It was evening time after a long day for Verona.

Verona was now sitting in her room on her bed as she was on the phone with her father. She had been on the phone for almost half an hour now answering her father's questions. He asked her questions left and right. Over the years she had become used to surviving questioning from her father. It was not easy. Her father was very protective of her. If he suspected she was not happy with anything she could bet there would be an immediate helicopter visit. She took a sigh of relief as she hung up the phone when her father was finally satisfied with her answers.

Verona understood that her father just wanted to make sure she had settled in ok and no one had been giving her a hard time. The school adhered with same safety protocols and academic excellence as O'Neil and Rosario schools so the site was as safe and teaching facilities and staff were outstanding. So that left only the social side of things for her father to question her about.

Verona grabbed and apple and walked to shared common room and sat down in front of the TV. She wanted to have a quiet time. She had been so busy that day with attending lessons and studying in the library, she had not been in any trouble and had not seen Ottavio since morning. She wanted to watch some TV and then go ice skating for a couple hours. Then return in good time for curfew time.

As she was eating her apple, she saw two girls from her dorm enter. She smiled at them "Hi..."

The girls were Emilia and Claudia. They got along with her as they were both in most her lessons. Emilia and Claudia sat down next to her and greeted her. They were quite relaxed around her as both were dating boys in the football team so they were not as wary of her. Anyone connected to the football team took less time and convincing to warm up to her... She had to work hard to convince them she was easy going and wanted them to be open with her.. the result was satisfactory.

After watching TV for a few minutes, Verona said "So... I managed to read the entire rule book today... This school is quite lenient but the sanctions are so strict... Can you believe it that I got into trouble for being late last night by 1 minute for curfew?"

To her surprise the girls did not react surprised or concerned. They both shrugged.

Emilia said "It can happen to anyone... The question is... Do you think it was worth it?"

Verona said "What do you mean? Of course it was not worth it... Trouble is trouble... We get sanctions for offences..."

Claudia said "You are right... But sometimes its worth it..."

Verona asked "Its not fun getting into trouble... Ottavio Orsino is the student president for our year group and the year group above... No one would want to face him... How can any sanction be worth it..."

Emilia said "You are right.... No sanction could be wroth it... But sometimes some sanctions are worth taking risks...."

Verona asked "So do you girls get into trouble alot?"

Claudia shook her head "No... Of course not... We make sure we dont get caught if we break the rules... Just like everyone else in this school... If you plan to break the rules you must plan well in advance to ensure there is no way you get caught...."

Verona said "This makes no sense to me... I accidentally broke the rule last night... I lost track of time... I do not plan to break any rules and have never planned to break any rules..."

Emilia said "Oh...."

Claudia said "So.... In your old school when you wanted to do something exciting and against the rules you did not plan it in advance? In this school you must have plan A and plan B to not get caught and it maybe a team effort..."

Verona said "I do not find breaking rules exciting..."

Claudia said "Everyone in this school does... When someone gets caught its because they didnt plan it well... Mostly younger students get caught actually.... Older students know what rules to break and which ones not to..."

Verona asked "Why would anyone want to break any rules?"

Emilia said "Its not like our parents get informed or anything about it... We get detention, community service, removal of privileges or something like that... Only major offences like cheating in exams appears on our record on transcripts that no one tries and no one needs to...."

Claudia said "We are teenagers... Its called rebellion ... We break rules and enjoy the thrill of it... Everything fun is against the rules..."

Verona said "I dont want to get into trouble again... So I wont break rules... I heard from Ottavio Orsino that not many people break the rules here knowing the sanction..."

Emilia said "Absolutely.. That is correct... We dont break the rules unless its worth it... And we dont get caught unless we plan it badly... So the rule breaking statistics is very law..."

Claudia said "Yes... Dont get us wrong... We keep our head down, study and get top grades... But sometimes its worth taking risks to have fun... We only break rules when we have to and its worth it..."

Verona said "I am not used to this approach at all... I guess I get your point.... I would totally take risks if I feel its worth it... After reading the rule book I just cant think of any rules that I wish to break... I am happy with the rules... But I guess if the time comes that I get tempted to do what I really want to experience I might risk it..."

Claudia said "You said it... The key word is "Experience." Sometimes we want to experience something and it's worth risking breaking the rules and getting caught...."

Verona joked "Let me know if an opportunity comes up that I would be tempted to risk it all and join you..."

Emilia said "No... We cant do that... Ottavio Orsino will kill us..."

Claudia said "Yes... He will kill us Verona... We could never drag you in any experience that risks you getting into trouble..."

Verona frowned "I wont tell on you... I wont report you to Ottavio or anyone else if I get caught... You can trust me..."

Emilia looked at Claudia and shook her head "He will execute us for this... Should we tell her?"

Verona asked "Tell me what?"

Claudia turned to Verona "Promise not to tell."

Verona said "I promise..."

Claudia hesitated and then said "Sometimes a group of us sneak into the other school site across the bridge in forbidden and restricted areas..."

Verona asked "Why?"

Emilia said "To cause some chaos at the Irish site.... You know... Play pranks... Makes something explode... And then run back here..."

Verona gassed "Oh my god..."

Claudia nodded "And we are planning our next target...."

Verona said "What is your next target?"

Emilia said "The Irish have just opened up a closed section of their site and are setting up their own military school facility...."

Verona said "But the Irish site has no military school..."

Claudia said "Correct... Stanley Alistair is a qualified recently graduated captain who just joined that school.... He was going to on part time basis run our military school program with Ottavio Orsino who is also a captain... Since he joined that school and word spread in his school, the students there expressed so much interest in joining... They did not want to answer to an Italian... But because there is an Irish captain around to run the program they are happy to join and serve under him... So the Irish now are quickly expanding part of their site and putting cabins there and facilities there ready to have their own military school site... They have huge vast land so its fun to explore and make some noise there..."

Verona knew full well regarding military school rules... She had been attending the survival camp at her old school. She said "But that's a military offence if anyone gets caught... Trespassing unauthorised in any military school site gets you military sanctions."

Emilia said "Only if we get caught..."

Verona said "When are you going?"

Claudia said "Tonight..."

Emilia said "We are going to go hiking in the woods tonight and the cross over..."

Verona said "Good luck I guess... I would love to come hiking with you but wont cross over..." She was curious to see what was at the other side and see the other school side. But she did not want to cause any trouble and did not want to get involved with what these girls wanted to do. She saw no thrill in it. Besides, if she got caught and a connection was found with the group of girls they were going to be in so much trouble with Ottavio for sure. She did not want to get anyone into trouble.

****

Verona had gone hiking with the girls and had reached the border where the girls had crossed through a gate. They were inside and she was sitting around waiting for them to come back. She was at her school site and the girls were across the bridge. Suddenly she heard loud bags and fire works in a distance. So the girls had played their prank and they must have been on their way.

Minutes later she heard the girls approach. There were about seven of them. They reached the gate and as they were about to walk through it, the gate closed Shut and sirens went off. This is what happened when the girls messed with a military school site.

Verona approached the gate and tried to open it. But it was locked. She sighed. She was good with locks. She used her hair clip and managed to open it. The girls thanked her gratefully as they ran through the gate and sprinted off. She then was about to walk away when she noticed her belt got stuck in the gate bars. She tried to free herself and then she heard shouts and within seconds she found herself surrounded by a group of Irish military schools students.

The boys shouted at her that she was under arrest for trespassing in the Irish area.

Verona said "This is not the Irish school area... I am standing outside the gate..."

One of the boys explained to her that this particular gate belonged to them and 100 metres beyond it was their perimeter too. She did not know that.

She was escorted away to answer to for her crime to whoever was in charge of them. She was lead to a cabin and then they knocked and open the door "We have found an accomplice of the trespassers who caused the chaos. She was connected to it... She was messing with our South Gate and might have helped her accomplices escape."

A calm but authoritative voice said "Tell her to come in... I will deal with this matter..."

The boy came out "In you go..."

Verona wanted a normal life and here she was in a school that no one knew who she was. She was living the dream. Great. Too bad she was in trouble and possibly Ottavio was going to sanction her and her friends severely... Not to mention she had to answer the Irish and could get a military punishment from them too... She wanted problems and normal treatment. Here she was. She felt it was fair and she wanted to be treated like everyone else. So in some ways she was not worried. She wanted to face the consequences of her actions. ... She didnt mean to break the rules last night or tonight. It was unintentional and she had been caught. Did she look forward to punishment? No. Did she look forward to getting some normal treatment? Yes.

Verona cautiously entered the cabin. As she entered she saw a boy who looked like the same build, height and athletic looking as Ottavio standing there behind over his desk, making marks on a map with his pen. His expression gave nothing away. He was looking down. She took in his features. He was quite muscular and tall. His eyes were focused on what he was doing but he had a glint in his eyes that said dont mess with him or regret it

His voice made her jump "Close the door..."

Verona turned and closed the door quickly. She found his voice to be quite rough and demanding. She found herself worried abit. She was all alone in a room with this boy he did not know.

The boy looked up and she felt chills run down his spine. He looked at her in a very intimidating way. He started walking around the desk towards her.

Verona resisted the urge to step backwards. Why was this boy so intimidating? He looked dangerous. That was it. She felt she was in danger and her instinct told her to run.

The boy was staring right at her as he was looking at her. He stood in front of her and looked down into her eyes. He asked in a bored tone "What on earth are you doing here Verona Rosario?..."

Verona was shocked. How did he know her name? She had worn a cardigan that had hidden her white rose pendent underneath it so he couldn't have known who she was through her pendent and connection to Ottavio. She had also never met him. She whispered "How do you know my name?"

The boy started walking around her and circling her "Two reasons... Your cousin Nathan told me you are attending the school next door so I knew I would come across you at some point and besides you look alot like your aunt Vienna... I should introduce myself I guess... I am Stanley Alistaire..."

Verona gasped "Oh my god..."

Stanley stood in front of her with the same posture standing tall with his hands behind his back "I need to deliver you safely to your dorms. I can do that in approximately 15 minutes because that's when the personnel here will be finished for their day tasks... Its been a long day today preparing this site and its in a usable condition... So... If you wait here awhile I will take you back to your site..."

Verona was looking at Stanley "Can I ask a question?"

Stanley gave her a worn out smile "Of course... You dont need to ask me if you can ask a question... You are not in uniform and even though as a member of this school you have to answer to me as your captain as I jointly run the military school here, you are off duty right now... Relax..."

Verona could see he was still intimidating but she felt slightly at ease. Stanley was friends with Nathan. "If you take me back tonight... Then when will I get a military sanction from you as the captain? I trespassed.... And Ottavio would be interrogating me for sure as the senior student president in charge when I return... How much trouble am I in?"

Stanley said "You are not getting no sanction from me ... You got caught.... I know you just tried to help your buddies... Everything was reported to me through radio. You were the accomplice of the guilty group. They ran... You saved them... Since its out of hours and its your first offence I let you off with a warning... I will deliver you to your dorm tonight and no one will know you were caught...."

Verona wanted to argue "But the boys who brought me here..."

Stanley said "I can order them to withhold information from outsiders about  your arrest in tonight's incident ... I don't have to give them reasons why ... They have no idea who you are by the way... ...  No one knows you here except for me... I only know you because I know the O'Neils... I dont even know the Rosarios... I only had heard about you until now... Its nice to meet you Verona..."

Verona said "Its nice to meet you too I guess... Thanks for not getting me into trouble... I appreciate it... I guess I will have to answer Ottavio when I return..."

Stanley shook his head "No... I would not get you into trouble with him tonight..." His expression hardened "If he wants to catch you in trouble he better catch you himself... He is Italian.... I am Irish... I am not doing my rival any favours... I have no intention of sanctioning you unless it is necessary and I feel you need to learn a lesson.... I think a warning is enough in this case... Dont help the guilty... Let them face the consequences... if you had not opened door, they would have been arrested and punished by me big time... I should really punish you for letting my prey get away... No one escapes when I set up security... No one... Your buddies did not know that now that I have joined this school security would be much tighter and next time I look forward to catching any trespassers who play pranks on the Irish...."

Verona swallowed hard. He meant every word. His words held promises. She hoped no one messed with the Irish again like this. She had to warn them.

Stanley said "I wish we met in better circumstances... But I guess this will do... I am very fond of you uncle Tristan and his family... Tristan O'Neil helped convince my family to let me get away and study away from Boston... Nicandro and Nathan are close with me... I know I may not see you around much but if you need anything you can let either of them know and I would help you..."

Verona did not expect this at all... What had just happened. Verona said "I have so many questions..."

Stanley said "Ask away... We have time..."

Verona said "So.... You are Irish... I know your family and my family are not friends... But are you not friends with Ottavio's family either?"

Stanley said "Italian and Irish close relations are rare... Rosarios and O'Neils have managed it... I dont know how... But they have... So no... My family or me are no friends of Rosarios, Orsinos or any Italian crime families... We may not be necessarily enemies... But there is no close friendship. Some business relations are not off the table. Cross collaboration can happen here and there especially by third parties... I do not deny that..."

Verona said "I understand.... I do... But I am confused... If you are not friends with Ottavio... Then why have you agreed to help him in Military School... You have even set a site here for the Irish here to collaborate with the military school at our site... Why do you do it?"

Stanley said "I have my reasons... For one I get to have excuse to avoid going home some weekends because military school has weekend commitments at times especially for captains... My people are in Boston... But believe me there is no shortage of villas, yachts and holiday homes around New York for my family members... Sometimes thy hold parties around New York... They are doing some business in New York too... Its hard to have excuse to not go to my family when invited at some weekends..."

Verona was wondering what was so bad that he avoided going home at weekends.

Stanley looked away and said "Almost time to take you back..." Let me get everyone off site and then I will escort you back..." He then walked towards the door as he said "Your cousin Nathan said you got away from home because you did not want protection and wanted no special treatment... So you moved away from Rosario and O'Neil schools... Is that true?"

Verona turned and looked at him "That is correct."

Stanley put his hand on the door knob "You got away from home to get away from your family for very different reasons compared to me... You have a nice family.... My family are very messed up... Thats why I keep my distance from them while I can... But I am an Allistaire by blood and cant run from my family and who I am... I cherish the time I can spend away from my family...Every minute of it... But I am an Allistaire and have to apparently act like one or so my family keep telling me." He gave her a worn out smile. "We both know we cant live our dreams unless our families allow it... Its impossible.... When we are born into well known crime families that go back generations we have a destiny... We cant run from it... In our world this life is not about living... It's about surviving...."

*****

Verona found herself in front of her dorms through a route that Stanley knew how to navigate like the back of his. He was a good captain for sure. He had good navigation skills and did not even use a map. A great quality of a