Page 2 of Skating Towards Danger

His dark blue eyes, like my own, stare at me with concern, but I ignore him and walk around the couch, head to the kitchen stairs, and head to the man cave Dad turned the basement into. I know there's no point in denying him because then Dad will come and get me himself but with force though to be honest, he should have come to me himself anyhow. He's forcing me into this life.

Now, Dad has never hit us, and even though he's a big bad Don to many, to us, he's a dad wanting his kids to take over his legacy and the family business in jewels but he’s still firm with us so we’re not little shits and again it’s not my fault I drove the lawnmower into the pool. The man shouldn’t have left it out where kids like myself get intrigued very easily.

“It's going to be alright,” Ro says as I descend the stairs.

I don't talk back to him. Instead, I head to the metal door and push it open, then walk into the underground tunnel, somewhere I've never been before and never been permitted togo and suddenly regret wishing to see it because right now, I wish I didn't have to come in here.

Over the past few years, Dad has always spoken to Ro and me about the demons that we hold inside of us, but mine was apparently the biggest. He stated I was to use him to protect my big brother when he became Don, but I didn't want to let the demon out. I want to be a kid and play hockey.

I can feel the anger build up sometimes, and hockey helps.

I don’t want to initiate into the famiglia.

Trying to calm my nerves, I shake my hands, take a deep breath, and walk to another door. Without knocking, I push the door open, and sobs hit my ears before I notice a woman tied down to a chair in the middle of the room, a woman I recognize and I sigh.

Crap.

Her dress looks too small for her, showing more skin than necessary; her ginger hair is a mess, and mascara stains underneath her eyes.

“Son,” my dad announces, but I don't take my eyes off the woman sitting before me. Her light green eyes lock with mine.

“P-Please, D….” she starts, but David growls and smacks her across the face hard, and I flinch while Roman shuts the door.

Ms. Jefferys cries out as her head snaps to the right and I turn to look at Roman, whose eyes show guilt. I shake my head at him and look back at my art teacher.

I trusted Roman, and he's let me down, something I never thought he'd do.

Two weeks ago, Ms. Jeffery’s here tried to kiss me, and I confided in my big brother.

It shocked me, I will admit that. I stepped back instantly, knowing it was wrong, but all she did was smile and try to do it again.

“Dante, I’ve seen the way you look at me sweetheart,” she whispers as she leans forward and I scowl, stepping back.

“Lady, you are old enough to be my mama, I haven’t looked you at anyway other than my annoying teacher!” I snap back.

Apparently, she thought I was an easier target than Roman when she realized who our dad was, and when she tried to touch me, I pushed her away and promised to keep my mouth shut if she quit her job and left town; otherwise, well, she's dead and well, here she is tied to a chair a sobbing mess.

Guess my plan well and truly failed.

“Dante,” my dad says more sternly, and I look at him, taking my eyes off my art teacher.

Lorenzo Marino looks sharp in a suit. Like mine, Ro's, and Gio's, his black hair is styled perfectly, and his dark blue eyes watch me intently.

“Your brother came into some information this morning,” he says firmly, but I don't flinch despite the five men in the room looking at me.

Damn you, Ro. He knew I had a plan and because he's now dad's lacky so to speak, he betrayed me.

Two weeks, I spent two weeks getting my plan together, sneaking into her art room and into her computer that she stupidly doesn’t lock all gone down the drain because of my big brother.

Dad continues, “After hearing something I could not let slide, we did some digging, and it seems Ms. Jeffery’s here has a problem with underage kids.”

No shit.

I was trying to do the right thing. I knew Dad would kill her, and I didn't want that on my conscience, not just yet. I have years to suppress the guilt of killing people, but not now, not at the age of eleven.

I want to play hockey and be a kid but now I feel guilty because the kiddie fucker is going to be killed when the police were ready to arrest her after I went to the principal with all my proof who then sent the police all the evidence I had on her.

The plan was to grab her at her apartment, but clearly, Dad got to her first and most likely ensured the police commissioner hid everything.

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