Chapter Forty Daniel #2
And most importantly, it’s fucking useless if it doesn’t work out the way I want it to.
He agrees. Fucking reluctantly, yes, but the important point is that he agrees. “He’ll be there tomorrow for you. Usual place?”
“Usual place.”
Hayden stares at me, and for a split second, I can see the flicker of doubt in his eyes.
“I really need you to trust me on this one.”
Hayden’s face shifts as he nods and I can tell he’s finally beginning to understand just how deep this is. The intensity of my words is real, no room for hesitation.
“Alright, then. Usual place, tomorrow. I’ll make sure he’s there,” he says, the confidence in his voice finally settling in.
“Good. I need answers,” I add with finality, turning to leave as our conversation fades into the background.
But there's no time for hesitation, no time to second guess. The pieces are moving, and I need them all in their right place.
The familiar warmth of the children’s room is a welcome distraction from the brutal decisions I’ll need to make soon.
The second I walk through the door, Enzo’s little arms wrap around my leg, clinging to me with all the innocent affection only a child could give.
His tiny voice breaks through the tension swirling in my mind.
“Hello there, little guy,” I smile, ruffling his hair. His laughter is like a healing balm for my soul.
The world might be falling apart, but right here, with these two kids, I can momentarily forget.
Just the way I feel with Jennifer.
My girl’s grin is soft but knowing. “Looks like it’s time for a little trip,” she teases, her voice light, but I can see the flicker of concern in her eyes.
She knows how hard things have gotten lately; how dangerous the stakes are.
“Trip, huh? So, we’re all going?” I glance over at Victoria, Andrew, and the kids, my thoughts briefly drifting to the chaos at hand. But then, I focus. We’re here. Together.
The only person who’s not here is our father. Whether he’s hiding in his room or already planning for the funeral, doesn’t matter.
All I pray for is that he’s okay.
I mean, fuck, he’s not. But I hope he’ll get through this. We all need to. Together.
Andrew grins. “Well, obviously we’re all going. I don’t think their food and drinks will taste that good, though,” he jokes, eyeing Jennifer. “Mine is much better.”
Jennifer laughs, the sound a perfect reminder of the life I want to protect. “Is your café open today? I don’t think so.”
“You’ve got a point there,” Andrew hums in agreement, his voice warm.
As the playful banter continues, I find myself distracted, my thoughts drifting back to the darker side of my world. But then Victoria’s laugh cuts through my thoughts.
I look at her. “Why are you laughing so loudly? The last time I checked, you barely can even cook,” I tease, raising an eyebrow.
Victoria gasps. “Excuse me?” she scoffs, playfully offended. But I can see the laughter in her eyes, the bond between us that’s remained through all these years.
I shrug casually. “It’s the truth. I still can’t believe you can’t cook. You adopt a boy and can’t cook food for him. Terrible mother, if you ask me,” I tease.
“Says the man who never even tried. Why do we have a chef in the house again? Oh, right,” she smirks, clearly enjoying the back-and-forth.
“Got more important things to do,” I reply with a nonchalant shrug. “You think I could cook for this many people? Please, let’s be realistic here. I can cook; I just don’t want to. There’s a huge difference between us two.”
Victoria laughs despite herself, her eyes dancing with amusement. “Fine. At least I know how to treat children.”
Before I can respond, I glance at Mary. She’s always been quiet, reserved. And yet, when I tease her about being a dad, she giggles in that soft, shy way of hers.
“I could be a good dad, couldn’t I?” I ask, my voice gentle.
Her giggle fills the room, and for a second, it feels like the weight of the world has lifted. Just a moment of happiness amidst the chaos.
Then, she gets up, walks over to me, and holds out her favorite toy—the bunny I’d bought for her. Although, well, she can barely hold it.
It’s too big for her. It’s still funny to me.
“Yes, you could be mine! You’d be suuuuch a good daddy!” she says, her voice full of warmth, her smile pure and innocent.
I kneel to her level with a soft smile on my face. “I love bunny just as much as you!” She tells me as my heart begins to swell with emotion I’m not ready to confront yet.
The sudden realization hits me hard. If I’m with Jennifer, I’m also taking on the role of being Mary’s father.
And fuck, I want that so badly. I want her to have a real father figure, someone who’s there for her, someone who won’t walk away.
Someone who’ll always make sure she’s safe and protected. That’s the bare minimum of what she deserves.
“I love you too, principessa,” I whisper, my heart thudding in my chest.
She looks at me in confusion. “Principassa? What’s that?”
A laugh escapes my chest. “It’s principessa, Mary. It means princess. You are one, aren’t you?”
Immediately, she giggles before jumping into my arms. “Yes, I am a princess! Daddy’s right!”
As I look up, I catch the knowing looks of the other grown-ups. They all see it. They know how much this moment means. They’re seeing something shift in me that I can’t quite put into words yet.
Jennifer, too, is looking at me with a mixture of love and uncertainty. And for the first time in a long while, I feel like maybe, just maybe, I’m not alone in this.
But before anything else can be said, Andrew interrupts the moment, making his usual snarky comment. “I’m getting hungry, guys,” he says, grabbing two of the kids’ bags.
“You’re always hungry,” Victoria teases, her tone light.
“I haven’t even had breakfast!” Andrew shoots back, shocked by her words.
I smile, shaking my head, but then Enzo’s excitement draws me back to the moment. He’s giggling, bouncing with joy as we all prepare for the trip. He’s obsessed with cars, especially mine.
As we all start getting ready to leave, I hear a soft voice from behind me.
“Zio… Why did Nonna not wake us up today? Is she busy?” The question hits me like a fucking wrecking ball. I freeze. My heart slams against my ribs, and for a moment, I can’t breathe.
My mouth goes dry. I turn slowly, meeting his innocent, confused gaze.
Enzo’s eyes are full of questions, not fully understanding where his grandma is, but still aware that something’s off. Fuck.
His small hand tugs at my sleeve. I can’t answer him. Not right now. Not the truth.
I swallow hard, forcing myself to speak, but the words come out like shards of glass.
“She… she’s just… well, she’s just really busy today, Enzo. Don’t worry about it, okay?”
I tell him not to worry. But I’m the one who’s fucking falling apart. Inside, I’m dying, but I can’t show him that.
He’s just a little boy. He should enjoy our trip today. He shouldn’t be worried about what’s going on.
When mom’s funeral is closer, I’ll try to explain it to him. Or maybe Victoria will. I don’t know.
As we finally step inside the garage, I sigh quietly, but thankfully nobody notices.
“Andrew?” I groan.
He turns around, looking at me and replying with a short, “Yeah?”
“Wanna drive my new Porsche today?” I ask grinning, throwing the keys towards him.
My brother just grins back at me and nods, but I know he’s aware of what’s going on. I can’t fucking drive.
I was glad that I didn’t kill Jennifer and me yesterday on my Harley.
I can’t drive with two children in the car. I just know I’d crash instantly.
“That one? Damn, it looks amazing,” Andrew grins. “Thanks for letting me drive this baby.”
“You better not put a single scratch onto that car,” I joke. “Or I’ll put some scratches on you.”
I’m joking. I’d never hurt my brother. As stupid as he may have been in the past, as much as he annoyed me, I always loved him.
When I get inside the car and help the kids, my mind is racing already. Not because we’re going to get a nice breakfast, no.
Because of tomorrow. Because I fucking need more information. And if they can’t give me any, who will?