Power Play

by L. Anne Carrington

  “Least I didn’t have to worry about a roommate...” She gave Jax a sexy stare. “…until now.”

  Jax picked up Alex and fumbled with the key card to her room. “While on the subject, it’s time for the remainder of our wedding night to get underway.”

  Alex stifled giggles as the door swung open. “What are you doing?”

  “Carrying my bride across the threshold. Isn’t that how you Americans do things?”

  “You’ve lived in our country long enough to know, Mr. Ivanka. Now quit acting like a fool.”

  618

  He gently placed Alex on the bed and sat beside her. “I’ll always be a fool for you, Mrs. Ivanka.”

  “You know all hell will break loose once news of our marriage and my pregnancy are in the open.”

  “Yeah, neither will be a secret much longer. May as well enjoy the peace and quiet while we can.”

  Alex crawled onto Jax’s lap and purred in his ear. “So tell me, dear husband, how does this impromptu post-ceremony wedding night thing work?”

  ***

  619

  Chapter 98

  Troy remained awake long after Boris returned to their room and eventually fell asleep. Perhaps he was imagining things, but swore he heard Jax and Alex making love in her room across the hall.

  He glimpsed at the bedside clock, which read 3:30 a.m. We have a flight back to Pittsburgh in five hours; no point trying to sleep with a bunch of shit on my mind and Boris sawing logs.

  Troy rose from his bed and crept into the hallway. He noticed Davy parked on a sofa near the elevators fooling with his phone, the same location Boris and Byron had expressed concern about Troy’s changed demeanor.

  Davy looked up from his phone’s screen. “Couldn’t sleep either, mate?”

  “Not a wink. Unusual to see you awake at this hour.”

  620

  “I’m still chuffed about our win over the Fortune. What about you?”

  “Great game, but sleep evaded me between Jax and Al fucking across the hall and Boris’ snoring.”

  “Try having your room next door to the newlyweds. I’m surprised Johann’s sleeping through their bloody noise. Everyone missed you at the pub earlier.”

  “I wasn’t in the mood for partying.”

  “Too bad; lots of pretty lasses asked where you were.”

  “I’m done with women, Davy. Maybe hanging out as friends, but forget about anything else.”

  “You’re starting to sound like me before I met Jennifer. Does this have something to do with Alex?”

  Troy emitted a deep sigh and nodded. “Seems either any chances for a potential relationship or ones I’ve been involved in ended up going to shit. Just when I thought Al and I were becoming closer, Jax wooed her away. What do other guys have what I’m missing? Is it the way I look, too nice, or a hockey robot too absorbed in my work? What the hell have I done wrong?”

  621

  “Troy, Troy, take a breath,” Davy said. “Perhaps you have yet to meet someone who appreciates all your qualities. Lasses may love the excitement useless wankers seem to possess, but they always choose a more stable chap in the end.”

  “Maybe I should try being a dick.”

  “I don’t think so.”

  “Why? It worked for Jax. Women threw themselves at him for years and he somehow charmed his way into Al’s bed.”

  “Here’s the thing about Ivanka. We know him as the player, but most people tend to forget he arrived in the United States at eighteen and knew almost no English. One thinks a chap opens up more when he gets older, but Ivanka did the opposite for a long time. He trusted no one and ended up alone despite being young, rich, and famous with model girlfriends.”

  “If I remember correctly, most of those girls didn’t stick around long.”

  “You’re right. Nobody seemed to understand why someone with so much going for him could be so gutted.”

  622

  “Okay, but what does all that have to do with me?”

  “I’m seeing similar patterns emerging in you, Troy. Ivanka became jaded from homesickness until adjusting to American life; you’re all but closing off yourself from other potential relationships because of Alex.”

  “A guy truly falls in love only once in his lifetime, Davy. Al was the one for me.”

  “I know, and hoped you two would make things permanent.”

  “No chance of that now. She’s lost to me forever.”

  “Don’t get your boxers in a wad yet, mate; I’ll go on record and say their marriage won’t last much longer after the little tyke arrives.”

  “You’re nuts. Jax loves kids; you heard him say how he wants to provide the baby with a stable life both here and in the Czech Republic.”

  “Sure, but he doesn’t have the same knack you do for interacting with ankle biters. Seriously, how many of them wear Ivanka jerseys in contrast to Talmadge ones?”

  623

  “Unless they’re Czech descendants or their parents are longtime fans, I’ve spotted scant amounts of Ivanka jerseys during Rebels games.”

  “Exactly my point, mate; you’re doing something right.”

  “Yeah, maybe…”

  “The best time to find love is when you stopped looking. I speak from experience.”

  “Kind of a cliché, Davy.”

  “Sure, but worked for me.” Davy glanced at his phone. “Bloody hell!”

  “What’s the matter?”

  “Someone took a shot of Ivanka and Alex leaving a wedding chapel and posted the picture online. There’s an enlarged one showing their rings.”

  “Oh God,” Troy groaned. “Al made efforts to keep everything quiet until the right time. I don’t even want to think how she and Jax will react when they hear about this. How long have the pictures been posted?”

  624

  “Only a short time, but I have a feeling this thing will spread like wildfire by sunrise.”

  “Sometimes I hate the fucking Internet. Now you know why I don’t have social media accounts. I have enough people talking shit without dealing with a bunch of nuts in cyberspace.”

  “Don’t let anything bother you, mate. Stay on the right road and keep doing one hell of a good job. Who knows, Alex may one day realize she made a mistake and come back to you.”

  Troy managed a small smile. I hope so, Davy, but won’t hold my breath.

  ***

  625

  Chapter 99

  Alex logged onto her laptop to check her private email account while she and Jax waited for others to arrive for their charter flight to Pittsburgh. She found her inbox unusually filled to capacity but couldn’t figure the reason.

  “Oh my God,” she moaned after opening an email attachment from Phyllis.

  “What’s wrong?” Jax asked.

  “Remember you didn’t want pictures at our wedding last night?”

  “I specified such, yeah.”

  “People inside the chapel may have honored your request, but someone outside didn’t.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  Alex turned the laptop screen in his direction. “Look.”

  626

  “What the hell? Someone took pictures of us leaving the chapel?”

  “They enlarged another one showing our rings.”

  “Fuck, nothing’s supposed to get out before we return to Pittsburgh. The Rebels’ PR people are probably losing their minds.”

  “Word of our marriage also likely reached the other guys by now,” Alex said.

  “We need to think of another way to spin this.”

  “What else can we say, Jax? Pictures usually don’t lie; our marriage license will become public record, and it won’t be much longer before my pregnancy becomes obvious.”

  “Leave everything to me. You have enough on your plate without being haggled by fans and the media.”

  “Stop worrying so much. I’ll be fine.”

  Marty’s voice boomed across the terminal. “Hey, look who’s alread
y here! Let me be among first to congratulate you newlyweds.”

  627

  “Jesus, O’Freel,” Jax groused. “We don’t need the whole world knowing.”

  “Too late; your impromptu Vegas wedding is today’s Internet hot topic and trending on social media.”

  Jax covered his face and cursed in Czech.

  “Come on, Old Man, what’s with all the bitching? You haven’t been this relevant since your current agent and Halloran hammered out a killer deal when you returned to the Rebels.”

  “We wanted to break the news ourselves, Howdy Doody,” Alex replied.

  “Looks like someone had other plans. There are pictures of you leaving the chapel and–”

  “We’re aware. Have you seen Troy this morning?”

  “Why, you planning to use him as a side piece in case Old Man slacks on performing the husbandly deed, if you get my drift?”

  Alex glared at Marty. “No, I want to talk to him when we get back to Pittsburgh.”

  “Talmadge already knows about your elopement and probably bawling his eyes out in the ladies’ room.”

  628

  “You’re not funny, Howdy Doody.”

  “In all seriousness, he’s not taking the news well.”

  Poor Troy; this whole thing is probably killing him. “I presumed that would be his reaction which is why he and I need to talk.”

  Davy soon arrived with Johann, Lenny, and Vince.

  “Morning, guys!” Johann cheerfully greeted everyone.

  Davy sat beside Alex. “Morning, mates; it’s a beautiful day for flying home.”

  “Hey, Alex and Jax, congrats!” Johann said. “We read about your wedding online.”

  “So has most of the world,” Jax said with a resigned tone.

  “What’s wrong, Old Man?” Lenny asked. “You’re acting more like someone headed to his own execution instead of an ecstatic groom.”

  “Someone took liberty of blabbing shit all over the Internet and fucked up all intentions for an official announcement once Alex and I settled at home.”

  629

  “Not guilty!” Vince spoke up.

  “Hell no; you and Marty were drunk off your asses and barely made it to your rooms,” Lenny replied.

  “Sure, Lenny, and why don’t you tell our friends about you getting down with the swirl last night?”

  “You boys know I’ll try almost anything once; twice if I really like it.”

  “Hope you wrapped your willy, mate,” Davy said. “Last thing you need is a second bout of the clap or worse.”

  “Shut up, St. Cloud!”

  “Where’s Troy?” Johann asked. “He’s usually here before the rest of us.”

  “On his way with Furishnykov and Germaine,” Vince said.

  “They probably had a late night celebration too,” Lenny added with a wink.

  “Knock off the homo references, Walton,” Jax rebuked. “That shit got old ages ago.”

  “You don’t think Talmadge ever used those lips, ass, and thighs for the greater good?”

  630

  “None of my business if he has.”

  “He allegedly did at least once, but not with Furishnykov,” Marty answered.

  Davy steered the conversation in a different direction by addressing Alex. “So where and when do you newlyweds plan to have a honeymoon?”

  “Probably not until end of the season,” she answered.

  “I’m taking Alex to Prague to meet my family,” Jax volunteered.

  “Aren’t you worried everyone on the Internet learned about your nuptials before your folks?”

  “Another reason we wanted to keep things quiet, but that plan also got ruined. My parents and sister are probably beside themselves wondering why I never told them about getting married.”

  “I’m sure they’re happy you found a wife, mate. You’ve been a bachelor way too long.”

  “I could almost say the same about you, St. Cloud,” Jax ribbed him.

  “I’m only twenty-seven! Bloody hell.”

  631

  “Life has a strange way of working out.”

  “Hey, look who rose from the dead!” Vince joyfully cried when he spotted Troy arriving with Pierre and Boris. “About time you assholes showed up.”

  Boris scowled at him. “No start today, Beaumont. Pierre not feel well and Troy have little sleep.”

  “Thanks to you snoring almost all fucking night,” Troy growled and took a seat.

  “I try not snore and you no complain before.”

  “Are you okay?” Alex asked Pierre.

  He rubbed his temples. “Yeah, but I’m beginning to wonder if I’m getting too old to party.”

  “I have some Tylenol in my purse. Jo, would you mind bringing Pierre some water?”

  Johann nodded and stood. “No problem.”

  632

  Hank bopped through the terminal singing along to music that played on his iPod, Brian and Byron in tow.

  “Hey, Ivanka and Galloway! Congratulations. I hope you have a long and happy union.”

  “Thanks…” Alex said uneasily as Hank resumed his off-key singing.

  “For fuck’s sake, Stover!” Troy yelled. “Can you knock off the caterwauling? Pierre and I have headaches.”

  “Damn, excuse a dude for enjoying the Las Vegas morning.” Hank turned to Byron. “Talk about some dudes needing church.”

  Byron gave him a slight nod and sat beside Troy. “Want to have a chat later, Captain?”

  “Nothing left to discuss, Preacher. What’s done is done.”

  “I sense you still have a lot on your mind.”

  “Thanks for the offer, but I’d rather spend time alone once we hit Pittsburgh.”

  Byron patted his shoulder in sympathy. “I’m willing to lend an ear anytime you’re ready.”

  633

  Vince downed the last of his rancid coffee and belched.

  Boris frowned at him. “Excuse you.”

  “God damn, Beaumont,” Jax said. “Nobody wants to hear that bullshit. Take it outside.”

  Vince apologized. “I forgot to stop at Starbucks on my way here and that vending machine rotgut sucked.”

  Johann returned with a bottle of water and sodden paper towels. He handed the water to Pierre and placed the paper towels on his forehead. “These might help your headache.”

  “Ahhhhhh, thanks, Baby Finn,” Pierre said appreciatively. “I think you missed your call of being a nurse.”

  “I don’t think my dad would agree after all the money he put into hockey stuff.”

  Brian looked up from his magazine. “You’re still good people, Baby. Maybe you can help Hannah and I find a wedding present for the happy couple after we get home.”

  “I’d like that,” Johann replied.

  634

  “Guys, no presents are necessary,” Alex said. “Jax and I have everything we need.”

  “We’ll have more than enough once she moves into my house,” Jax added.

  “At least let the rest of us give you a decent reception,” Pierre offered. “I’ll ask Patti for suggestions.”

  “Great idea,” Byron said. “Babs may also help.”

  “I’ll contribute much as needed,” Davy replied. “Nothing’s too good for my best mate and her new husband.”

  “Me too!” Johann exclaimed.

  “How about the rest of you boys?” Pierre asked.