Chapter 467: Lacroix II—Responsibilities

Pierre did not look at Katrina’s note to him even after Alex left the office. It angered him more than anything; he’d thought the woman to be above such common devices. Ever finicky and reserved, especially when near him in public, he’d always felt safe when it came to her. With Katrina, her chronic iciness left everyone none the wiser about their relationship and most importantly it left his wife in the blissful dark.

All about money, of course, he understood this, what Katrina wanted was the material things he could provide her and she in turn, gave him what she was able. Technically, he didn’t see her as a common prostitute because she also gave him more than a whore could. Intelligence, a flinty sense of humor, a willingness to listen, an odd sort of cold compassion came from her and he felt it well worth his money.

And added with that he expected vigilance from her, this meant no phone calls at odd hours of the day, no phone calls just to talk, no emails to meet when he had not previously scheduled for her, no conversations in public, no glances in public, and certainly no little notes in public, especially delivered by one of his own players!

Granted choosing Alex over anyone was a pretty smart decision, the boy’s belief in the goodness of his family and friends would blind him to any real indiscretion, but still. He didn’t know if he could forgive her recklessness anytime soon. Yes, her note could wait.

A light knocking on the door, he looked up to see his wife, Coco dressed neatly in dark dress slacks and a blouse, soft make up on her face, soft brown hair framing her face. Seeing her trim little figure made him ever self conscious about his own large malleable frame in a way Katrina never did. Coco cared about his heart and his health and reminded him of it constantly in her soft voice and with her kind eyes, and Katrina, well she just did not seem to notice, or if she did, she hardly cared.

Which went back to annoy him even more about that stupid note. If Coco were to find it and wonder about its contents, should she discover the truth, she’d be crushed in a way that she hardly deserved and that Katrina could never really understand. His wife was his priority not an expensive mistress, and it worried him that the young woman might make a move so common amongst spoiled consorts, which is to make a move to uproot the wife.

Should the girl try that, she’d fast regret it.

“What?” Pierre asked Coco, realizing she waited for an answer but to what he couldn’t imagine. He smiled at her, he went to her and grabbed her dainty little hand, ran his thumb over her wedding ring. He should get her a nice diamond, something that would really sparkle on her finger, something new and set in an original design.

“You’re always preoccupied,” Coco said and her eyes seemed lazy and half closed, she squeezed his shoulder, “I said that I will be visiting with a few suites during the game today, there are two different families in from out of the country, I might not be able to come up as I usually do to visit, I just want to forewarn you. Yes?”

He touched her cheek, and smiled, “Yes, that is fine, don’t tire yourself out hm?”

Coco’s eyes seemed to glisten and she kissed him softly before leaving and he thought to himself, yes if she knew it would kill her, I need to rethink how to deal with Katrina. Things run their course, perhaps this has as well. Katrina would understand, the woman was young and bright.

During the game, Pierre received a pleasant surprise amidst the pestering from other team’s general managers asking about some of his younger talent, asking about his veterans for a crop of their own young talent. If there was a chance he saw to make the existing team better, he would take it but really, he couldn’t see anything else. Already he’d made a trade this season for a young defenseman, Derek Morris seemed to be working very well so far, and the other trade he’d made, the gun to the head necessitated by Pascal Trepanier’s indiscretions and Mike Modano’s personal lifestyle choice had really seemed a crown jewel for the year.

Still, the sports stations coverage of that trade annoyed him to no end with their constant billing of the young prospect he’d traded for Modano as scoring more goals and points for the Dallas Stars so far in the season than Modano himself had accumulated all year for both teams.

He knew Modano’s worth, however, and what’s more, from what Hartley told him, Joe Sakic really appreciated him. Morally and emotionally, Bob informed him, the Modano trade has done the most for Sakic’s sanity although he didn’t feel quite sure that Forsberg got along extremely well with him. Never mind that, the heart of the team remained with Joe Sakic and if the trade pleased him overall, than Pierre felt fine with it.

Modano really did fit in well, his personality and clean nature, regardless of his sexual preference, did wonders as an example to the young ones on the team. Whether Mike had faked homosexuality to trigger a trade or not, Pierre didn’t care, everything seemed to be fine regardless.

So, midway during the third period of a game they were soundly winning, when Modano’s agent approached him about inking a long term deal to avoid playoff distraction and off season headaches, Pierre warmed through. A possible contract had already been drafted, salary a three year deal, and it really did seem headache free. Pierre didn’t want to seem a complete pushover however, and he frowned. “Well that is a bit high seeing a prospect outperform him on his old team,” he said calmly, gauging for the agent’s reaction.

The agent smiled, “Who would you rather have in the playoffs.”

As their discussions continued, Pierre could glance onto the ice and see Modano in the midst of a wonderful third period, potting a goal and tallying two assists. Of course Mike would know what went on in the upper levels, he would be stimulated to show his worth, and he was delivering on it. It made him smile.

By the time the three stars of the game were announced everything was agreed upon, a three year deal at a generous but not extravagant pay. Yes, it would be one of the best things to lock this up and not worry about him through the summer or playoffs, and the team would no doubt appreciate it as well.

Another responsibility taken care of.

As for Katrina’s note, it found the bottom of the wastepaper bin without even being read. But that problem did not go away. Katrina did find him down in the locker rooms after a press conference, she wasn’t obvious she stood near him against a wall and didn’t look at him but he heard her voice clearly enough. “I’m sorry if that note pissed you off.”

“I didn’t even read it,” he replied.

They both spoke in French.

“I had a feeling you wouldn’t.”

“I don’t want to know what it contained,” he replied coldly, “You overstepped our understanding. What if Coco were to read it?”
“I’m not thinking about her right now,” Katrina said with no sign of apology or weakness. She still had a voice of business and that intrigued him.

“Fine, I’m curious.”

“I need some time away,” Katrina said, she still didn’t look at him. “I know Gregorio would give it to me but personally, I need you to understand.”

“A vacation?” Pierre frowned. “That’s ridiculous my girl, you have a vacation enough during the summer what more would you need?”

Katrina breathed out slowly. “It’s not for pleasure, it’s personal. And I think you know why. You saw her in Los Angeles.”

Oh yes, he had. He remembered that boyish little kitten preening on the sidewalk outside of the hotel. He would not have expected Katrina to have no interest in that child. He wondered when she’d look further into that. Now here is where things changed. The possibility of Katrina having a warm and emotional heart in her breast had never occurred to him and it would be a crime not to see its potential in her as long as it did not concern her attachment to him.

But he didn’t want her attaching that emotional discovery to gratitude for him. “It’s waited this long, can’t it wait a few months longer until the end of the season? I have a goalie that depends on you, and a team that depends on the goalie.”

“You asshole,” Katrina muttered.

Pierre half grinned. “I’m a business man, Katrina, you understand.”

“Sure,” Katrina replied. “But this is beyond business it’s about basic decencies, Pierre, and I don’t want or need your help, all I need is a gift of time. Have I ever asked too much of you before? I just need a few days, in fact I’m not asking, I’m telling you. I’m going to Los Angeles, I’m going to find her, and I don’t want you telling me that I never warned you.” Now she looked at him, eyes set with hard defiance.

Nothing in this woman would ever be soft.

He gave her no indication of what he thought or felt and he watched her walk away from him, she didn’t look back. Pierre pulled out his phone and dialed, holding it close to his ear and turning away from everyone. “Hello Lee… yes this is Pierre… yes… not a huge favor really, I just want you to know that an acquaintance of mine is headed your way and I would really like your people to make sure that she is kept away from….”