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

I sigh as I flick through the TV channels and plop my feet on Mama’s glass coffee table, bored out of my mind.

My brother Roman, a year older than me, is currently off somewhere with our dad doing God knows what to God knows who, meaning we can’t shoot some pucks. Mama has taken my little brother and sister, Giovanni and Bianca, to the new play barn in Brooklyn. So I’m on my own with nothing to do because apparently, I’m not allowed to go out today, which may or may not have something to do with me riding the gardeners ride-on lawn mower into the swimming pool two days ago…

It’s totally not my fault, the man shouldn’t have left the keys in it.

I huff. Normally, I like the quiet, and I like a little bit of me time. Gio is five, and Bianca is nine, so they’re always in my business, always wanting to tag along with Ro and me, and normally, it pisses me off, but I didn’t realize how quiet it is without everyone here or maybe it’s because I know I’m not allowed out.

School is out, hockey – something I live and breathe – is out for the season, and no one is here while I’m confined to the house. Heck, I’m not even allowed in the yard, which sucks.

“Maybe I should have taken up Rhett’s offer to hang out here and play video games,” I mumble, “It would have been better than nothing even if Mama gave me a whooping for having him round.”

I sigh, tilt my head on the back of the couch, and continue to flick through the channels.

Maybe I should rearrange Ro’s room to piss him off…

“You know Mama is going to kick your butt for putting your feet on her coffee table,” Roman says from behind me, and I still and not because I basically conjured him up by thinking about rearranging his room.

He shouldn’t be here. he should be with Dad, training, but if he’s here halfway through the day, then that means…

Oh, hell no!

“I mean, even if you wipe it, she’ll know the woman is a witch or something,” he continues, but I don’t react to his words, and even though they are true, and Mama is going to kill me, I keep my shoes where they are as my heart pounds and sweat begins to build.

“Shouldn’t you be with Dad?” I ask, not turning around, refusing to, hoping he just came back to grab something, anything, rather than to get me. Meanwhile, I flick through the channels, acting like I’m still bored when now, I’m anything but.

I’m not ready for this, I know I’m not. I knew it was coming, but I’m still not prepared and honestly, I thought I’d have longer.

I don’t want this life. I want to play Hockey, which my brother also wanted but unfortunately, we know there’s no way out of this life, the life we were born into but I’m not the precious chosen one. I should be able to have a little more freedom.

Right?

“Dante,” he starts, and I shake my head, my heart sinking because, yeah, he’s here for me but he continues, “It’s time, little brother…I know you don’t want this—heck, I didn’t, and I still don’t—but it’s our legacy, our family.”

I scoff. He sounds like an adult and not the twelve-year-old he actually is, but killing someone at the age of eleven would force you to grow up sooner than you should, I guess.noveldrama

He doesn’t get to be a kid, he doesn’t get to mess around with his friends and have fun. Instead, other than schoolwork—something Mama refused to allow him to miss—and playing Hockey—something he has refused to give up, and rightfully so—he trains with our father.

From the accounts and business to the torture chamber and how to shoot a gun under pressure. Every day he has to do some sort of training.

He’s the next Don of the Italian Mafia, something he started training for last year after he killed our old gardener. The dirty old man had been sneaking pictures of our little brother and sister in an undressed state, and Dad gave Roman the kill and no I shouldn’t know this, but he didn’t want me to be pushed into the deep end blindsided when it’s my time.

And apparently, my time is now.

Maybe I can run, maybe I can move in with Rhett or even Rocco, dad’s consigliere.

“Dad won’t let you out of this, Dante, just like he wouldn’t let me out of it. You’re supposed to be taking over from his second David when I become Don,” he continues when I stare blankly at the TV, my mind running around in circle, “He said you can still play hockey, little brother, just like me…”

Yeah, only until he gives it up that is then my life playing will be over.

If Roman goes pro, something he’s dreaming of like myself, he’ll get at least four years before he has to retire and take over from our father. Me, on the other hand, whether I play professional for a year, two years, or even three, it’ll only be until he takes over from our father, meaning I won’t get as much time as him, and I resent my dad and brother for that.

My life is planned out for me and it’s just not fair. I should have been happy with flicking through the channels instead of conjuring the idiot up.

“I’m never going to complain I’m bored again,” I mumble as I get up and glance at my big brother.

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 to go 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.

“But she only has a problem with underage kids with parents who have money,” Dad states, and I sigh when he admits, “She also had notes and pictures of you and your brother.”

Again, I already knew that after I went snooping after she tried to kiss me, and by the look in Dad’s eyes, he knew I knew, and this is now my punishment for not coming forward and telling him about the situation.

And now I have to do the deed.

Awesome, thanks Ro!

Dad walks over to David, who hands him a gun, and I swallow hard.

Mama always encouraged me never to hit a girl, and now my first kill before I have to train is a woman, a nasty one, yes, but still a woman.

Dammit, why couldn’t I get a man like Roman. This is so unfair!

Dad walks over to me before holding the gun out, and we lock eyes. He flinches at the coldness I’m giving him but clears his throat to hide it as he states, “You should have told me.”

I raise a brow and snap back, “That wouldn’t have changed anything, and you know it.”

He looks down, knowing I’m right, then grabs hold of my right hand, presses the gun into it, and mumbles, “Maybe not. I know you tried to do it the legal way, and if you weren’t involved, then fine, I would have had her killed inside, but she had pictures of you, Dante, from the locker rooms.”

I don’t react to his words because, again, already knew that. He sighs and then moves out of my way. I lock eyes with Ms. Jeffery, tears stain her cheeks, and I don’t know how, but I switch off my emotions and lift my arm.

I should be falling apart right now. I should be trembling, yet my body is still.

“D-Dante, sweetheart, please you-you, you’re just a boy…” She cries, but her words cut off when I pull the trigger, the bullet hitting between her eyes.

I guess all the practicing at the rink with the puck and the net paid off, huh?

Sniffing hard, I turn to my father and slam the gun into his stomach. He grabs it instantly, and I turn and head to the exit.

“Dante,” he begins, but I ignore him, throw the door open, and storm off.

No one follows, not even Roman, knowing I don’t want to see them. As soon as I get into the man cave, I pick up my speed and run.

“Dante, did you put your feet on my glass table again?” Mama snaps when I enter the living area, but I ignore her, and eye the front door.

“Dante, can you play dollies with me?” I hear Bianca ask but I don’t answer and run out of the front door without looking back.

“Dante!” Mama shouts with panic, but I don’t stop. In fact, I pick up speed, and several more people begin to shout, but I ignore them.

Dad wanted to teach me a lesson, and well, he did, but he also ensured we now have no relationship. I’ll be there for my brother, but as for my dad, I’m done.

Paige – Eight Years Old

I giggle as Royal tries to suck on my little finger, his tiny hands gripping it hard as his gray eyes look at me with wonder while he grins wide at me.

He’s so cute. He’s only four months old, but he is already so smart. He can sit up and eat some purees and everything.

He’s the best baby brother a girl could ask for.

Momma and Daddy still treat me the same. I mean, the only thing that is different is that he adds to our family. It would have been nice if he was a girl because then I could dress him in pink dresses and teach him to figure skate, but I still love Royal, and I still get to choose what he wears, and yes, he will still be skating.

I’m going to teach him everything I know and be the best big sister.

Royal squeals and I giggle again and gently shake his hand, giving him my whole attention even though my butt hurts a lot; one of the new girls bumped into me today when I was trying to learn my waltz jump, and she tripped and instead of managing to steady herself she tried to grab me but ended up shoving me hard.

I might have cried a little.

“So, what do you want for dinner, pumpkin,” Daddy asks, and I look up and lock eyes with him in the rearview mirror.

Momma and Daddy decided to pick me up from school today with Royal instead of me catching the bus after I finished my skating lessons. They watched the whole time I skated, and I loved it because making Momma proud is the best feeling in the world.

She used to be a very famous figure skater who won awards and everything. Since the day I could walk, she’s had me on the ice, and I love it, and so will Royal.

I put my finger to my chin, look up, and pretend to think, making Momma and Daddy chuckle before I say, “Spaghetti.”

“You and your spaghetti bumblebee,” Momma chuckles, “you’ll turn into spaghetti at this rate.”

I grin wide but shrug, then admit, “Uncle Rocco said I could even eat it for breakfast when I’m at his house.”

Daddy chuckles, “Darling, remind me never to allow my brother to watch our children again.”

Momma laughs, and I just grin and look back down at Royal, who is still staring at me with wonder. My grin softens.

I hope he grows up always looking at me like this.

“Shit,” Daddy curses, and I look up in shock because Daddy never curses in front of me, only to see him looking in the mirrors and he demands, “Rose, call Rocco and tell him to contact David. The Cartel is on our ass.”

Momma quickly gets her phone out as loud bangs echo on our car, causing Daddy to swerve, and I scream causing Royal to cry and instantly I feel bad for scaring him.

“Rocco, we’re under attack,” Momma shouts, and more bangs hit our car, making me scream louder.

“Paige Pumpkin, lie your body over your brother,” Dad commands, and I listen and quickly pull my seatbelt as long as it will go before leaning over my little brother as Uncle Rocco’s voice echoes in the car.

“Peter, talk to me,” he commands as Royal fists my jacket, and Daddy replies, “Cartel, three vehicles, all shooting at us…. Roc, the kids are in the car…”

“Fuck,” he curses, and I scream again when more bangs echo, and Royal cries louder, tugging on my jacket and I look down at him as my tears fall.

I whisper, and sing, “Twinkle-Twinkle Little Star,” trying to ignore everything around me and gently take Royal’s hand.

His lips pout, tears staining his cheeks as he sniffles, and I try continuing to sing to him when suddenly our car is smashed into, jolting us on the road, and I bite my bottom lip to stop my scream and scaring my brother.

“Shit, Rocco, I can’t shake them, I-I, the kids…” Daddy starts, and Uncle Rocco cuts him off and snaps, “No, don’t give up, do you hear me? Don’t you dare fucking give up!”

Our car jolts again and I scream, “Daddy…”as I feel like we’re flying upside down. Momma’s screams echo and I look and see a flash of her black hair then watch in horror as she smacks onto the car roof as Daddy shouts, “Rose, no….” and Royal’s crying deafens me, and everything feels like it’s happening in slow motion. I lock eyes with Daddy, and fear etches off him before the car smashes hard upside down. I try to cover Royal but end up banging my head hard on the window, and the sounds of crunching metal and banging is the last thing I hear, and everything goes black.

Beep, beep, beep….

“When will she wake,” I hear whispered over the annoying beeping sound, and I squeeze my eyes tight.

My head hurts, why does my head hurt?

“She should wake up soon,” a strange voice replies, “She may not remember what happened.”

“What-what do we tell her?” I hear, and it sounds like Aunt Tyra…

She sounds sad, why does she sound sad?

“What we discussed,” another voice adds, a voice I don’t recognize.

“Her whole family Lorenzo…” Another voice adds that it sounds like Uncle Rocco.

The second man replies yet again, “I know Rocco. Our job now is to make sure she’s protected. I wasn’t aware the Cartel reached out to Peter for an arranged marriage, if I was, I would have personally declined. Peter didn’t want his family part of this life, and they crossed the line but right now, our main priority is Paige and her safety. They believe she didn’t survive the crash and that is how we need to leave it unless you want to go to war, something we’re not equipped for just yet.”

“Lorenzo, he told them Rose, Paige, and Royal are not a part of our world, and he still went after him and why because he wanted Paige, an eight-year-old little girl, to marry his son who is already eighteen. It’s fucking wrong and now my family is, is…” my uncle struggles and I hear a sigh before the man replies, “It’s because he knew I wouldn’t allow my daughter to marry his son, he knew how high up Peter was in our organization and no other made man underneath him has a daughter yet…I’m so fucking sorry, Peter, so sorry.”

“She’s never going to be the same,” I hear my aunt sob, and I open my eyes, hating her cries, but squeeze them tight again, groaning at how bright it is in the world.

“Paige, sweetheart,” my uncle whispers, and I open my eyes again before locking them with his gray ones, like my own, Royal’s, and Daddy’s.

“Where-where’s momma?” I croak when I see I’m in a hospital, like the room Royal and momma were in four months ago, and Uncle’s eyes begin to shine. I look to his left when I hear a sob and see my aunt Tyra crying, a strange man standing next to her wearing a suit and looking at me with sadness.

I frown and ask, “What’s wrong, Auntie Tyra?” She shakes her head and wipes her tears.

“Peanut…” Uncle Rocco says, and I look at him. He gently takes my hand and asks, “What do you remember, my sweet girl?”

I frown and try to think then say, “Daddy telling momma I wasn’t allowed to stay round yours anymore because you feed me spaghetti for breakfast,” Uncle Rocco’s tears fall. I quickly wipe them away with worry, then frown and admit, “Momma called you. There was a lot of banging, and Royal was crying, so I sang to him, but then it-it felt like I was flying,” I flinch when Daddy’s scared eyes come back to me. I tremble and say, “Daddy was scared, but then everything went black, where’s my daddy?”

I lock eyes with my uncle and demand, “Where’s Momma? Where’s Daddy?”

Oh no, where are they?

Are they hurt?

The car crashed and mommy was flying into the roof…

I try to get up, but panic hits me, and Uncle quickly grabs me. I scream, “Where’s Royal? Where’s my baby brother?!”

I hear my aunt cry in the background as Uncle Rocco grips me tight, and we lock eyes as he admits, “They’re gone, peanut, they didn’t survive the crash…”

My eyes widen, and I shake my head, fight harder against my uncle, and scream, “No, I want my momma!”

“We need a doctor!” I hear shouted as I fight hard against my uncle, screaming, needing to find my parents, to find my brother.

They’re not gone, they’re not!

The room floods with people, and I fight harder. Uncle Rocco sobs, “Please, baby girl, please….” but I ignore him and continue fighting before my body tires, and everything becomes fuzzy.

“I-I want m-my momma, m-my daddy…” I slur, and Aunt Tyra’s sobs harden.

“Royal,” I whisper, and everything goes black.