Sinful Secrets (Savannah Sharks Hockey and Mafia #2)

Chapter 8

Chapter Eight

SPENCER

The shrill sound of incessant honking sets my nerves on edge, and I’m not even driving. I’m just a passenger in a vast sea of yellow taxi cabs inching their way forward to their destinations.

Our destination is an upscale hotel on the Upper East Side with adjoining suites.

Rhett pats me on my arm. “Welcome to New York City. The city that never sleeps and always has parties going on.”

“I’ve been here before, dumbass. We come here for games all the time. Or did you forget we fly here often?”

He chuckles. “I’d have to be Williams to forget about our games here, but that’s different. We are tourists on this trip.”

I shake my head vigorously. “Nope. I’m just here for protection, not to sightsee.”

Francesca interrupts. “And don’t forget to add shopping to the list.”

“I have no plans for shopping. Anything and everything I need can be bought back home in Savannah.”

“But what about all of our down time? What about the name brand stores and the high end boutiques?”

“You and Rhett can blow his annual salary on clothes, shoes, and purses. I’m just here to keep an eye on the two of you during the wake and the funeral and make sure all hell doesn’t break loose.”

Her expression softens. “Thank you, again, for volunteering to join us. I know you probably had other plans in mind.”

Rhett pats her leg before turning toward me. “Yeah, Spencer, we appreciate you stepping up and coming with us.”

“That’s what friends are for.” I say before gulping down the rest of my water. I wish it was a beer or something stronger, but that will have to wait until I’m back home and safe.

Well, safer than walking into the lion’s den here in New York City.

It’s not like I really had a choice in the matter.

Francesca was adamant about attending Jax’s funeral. Arturo and Joey said no, and Rhett was more than content to accompany his woman up here in rival territory.

I was just a dumbass who volunteered to accompany her and Rhett. Without guns and without backup. Not to mention, without knowing the area.

At least Francesca still has family here.

Francesca scoots closer to Rhett’s side. The movement causes my heart to ache with need.

A need to be close to Savannah. A need to make sure she is safe from her roommate and her ex-boyfriend.

My hand clenches at the memory of the asshole holding Savannah in front of him as she tells him to let her go.

I grab my phone and send her a message.

Hey. Just checking in. Are you okay?

I stare at my screen, waiting for her reply, but it doesn’t come. She should be done with her classes for the day, so why isn’t she responding?

Did she head to the club?

I send her another message.

Are you working?

I’m about to call Alvin to check on her when she messages back.

I’m just leaving class. I had an impromptu interview with a top executive for a couture designer company.

Can you believe it?

A company chose me! Out of all the up and coming designers in the state and in the world, they chose me!

A smile grows on my face as pride fills my chest. I might not know fashion, but watching Savannah bead her purse was like watching Leonardo da Vinci paint the Mona Lisa.

I text her back.

That’s so great! I’m proud of you. We will have to celebrate.

In more ways than one.

My heart sinks as I read her message.

That sounds wonderful. How about your place after our date tonight?

I forgot about our date. How could I forget? I just jumped in and volunteered to come up here.

Something came up, and I can’t make it tonight. How about as soon as I’m back in town, I make it up to you?

Three dots dance on the screen as she types out her message.

Is this about last night?

Of course, she would connect the dots.

Not in the way you’re probably imagining.

Last night, as soon as things were getting hot and heavy, Arturo called and demanded my presence.

I wanted to say no and tell him I was busy, but he’s the boss, and when he demands to see us, we have to drop everything. No excuses.

Savannah is quiet for a few minutes, but her response is exactly as I expected.

You told me you love me and then immediately had to leave without an explanation. Do you regret saying it?

It wasn’t immediately after I said it, but it wasn’t very long after we went inside.

I can’t tell her about the mafia. I can’t tell her that Arturo owns me and my freedom and what he says goes.

Of course not. I wouldn’t say I love you if I didn’t mean it. I told you something unexpected popped up.

I try to diffuse the situation, but she fires back.

What random thing pops up in the middle of the night? Besides a side chick?

My fingers move on their own. I read my message after it was already sent.

Finding out that a friend of the family’s funeral is in a couple of days and my presence was requested at the wake and funeral.

That’s close enough. Maybe one day I’ll tell her everything, but right now, when I’m a half a dozen states away, this is the best answer I can give.

The dancing dots return, keeping me on the edge of my set.

Did I fuck this up?

Will I be able to make things right?

I wait for her message, not sure what to expect from her. Her reply makes me want to fly back home and say fuck it to Jax’s funeral.

I am so sorry. Why didn’t you tell me?

I send my reply as the taxi parks in front of the hotel.

I didn’t want to ruin things.

I guess I already did that, though. I’ll have a lot to apologize for by the time I get back.

We can talk when you get back to town. I’m sorry for the added stress and conflict. Please send my condolences to the family, and if you need to talk, I’m only a phone call away.

Fuck me. She is way too incredible, and I am way too undeserving.

I tuck my phone back in my pocket and help Rhett get our luggage out of the trunk.

“What time do we need to be ready?” I ask once we are past the door hops and inside the bright and luxurious lobby.

Francesca checks her phone. “The wake starts at seven, and it’s on the opposite side of town, so I’d guess we have about an hour to change and get freshened up.”

We check in and make our way upstairs.

Before we disappear into our own rooms, I say, “Remember, we have adjoining rooms, so try to keep it down, would you? I don’t need to hear you two getting it on.”

Francesca’s face turns beet red and Rhett guffaws like a maniac before he winks and says, “Don’t be jealous, Spencer. I’ll let you watch.”

Francesca slaps him on his chest. “Rhett Montgomery! I know you didn’t just say that.”

He pulls her into his chest and places a kiss on her cheek. “I was just kidding, Chessie. No one gets to watch you, except me.”

Their affection makes me miss Savannah even more. If that’s possible.

“And on that note, I’ll see you guys in an hour.”

I head inside my room and drop my luggage at the foot of the bed before stripping down and making my way into the large, oversized shower.

How is it possible that I’m already feeling this way for Savannah? I want what Rhett and Francesca have. I want to flaunt my relationship around the guys and everyone we meet.

I want them to know that she’s mine and I’m hers. For the rest of my life.

The thought of spending the rest of my life with Savannah should scare me, but it doesn’t.

I quickly shower and dry off before grabbing my phone. Navigating to my recent calls, l click on Savannah’s name as I wrap the towel around my waist.

She immediately answers. “Spencer, are you alright?”

“I didn’t like leaving things the way we did. I wanted to check to make sure you were okay.”

She lets out a soft sigh. “I’m fine. How are you holding up?”

“Well, to be honest, I wish I was home with you instead of getting dressed for the wake.” I lay my suit on the end of the bed.

She lowers her voice. “And what would we be doing if you were home with me right now?”

Is she trying to have phone sex with me?

My dick bobs under the towel, eager for any action, even if it means using my hand.

Savannah moans. “Come on Spencer. I’m horny and all alone.”

Fuck.

“I do have some free time right now.” I remove the towel and lay on the bed. “Tell me what you’re doing to yourself.”

“I-I-I’m running my hand over my breast and giving it a squeeze as my other hand rubs my-”

She doesn’t finish her sentence.

“Where is your other hand, Savannah?”

“My pussy.”

Fuck, I love when she acts all shy. She’s not shy in person. At least not as much as she used to be.

Wrapping my hand around my cock, I say, “Pinch your nipples like I do it.”

I imagine her perfect nipples pebbling under her touch as she pinches the stiff peaks. Her moan is both sensual and torture.

“Now, I’m rubbing my clit. Nice and slow.”

My hand moves up and down my cock in long, languid strokes. “Tell me how it feels. Are you wet for me, baby?”

“Sooo good and so wet,” she moans.

“Slip two fingers into your tight pussy and imagine they are mine.” I pump my cock faster. “Fuck your pussy like you need it. I want to hear you scream as you orgasm.”

My hand pumps faster, needing to come with her. She whimpers and moans as she pleasures herself.

I’ve never been this jealous before. Jealous that she’s pleasuring herself, and I’m not there to do it myself.

“God, Spencer. I’m so close.” Her whimper eggs me on.

“Come for me, baby.” I grunt out.

My balls tighten and my muscles clench as my need grows.

She lets out a long moan, chanting my name like she’s trying to conjure me into her room. I close my eyes and groan as spurt after hot spurt of come coats my stomach and chest.

Damn, I didn’t know how much I needed this.

I grab my towel and clean up my mess.

She sighs. “So, I guess you need to get dressed, huh?”

I chuckle and look at my suit. “Yeah, but just know, I’m thinking about you and thinking about being with you every minute that I’m gone.”

“Yeah, me too.”

We say our goodbyes, and I put on my black suit, white shirt, and black tie.

When I am ready to leave, I knock on the adjoining room door. “Are you guys ready yet?”

Francesca opens the door leading between our two suites, looking like she’s going to a ball and not a wake. Her black dress is long and elegant and her heels are strappy and tall.

“Wow. You look-”

Rhett interrupts. “Perfect.”

He gives me a look that says I better agree with him or else.

I give him a slight nod. “Yeah, perfect.”

I wasn’t going to insult her. Rhett should have known that.

I roll my eyes and pat him on his shoulder. “I was going to say she looks elegant, you dick.”

Rhett is wearing a suit similar to mine, except his black suit has gray pinstripes, whereas mine is just a simple black suit.

Francesca grabs her purse. “Let’s go. Traffic is going to be horrible.”

“When is traffic ever not horrible in New York City?”

Rhett pushes the button to the elevator. “Never. It’s always horrible. It’s one of the reasons I love living in Savannah. Fewer people. Less traffic.”

We head outside and get into the waiting taxi van. I jump in the back row while Rhett and Francesca take the middle row and tell the driver where we are headed.

The drive is silent and long. I don’t even bother taking my phone out of my pocket. Tonight is going to be risky. I need to stay focused and keep a clear head.

Francesca sighs in front of me. “We’re going to be late.”

Rhett pats her leg. “No one said we had to arrive at exactly seven o’clock.”

“Yeah, but I wanted to pay my respects and leave without causing a scene.”

I chime in. “Maybe showing up in the middle or towards the end will be less chaotic.”

Not to mention less conspicuous.

The taxi driver finally parks around the corner toward the end of visiting hours.

As soon as we walk inside, I feel uneasy. We’re in the lion’s den, and we’re unarmed. I wait in the corner of the room as Francesca and Rhett make their way up to the front to pay their respects.

She touches Jax’s cold, deceased hands before leaning down and whispering something to his lifeless corpse.

Rhett stands close by, not bothering to even look at Jax.

I probably wouldn’t want to look at the man I killed, either.

The three of us meet back up and stand on the side and people watch.

Whispering, I admit, “I don’t like this. I hate being here unprepared.”

Rhett glances around and says, “Yeah, but there’s nothing we can do about it except be alert and hope it goes by fast.”

“We should have brought more backup.”

He shakes his head. “That was just asking for trouble.”

“It’s better to be safe than sorry.”

If a fight breaks out or something happens, we can’t defend ourselves. We’re practically sitting ducks here.

“At least most people are already gone.”

My gaze locks with an older man’s. “Who’s standing beside the casket?”

Rhett follows my gaze. “That’s Giuseppe Rossi- New York City’s mob boss and Jax’s father.”

“And the one shacking up with Francesca’s mother.” I add, not thinking before speaking.

“Dude, shut up.” He warns before looking behind him.

He spins in a circle. His gaze wanders the large open room. “Where’s Francesca?”

Shit.

“She was just here. She couldn’t have gone far.”

Rhett panics and grabs his phone. “Shit. I forgot that she left her phone at the hotel.”

“Relax, man. We’ll find her. Let’s split up. I’ll search in here, and you can search in the refreshment room.”

We’ll search the entire funeral home if we have to.

I wander around the large room, looking everywhere, but not finding her. I meet back up with Rhett, who looks like he’s ready to set the place on fire.

“Have you checked the women’s bathroom?”

Rhett shakes his head and makes his way across the lobby to the restrooms. His fist pounds on the door for several moments before he cracks the door open a little.

“Francesca? Are you in here?” Rhett calls out.

No one answers.

“Let’s go back and see if she’s in the room.” He gives me a look that says we’ve already looked there. “Maybe she spotted an old acquaintance or her mother.”

“Fuck that.” He says as he pushes past me and heads back into the funeral home’s chapel.

We find her speaking to Giuseppe Rossi. There’s a bodyguard standing next to them. His eyes immediately move to Rhett and me.

Rhett whispers as we walk toward them. “Why is she talking to him?”

“Maybe to give her condolences?” I suggest, which earns me a glare in response.

“Well, I don’t like being here. I don’t think it’s wise to stick around. Mafia families shouldn’t be meeting like this when we are in the middle of a war.”

I don’t speak. I just let him vent out his frustration.

When he finishes his rant, I say, “Rhett, it’s all about respect. From one mafia family to another. Especially when their heir dies.”

Dies by the rival family’s soon to be son-in-law.

But I don’t voice that. It wouldn’t serve any purpose right now.

Francesca gives Giuseppe a hug and walks over to us. “Alright, who’s ready to drink?”

Rhett and I raise our hands slightly.

I add, “Preferably far away from here, where we don’t have to worry about them.”

Francesca gives me a frown. “You will have to talk to them tomorrow.”

“No, I don’t. I can sit in the far back and leave as soon as the funeral is over because I don’t plan to go to the graveside service. That should be family only.”

Rhett intervenes. “Besides, we need to get back and make sure the gang isn’t causing any problems. They’ve been quiet for too long. Something has to be brewing, and I have a feeling whatever they are planning is going to be destructive.”

Yeah, and more than likely, we will be in the middle of it.