Chapter Twenty Jennifer
Chapter Twenty
Jennifer
It’s been two weeks now. Two weeks since mine and Mary’s life turned upside down, and I’m slowly starting to feel the weight of it. Mary’s adjusted.
Hell, she loves it here. She talks about the food, how much she enjoys playing with Enzo, and how she’s so grateful for the time she gets to spend with me.
For once, I’m not just a figure in the background of her life.
Before all of this, I barely had time to play with her. I always loved her—but to be able to keep both of us alive and well fed, work usually always came first. My pregnancy? It really wasn’t planned. Not at all.
But I didn’t mind. I could’ve handled it. I knew I was young, and I had to leave my job, but I knew I was gonna love my little baby.
I always knew she was something special. And I was right all this time.
And I was right all this time. But then he left. As soon as I told my ex the “good news,” he was gone. He broke me then, but I learned how to keep taking care and loving Mary, even alone.
Seeing her with Enzo, watching them bond... It makes me wonder if I’m doing the right thing. It’s still a question that keeps fucking with me and my brain. I want to go back to our old life, away from all of this.
The mansion, the people, it’s all so dangerous. This life isn’t one a mother would wish for her child. But… I can’t bring myself to leave. Not yet. Not when things seem calmer than they’ve ever been. Fuck, maybe it’s all an illusion meant to keep me here.
I don't know what kind of business Daniel is really into, how much blood truly stains his hands, or what would happen if another mafia—like the Volkovs—tried to start a war.
But what I do know is that our life here is stable… for now. And that makes it even more confusing. How am I not scared? How am I not screaming for help?
Though, I admit, It’s not all perfect. I sent a text to my mother and told her we moved. She didn’t ask too many questions, which I’m grateful for. Regardless, she seemed worried about us, but I told her we’re fine. I told her the semi-truth, simply mentioning higher pay.
It’s not the full truth she deserves, but it’s also not a total lie. I do get more money now.
However, mentioning the Caruso family… I wasn’t ready to do that, yet. Besides, I’m sure Daniel only lets me keep my phone because he trusts me.
He told me not to fuck up. He told me he trusts me, that he’s sure I won’t post anything or talk to anyone about this.
I could call the police on him, but for some reason, he trusts me enough to know I won’t.
Or he’s listening to my phone calls. Maybe he even hacked into my phone while I was asleep.
I wouldn’t be surprised, though I do hope he didn’t.
When I asked him how to tell my mother, he told me to figure something out. I tried. My mother lives in another state. My boyfriend and I moved to Chicago before I got pregnant, and when I did— hell, I have no idea where he went.
All I know is that my mother’s still in Michigan, living her quiet little life—far away from all this chaos.
The only other person I truly needed to tell about us leaving was Mary’s nanny. But she didn’t even blink when I told her I wouldn’t need her anymore. She sent me a message with only one sentence. Don’t forget my last paycheck. Then she disappeared, just like that.
It stung at first, she was a nice woman I’ve talked to over coffee a bunch of times, but maybe it shouldn’t have stung at all.
Mary never bonded with her, not like she’s bonded with Enzo and Victoria. Watching her laugh with them makes me happy—truly happy—but it also leaves something hollow in my chest.
Because she’s thriving here.
And I’m... not.
I’m trapped between gratitude and guilt, between safety and suffocation. My daughter’s smiling, but my heart aches. I can’t tell anyone how heavy it feels—how confusing this all is.
Daniel pays me more than I ever dreamed of earning. He makes sure we have everything we need.
Food. A home. Protection. But I can’t stop wondering what it all means.
To him. To me. To us.
He lets me and my daughter stay here, lets me care for Mary, but he’s colder now. Distant. It’s like I’m fading in his world, becoming a ghost that still breathes his air but never gets to touch him. Never gets too close to him.
After everything—after showing him what I wanted, what I felt in his presence—I thought he’d do something. Say something. React, in any way. But instead, he stepped back.
And maybe he’s right. I pushed too hard. Men like Daniel don’t like being chased. They like to be feared. They like the terror on people’s faces as they look at him.
He’s dangerous. A killer. A man made of control and violence. I know I should stay away. But God, I can’t.
He tells me not to get close, but I don’t want his heart. I just want his hands on me. His body. His weight on top of me until I forget who I am.
It’s a sick thought, maybe. Twisted. But no one else does this to me. No one else makes me feel this way. If it were just about wanting a man, I could pick anyone. I could’ve chosen Andrew to dream about at this point.
But I didn’t. It’s Daniel. It’s always Daniel.
It must be some kind of fucked up Stockholm syndrome. All I know is I shouldn’t think this way of him—and yet, I do.
Today’s the first time I can finally leave this place. Not forever, just for a few hours. There’s no Mr. Caruso lurking in the dark and watching my every step, no work to interrupt me.
Just me, Vicky, and the kids heading out to a toy store. It’s a small relief. A moment of normality. But then, as Mary and I walk through the garage door, I see him.
Daniel.
Next to me, Vicky’s grinning. But my insides twist.
Why the hell is he here? He wasn’t supposed to be part of this.
But there he is, in all his dark, sexy glory.
I try not to look at him, but I can’t help it. That damn smirk of his. It’s enough to make me lose my mind.
His look today makes me question my feelings towards this man. I should hate him for ruining my life. But it’s not even like that. He didn’t ruin my life. He made it… more interesting. As fucked as it is, it’s true.
His long, black curly hair is tied in a bun today. It goes perfectly with his shirt and jeans- both black, too. God, he really loves that color. And I can’t blame him. After all, black is often associated with danger. And Daniel? He’s a dangerous man to others.
He’d manage to kill someone within a second, I’m sure.
Fuck, he’s a danger to my god damn uterus at this point. A danger I’m craving so, so badly. But he doesn’t understand my need for him.
"Thought I’d come with you," he says, like it’s no big deal. My heart pounds at the sound of his voice—so smooth, so dominant.
Why am I like this? I really have to stop. He doesn’t want me, and I have to accept his decisions.
"Is that okay?" Vicky asks, her tone teasing me. "He insisted.” I force a smile. "Sure, why not?"
Daniel’s looking at me, and something in his eyes makes me feel like I’m the only one in the world. His smile shifts into something more playful, knowing exactly what it does to me.
“Thought I’d drive you all,” he says, and I can’t stop myself from feeling a little too excited about it. The kids are eager, and suddenly, I’m on edge. He’s always around, always close.
“Which car should we take today?” he asks, like I’m supposed to decide. Really? I don’t even have an idea how many cars are in here right now. Neither do I know their brand names.
Before I can even react, Enzo’s voice cuts through. “Zio Daniel! La Porsche Cayenne!” His little hands wave in excitement. Aw, his Italian is absolutely adorable.
For a moment, I almost forget the chaos swirling inside me. Daniel just laughs, a soft, knowing sound, and heads toward the black SUV.
Watching him, helping the kids into that car, it makes me realize just how much I’m... drawn to him. God, what is wrong with me?
When we finally get inside, the car feels too tight with him next to me. His eyes never leave me. The tension between us is suffocating. I’m not sure I can breathe normally without him noticing.
"Ready for the trip?" he asks, and his smile takes over. But the playful smirk from earlier turns into something far more intense.
I’m staring at him, at his smile, at the way he’s making everything in my body react.
“If I’m ready for a trip to the toy store? I’d never say no to that. Ask my baby,” I say, my voice tight, even though my heart is racing. I force a laugh, hoping it hides what I really feel.
Before I can hold myself back, I ask him quietly, “Daniel… Why did you want to join us?” He just smirks and shrugs.
“Security reasons.”
We both know it’s not because of security reasons.