“How was target practice?” Dante asks.
“About as expected,” I say. “Was there something else?” I can’t imagine that he brought me into his office after dinner to discuss what happened at the shooting range.
Answer: not much.
Harper did manage to hit the target at six feet, but her aim still needs work.
“Yes, I wanted you to know that I had my men pay Henry Bennett a visit.”
A lump forms in my throat and I swallow anxiously. “Oh.”
I had been hoping Dante forgot about the incident regarding Nova and the teaching assistant. Foolish of me, considering her father is Dante’s second in command.
“Let’s just say he won’t be harassing any more students.”
I open my mouth and quickly shut it.
“Out with it.” Dante notices my discomfort and that I’m holding back from speaking my mind. He’s good at reading people. A little too good at times, like right now. I’d rather not say what’s on my mind. “Ashton.”
“On Monday, I’m scheduled for an administrative hearing, to discuss the incident.”
“I’m aware.” Dante’s expression is grim. “Moreno and I will both be attending.”
“Sir, that isn’t necessary?—”
“It absolutely is necessary, considering the incident involved Moreno’s daughter. Do you think he’s going to just sit there and accept the fact that Nova is being harassed by her teaching assistant?”
Well, when he puts it like that?—
“Her father is going to want to support her during this incident. Have you called your old man and spoken with him recently?”
“No, sir.” I haven’t spoken to my father in a few weeks. With the hockey season taking priority and working for Dante, I’ve been a bit busy.
“Perhaps you should inform him of what’s going on.”
I don’t see the point. It’ll just infuriate him that I’m mixed up in trouble. “Why?”
“He’s your father, Ashton. He’ll want to know.”
I’m not sure that’s entirely true, but I keep my mouth shut. No sense in stirring up trouble.
“Tell me, Ashton, do you think Harper has it in her to be one of us?” Dante strokes his jaw, waiting for me to answer.
His question catches me by surprise.
Does she have what it takes to be mafia?
“She killed Santino to protect her son. I think if she needs to pull the trigger, she will. She just needs more hours at the shooting range.”
He rolls his lips together, seemingly unconvinced. “I’ll take what you said into consideration.”
His words weigh heavily on me.
“Do keep this conversation between us, Ashton.”
A shiver courses through my body as I nod. “Of course, sir.”
I don’t call my father. There’s no reason to worry him. I’m not overly concerned. Perhaps I should be, but I know at the end of the day, I’m not the one at fault.
