Chapter Thirty-seven Daniel
Chapter Thirty-seven
Daniel
“Good morning, dear brother,” Andrew yells as I walk through the door into his coffee shop. I shake my head, a small grin on my face.
The second I sit down at a table; he comes walking over. “How can I help you, noble customer?” he teases.
I scoff. “Sorry. Life has been busy. I barely had time for myself. Coming over for breakfast wasn’t exactly an option these past few weeks.”
My brother laughs. “I know, life gets pretty busy for you sometimes. How’s… work going?”
A quick glance around the coffee shop tells me it’s nearly empty. “I almost got killed, but hey, my life is pretty enjoyable.”
Andrew’s mouth falls open. “You almost got what? Why didn’t you tell me that?”
“Didn’t think it was that important, you know. Shit happens.”
He shakes his head. “This family is unbelievable. Nobody tells me anything.”
A grin tugs at my lips—a rare thing these days. It’s been five days since Hayden gave me the information about Eduardo, and we’ve had our guys tailing his friends ever since.
They noticed nothing valuable yet, but we’re patient. We need someone with valuable information. We can’t just pick anyone and call it a good plan.
Because it’d be the worst plan to ever fucking exist.
“Isn’t the whole point of you working here instead of with the family that you don’t know everything that’s going on?” I ask.
He shrugs. “Daniel, seriously. Why did nobody tell me? You’re my brother, for fuck’s sake.”
“Because they…” My voice drops lower, my eyes quietly gazing through the room once more. “They killed the man already. We’re on it. No worries.”
Andrew sighs. “Sounds like shit is going down.”
“You don’t wanna know,” I say with a frustrated laugh.
Andrew grins. “Should I get you something?”
“A coffee would be great,” I grin. “I definitely need it.”
He nods and leaves me alone with my thoughts. I glance out the window at the mostly empty street.
Andrew’s shop is in a quieter part of Chicago, but there’s always a trickle of customers. After all, Ravenswood isn’t that unpopulated.
Still, without our money laundering, he wouldn’t be able to afford this place. The rent in this city is brutal.
When he comes back and puts my coffee in front of me, he surprises me by sitting across from me. He usually doesn’t do that.
“Something else on your mind?” he asks, watching me too closely.
How the fuck does he always know?
“Well, sort of. How’d you know?”
“I’m your brother. Let’s be honest here. You were staring out the window instead of looking at the table. You never did that before.”
I scoff as I take a sip of coffee. “It’s nothing much. I think I’m simply in love.”
Andrew stares at me, speechless, for at least thirty seconds. I don’t say anything either, letting him digest my words
“Is it her?”
I nod. He doesn’t have to say her name. We both know who he means. She’s the only woman he’s ever seen me with.
“Jesus,” he mutters. “Did you tell her?”
I shake my head. “Not directly, no. I wanted to ask you for advice.”
“You are asking me for advice? You do realize you’re the older brother, right?” He laughs in disbelief.
“I know. But you’ve dated women before. I haven’t. Not really. Not because I liked them, at least.”
Andrew doesn’t respond immediately. “You should tell her.”
“Oh, really? I wouldn’t have known that. Thanks for the help, little brother,” I say sarcastically with a grin on my face.
He rolls his eyes. “I mean it. Just tell her. Take her out on a date, stare deep into her eyes, and then tell her. Then you kiss her, and you two live happily ever after.”
“Stop making fun of me, goddamn.” I try to stay serious, but I can’t help grinning. “Andrew… Should I take her out on a date? Maybe a night drive on my Harley? She seemed to enjoy it last time.”
He nods passionately. “That’s a great idea. And then?”
“Then we find a quiet place. Get comfortable… So I can tell her without one of us feeling weird.”
“And you needed my advice because?” He laughs. “You need to trust yourself more. She’s gonna love it.”
Maybe. But is she gonna love me? I think that sure as fuck is the more important question here.
“I’m worried,” I admit. “What if she doesn’t want me?”
Andrew drags a hand down his face. “You must be fucking kidding me. You, Daniel Caruso, one of the most powerful men in Chicago, are scared of a woman rejecting you?”
“She’s not just some woman, Andrew. Seriously.”
Andrew studies me for a second, then his voice shifts. “Look, I get it. You’ve never had to trust someone before. Not like this. And yeah, it’s a risk. But isn’t she worth it?”
“She is,” I sigh. “But all we did until now is fuck.”
“Am I gonna be an uncle soon?”, he teases me.
“Definitely not”, I laugh. “I hate—” I stop myself. I don’t hate children. I can’t say that.
He looks at me with a confused expression. “What’s wrong?”
I bite my lip, thinking about her daughter. Thinking of how adorable my nephew is. “I don’t hate kids, you know.”
Andrew raises a brow. “Oh? That’s new to me.”
“Her daughter is adorable,” I admit. “I’m just… unsure if I want kids. With her. If I can.”
Andrew grins like a crazy man. “You’re already imagining a future with her. Damn, you are down bad.”
I take a sip of coffee. He’s right.
I am down bad for her. But isn’t it foolish to think about a future with her when I haven’t even asked her to be mine?
What if she only wants the sex? What if she only wants me because of my looks? What if she leaves?
My fingers rub my temple. Jesus. This is too much.
Andrew leans forward. “You already know what you want to do. So do it.”
The bell chimes, signaling a new customer, and Andrew stands, giving me a reassuring nod before heading to the counter.
He’s right. My plan isn’t bad. And so, what if she says no?
Then I’ll deal with it. I’ll have to.
Even if I’m not sure I can. I know moving on from her wouldn't be easy, but I'd have to. Life goes on, as they all say.
Or maybe all I have to do is trust myself even a little fucking more.