ANTONIO: Tane… I want an update on Jacob. I need to see you face to face. Meet me at Pine Rise in an hour. Oh – and bring your training kit too.
“Wait… what?” Tane spluttered. “He wants me to bring my training kit?”
Tane couldn’t comprehend why Antonio wanted him to bring his training kit. But it was pointless trying to question Antonio. None of the Cardini family were ever very receptive to people questioning them or theiruniquetechniques.
Despite feeling like this was a major bummer to his Sunday plans, Tane knew that it was pointless trying to delay the inevitable. His big breakfast would have to wait until next Sunday.
Tane picked up his training bag and made his way out of the house and into his two seater sportscar. It was time to power over toward Pine rise and find out precisely what the hell Antonio wanted that was so important that it couldn’t be discussed over the phone.
* * *
“So you’re saying Jacob was out of control?” Antonio said, running his hand over his strong, stubbly chin. “And what didyoudo to stop this?”
Tane took a step back and turned to look beyond the window of the Pine Rise office suite. It was clear that Antonio was putting Jacob’s behavior very much at Tane’s feet – and Tane knew that as unfair as that may seem, it was simply the way it was.
The Pine Rise building was quiet saving for a few game analysists working away in the next door office. Tane had also briefly seen a grumpy Coach Tremaine on the way in too.
But Tane knew that unless he was able to give Antonio the answers he wanted, things weren’t likely to stay quiet for long.
“Don’t worry about me, you just take your sweet time,” Antonio said, more than a hint of impatience in his voice. “You know, I have a lot of things to deal with. I’d rather not be here on a Sunday either. But this fucking Jacob Gosling. I want him calm and acting like he should be.”
“He was drunk. I sorted it,” Tane replied, maintaining eye contact with Antonio. “I’ve seen plenty worse over the years. Trust me.”
“Maybe so,” Antonio said, stepping out from behind the desk, his suit jacket briefly opening to give Tane a flash of a gun firmly planted inside a holster. “But if Jacob is out and acting wild, and something happens to him… then we’re down a player and also lose a valuable asset. So, we’re left with a choice. Do we take control of that situation or do we allow it to ride and collect the life insurance as early as we can.”
Tane couldn’t be sure what Antonio was hinting at, or how literal he was being, but either way it didn’t sound good.
“We are a powerful family,” Antonio continued. “We know how to win. Just like the Enforcers know how to fight and win on the ice. But unlike hockey, we do not have to play by the rules. If you know more about Jacob then you are letting on, that’s a risky game to play with me, Tane.”
“Antonio, I’ve got this,” Tane said, firming his voice and trying to put all thoughts of the gun inside Antonio’s jacket out of his mind. “As I said, the boy was drunk. I’ll keep him on the straight and narrow from here on out. You have my word.”
“Good,” Antonio said, walking over to stand next to Tane and take in the view of the majestic training complex that he and his family had built. “I know this is your final season. But the family respects you. We’d like to consider keeping you as part of the organization. You could choose the role. Management. Corporate. Media. It would be up to you. But we need you to ensure that Jacob does not cross the line. There’s more at stake than you know. And you understand that I cannot say any more, I assume?”
Tane nodded.
The reality was that Tane didn’twantto know any more details.
As far as Tane was concerned, the less he knew about the inner workings of Antonio Cardini and his Mafia family, the better.
But before Tane could settle himself and get ready to drive home again, Antonio was about to drop another bombshell. There would be a whole-squad fitness session – and the individual player results and analytics would be seen by the Cardini family.
Tane could tell that Antonio wasn’t fooling around.
This might not have been a regular training session, but in many ways the stakes hadneverbeen higher.
* * *
The fitness session culminated in a one on one race between Tane and Jacob. Despite Jacob’s bravado, Tane knew from the get-go that he would win the race.
Over the years, Tane had learned how to manage his body and pace himself.
Jacob on the other hand was brash, cocky, and had way less smarts.
But it was Jacob’s behavior after the race that pushed Tane to the limit – and beyond…
“Boy, if your captain offers to shake your hand, you accept it,” Tane barked, shutting the weight training room door behind him.
“I… I… I didn’t feel like it,” Jacob replied, pouting and showing his immaturity.
