Chapter Five Daniel
Chapter Five
Daniel
Once we’re out in the parking lot, she looks up at me, her delicate fingers twisting nervously.
“Thank you for buying me breakfast. It was really tasty. And… I don’t feel so nauseous anymore.”
“You’re welcome,” I reply, my tone soft. “I told you; I’m just taking care of you. I’m glad you feel a bit better now.”
When I open the car door for her, she hesitates, glancing up at me with a nervous smile. “I just… I think I really need to go home…” she whispers.
My smile falters. Fuck. What the hell am I supposed to do now? I can’t let her go. Even if that’s what she wants. “Well…” I start, trying to keep my voice calm. “I don’t think you should be alone—”
“Don’t say it again. Please.” Her eyes widen, and her voice takes on a pleading edge. She steps back as I move closer. “Look… I really have to go.”
“No, you don’t,” I reply firmly, sighing as I take her trembling hand in mine.
Her whole body goes rigid under my touch as I lead her toward the car.
It’s ironic. She’s trying so hard to act like she’s fine, but the moment I touch her, she flinches as if I’m about to hurt her.
“I promise you’ll be fine. Don’t be scared, pretty. Just come with me. I have something important to tell you about. I know you’ll like it.”
Immediately, her wide blue eyes search mine, her gaze lingering for a moment too long.
“I’m not scared,” she says, her voice trembling.
She’s lying. Her voice is almost breaking.
“Fine, then. Get in the car.”
“But I—”
“Now.”
Her hesitation lasts only a moment before she slides into the seat, and the mixture of guilt and satisfaction that washes over me is impossible to ignore.
I’m technically forcing her to come with me, but I’m not hurting her.
Not physically, at least. I can’t read her mind. I can’t tell what’s going on in there.
But I’m hoping—begging for her to understand my struggles. To understand why I can’t just let her go, even if I’d want to.
It hurts me to do this, but I can’t risk my family’s well-being for some woman I’ve just met today.
I settle into the driver’s seat and start the engine, stealing a glance at her as she stares out the window, silent and tense.
Guilt creeps in, sharp and unfamiliar. Fuck, what’s wrong with me? All this guilt just because she’s a woman?
“Look,” I begin, my voice softer now. “I’m going to explain everything to you soon. I promise. But you need to understand that what you’ve seen can’t be known to the public. If you were a man, I’d have to kill you.”
Her head snaps toward me, her face pale with shock. Shit. I should start thinking before I open my mouth.
If she didn’t think I was dangerous before, she sure as hell does now. Great job, Daniel. What a great boss you are.
“You’d really do that?” she whispers, her voice laced with a mix of fear and disbelief. Her wide eyes bore into me, like she’s trying to figure out if I’m lying or if I’m just that cruel.
“I’d have to,” I reply with a sigh, keeping my eyes on the road. “You witnessed something you weren’t supposed to. I’m sure you’re aware that what happened was…” I pause, unsure how to continue.
“It wasn’t our fault, but it was a kind of business you don’t wanna be involved in.”
Her silence cuts through the air like a blade. When I look at her, her hands are shaking, her eyes glancing back and forth between me and the street in front of us.
“You won’t hurt me, right?” she finally asks, her voice small.
“I won’t,” I assure her, glancing her way. “I promised you that. We don’t hurt women. Ever.”
“But you hurt men. Innocent people.” Her words sting in a way I don’t expect, and I let out a sharp exhale.
“It’s not like I enjoy it,” I say, my voice low.
“I have to do it to protect my family. See, we do our best not to get civilians involved. We don’t want to harm people who don’t deserve it.
And you walking in on the situation was…
It was not ideal. But we’ll figure this out.
I promise.” I speak gently, trying my hardest to comfort her.
Her hard expression softens slightly, her eyes clouding with something that looks like concern. It’s been years since someone looked at me like that, like they cared.
I don’t need it. I don’t want it. But damn it, it feels… different. Good. Like I’ve been yearning for it unconsciously.
“Your family, huh…” she whispers, her gaze flickering away. “Are they all involved in this… killing thing? Or is it just you and… The other guy?”
A bitter smile tugs at my lips. “It’s not just killing, pretty. It’s a family business. You know… tradition.”
“So, what are you? A serial killer?”
I chuckle dryly. She’s a funny thing, I have to admit. “I’m the Don of a mafia, darling.” Her teasing tone disappears as she freezes. “Mafia?” She’s basically staring right into my soul at this point.
I pull up to a red light, using the moment to glance at her again. She looks stunned, like she’s trying to process what I’ve just said.
“Yes. You witnessed a murder between two mafias. It’s seriously fucked up, I’m aware. And I… Look, I know you have a daughter.”
Her entire body stiffens, her eyes wide. God, she’s fucking terrified. I’m just hoping she doesn’t think of me as a child abuser. I would never hurt her daughter. And I need her to trust me with that. I need her to trust my words.
“I know you love her,” I continue, my voice steady. “And I promise, no matter what happens, nothing will happen to either of you. You just have to listen to me and understand that we can’t just let you go.”
“But why? What did I do?”
“You didn’t do anything,” I interrupt her immediately, sighing heavily.
“It was our fault. None of my men knew that an innocent woman takes a morning walk through the most dangerous alleys of the goddamn city. What the fuck did you even think? Those alleys are fucking known for drug dealers; don’t you watch the news? Are you insane?”
Frustration pours out, thick in my voice. But for once, she doesn’t seem scared. She seems… Pissed.
Fuck. This woman is a little too attractive for me.
“It’s Chicago, Daniel,” she shoots back with a sassy tone. “I doubt any alley here is considered safe, hm? Or do you?”
I glance at her briefly before focusing back on the road. Fuck, the way she says my name. Her goddamn voice. She’s so perfect.
I hate that we met like this. Why couldn’t she be one of those whores who I could pay to fuck?
Things could’ve been so much easier. Not that I do these types of things regularly. But shit, sometimes I need to get rid of all the anxiety and pressure.
“I know that. I’ve seen lots of shit going down before.
But this one? This alley? We’ve been dealing in that one for years.
Why the hell did you have to be there today?
No sane person would take a walk through them.
They’re disgusting and dark. Aren’t you terrified?
You’re a fucking woman; something could’ve happened to you! ”
I look at her, anger visible in my expression. But it’s not her I’m mad at. I’m mad at all the shit that goes on in my world that I have no control over.
“Do you know which kind of men you could’ve met? You should be grateful I was one to see you first.”
My voice rises slightly, the frustration spilling out despite my best efforts.
She immediately goes quiet, her shoulders sagging.
“I was taking my daughter to preschool,” she murmurs. “I’ve taken that route every morning for two years. Nothing has ever happened before. It just… It saves me time. And I need that time.”
The regret in her voice hits me harder than I expected. I close my eyes briefly, then grip the wheel tighter. “I’m… sorry,” I mutter.
Two words I haven’t said in years. Two words I’d never offer to anyone outside my family, or my only friend, Hayden.
But I mean it. It’s not an empty apology. She deserves a real one. She nods, her voice breaking. “What will happen to Mary?”
“Mary?” I ask, confused for a moment. “My daughter,” she whispers. “I have to pick her up later. I can’t just—”
Within a few seconds, I know a way to solve the problem. “I’ll ask my mother or my sister to pick her up and bring her to you,” I cut in, my voice firm. “Both of you will be fine. I promise it.”
Her body relaxes ever so slightly, though she still seems guarded. And for some reason, that bothers me more than it should.
I want her to feel safe. Hell, I need her to. I understand we’re strangers, but fuck. None of this should’ve happened to her. She didn’t deserve that.
“Both you and your daughter will be safe with us,” I say once again, my tone softening. “I just need to have a little talk with you about… what happened.”
“Where are we going exactly?” she asks, her voice wary.
I sigh, my grip tightening on the wheel. “You’ll see in a while. We’re almost there. It’s a safe place.”