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That is one way to look at things. Dad did say that he found out about her family before he hired her, but he never mentioned it until she came to him about the Rossi situation.
I shake my head and get to the point. “Well, Alexandra’s been kidnapped again by Rossi, and he knows about the baby. I wouldn’t put it past him to kill the heir of the Marino empire.”
Gage throws his hands up in the air. “What the fuck are we doing here, then? Let’s go get her. That is more important than the team workout.”
“Believe me. I want to get her. Hell, I wanted to get her last night, but I’m waiting for a shipment to arrive. Then we can put my other plan in motion.”
When Spencer gets off his treadmill, I hop on and set it to a fast run.
Gage reaches over and lightly punches my arm before grabbing his bottle of water in the cup holder. “You’re going to overdo it before our back-to-back games tomorrow, and Coach Bobby will bench you to make an example out of you.”
“I need to figure out a way to fix everything. I need to make things right. I need to show Dad I’m mature enough to take on more responsibilities and run the empire.”
Gage chokes on his water. “Is he retiring?”
My heart races, and my breathing turns into pants as my muscles burn from the fast-paced run. I turn the speed down and say, “No, he’s not retiring. At least not yet. Not as long as I’m on the team.”
“Do you want to take everything over?”
I’ve never really had a choice. This is how I grew up. This lifestyle was ingrained in my upbringing.
I shrug. “That has always been the plan. I’ve followed in his footsteps, and I’ve learned how to run the business side of things as well as the political side of things.”
Rhett interjects. “But that doesn’t mean youwantto take over the Marino empire. Would you rather take over the family side of things or continue with your hockey career?”
“Honestly? I’m not sure. I love hockey, I love the game, and I love skating, but I’m tired of all the travel. I always figured I’d play until Dad retired or I started a family, and now that Alexandra is pregnant, I want to be stationary as much as possible.”
Rhett raises an eyebrow. “Are you thinking about retiring from hockey?”
“If Alexandra takes me back, it’s a conversation I plan on having with her.”
Spencer clears his throat. “Just playing devil’s advocate here, but what if she doesn’t take you back?”
I squeeze my lips together as I think of the alternative. “I guess I’ll still have that conversation with her. I don’t want to be a part-time parent. I want to be involved in my child’s life. I want-”
I’m cut off by my phone ringing. It’s Brian at the shipyard.
“Please tell me you are calling with good news.” I don’t think I can wait another day to get Alexandra. Every cell in my body is begging for a fight.
On the other end of the call, I hear him chuckle. “I am, Boss. We just got the shipment in. I am going to check it in and unload it.”
“Great. I’m finishing up my workout now, and then I will head over there.”
“See you soon, Boss.” He ends the call and I glance at the three men staring back at me.
“My shipment just arrived. Cancel whatever plans you have today because it’s time to rain hell on Giuseppe Rossi.”
Gage stops his treadmill and turns to look at me. “Well, are you going to fill us in or make us guess?”
“It will be easier to show you once we open the crates.”
Rhett places his dumbbells on the rack and says. “Then let’s go.”
The gym doors open and Coach Bobby walks in sporting a frown. “What are you guys doing here so early? Team workout doesn’t start until eight thirty.”
I answer before anyone else can. “We decided to get our workout in ahead of time.”
Coach Bobby scans the large room, locking gazes with each of us. “We have physicals lined up, followed by a regimented team workout today. I guess you four will just be extra sore.”