Page 62 of The Penalty

“Practice is always good when we don’t have to wear pads,” Jax replied. “Gotta hit the showers. It’s date night.”

He patted Dante on the back and jogged to the locker room.

“What’s up?”

“Uh, random question. And if it’s not something you can do, don’t worry about it.”

“Ask away.”

Dante scratched his head. “My sister’s been working abroad. Spent the last, I don’t know, four years in England doing sales or sponsorships or something with a soccer team.” He grinned. “Not your boyfriend’s. Don’t worry. I already grilled her on all the info. They’re not even in the same, what did she call it, tier for the league. Level two, she said. That’s it. If they stay in the top spot this season they’ll get promoted. She explained it all to me but I half listened after a while.”

I folded my arms, widening my eyes. Land the plane, Milano.

“Anyway,” he continued, “she’s thinking about moving back to New York and she’s interested in marketing or digital media or maybe what you do.”

“Which is it?” I suppressed a laugh. “Marketing, digital media, or what I do?”

A heavy sigh wracked his massive body. The tight end listed at six-two on all his stat sheets but I’ll bet my condo he’s six-six.

“I don’t know. Can she come in and talk to you? Maybe you could help point her in the right direction. Give her some contacts?”

“Yeah, sure. Have her send me an email. What’s her name?”

“Chelsea. You have no idea how much I appreciate this. She’s been having a rough time lately and…well, thanks.” He started jogging toward the locker room. I noticed a piece of paper stuck to his shirt.

“Dante.”

He stopped and turned.

“There’s something on your back.”

Confused, he reached around until he felt the paper. “Fuckin’ Jax. He’s been pranking us all afternoon. Taping shit to the ball. Tying water bottles together. Ass hat.” He tossed the paper into a trash bin. “Thanks, Victoria. I’ll tell my sister to email you tonight.”

Dante’s request aside, the rest of my day passed by without much variation from any other day. Although, I did notice the two large men stationed outside Hannah’s office. I’ve seen her bodyguards before but never really thought anything of it. Her family has their own private security team. They mostly stay out of sight though, which makes this a little odd.

I’m assuming Hannah’s in her office since these two guys are doing their best statue impersonations. Might as well go chat about the training camp schedule before I wrap up my day.

“Gentlemen,” I greeted them as I walked to her door.

“Sorry ma’am. You can’t go in there right now.” The bigger guy on the right blocked the door with his arm.

“Oh.” This is weird. “Is she okay?”

“Yes ma’am.”

Neither one gave any inkling as to what was going on. Maybe something happened to her grandfather? A player was accused of harassment? That would be a nightmare.

Wild scenarios ran through my mind but none of them were serious enough to warrant two hulking bodyguards. Then again, the super rich do things different, I suppose.

“Okay, well, will you let her know I stopped by when she’s finished? I’m Victoria. I’m right across the hall.”

“I know, ma’am. We’ll tell her.”

Definitely weird.

I returned to my office and finished up the rest of my to-do list. Hannah never did come out. Even stranger than that? Nobody went in. I pulled out my phone as I walked to the parking lot and texted her.

Me: Hey. Stopped by to chat but your muscle men wouldn’t let me in. Everything ok?

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