"YOU'RE MY FUCKIN' PROBLEM YOU LITTLE PIECE OF SHIT!" Dante's venomous words came out like bullets spraying saliva at the boy's face. Dante pushed Zach against the wall even more and came up close to his face. He breathed heavily into his face. "You need to learn your place around here," he said a little more calmly. He stared at Zach intently, and then leaned his head to the side. "You're nothing compared to me. Nothing." He let out a short laugh, and then loosened his grip on Zach. Even if the boy wanted to run away Dante would have no problem catching up with him.

His entire demeanor changed now, and he was even smiling. "Look kid," he said. He placed his hand on the wall next to Zach's head, and leaned in a little. "I'll talk slow so you can understand. Are you ready? Pay attention cause I'll only say this once." He leaned in a little closer, his other hand resting on the other side of his head. "You don't belong with Adrienne, I do. So stay away from her, okay? Break-up with her, stop talking to her - whatever you want, just stay away. Got it?"