set you up to fail?”

“I hope not.” I grab my keys off the kitchen counter and check my phone for any missed calls or texts before turning it on silent. There’s only one person I want to talk to tonight, and I’ll be sitting across from her.

“Don’t leave just yet,” Dad calls out to us from the living room. He meets us in the kitchen.

“What’s going on?”

“I just wanted to see both of you all dressed up for tonight. Is that too hard to believe?”

“Yes.” Rhett and I say at the same time before laughing.

I add, “Did you get some news? Has Giuseppe popped up?”

Dad frowns. “No, but even if he did show back up, I wouldn’t tell you. Both of you deserve a night off. Enjoy your night, and use protection. We don’t need another surprise baby.”

Dad stares at Rhett for a moment before adding, “Take a picture of my girls. I want to see them all dolled up.”

Rhett nods. “We can video call once we are at the apartment so you can see them before anyone else.”

Dad grins. “Alright, go now. You don’t want to be late like last time.”

We say our goodbyes and drive to the apartment building. Several teammates are chatting in the foyer as we walk in.

Gage whistles. “Damn, you two look like you stepped right out of the cover of GQ.”

He’s wearing a fitted navy blue suit with a matching tie and a light blue shirt.

“And you look like the fucking Hulk, Gage. Seriously, though, how’d you get your jacket on?”

The guys laugh and tease Gage, who flips me off.

“Coach said I needed to be a brick wall.” He rolls his eyes and laughs. “For real though, this is an old suit, and I forgot to go buy a new one.”

Rhett shrugs. “Well, at least the ladies will appreciate your hard work.”

The elevator dings and Spencer and Savannah step out wearing matching black and forest green attire.

I glance over at Rhett. “This is feeling very prom-esque, but I guess we shouldn’t keep our dates waiting any longer.”

We excuse ourselves and head upstairs.

“Wish me luck.” I mumble as I head down the hallway to Alexandra’s apartment.

“You’ll do great.” Rhett says to my retreating back.

I stop in front of Alexandra’s door and take a deep breath. The flowers, chocolates, and teddy bears have been removed. Hopefully by her, and not Darla.

Lifting my fist, I knock on her door and wait. After several moments, I knock again. She still doesn’t answer.

“Alexandra, I know I’m the last person you want to see, but please come out for dinner with me. If you hate my company, then dinner is all it will be and you can move on with your life, but please give me one dinner.”

I hear her shuffling around for a few moments, followed by glass shattering.

“Son of a bitch!” She yells, sounding like she’s in pain.

Without thinking, I wrap my hand around the doorknob and twist. The door opens, revealing a very shocked Alexandra, who is bent over trying to latch the buckle on her heels.

“What are you doing here?” She asks, annoyed.

I’m transfixed by her ass in the air to speak, let alone think about what I’m doing. “The better question is, why is your door still unlocked? Anyone can just walk in and hurt you.”

“YOU just walked in.” She glances at me as she still struggles with the straps.

“I thought you hurt yourself.” I eye the broken vase that is shattered on the ground beside her.

“Yeah, well, I’m not hurt. I’m just struggling a little.”

I close the door behind me and stride over to her. After unbuttoning my jacket, I squat down and lift her foot onto my leg.

“What are you doing, Joseph?”

“I’m helping you.” My fingers slowly slide up the side of her foot to her ankle. She shivers and lets out the tiniest moan.

I buckle the straps before doing the same to the other foot.

“Thank you.” She says as she tries to stand.

“Don’t move. There’s glass everywhere.”

I head to the kitchen and grab the broom to clean up the glass. I dump the glass shards into the trash can and make my way back to her. I offer her my hand and help her stand.

She’s beautiful. Stunning.

“Alexandra, you look-”

“Silly?” she asks, looking down at herself.

“Like a goddess.” I finish my sentence. “You’re absolutely glowing, and that dress is perfect.”

She slowly swirls around, showing me her dress. Her knee-length, semi-fitted light blue dress flows like it was made just for her.

“Francesca helped me with my makeup, and Savannah made me the dress.” Her face blushes as she reaches down and rubs her baby bump.

Our baby.

“It’s perfect. You’re perfect.” My compliment causes her blush to darken. I clear my throat and say, “So, what do you say? Will you go to dinner with me?”

She sucks her bottom lip between her teeth and nods. “Sure. Dinner will be great. Besides, we’re already dressed up.”

We head downstairs to the lobby, where everyone is waiting for us. Francesca rushes over to us.

“Alexandra, that dress is incredible.”

She chuckles. “Savannah is a magician. Seriously, your wedding dress is going to be amazing.”

I cock my head at my sister. “You’re already planning your wedding dress?”

“I don’t need to plan my dress. I’m leaving the design to Savannah. I trust her completely.”

Savannah yells across the room. “No pressure, right? Anyone want to take my place?”

Several guys nearby laugh. We know all about working under pressure, but designing a wedding dress with no guidelines? No, thank you.

“You’ll do great. Just look at this masterpiece you made.” I spin Alexandra around. Her laugh goes straight to my heart, making it feel whole again.

“Pictures. We need to take pictures.” Francesca yells to everyone.

“And a video call to Dad. He insisted on seeing you ladies.”

After way too many pictures and a video call that lasted longer than an entire period, we head outside to our cars.

Everyone drives across the street, but I turn right and head to the main road. I have other plans for the two of us that don’t include a dinner under the spotlight that feels more like an interview.

Since we are already dressed to the nines, I’m taking her to an upscale restaurant.

She turns around to look through the back window. “I thought we were supposed to go to the arena for the event.”

I grin. “I want to bring you somewhere special. Trust me, the food will be infinitely better than what they are serving in the arena.”

I drive a few miles and pull up to the golf resort’s main gate.

“How can I help you?” The attendant asks, peering into my car.

“I have dinner reservations in, uh,” I glance at my watch. “Five minutes.”

“Name?” He asks dryly.

“Joseph Marino.”

The attendant’s eyes widen, as if he immediately recognizes my name. “Of course, sir. Enjoy your dinner.”

The gate opens, giving us entry. I follow the signs to the restaurant and park right at the door for the valet to park my car for us. I grab the ticket from the valet and lead Alexandra inside with my hand on the small of her back.

We are immediately shown to our intimate table. The tables are all set the same way, with a white tablecloth and a candle burning in a vase in the middle of the table. The lights are dimmed, giving off the very romantic vibe.

Alexandra glances around the restaurant in awe before turning her gaze on me. Her eyes shine with adoration and astonishment. “I’ve always wanted to come here. It’s been a dream since I saw it in a magazine almost two years ago. How did you know?”

A small smile forms on my face. “I had a little help.”

“A little help from Francesca?” She asks with a grin stretching across her face.

“Yeah. Do I lose brownie points for not guessing it on my own?”

She leans forward and stretches her hand across the table. “No. I love how you asked for recommendations. This is seriously the sweetest thing you could have done.”

Her expression changes, and she snatches her hand back.

Clearing my throat, I pick up my menu and say, “Let’s see what’s on the menu.”

I need the distraction, or else I might blow it. I’ve never felt this unsure before.

The waiter spends time talking about the restaurant’s specials and the different wines they have before pouring us a glass of ice water and taking our dinner order.

When we are alone, I lean forward and whisper, “I am eternally grateful that you agreed to dinner tonight. I know I have a lot to apologize for, and I will spend the rest of my life trying to make it up to you. If you give me a chance.”

She sighs. “Joseph, I have been doing a lot of thinking. I’ve been weighing every option in my head. When that wasn’t helpful, I took a page out of Savannah’s handbook and made a pro/con list. I’ve listened to Francesca and Savannah for hours on end, as well as Rhett and Spencer.”

The guys talked to her? They never mentioned that. They only said Alexandra talked to Francesca and Savannah, and the women talked to them. Not once did they say they talked to Alexandra.

She pauses to take a sip of water. “The fact of the matter is that we are having a child together, and while you said you didn’t want anything to do with me or my child, everyone has assured me you don’t feel that way anymore.”

“I don’t.” I say, abruptly. “If I could take it all back, I would. I’m so incredibly sorry for the way I acted and the things I said. I was cruel and heartless, and I want you to know that I will carry that guilt with me for as long as I live.”

She closes her eyes for a few moments. “There are a lot of conversations we still need to have, and a lot of them are going to be hard. I will probably cry due to all the extra hormones, but we need to have them.”

“I’m ready whenever you are. I’ll do anything to prove how much I’ve changed. I will grovel, grovel, and grovel some more until you forgive me.”

She gives me a small smile. “I could get used to that.”

“You deserve it and so much more. You are incredibly sweet and caring, and I know you will be the best mom to our child.”

Her eyes gloss over as small tears form in the corner of her eyes. “See? These hormones are unpredictable.”

She rubs her fingers over my cut knuckles. They don’t hurt anymore, and even if they did, it’s only a fraction of the pain she went through.

As if she can read my thoughts, she says, “You’ve punished yourself enough, Joseph.”

I shake my head. “It’s never enough. Not for the monster I was to you. To our unborn child.”

She links her fingers with mine. “It’s time to heal. It’s time for both of us to talk about what happened and let go of the past and then move on. I don’t want our baby growing up in a self-deprecating environment. I want our child to only know love and endless support.”

“Of course. I want that, too.” I give her hand a reassuring squeeze and her face lights up.

The waiter brings our food, and it feels as if the atmosphere shifts. Alexandra and I talk and laugh like nothing ever happened. It feels as if my heart is stitching up its pieces and starting to heal.

She pops a bite of steak in her mouth and moans. “If dessert is as good as this steak, you might get lucky tonight.”

Her face blushes a deep red as she realizes she just said that out loud.

“Well, then, aren’t I just the luckiest guy in the world?” I flash her a grin before adding, “If things do go that route tonight, pleasuring you will be the highlight of my day. Hell, my entire year.”

She glances around the restaurant and whispers, “Is it bad that I want to take our meal to go and see what else can happen tonight? I’ve always wanted to try giving a blow job with whipped cream.”

Fuck. Me.

My dick hardens as the blood drains from my brain.

“Eat your dinner.” I command. “You will need the energy for what I have planned for you, but dessert can be to go.”

My heart races in my chest as I quickly chew another bite of my steak. God, I really am one lucky fucker.