Page 51 of Skating Towards Danger

Mafia.

Cartel.

It’s all real, it’s not part of the story books…

Oh god.

I lock eyes with Uncle Rocco, and he swallows hard as I ask, “Why was our car targeted that day? Why was my family killed?”

I’m not stupid, I remember the banging. I recognize them as the sound of bullets from today. We were targeted then, and I was targeted today, the big question is why?

Roman speaks up this time when Uncle Rocco slams his lips shut and admits, “The leader of the Cartel, Houlis, approached your father a few months before the crash. He wanted an alliance by marriage and knew my father would decline. I’s not something we do anymore, and he thought he could go behind his back and convince Peter anyway possible.”

I begin to shake, and I confirm, “They wanted me…”

Roman looks down while Dante watches me closely, and I look back at Uncle Rocco as he says, “Your father refused an arrangedmarriage, and them attacking your car was retaliation. Houlis isn’t used to being told no.”

I nod, “So they did die because of me then.” Uncle Rocco flinches and opens his mouth, but he soon shuts it when I demand quietly, “I need to be alone.”

He swallows but nods when Dante demands, “Listen to her,” and he stands and kisses my head and as he walks away and a thought hits me.

Does that mean Dante is also…He had a gun. His brother is a Don…

Absolute pain fills me, and theories begin to build.

I mean, it’s obvious, right? I was targeted, and suddenly, Uncle Rocco wanted me to meet Roman and his family, and Dante was everywhere I was.

He was sent to protect me.

Did he use me?

Betrayal hits hard, and then the guilt overcomes me because my family did die because of me. I’m not worth losing my life over, and they lost their life because Daddy wouldn’t sell me.

He should have just sold me because then he would have been alive.

Trying to control my emotions, I look towards the open dining room and see the men huddle around a phone and a plan forms.

“Daddy!”

My scream echoes again, the fear in my father's eyes clear as day, and I wipe my cheeks. Seeing their attention is not on me, I slowly stand, and without making any noise, I quietly walk to the door, their voices echoing as they try to devise a plan to keep me safe.

I’m not worth all this trouble, honestly, they betrayed me and lied to me.

He lied to me.

My tears fall as I quietly walk out of Roman’s house and begin walking down the driveway. A few men raise their brows, and I know they must be what do the books call them? Made men….

When I get close to the gate, I sob, “Dante just dumped me. Why would he do that? I gave him my body,” putting it on, and the men sigh and roll their eyes before turning away.

Huh, not very smart-made men, are they?

I don’t change my face, instead I walk out of the gate then I sprint adamantly, hoping to disappear forever.

Chapter 21

Paige – Five Days Later

I look up at the night sky and close my eyes, letting the coldness soak into my bones like it normally does when I’m on the ice.

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