Sinful Secrets (Savannah Sharks Hockey and Mafia #2)

Chapter 15

Chapter Fifteen

SAVANNAH

Television shows and movies are full of shit. Eating a pint of Half Baked Ben & Jerry’s ice cream does not in fact heal a broken heart.

If that was the case, I’d be a superhero by now.

I throw the empty pint container in my trash can. It lands on top of the empty one I had for brunch earlier.

I haven’t heard from Spencer since he told me to lose his number and we were done.

He’s avoiding me, that much is clear, but he jumped to conclusions without letting me explain. I should have told him the second he came home.

I lock my bedroom door and sit at my desk.

If I’m going to get Spencer back and be a part of his world, then I might as well research the Marino family, rules of being in the mafia, and everything regarding the Savannah Sharks.

The palms of my hands slicken with sweat as I try to think about researching the Marinos.

“Maybe I should start with the Sharks.”

That subject is less intimidating and less stressful. I try to search for any phrase that comes to mind, but all that pops up is the sale of the team to Arturo Marino and articles written when Joseph Marino was drafted several years ago.

At the bottom of the page, there is a link to another article written about Arturo’s wife and the fatal accident that caused his move down to Savannah.

The things they write about Arturo are heartless and crass, like they didn’t give a shit about the death of his wife or the fact that two young kids were now motherless.

I click on another link that leads me to an online community forum where strangers are discussing the most well-known mafia families and what they are known for.

Rossi- drug trafficking, counterfeit products, extortion, sex trafficking, money laundering, murder.

Marino- drug trafficking, money laundering, kidnapping for ransom, protection racketeering.

Castellucci- embezzlement, murder, corruption, gambling, money laundering.

Valentino- drug trafficking, prostitution/escort, gambling, murder, money laundering, protection racketeering.

I reread the long comments that strangers have posted on the forum. The only mafia family that isn’t involved with drug trafficking is the Castellucci family, but all of these accusations are pretty extreme crimes with hefty prison sentences.

Except most of them seem to be true.

I know the Marinos are involved with drug trafficking because I am selling their drugs. Well, I was until I received a phone call from Emily at the club, saying I was no longer needed.

Whatever that means.

My heart constricts with pain, causing me to press my hand tightly against my chest. I know what it means. It means Spencer told them to ban me.

I’m not ‘in’ with the Marinos anymore.

I’m an outcast. A nobody.

Shaking those depressing thoughts away, I scroll down to the most recent replies. I stop my scrolling when a comment gets my attention. One word sticks out more than the others.

Murder.

User Quest4theTruth commented that the Marinos should also have murder added to their list as they have seen firsthand the Marinos and their accomplices kill in cold blood.

My breathing becomes ragged as I picture Spencer shooting someone.

Would he really kill someone?

My mind flashes back to the night he threatened Connor. There was so much anger in his eyes and so much blood. Who knows what would have happened if I wasn’t standing there?

Another commenter agreed with Quest4theTruth, saying the Marinos killed their father because he didn’t want to pay for their protection.

Several other commenters beg anyone for proof so police and federal agencies can get rid of the mafia families for good.

Another comment leads me to a separate post dedicated only to Arturo Marino and the crimes his family has committed.

I gasp and my mouth falls open as I read the comments. Some people have included dates the alleged crimes were committed.

The most recent one was just a few weeks ago. Quest4theTruth alleges the Marinos shot and murdered Jax Rossi, the heir to the Rossi mafia family, but neither family has confirmed or denied the allegations.

“Wow.” I mumble to myself. That crime in itself would be enough to start a war, wouldn’t it?

Will the Marinos murder me? Would Spencer even try to stop them?

If I spy on them and gather intel for the detective, there’s no way Arturo would let me live, or at the minimum, let me get away with selling drugs for him.

Plus, Spencer was really pissed…and hurt. I can’t blame him, though. He must feel like I betrayed him.

Picking up my phone, I dial the detective’s number.

He answers after the second ring. “Detective Jacob Carter.”

“Uh, hi. This is Savannah Whitlock.”

“Ah, Miss Whitlock. How can I help you?” His voice is strained slightly, as if he’s on the edge of his seat hoping I have information on the Marinos.

Sighing, I say, “I can’t do this. I can’t work on my fashion designs, maintain a relationship, and spy on the Marinos. If you want answers, you’ll have to ask them yourself.”

I don’t have a relationship to maintain anymore, but I’m hoping that changes.

“Don’t think of it as spying on them. Think of it as listening to conversations and potentially eavesdropping. You are already in with them, so it’s not like you are digging through their desks.”

“I’m not in with them anymore. I’ve been blacklisted. Hell, my relationship is practically non-existent. I’m sorry, but I can’t help you.”

Detective Jacob Carter tries to get me to change my mind, but I’m not budging. If I want Spencer back, and I do, I can’t associate myself with the police or the FBI.

I apologize once again before saying goodbye and ending the call. I immediately call Spencer.

The phone rings and rings before going to his voicemail. I end the call before I hear Spencer’s voice.

It’s no surprise that he doesn’t answer.

I hit the redial button. Once again, the phone rings and rings before his voicemail picks up.

If he won’t answer my call, maybe he will read my messages.

Please call me and let me explain my side of things.

Please Spencer.

I don’t want to lose you. I love you.

It’s not what you think it is.

I haven’t done anything to deserve the freeze from you.

Please, Spencer, just talk to me.

Please.

I’m so sorry for not telling you about the detective when he approached me.

There are only so many ways to apologize, and I’ve pretty much exhausted my means. There’s nothing else I can do to try to get him to listen to me.

An idea pops into my head. Maybe one of his teammates is still at the arena and knows where Spencer is. A surprise visit before the game tonight will make him listen.

Right?

It has to be worth a shot.

I grab my duffle bag, phone, wallet, and keys and head downstairs to my car. The drive to the arena only takes a few minutes. I park in my assigned spot and speed walk to the arena.

After dropping my bag in the locker room, I make my way down the player’s tunnel. Several cleaning and event staff give me a head nod as we walk past each other.

I guess everyone is gone for the day.

I’m about to turn around and head to the locker room, but the sound of skates scraping the ice grabs my attention.

Practically running, I make my way to the ice where someone is skating down and back the length of the ice. The man has short brown hair, similar to Spencer.

My heart sinks into my stomach as the man turns around and skates toward the other end of the ice.

It’s not Spencer, but it could be one of his friends.

I lean against the boards and watch as he pushes himself for several minutes without taking a break. When he gets to one net, he skates around the back of it before heading back toward the other.

Is he training this hard right before a game? Is he injured and trying to get back to peak performance?

The mystery man isn’t wearing a Savannah Sharks uniform or pads, for that matter. Maybe he’s an athletic trainer and wants to get in a cardio session before tonight’s game.

The man continues skating down the ice and back until his gaze catches mine. A smile forms on his face as he skates over to me.

His beard is like Spencer’s. It’s trimmed and neatly combed, but his golden brown eyes are more mysterious than Spencer’s blue gaze ever could be.

I return his smile and hold up my hands. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt your workout or stare at you like I have no manners. I was looking for someone.”

He laughs and stretches his hand out. “Gage Roberts, and I’m used to having an audience. You can’t be in this sport and have performance anxiety.”

I recognize his name from my research on the team. He’s Spencer’s teammate, wears the number eight, and is a defenseman.

Shaking his hand, I say, “Savannah Whitlock.”

His eyes light up, like he recognizes my name. “You’re one of the new ice girls, right?”

“Yeah, how did you know?”

Did Spencer talk about me to his teammates?

He runs his hand through his sweaty hair, pushing it off his forehead. “I watched the ice girls’ auditions. One of my neighbors’ daughter tried out, but she didn’t make the team.”

I wonder which one she was. There were so many of us at the auditions, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that someone besides me knew a player.

“Oh, I’m sorry. Hopefully, she didn’t take it too hard.”

He shrugs. “She’s young, and she can try out again next year. She volunteers here every season, so I’m sure you two will eventually meet.”

“I’m nervous about tonight’s game.” I blurt out.

Tonight might not be my first game, but it feels like I have targets on me.

“I’m sure you will do great. The fans are loud and crazy, but no matter what happens, just enjoy the time you have out there.”

“Thanks, I-” My phone rings, interrupting our conversation.

I yank my phone out of my pocket, hoping it’s Spencer, but it’s the detective, Jacob Carter.

Scowling at my screen, I answer his call. “I’m sorry, but like I already told you, I’m not spying on the Marinos. I have too much going on. You need to find someone else.”

Before he can speak, I end the call and shove my phone back into my pocket.

Gage raises an eyebrow and glances around the arena. “What’s going on? Are you okay?”

“It’s just a complication that I’m trying to sort out before tonight’s game.”

“It sounds like you can use some help, especially since you’re running out of time.”

Surely, I can trust him. He’s Spencer’s teammate and genuinely seems concerned.

“While Spencer was away for the funeral, the day of the ice girls’ auditions, a local detective and an FBI agent approached me to try to get information on Arturo Marino to put him behind bars.”

Gage’s jaw ticks.

I immediately add, “I didn’t and haven’t said anything to the cop, but he won’t leave me alone.”

His expression softens. “I wasn’t accusing you.”

“Good, because Spencer already did. He won’t answer my calls or messages. Besides, it’s not like I have any proof of any crimes the Marinos have committed.”

“So the cop wants you to try to find proof while you are here for the games?”

“Yeah, he wants me to eavesdrop on their conversations to find something he can use, but if Arturo really is that dangerous and unpredictable, then why would I put my life at risk?”

He’s surprised, but he doesn’t say anything for a few moments. “I’ve known the Marinos since Joey joined the team years ago. What is the cop expecting you to find?”

“Well, based on my research, I’m assuming he wants proof that they are the mafia family that is portrayed online.”

His eyes widen. “Meaning what?”

“Meaning they are guilty of drug trafficking, money laundering, and kidnapping. Oh, and not to mention murder.”

He shakes his head and mumbles. “They wouldn’t. They couldn’t.”

“Do you think the Marinos are as bad as people say? I know I’ve seen Spencer angry, but murder is entirely different, especially in cold blood, like people are saying on the internet.”

He turns around and stares at the ice. “I knew they were hiding something. This all makes sense.”

He spins back around, looking more serious than he just was. “Don’t speak a word of this to anyone. You don’t want to be on their bad side. Just do your job and don’t question anything. Hell, I wouldn’t even talk to the cop again. Don’t answer his calls or texts.”

“I have no plans of talking to him ever again or working with him, just so we’re clear.”

“Good.”

“Do you think-” I shake my head. “Nevermind.”

“What?”

I have no other choice. I’m desperate.

“Do you think you can find out where Spencer is? I really need him to hear my side of the story. If he still wants to break up and forget I ever exist, then so be it, but he should know the truth and not some story he made up in his mind.”

“You’re Spencer’s girlfriend?”

“I was until he told me to lose his number this morning.”

He stares at me, as if he’s trying to tell if I’m lying.

“I can show you the messages.”

He shakes his head. “They are your private messages. I don’t need to see them.”

He quickly glances at something behind my back before whispering, “Meet me outside the locker room in five minutes.”

I spin around as he pushes past me. My heart leaps in my chest and fear runs through my veins as I come face to face with the mafia boss himself, Arturo Marino.