Page 58 of Wicked Truths

“He’s just trying to keep you safe.” He pulls the chair out from behind the desk and sits down.

I scoff. “He wanted to protect me by keeping me in the dark, but look where that got me. I’ve had a gun pointed straight at me. I was dragged down the concrete, got cut up, bruised, kidnapped, and slapped.”

The nice man drops both of his hands onto the desk and glares at Vinny. “The slap should have never happened.”

I roll my eyes. “That was the least offensive thing that happened to me tonight.”

Vinny takes a few steps to his right, blocking my view of the nice man.

“If you don’t know anything about the shipping business, tell us about the hockey team.”

What could he possibly want to know about the team? What does he think happens at the arena?

“What about the hockey team?”

He bends forward, putting his hands on the arms of my chair. “What kind of activities happen with the team?”

“They skate and practice. Hell, they even fight one another. I don’t know what you think happens, but so far that’s all I’ve seen.”

I’ve heard some rumors, but that’s all they are so far. Just rumors.

“What about your brother, Joseph?”

“What about him?” I challenge.

He doesn’t answer my question. He glares at meas if he knows I am dragging out our conversation and keeping secrets from him.

I want to drag this out as long as I can. Maybe Rhett and Joey are getting answers from Jax right now. Hopefully, I can figure out a way to escape, so I can give Jax a piece of my mind.

“My brother plays for the team just like any other player. And just like any other player, he is expected to be at every team meeting, practice, and interview.”

My voice is strong and confident because that is the truth, whether he believes it or not.

Of course Joey has more leniency than other players because sometimes he has to leave practice early to do a job or go to a meeting with dad, but he’s still expected to show up and practice with the team.

“Look, I don’t know what you think happens in the arena, but I can tell you that normal day-to-day operations happen. We have a team to manage and run. An arena to keep open and successful. Events to plan and order supplies and personnel for.”

Vinny steps to the side and leans against the wall as the nice man stands and makes his way over to me.

“We know that you still have a business to run. We have front businesses, too. Every mafia family does. What we want to know is what happens behind closed doors? What deals are being made? What is your father trying to cover up by buying a hockey team?”

“That’s what I’m also trying to find out. I don’t know anything. They aren’t telling me anything.”

“But you work for the team.”

“I just started working for the team, and I’ve been too busy trying to learn who the players are, who the press are, and how things run. I have yet to dig into past financial records or eavesdrop on any closed door meetings, but as soon as I can, I will.”

I won’t give up any family secrets, especially to a rival family, but I do plan on looking into everything. Including the club and what goes on there.

I glance from one man to the other and let out a sigh. “Trust me, I want to know everything as much, if not more, than you do. I want to know why my dad and brother don’t trust me with the truth, and why I have to sneak around just to be a part of the family.”

My heart aches as I think about the only family member to include me in operations, Uncle Tony.

I should have called him tonight. He would have driven me to the shipyard and protected me.

Like Dad and Joey should have.

The two men stare at each other for several minutes.