Sinful Secrets (Savannah Sharks Hockey and Mafia #2)

Chapter 4

Chapter Four

SPENCER

My eyes scan the arena, hoping to land on a certain fiery redhead, even though she doesn’t know who I really am.

She only knows me as Spencer, not Spencer Reed, left winger, number seventeen, and alternate captain of the Savannah Sharks.

I’ve tried telling her, but I chickened out at the last minute.

Will she think differently when she learns I’m a professional hockey player?

Will she act like the money difference means nothing?

It always does, though. Money always changes things in a relationship.

And right now, this thing we have going on is damn near perfect.

It’s been a couple of weeks since I’ve met Savannah in the museum. We’ve spent almost every night together, except for the nights I’ve been traveling for away games.

But even then, we’ve texted on and off all night.

Between the extra patrols for Arturo and the evening games for the Sharks, I barely have any time with her.

She doesn’t mind the late night visits. She practically begged me to come over.

I knew there was a sexy deviant under her facade. It didn’t take long to bring it out of her. She’s still shy when I tell her to talk dirty, but she loves it when I do it and when I tell her what I plan on doing to her.

Coach Bobby slams his clipboard down and yells, “Reed! Get your head out of your ass and get on the ice. We’ve got a game to win.”

I jump over the boards and take the ice with Montgomery, Marino, Hall, and Roberts.

Glancing up at the time clock, I see there are three minutes left in the game and we are tied one to one.

Our goalie, Knox Anderson, passes me the puck, and I send it down the ice to Marino. Joey pushes past two opponents and continues down the ice towards the net.

He stops abruptly and shoots the puck toward the goalie. Silence fills the air as the crowd waits with bated breath and says a tiny prayer that it goes in.

The puck sails past the goalie’s arm and hits the back of the net.

The crowd screams as the goal horn sounds and the announcer yells out, “He scores!”

Everyone resets as the referee drops the puck. As soon as the puck is on our end of the ice, they pull their goalie.

They pass the puck back and forth, trying to set up a play to score on us.

I push a player into the boards and try to get the puck from him.

“Not today, asshole.” He grunts out as he elbows me in my stomach.

I give him another shove, catching him off guard and stealing the puck from in between his skates.

Wanting to get the play away from our zone, I shoot the puck down the ice. Every player turns and skates after the puck, but it glides perfectly inside the empty net.

The sound of the goal horn fills the air once again. The crowd stands and cheers as the game resumes.

Marino takes the puck behind Anderson and waits for the clock to countdown to zero. The team congratulates one another on the ice as the opposing team heads to their locker room.

While the team wants to stay on the ice and listen to the crowd’s cheers, I just want to take a shower and text Savannah.

Chase Williams claps me on my back. “Great empty netter, Reed.”

“Thanks man.” I say as I grab my phone out of my bag.

There are no messages from Savannah, so I send her one.

Would you like to grab a bite to eat with me tonight?

I wait a few minutes, hoping for a reply, but it never comes. I kick off my skates and undress before grabbing my towel and heading to the showers.

Keeping my thoughts free from Savannah, I quickly shower and dry off before heading back to my locker.

Chase plops down on the bench next to me. “I’m throwing a post game celebration at The King’s Empire. You’re invited.”

“You’re throwing a party at the strip club?” I grab my phone. Disappointment fills my body at the lack of notifications.

Where is Savannah? She usually messages within a few minutes.

Did something happen to her? Is she okay?

Chase, oblivious to my inner conversation, continues. “Hell yeah, I’m throwing the party at the strip club. We deserve it after a great win. Besides, they have booze and chicks, and that’s everything I need right now.”

Of course, that’s all he wants. He’s barely legal age. He’s still young and trying to figure out life.

Not that I’m ancient or anything, but being four years older than him has given me more insight on what I want for my future.

He rambles on. “Hall is married and probably going home to be with his wife. Montgomery might as well be married. He’s always with Francesca. Marino seems to be busy all the time now. That leaves me, you, Roberts, and Anderson. Everyone is on board except you.”

Since Savannah hasn’t responded yet, I say, “Sure, I’ll come hang out for a little while, but I’m not staying all night.”

Chase lightly punches me in the arm. “I’m not planning on staying all night, either. Maybe I’ll get lucky and take a girl home.”

There’s only one girl I want to bring home, and she’s not answering my message.

The chime of an incoming message causes my heart to race, but looking down, I see a message from Joey.

We need you upstairs.

I finish drying off and change into a pair of jeans and a fitted t-shirt. “I’ll meet you guys at the club.”

Making my way out of the locker room, I jog up the stairs toward Francesca’s office. Her lights are off as if no one is inside.

Not that I really expected her to be working at this hour, but we often have meetings here when it’s just a few of us and not Arturo. I make my way down the hallway to the conference room.

Sitting inside are Arturo, Joey, Francesca, Rhett, and Alvin. Joey and Rhett are still in their uniform sans skates.

I knock on the door, getting their attention before stepping inside.

Arturo looks up. “Ah, good. You’re here.”

“Is everything alright?” I ask as I take a seat next to Alvin.

He gestures toward Alvin. “Mr. Brown here has brought us some information he has heard and verified through his channels.”

My gaze moves to Alvin. It must be bad if he came straight to Arturo.

Arturo clears his throat and continues, “The Emerald City Reapers have declared an all out war against us and Giuseppe Rossi. They want to take back the city and get rid of crime.”

“Do we know who they are or where they came from?”

Alvin chimes in. “No, but we are looking into our database for suspects with vigilante behavior.”

Rhett leans forward, propping his elbows on the table. “What about the young cop that threatened me and Chessie?”

Alvin shakes his head. “I don’t think he’d be that stupid. Sure, he wants to get rid of all Marino influence in Savannah, but he wouldn’t risk his badge and a life jail sentence. They are criminals, too. I’m confident they are the ones that shot Francesca and shot up the Rossi house.”

I think for a moment. “Were you able to get any camera footage of the incident at Mario’s or at the laundromat?”

“No. Nothing. All the cameras nearby glitched at the same time and all footage was just gone. It’s almost as if they were hacked and erased.”

“Damn it. So we are looking for vigilante hackers? That’s like looking for a needle in a haystack.”

I’m not too worried about Mario and Lucia. I’ve paid his loan and his fee for Arturo’s protection, and I’ve made sure that someone is doing patrols at night.

Alvin takes a deep breath. “There are too many hidden hackers out there nowadays. It will be easier to find an accomplice and get them to start naming names.”

Arturo interrupts. “From what I’ve heard, no one knows who the gang members are except the members themselves. Everyone is tight-lipped.”

No one stays tight lipped forever. Eventually, someone will slip and give us an opening. We’ll just have to follow the breadcrumbs.

“Sounds like we need to keep our ears to the ground. I’m going out with some of the guys tonight. I’ll try to discreetly ask around.”

Arturo nods. “Alright. Everyone, keep your phones handy in case someone gets a lead.”

I say a quick goodbye to everyone before heading to my car. The parking lot is empty except for a handful of cars belonging to the arena staff and the few players still inside.

By the time I get inside The King’s Empire, Chase is double fisting beers and getting a lap dance from one of the regular dancers, Emily.

She works for Arturo on the side and sells more product than any other person we have employed.

She gives me a smile and a small wave as I sit down next to Chase.

Chase downs the first beer. “About damn time you showed up.”

I shrug and take a beer from one of the wandering waitresses. “I had other business to attend to.”

My gaze catches Emily’s and she gives me a slow nod that Chase completely misses. It’s a damn good thing too because he’s the last person I want finding out about the side business.

He runs his mouth too damn much, and even though we have the police in our pockets, we don’t have the feds. And if they get a whiff of what’s going on, then it’s going to be hell trying to get them to stop investigating.

“I’m going to walk around the club and see what I can find.”

I head straight to the bar where Gage Roberts is sitting. He’s been different lately. More reserved and not as happy. Rumor has it that he and Rhett had some sort of falling out, but neither one of them has said anything if it’s true or not.

Gage immediately greets me. “Hey man. Nice shot tonight.”

He smiles, but it’s not as big and welcoming as it used to be.

“Thanks. It was just a lucky shot. What’s been going on with you? I haven’t seen you much lately.”

He glances away, setting his gaze on the stage where Emily is just starting her normal routine. “I’m just trying to wrap my head around some things.”

“Is there anything you want to talk about? I’m more than just an alternate captain for the team. I’m your friend.”

He scoffs and grabs his beer. “Yeah, that’s what I thought, too, but you, Joey, and Rhett seem to be better friends with each other than you are to me.”

He walks away and dips into one of the private rooms before I can wrap my head around what he just said.

“What the fuck is that supposed to mean?” I mumble to myself as I grab my phone to send a group text to Joey and Rhett.

Anyone have any idea what’s going on with Gage? He’s pissed and seems to be under the impression we aren’t his friend anymore.

After a few minutes, Rhett responds.

He feels like he doesn’t know what’s going on in our lives anymore because we’ve been busy with other business and leaving practice early.

Damn it. I knew shit like this was bound to happen when Arturo only picked us and didn’t include Gage.

It’s not like we can tell him where we go or what we do.

Rhett sends another message.

I’ve already told him I can’t tell him what’s going on, but when I can, I will.

An idea pops into my head.

What if we bring him in on things? We need the extra manpower, and he’s more than capable of handling anything we encounter. He won’t gossip either, so it’s a win-win.

I stare at my phone for several moments, hoping Joey chimes in with a go ahead, but nothing.

No texts.

No calls.

Not even from Savannah.

I drink my beer and turn around to head back to Chase, but freeze in my tracks.

Savannah is walking around with a tray full of shooters, wearing a black lace dress that leaves almost nothing to the imagination. Her red hair is curled and her makeup is darker and heavier than she usually wears it.

Her legs are bare and silky, making me wish they were wrapped around my waist right now. And thanks to the tall heels she’s wearing, they look a mile long.

What the hell is she doing here?

When did she start working here?

Why is she working here?

Chase waves me over. “I’m going home with Emily. Find someone to spend the night with or you’ll be a lonely old guy like half the team.”

I chuckle. “Yeah, you’ll be there one day soon. Enjoy your night and remember, we have practice bright and early.”

After Chase is gone, I glance around at the club to make sure no one is watching me.

Sneaking up behind Savannah, I whisper, “I’d like to pay for a private lap dance.”

She spins around with wide eyes and whispers, “Spencer, oh my God. What are you doing here?”

“We can talk in the private room, but I think the real question is, what are you doing here?”

She glances around nervously before nodding. I follow her into the room next to the one Gage disappeared into. This will complicate things, but I can whisper.

Instead of taking a seat on the leather couch, I gesture for her to sit. She doesn’t. She just stares at me with wide eyes and a faint blush on her cheeks.

“Sit.” I whisper.

This time, she sits.

“What are you doing here, Savannah?”

She purses her lips and crosses her arms. “What does it look like I’m doing? I’m working.”

Is she here for the money?

The guys?

I try to fight the jealousy bubbling up inside of me, but the thought of dozens of guys seeing her dance and strip sets me off. They touched her and were turned on by her.

“But why here?”

“It’s a good job.” At my raised eyebrow, she adds, “Well, the money is good.”

I plop down on the seat next to her. “Then why do it?”

“Because there’s not a money tree growing nearby, and I don’t have a secret family fortune to cash in on.”

“Well, what time do you get off work?”

I can pay to keep her attention on me and this tiny room for the rest of her shift.

“I can leave whenever I want. I was trying to sell the shooters for Emily so she could go home with the guy that was monopolizing her time. She said he’s famous around here. Lucky her.”

A pit grows in my stomach. I should tell her about the Sharks, but that’s not what comes out of my mouth.

“Let’s go to your place.”

A frown forms on her face. “Are we ever going to go to your place? You always want to come over, but never offer for me to meet you at your place.”

I internally debate her coming over. I do live closer to the club than she does, but I haven’t told anyone about Savannah. No one knows I’ve been seeing or sleeping with her.

It just hasn’t come up in conversation. But I know, the second they find out about her, the teasing and the jokes will start.

“Yeah, you can come over to my place. I live closer than you, but I do have work in the morning, so be prepared for an early wake up call.”

She turns to face me. “I can get a cab in the morning or even tonight, if you are embarrassed to be seen with me.”

I grab her hands and place them on my thigh, giving them a squeeze. I let out a long sigh.

“Savannah, I’m not embarrassed by you, nor am I embarrassed to be seen here, at your place, or my place with you. You deserve more than what I can offer you right now, but I’m greedy and will take any and all time I can get with you.”

To be honest, I’m already falling for her, and that can only end in disaster. Men like me, who only contribute to the drug problem and cross into the gray area of morality, don’t deserve love.

Especially from someone as great as Savannah.