Sinful Secrets (Savannah Sharks Hockey and Mafia #2)

Chapter 24

Chapter Twenty-Four

SPENCER

I reload the last of my magazines before putting them in their pouches on my belt. I grab my small ankle knife and the larger one I usually keep at my side, and attach them to my ankle and my belt.

The plan is all set. We are going to get to the port early and stake out the place. We are going to find some great hiding spots and catch the Emerald City Reapers in action, stealing Arturo’s shipment and see who their client is.

Arturo has already warned us to keep the casualties to a minimum and only shoot if we have no other choice.

The feds have been keeping a close eye on us since Lorenzo’s death and with the hockey season well underway, we don’t need the bad press.

I gaze around the room, looking for any other supplies I may have forgotten. My gaze lands on Savannah lounging on my couch. She’s wearing black leggings and an all black long sleeve shirt.

Those leggings make her legs look a mile long and her ass round. If we weren’t about to go to war with an unknown opponent, I’d fuck her senseless.

Like I did last night. And this morning.

She frowns. “You really go all out on these missions, don’t you?”

My gaze continues its sweep over the living room. “I’d rather be overly prepared than under prepared.”

“But do you really need six magazines?”

“On my belt? Yes. If I could carry more this close to my reach, I would.”

“You also put like four or five more in your cargo pocket. Not to mention the knives and the extra guns.”

“Those are my emergency back ups. If I need to use these, then shit has hit the fan and I am trying to just survive. It’s a shoot everyone and protect myself type of situation.”

“But you aren’t going alone. You will have plenty of backup with you.”

“Unfortunately, as you have seen firsthand, we lose men all the time, and in some of the worst ways. Luckily, we haven’t lost anyone in years. Well, until Lorenzo.”

“If they are capable of that, I don’t want to see their worst.”

My gaze locks with hers. “His death has been one of the worst ones I’ve ever seen, so I don’t think you will see worse. At least I hope you don’t.”

“That’s both a relief and unsettling at the same time. I’d like to think I’d get used to it, but I don’t want to get used to seeing dead bodies. Does that make me weak?”

I walk over to her and squat down to look her in the eyes. “No, that doesn’t make you weak. That makes you human. I don’t ever want you to get used to seeing dead bodies, either, but if you’re in this life and hanging out with Francesca, I know it will happen. I wish I could shield you from it, but I know I can’t.”

My phone chimes with a message. Standing, I pull my phone out of my pocket and read the group text from Joey.

We’re leaving in fifteen minutes, so get your asses over here.

I type out a quick reply.

I was planning on leaving from here and just meeting everyone over at the docks.

Rhett chimes in.

Francesca found several armored vehicles for us to drive because she’s changing the plan.

Joey’s response is full of anger.

SHE WHAT? SHE’S NOT EVEN PART OF THE PLAN! SHE CAN’T CHANGE THE FUCKING PLAN!

They message back and forth, arguing like we aren’t about to go on an assignment.

You and your father know how much she wants to be included.

Too bad. Now isn’t the time for Francesca to start her shit.

Joey, don’t exclude her. She will be involved one way or another. It will be better if we all know where she is and what she’s doing.

Rhett has a point. Francesca will be involved in mafia matters one way or another. The last time didn’t end so well. Hell, her plan yesterday to eavesdrop on the Reapers didn’t go well, but at least no one was shot.

If she wants to be involved, tell her she can work for our uncle and do the bookkeeping.

I’m not telling her that. Do you think I have a death wish?

I’ll tell her later, but she’s not coming with us. She might be stronger than she once was, but she’s more of a liability than an asset.

Spencer, help me out, would ya?

My fingers type as fast as they can. There’s no way in hell I’m getting in the middle of this.

This is more of a family thing and I’m not family.

The hell you are. You’re one of us.

Rhett’s reply makes me smile and roll my eyes.

I didn’t mean it like that, and you know it. This is a Marino family argument and I’m not getting within fifty feet of it.

Francesca said she invited Savannah. Is she coming?

Why would she invite Savannah when she’s barely dipped her toes in the mafia lifestyle?

I don’t ask Savannah before I reply.

Hell no, she’s not coming. I’m not even sure she knows how to shoot a gun.

Damn, dude. You better get her some training.

A knock sounds on the door. Opening it, I see Francesca with a duffle bag thrown over her shoulder and a pissed off glare on her face.

Her hair is in a ponytail, and she’s wearing all black attire and a utility belt with a gun, knife, pepper spray, and extra magazines.

“To what do I owe the pleasure?” I ask in an ultra sweet tone.

She turns her glare on me for a second before sighing. “I’m not letting them decide my future for me. I thought we were already past that. I’ll drive myself if I have to.”

I close the door as she storms inside my apartment.

A few seconds later, another knock sounds on the door. Looking through the peephole, I see Rhett’s scowl.

“Come on in.” I say as I open the door.

“Where is she?” He growls out.

“She’s right-” I say as I glance around the open area.

Francesca is nowhere to be found, and Savannah is no longer lounging on the couch. There’s only one place they can be- the bedroom.

What is Francesca planning with Savannah?

“So, what’s her new plan?”

Rhett shrugs and leans against the front door. “She was in the middle of telling me about the armored vehicles she just bought.”

“Where did she get them from?”

“Some dealership in town. Apparently, she’s been planning this for a while now. Her uncle helped her pick them out a few months ago.”

Savannah and Francesca walk out of the bedroom. Savannah changed into a fitted black v-neck shirt. She’s wearing a utility belt like Francesca, but hers is gunless.

“Uh, what the hell is going on?” Rhett’s question mimics the one on the tip of my tongue.

Francesca crosses her arms. “She’s coming with me.”

My gaze locks with Savannah’s. She looks down at the ground but Francesca nudges her arm, giving Savannah encouragement to speak up.

“Yeah, I’m part of the family now, so I want to be included. Francesca is going to teach me everything I need to know.”

I clench my jaw before glancing between the two women.

I’m at a loss for words.

This isn’t a fucking game. Someone can get hurt, or worse, killed.

My phone chimes with a message.

“That has to be Joey.” Rhett says beside me.

I pull out my phone, seeing a message from Joey. It’s not a group text. “He sent a message to only me.”

“What does it say?”

Get everyone over here now.

Dad is pissed.

He said he will deal with this later. You might want to drive separately so you aren’t caught in this.

I relay the messages while keeping my gaze locked on Savannah.

Francesca scoffs. “We’re coming. End of discussion.”

Not wanting to get in the middle of a Marino family argument, I say, “Savannah and I will take my car over to the house. You two can figure your situation out on the way. I, for one, don’t want to be on Arturo’s bad side.”

I grab my keys before lightly punching Rhett in the arm. “And as his future son-in-law, I’d think you would feel the same way.”

“Hey, I never said I want to be on his bad side, but I also want to make Chessie happy.”

“Make her happy in other ways. I wouldn’t be going toe to toe with her father, who just happens to be the head of the mafia.”

Rhett quirks his eyebrow. “Oh, I make her plenty happy. Thank you very much.”

Francesca waves her hand. “Hello, I’m standing right here and can hear you two.”

“Yeah, and as your friend, I’d advise you to pick your battles wisely, and maybe not right before confronting the vigilante gang no one can get close to.”

She rolls her eyes and sighs. “You might be right, but we are still coming.”

“Fine. Let’s go before it’s all of our asses on the line.”

Savannah and I ride with Rhett and Francesca in Rhett’s truck. The entire eight minute ride is in complete silence except for the nightly talk show that’s playing on the radio.

When we get to Arturo’s house, Joey meets us in the driveway and gives us directions to the parking lot where we will park.

“Everyone is parking in a separate lot, so we have options to regroup if we need to.” He points to Francesca and Savannah. “Since they are coming along, you two will be the back-up team. We are meeting in the square two blocks from the docks.”

“Where is everyone? We aren’t late.” I say, glancing around at the lack of cars in the driveway.

“They already left to get set up.”

Francesca scoffs. “Bullshit. What’s going on?”

“That is what’s going on. We have an important job to do, and you’re too occupied with buying cars and trying to change the plan Dad and I put together all night.”

Francesca takes a few steps closer to Joey and throws her hands up in the air. “So that’s it? You’re upset that I didn’t spend all night coming up with a plan? Why would I even try when you and dad don’t even ask me to help?”

“Why would we ask? You’re always busy.” He shoots an apologetic look at Rhett.

“Well, I’m sorry I have a life and a future to plan. Maybe if you weren’t so afraid, you’d be married by now!” Francesca is yelling with every ounce of her being.

Joey flinches, and for a moment, I see a glimmer of hate flash before his eyes. It seems as if Francesca hit a nerve.

I cut in. “Hey, how about we all take a step back and focus on the job at hand? There will be plenty of time in the future for these discussions.”

Joey nods. “There will be plenty of time for me and Francesca, but if you two don’t get your heads on straight, Dad will make some changes.”

He turns around and jumps into his car before driving down the driveway. His tires squeal as he turns onto the road.

“Well, that wasn’t pleasant.” I say with an awkward chuckle.

Rhett clenches his jaw before heading back to his truck. The three of us follow him. I help Savannah into the backseat before joining her.

She reaches over and wraps her hand in mine, lightly squeezing.

Looking over, I see the questions swarming in her eyes.

How mad is Arturo?

Are we safe?

What’s going to happen?

Will tonight be our last night together?

I wish I could answer her, but I can’t. I don’t know what’s going to happen. All I know is I’m at the top of Arturo’s shit list, and that’s not a place I ever wanted to be.

I give her hand a light squeeze in response. No matter what happens, I love her.

As soon as we park in the parking lot, we make our way to the meetup spot in the square. Everyone is already here, standing around and waiting for us. Arturo immediately breaks us into groups.

“Montgomery and Reed, you’ll be taking the north side of the docks.” He glances around the group. “You will be paired with the women you brought along.”

I’ve heard him annoyed and pissed off before, but tonight, he’s worse than ever. I can’t blame him, though. Francesca and Savannah were not part of tonight’s plan.

Francesca deserves to be here, but Savannah is still so new to things that she shouldn’t be here. At least not yet. Hell, I haven’t even seen her in action.

Add to the fact that I told everyone to cut her off and then I show up tonight with her. It’s no wonder Arturo is pissed.

And confused.

And feeling like he’s lost control of everyone and everything.

He clears his throat. “What are you all waiting for? Get moving.”

Rhett, Francesca, Savannah, and I head toward the north side of the port, where they store the shipping containers. We stick close to the buildings, opting for the shadows.

We get into position, with the women safely on top of a shipping container and Rhett and I hidden among pallets. I unholster my gun and keep it at my side.

“Incoming.” Francesca whispers down to us a second before headlights of several cars pull into the port.

From our hiding spots, it’s hard to see how many there are, but several headlights turn our way, indicating that some of them are heading this way.

“Shit. There’s no reason for them to come down here. The ship is docking down at the other end.” I murmur to Rhett, who is already gesturing for Francesca to get down.

At least the road is partially blocked by another shipping container.

“It’s not safe for me to get down right now. I’ll get down on Savannah’s end.” Francesca disappears from view, but we can hear her utility belt scraping along the top of the shipping container.

Rhett squats down next to me. “I’m glad we chose to be this far from the road. Having several shipping containers blocking us from the road might be the lifesaver we never knew we needed.”

I can’t reply because the cars turn onto the road and slow down as someone in the backseat shines a flashlight toward us. Rhett and I freeze as we hunker down.

“All clear.” A man yells before the two cars continue to move through the shipping containers.

“It’s a damn good thing there aren’t any lights over on this end of the port.”

Rhett glances around. “The darkness might actually be in our favor since we already have our night eyes.”

“Oof.” Francesca says as she jumps down from the shipping container. “We need to split up and head closer. There are at least six cars.”

Savannah jumps down and joins us. “The ship just docked.”

I glance down at my watch. “It’s early.”

Rhett stares in the distance. “We will meet back up with you two in ten minutes behind the large crane.”

There are like a dozen cranes in this port.

“The one that’s a hundred yards from the main dock?”

“Yeah, that one.”

Savannah and I take the longer way to the crane as Rhett and Francesca head down the main road.

I pull Savannah behind a shipping container and ask, “Savannah, I need to know. Do you know how to shoot a gun?”

I know the answer the second I ask her.

She nibbles on her lower lip and shakes her head. “No. I never had a reason to learn.”

Shit, that’s not good.

“Well, now you do.” I run my hand through my hair and shake my head. “After this, you and I will be visiting the gun range every weekend, but for tonight, you can stick by my side and use my backup gun.”

She takes a few steps back. “I can’t.”

I pull out the gun from the small of my back. “You can and you will. All you have to do is point the gun and pull the trigger.”

How could I not make sure she was ready for this life?

She’s so innocent and pure.

Why didn’t I demand for her to stay home tonight?

I hand my gun over to her and give her a quick lesson, showing her how to use a pistol.

“I think I got it.” She says before she repeats what I just showed her.

“Great. That’s all you need to know for the night.”

We continue walking in the shadows, keeping close to one another. It only takes us a few minutes to get to the meetup point behind the crane. Francesca and Rhett are nowhere to be found.

Several men unload the cargo ship and place the pallets of product onto flatbed trucks.

Savannah whispers in my ear. “Why hasn’t Arturo stopped this? Isn’t this his shipment?”

“The client hasn’t arrived yet. He’s not going to intervene until we know, without a doubt, who is responsible for this.”

“Clearly it’s the men in all black doing this. Maybe they lied to make it seem like there’s a client when really, it’s just them.”

“I can see why you think that, since no one is here yet, but part of these jobs is waiting to gather as much information as we can. We have to be patient.”

Right as I finish speaking, another car pulls into the port, stopping next to the flatbed truck.

The driver’s door opens and out steps Elizabeth Marino, looking like she’s going to a wedding or a christening.

“The client is the Rossis.” I whisper.

Son of a bitch.

Savannah pulls on my arm. “We need to find Rhett and Francesca. She shouldn’t see this.”

We stick to the shadows and retreat, heading back through the shipping containers. I pull out my phone and send Rhett a message.

Retreat. Meet us at our previous meeting point.

He doesn’t respond.

“Come on, let’s go.” I say as several gunshots sound in the distance.

Headlights turn down the road as several armored trucks head our way.

I pull Savannah’s hand. “Run!”

We weave in and out of the shipping containers. The gravel crunches under our feet. I thought we were ready, but from the sounds of things, the Rossis came prepared.

Gunshots echo through the air. The last thing Joey, Rhett, and I need is to be caught in a gunfight, especially with the season well underway, but I’m not leaving Arturo and his men behind.

I lead Savannah to the pallets where Rhett and I were hiding earlier. “I need to help the others. I need you to stay here. Remember what I told you- point and pull the trigger.”

“Spencer, don’t leave me, please.” Tears form in her eyes and pull at my heart.

Fuck. Fuck. Fuckity fuck.

I can’t leave her here unprotected. There’s no telling how many men were in those armored trucks or what equipment they brought.

“Fine, but stick close, hold on to my belt loop, and listen to everything I say. No questions. No protests. If I tell you to run back to the car, then you run back to the car. Do you understand?”

I see the hesitation in her eyes.

“I mean it, Savannah. I can’t do my job and worry about you.”

“Fine. I will do everything you say, even if I hate it.” Lust flashes in her eyes before disappearing.

Is she seriously thinking about that right now?

I growl out. “You always love when I tell you what to do, just as much as I love it when you tell me exactly what you need.”

She swallows loudly as the gunshots get closer.

Focus, damn it.

I regain my composure and say, “Let’s go.”

We make our way to the shipping container in front of us. I stop to listen for any sounds. All gunshots cease. It’s quiet. Too quiet.

Where is everyone?

I motion for Savannah to follow me. We jog across the paved road before sliding between two close set shipping containers.

The metal feels cool on my skin. I glance at Savannah, who’s trying hard to not breathe too loudly.

Without speaking, I ask if she’s okay. She gives me a small nod. I gesture for her to stay here. She gives me another nod.

I need to find Rhett.

I slowly make my way to the other end of the containers.

Savannah squeals. Turning around, I see a man standing behind her with one hand across her mouth and the other holding a knife at her throat.

Is he the only one here?

Are there more?

How can I save Savannah and take the man out?

He’s not living after this, not if I have any say over it.

Save Savannah first, then take care of this asshole.

Her eyes are wide with fear, but she’s not moving.

He leans down and whispers something in her ear. She drops her gun, and it fires off a shot.

Time seems to slow as the man jerks back. The metal blade of the knife scrapes along the side of Savannah’s neck, immediately drawing blood before clanging to the ground.

“Son of a bitch.” She reaches up and grabs at her neck.

The man grabs at her again, hobbling on one foot as he pulls her back until they are standing on the road. The man positions himself directly behind Savannah, so I can’t shoot him without shooting her.

I slowly inch my way toward them.

Within a blink of an eye, Savannah elbows the man in his stomach, stomps on his foot, elbows him in his nose with her other elbow, and punches him in his groin before running over to me.

What the fuck just happened? How did she get free by herself?

The man crumbles to the ground, groaning and clenching at his groin.

Without giving him a chance to reach for a weapon or stand back up, I shoot him. Twice.

Turning toward Savannah, I reach into my pants and pull out a small flashlight. I check the cut on her neck, making sure it doesn’t require an emergency room visit or stitches.

Thankfully, it doesn’t, but it does need first aid and several butterfly bandages.

Rhett has a first aid kit in his truck. We need to get there.

Sighing, I ask, “Where did you learn self defense?”

She gives me a small smile. “Miss Congeniality.”

“Huh?”

“The movie. It made me want to learn, and given my small size, I took a few classes.”

“I’m impressed, and rock hard.”

She reaches down and palms my erection before giving it a light squeeze.

A woman screaming in the distance interrupts our moment.

Savannah picks up my gun and assures me she will be alright.

“Okay, let’s go.”

We sprint toward the center of the port where the truck is loaded with the drugs. A few bloodied bodies are scattered around, but all the original cars are gone.

Savannah pulls on my belt loop, keeping me in the shadows of the shipping containers. She reaches over my shoulder and points in front of us. “Look.”

My gaze follows her finger, landing on Francesca and her mom in a standoff with each of them pointing guns at one another.

Where’s Rhett? Joey? Arturo?

Elizabeth rolls her eyes. “What are you even doing here? You don’t belong with them. You belong with me.”

Francesca shakes her head. “You left us, remember?”

“I didn’t leave you. I left your father. Maybe if I stayed, you wouldn’t have turned out the way you did.” Elizabeth’s snide remark causes a growl to ripple up my throat.

Is she fucking serious?

She continues. “I always wanted you by my side. That’s why I sent Jax your way. He was supposed to befriend you. You two were supposed to fall in love and then he was going to bring you home.”

Francesca yells, “Enough about Jax. That’s ancient history. You’re working with them, aren’t you? You’re working with the Reapers.”

Elizabeth sighs and confesses. “Of course I am.”

Francesca’s eyes gloss over as if she’s keeping the tears at bay. “Why?”

“They pay better than Giuseppe, and it was just another way to screw over your father.”

“For someone who never loved Dad, you sure are doing everything to stay in his life. How does Giuseppe feel about being your second choice?”

“You fucking bitch. Giuseppe was and is always my first choice.”

Francesca shrugs. “You didn’t marry him back then, and now you’re working for a vigilante gang that wants to eliminate the mafia, including his.”

Elizabeth shakes with anger. She spits out, “How dare you? You’re nothing without me. If this is the side you take, then I’d rather see you dead.”

A gunshot rings out. I hold my breath as I glance around the area, searching for any and all threats.

Elizabeth’s white pantsuit turns red a second before her body falls to the ground.