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Dominic
“Idon’t think that’s important,” I tell my father as I sit in his office. School. That’s one word I can’t stand to hear. Not after the life I’ve lived.
“This isn’t up for discussion Dominic. You will graduate high school.”
“What’s the point? I need to be here, learning the real world not in school learning bullshit I don’t need,” I remind him. My life as a Dameco never revolved around school. The time I spent learning world history would be better spent learning the ropes of our family. My father understood that, but my mother was a stubborn woman. She wanted things her way and even though there was love lost between the two of them, my father did all he could to appease her. He wanted her happy and that was something I didn’t understand. Happiness came at a price and my mother always seemed to be paying that price.
“Your mother wants you to finish school, Dominic and honestly I think having your diploma will come in handy in the future for you.” Ignoring his words, I huff out a breath and turn to leave his office when I’m abruptly stopped. My father is behind me, spinning me to face him in record time. “You are disrespecting me.”
“Not in front of your men,” I remind him with and edge to my tone. No, in front of them I’m the perfect son that follows every single rule and does it with precision. In front of his men, I am weak in my father’s presence. Too bad that’s only in front of his men. In front of mine, I’m the king. I’m the man that will ruin you and not blink an eye. I’m the man that will take what isn’t his and smile as I do.
“When is this going to stop, Dominic?” His hiss tells me all I need to know about what comes next. A fight. His fist knocking the air from my lungs, me doubling over to catch my breath but that’s when things get fun. Because I fight back.
My fists are clenched, my arm swinging rapidly crashing into his face. It doesn’t take long for us to be pulled apart. Partially by his men and partially by mine.
“I’ve warned you!” My father roars.
“And I’ve warned you as well. Keep your fists for my mother!” Vincent pulls me out of the room quickly, my lip bloody and dripping down my chin. I swipe it with my finger and bring it to my lips, sucking it off.
“You really need to stop testing his patience,” Vin says. Vincent Bernella. My best friend, my right hand and the only person I truly consider family.
“His patience? Mine is wearing thin, Vincent. I’m sick of dealing with this petty shit and we all know it. School? It’s pointless.”
“Is it my son?” I turn when I hear my mother behind us. Seeing her perfectly beautiful smile as she beams at me, my chest clenches. He hurts her. Uses her. And she lets him. That’s the way of our world and that’s the way of this family.
“It is, mother. Everything I need to learn is inside these walls. You know that as well as I do. When I take over; school will have been for nothing,” I tell her speaking honestly.
“Maybe so, but you are only eighteen and this is your last year. There’s something special about senior year, Dom that you will never get to experience again. Dating, girls, prom.”
“All things I have no desire for mother. Girls are in abundance and dating is useless. All things you know very well. I’m training to be the Boss I don’t have time for these things,” I remind her once more. She steps closer, raising her hand to my cheek, cupping it in her soft hand.
“My son. Always thinking outside the box aren’t you? You’re going to be just like him,” she says, a tear forming in her eye.
“I’m nothing like him!”
“You are more than you can see and that scares me, Dom. You deserve better than this.” I watch the look in her eyes for a long second before I look away. I can’t take seeing myself reflecting my father in her gaze. My mother slowly tugs my face back to meet her gaze.
“This is who I am mother.”
“I know that. That doesn’t mean I don’t want the best for you. Finishing school and living as a child for one more year isn’t going to kill you, Dom. After you graduate, everything is going to change. Everything,” she says sympathetically.
“What do you mean by that?” Tears stream down her pink cheeks breaking my heart in the process. My mother is the rock that I’ve always clung to when I needed to feel grounded and that’s something I refuse to let go.
“Nothing, Dom. Just promise me that you will love someone until your last breath.” I nod once, but she raises her eyebrow and I know she wants my words.
“I will. I will love someone until my last breath.”
“Good. Now go get your things ready. Tomorrow is going to be a big day for you,” she says before leaning in and pressing a kiss to my cheek. I watch her walk away when Vincent speaks.
“Your mom is hot.”
“My mother is off limits, asshole. I can’t believe I’m being forced into this shit.” Storming down the hallway, I head for my wing. I don’t want to be near my father or his demons today. He knows I’m better off taking care of business as usual.
“It won’t be that bad, you know. I graduated.”
“Your also not a Dameco and people weren’t throwing themselves at your feet. It’s a disgusting display,” I tell him. Vincent drops onto the bed and grabs a cigarette lighting one up. Those have become my go to. When stress hits me like a fucking brick, I smoke to control my anger. Some days it works, others it doesn’t.
