Chapter Twenty-four Jennifer
Chapter Twenty-four
Jennifer
I’m not sure what exactly I expected when I followed Daniel right after he left the meeting room, but I sure as hell didn’t think he’d lead us towards his bedroom.
The second we enter, he locks the door and throws his leather jacket onto a chair near the window before standing in front of it, probably watching some of his men in the driveway.
I don’t know what to say or do, so I just stand still behind him, watching his every move. Daniel let Julian get under his skin again. He always does.
It’s not quite clear to me yet how he’s able to make all of his men shudder with a single gaze, but he lets his anger roam free when it comes to Julian.
What exactly is the problem between them? I don’t get it. But I’m pretty sure I shouldn’t ask Daniel about it right now. It’s not the right moment.
“Don’t think too much about it,” he suddenly says before turning around and looking at me with a rather relaxed expression.
I smile, relieved that the tension from the business talk and Julian’s rude behavior between us is gone now.
“I won’t,” I reply softly.
Daniel lets out a frustrated breath and sinks onto the edge of the bed, elbows resting on his knees.
His head tilts downward, eyes fixed on the floor, and for a moment, I think he’s about to cry. But he’s not that type of guy. The day I see Daniel crying is most likely the day the world is ending. Or, perhaps, not even then.
A second later, with a scoff, he mutters, “That asshole always knows exactly what to say to piss me off.”
I think about his words. Yeah, he’s right, sort of. I sigh quietly. “Daniel… What is it between you guys? What makes you so jumpy? Every time he even looks at you, I’m worried you’re about to take your gun and shoot him right in the face.”
He simply laughs. “Trust me, pretty, sometimes I wish I could do that. But he’s one of my men. One day, I’m going to have to accept that.”
“You’re his boss, right? I mean, your father…” I take a moment to think. “He’s not the boss, is he?”
Daniel shakes his head. “No, he’s not. Not anymore. Three years ago, when he realized going on missions wasn’t working for his body anymore, he said he trusts me enough to be in the leading role now. But everyone still respects him, I think even more than they respect me.”
A shy giggle escapes me. “Yeah. I don’t doubt that to be honest. Especially when it comes to Julian.”
We both stay quiet, sinking into our own thoughts before I decide to sit down next to him on his bed. Should I take his hand? I don’t know… God, I feel like a teenager in love.
I stare at it, wondering if I should or not, but before I decide, he’s the one to take my hand into his, rubbing it softly.
I smile, my heart begins to beat faster. God, I love his touch on my skin. He’s acting like I’m a porcelain doll, and although this was never what I wanted from a guy, he makes me want everything.
Sometimes, I wish Daniel would hold me in his arms. I want him to stroke my hair softly and comfort me with his deep voice, telling me sweet words and reminding me he’ll always be there for me.
But then again, sometimes all I want is for him to push my head into the pillow, hold my arms, and fuck me deep and hard like I’m a slut.
God, am I a slut for wanting this?
I don’t think it’d matter to me, come to think of it.
Not having any type of sexual connection for five years sure makes me feel strongly for him. If it’s only that, or if it’s simply him and his handsome face, well, I can’t tell yet.
It’s only been two weeks, after all.
And although we made out once, it didn’t change much between us.
It will be a no-strings-attached kind of thing, right?
I suppose. I’m gonna have to clarify that with him later. Though I tried that already.
And failed.
How wonderful, huh?
“Can I be honest with you, Jennifer?”
“Always,” I answer.
He sighs. “Julian always keeps talking about how I’m not good enough to be the boss here. He’s extremely close with my father, and it just… bothers me.”
“That’s totally understandable, Daniel. I think if I were you, it would bother me the same way.”
He looks at me, a few of his curls falling into his face as he stares at my lips. He looks like he’s suffering from what’s going on, yet I can tell he wants to kiss me right now regardless of that.
“I’ve been suspecting him behind this for a while now.
But now, I’m not sure anymore. I think I focused on him only because he was the only one I could focus on.
Listen… Julian’s a piece of shit. I won’t deny that.
He’s arrogant, power-hungry, and he’s been against me since the second I took over.
But just because I hate him doesn’t mean he’s the one who got Roy killed.
He respects my father too much to go that far, doesn’t he? ”
His voice drops, almost as if he isn’t sure of his own words. “I think my hate got over me. Julian can’t be that fucking snitch. It would be way too easy.”
I scrunch my eyebrows, wondering what the hell he’s talking about. Easy? Why would that be too easy?
“If he were the guy, he would try to kill me. Not someone like Roy. I mean, Julian and Roy were sort of close. He looked really hurt when I talked about his death. Besides, the fact that he hates me is way too obvious. He doesn’t even try to hide it. Any good villain would hide it, wouldn’t they?”
“Not every villain is smart. It could still be him, you know,” I resist. I don’t want to force my thoughts onto him, so I speak softly.
He shakes his head, sighing frustratedly. “I don’t think so anymore. Just because I hate him doesn’t mean he’s the snitch. It fucking bothers me. I’ve been too focused on him; I didn’t try to look out for other suspects.”
Before I can reassure him, I feel his hand slip out of mine. Fuck, this breaks my heart.
I haven’t known him for long, but I don’t want him to lose faith in himself. He’s so much better than he thinks…
I study his face, seeing the flicker of doubt in his expression. This isn’t just about Julian—this is about Daniel questioning himself, his instincts, his judgment. The worst part is that he’s starting to believe Julian. And that’s the worst thing he could do right now, after what happened earlier.
“Stop that,” I whisper as I take his face into my hands. He stares at me with tired eyes.
“Stop what?”
“Stop talking like you’re not good enough. Please.”
He keeps staring at my lips. “Isn’t it true? I mean… I don’t even know how to start. The next shipment is coming soon, and I have zero idea how to make sure everything will go smoothly.”
“Daniel… You don’t have to have all the answers right now. Just take it one step at a time. The shipment is in a week, isn’t it?”
“But that’s exactly the thing about being the boss here, pretty. One step at a time doesn’t work around here. As the boss, I always have to be one step ahead.”
This time, it’s me who reaches for his hand again without thinking, my fingers brushing over his.
“You don’t have to have all the answers right now though, I promise,” I murmur. “You’ll figure it out. And the shipment will go smoothly, you’ll see. If you need help with the plan, you can ask … What’s his name again? Yuri?” After Daniel nods, I continue.
“I’m sure he’ll help, and I’d gladly join you. Talking to his wife was fun last time… I’d really like to meet her again.”
I surprise myself. The fact that I still remember their names surprises me. Usually, I always forget names easily.
Daniel doesn’t respond immediately. Instead, he turns his palm upward, catching my hand fully in his. His grip is warm, steady, grounding. “Are you sure? You’d join us again, baby?”
Baby? We are on a new stage now, huh?
I nod, offering him a smile as I feel my cheeks heating up. “Yes, I will.”
He holds my gaze for a long moment, his expression unreadable. His fingers tighten around mine as a smirk tugs at the corner of his lips. “You know how to calm me down, don’t you?”
I let out a soft laugh, rolling my eyes. “Someone has to keep you from losing your mind over here, after all.”
His smirk deepens, but the intensity in his eyes shifts. The frustration from earlier is still visible, but now, something else simmers beneath it.
It’s darker. Hungrier. Thirsting for something.
I suck in a breath as I feel his hands settle on my hips, gently pushing me back onto his bed. Immediately, I decide to listen, slowly crawling onto the bed and lying down on my back.
My heart pounds in anticipation as he gets on top of me, his curls landing on either side of my face. I am completely wrapped up in his existence, his handsome face and his scent making me go insane.
“Daniel—"
“Shh,” he murmurs, his hand tracing slow, teasing circles against my skin beneath my shirt. I sigh, relaxing against his touch.
“You like it, hm?” he whispers against my lips. I nod slowly, my lips touching his a few times on purpose.
I hesitate for a moment, unsure if I should say his name, or not. I decide not to.
“Yes, master…” I murmur, before he finally leans down to kiss me. I immediately return the kiss, clinging onto him. I wrap my legs around his waist, slowly grinding against him as I did before. It’s only been an hour since we last made out, but I can’t get enough of this. Of him.
He’s like a drug to me.
A moan slips free from my lips as he starts grinding back to me, pushing me into his mattress.
“Please…,” I beg.
“Please, what, baby?”, he smirks back at me.
Fuck, he looks way too sexy right now.
I whine. “Anything. Do anything, just don’t stop. It feels so good.”
He smirks into the kiss. “I’d love nothing more than making you feel good.”
Both of us move in sync, bodies desperate, lost in the heat of the moment.
His fingers dig into my skin as he pulls me closer, his breath hot against my lips.
My nails rake down his back, earning a low groan from him.
The air between us is thick with need, every touch, every movement only making it worse, when…
A sudden, forceful knock rattles the door, killing the moment in an instant. He growls, unsatisfied.
I moan frustratedly, grinding my hips up on him. His hand wanders down there, touching my pussy gently.
“It’s alright, baby. I’ll continue soon.”
I roll my eyes playfully. “We never get to have fun.”
“You wanna fuck the Don, you gotta expect something to come up, always.”
I cringe at his words. God does that sound weird. “Mh… Maybe I should rethink this again.”
He just laughs at my words as he gets up. “I hope not,” he tells me before pecking my lips.
Seconds later, he’s already opening the door and leaving me alone on his bed, aching for more of his touch.
Although I don’t want to, my main source of warmth is suddenly gone, taking away my urge to stay here. Without Daniel, it’s just another king-sized bed.
Realizing that still, I don’t have the answer to what exactly we are, I sigh. It’s hard to tell.
I’m starting to question if he even knows.
Most likely, we both just have no idea what’s going on between us, but we enjoy whatever this is.
So, not knowing what we are is worth it, after all.
I decide to get up and search for my daughter, already wondering what she and Enzo have to tell me today. Little children talk so much.
But I don’t mind. Honestly, ever since I was a child, I was always more the type of person who listens, instead of the one who talks.
Listening to my daughter talk about the successful and fun day she had is probably the closest I’ll ever get to heaven.
But what I feel for Daniel?
That’s the kind of temptation that makes me pray for forgiveness. The kind that’s gonna get me dragged to hell if I’d strictly believe in the bible.
How could loving someone, or even sleeping with them, be a sin? At least I’m not killing anyone. Shouldn’t murder count for more than sex?
But then again… Daniel’s the one doing the killing.
Fuck.