Skating Towards Danger: A Mafia Hockey Romance – Dante’s Book (Mafia Hockey Series 2)

“Rafael said he’ll take over if we kill Houlis and not start a war,” Roman whispers from the dining area.

Kill.

War.

“What about Jose?” Uncle Rocco questions.

“He wants nothing to do with the Cartel but is happy to help his cousin take over as long as they quit the flesh-dabbling business,” Roman admits, and I squeeze my eyes tight.

Cartel.

Flesh dabbling.

Who in the hell are these people?

“Dante…,” My uncle rasps, but Dante snaps, “No, I don’t want to hear it. You should have told her. For years, you allowed her to live how she wanted. She shares an apartment in a shit part of Brooklyn with roommates who are swingers and has two bolts on her bedroom fucking door for fuck’s sake. She’s barely making ends meet and has barely been holding on due to survivor’s guilt. You dropped the fucking ball, Rocco.”

“Dante,” Lorenzo cuts in.

“No!” Dante growls, his frustration suffocating me, “You didn’t hear her scream in fucking terror, Dad, you didn’t see her fall apart screaming for her parents,” my tears fall, hearing the pain in Dante’s voice, pain for me. He rasps, “She went straight back to that day; her memories came back in full, and I had to try and keep her alive while hearing her screams of terror. You dropped the fucking ball, Rocco.”

Everyone stays quiet before warm hands cup my cheeks, and I lock eyes with the ones I’ve fallen madly in love with.

Dante gently rubs my cheek with his thumb, wiping away the tears.

“Little fairy, are you with me?” he whispers, but I don’t answer back. I can’t, it’s like my voice has gone. My body feels numb and cold.

Who was my father?

Who are my uncle and Dante?

Who am I?

“Please, Paige, talk to me, let me know you’re okay,” he begs and more tears fall, making him flinch before he places his forehead against mine. “I love you, Paige,” he whispers, “Please keep hold of that,” and I try to listen, I do, but my past, what really happened is clouding me.

Who was my father?

“Dante,” I hear Lorenzo say, and Dante sighs before he stands, places a gentle kiss on my forehead, and walks away.

“Dante, it’s Rafael,” I hear a man say, and I zone out.

“Peanut,” Uncle Rocco rasps before he enters my sight as he kneels, and I blink, locking eyes with him.

Pain and guilt shine back at me, and I ask one question, only one, finally finding my voice.

“Who was my father?” I choke before I feel eyes on me.

Uncle Rocco flinches but finally tells me the truth and admits, “Your father, he was Lorenzo’s consigliere.”

My tears fall, and I ask, “What is that?”

Fear shines in his gray eyes, and he admits, “He was Lorenzo’s advisor before the crash, and I took over from him and Rhett will take over from me.”

I nod slowly and ask, “And who is Lorenzo?”

“Peanut…” Uncle Rocco pleads, and I scream, “Who is Lorenzo?!” making him flinch and the men curse.

“I was the Don of the Italian Mafia before Roman took over six months ago,” Lorenzo admits, and I choke back a sob.

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 arranged marriage, 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…noveldrama

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.