Chapter Fifty-one Jennifer
Chapter Fifty-one
Jennifer
I scan the faces of the men in the meeting room—each one stern, their eyes sharp, their bodies tense as they await Daniel and Vittorio’s words.
The weight of their presence is suffocating, filling every corner of the room with an unmistakable promise of danger. I’m the only woman here, and though I’ve grown used to the looks they throw my way when I enter, I don’t let them bother me.
None of them are particularly thrilled to have me around, but I’m here because Daniel is. And for now, that’s enough.
I’ve been in this room countless times before. It’s been nearly two months since I first stepped in. By now, they should know who I belong to, especially after Julian’s teasing a few weeks ago.
This morning, Daniel briefly mentioned something about a rival family moving in on their territory. But honestly? My mind was too preoccupied with Mary to focus on the details.
She’s at that age where she still needs us close, and with everything that’s happened, I cherish the rare mornings when we’re together, safe, even if only for a little while.
Hayden had called just minutes after we woke up, the three of us tangled in the warmth of our bed. The sound of Mary’s soft breathing beside us made everything else seem so far away, as if the world could wait for just a moment.
And yes, I understand the importance of this meeting. I know this is business, their war, their lives on the line. But could Daniel not have waited just a few more minutes?
Of course not. I know better. He couldn’t afford to wait after receiving that call. The urgency is written all over his face, his need to act immediately.
But, if I’m being honest with myself, I would’ve given anything to stay in that bubble a little longer—to feel that fleeting sense of peace, even if it was only in our small corner of the world.
I drag myself from those thoughts as Daniel steps up to speak, his gaze sweeping across the room, his eyes narrowing with purpose.
When he takes charge, the room shifts. It’s not just business anymore, it’s personal. And with him, it always has been.
“So, as some of you already know, I got a call from Hayden this morning. Apparently, some guys from the Mexican mafia decided to come into our territory and start selling their drugs to our customers,” he says with a scoff.
“And we might lose some of them. We can’t have that, right? So, we’re gonna have to take action.”
His voice carries strength, dominance, and a hint of annoyance. And though I know this is serious, God, I love when he’s like this. When he owns the room, when he’s in control.
“Well, what do we do, then?” Julian speaks up, his voice dripping with mock curiosity. I roll my eyes instantly. I can’t shake the dislike I’ve always felt for him. He’s been nothing but an asshole since I arrived.
“Good question, Julian,” Daniel replies with a smile that’s sharp, but not in a friendly way. I can’t help but wonder if they’ve bonded—how? When?
“We’re going to snatch some of them and teach them a lesson,” Daniel continues. “Sure, we could warn them first. But after everything that’s been happening lately? I’m not in the mood for warnings.”
Julian scoffs loudly. “Sounds pretty radical.”
“Honestly, Julian, it is. But it’s something they won’t expect. They’re gonna expect us to warn them. Not to strike immediately. So, does my plan still sound radical?”
“Pretty much. But you’re the boss,” Julian says, raising his hands in mock surrender, but there’s something about his smile that doesn’t sit right with me.
“Alright, most of you can leave now. Hayden, Julian, stay with me. We’ll discuss things further.”
Almost instantly, the others get up and leave without protest. They respect Daniel. They respect him because he’s earned it.
What I don’t respect right now is how Daniel allows Julian to stay while sending me out. I smile at him, but it’s forced.
When he starts talking to Hayden and Julian, I catch his eyes. Daniel’s gaze stays on me as I approach them.
“So, what’s the plan?” I ask, my smile still in place. Daniel shakes his head immediately. “You’re staying here, pretty.”
“What if you need me? What if something goes wrong and you have no one with medical knowledge?” I step closer, wrapping my arms around his neck before leaning in to kiss him.
He kisses me back, his hands finding their way to my lower back. “I’m not putting my woman in danger. You’re staying here.” Another kiss.
“But you might need me, darling.” Another kiss.
I swear I can feel Julian’s gagging next to us, and Hayden’s disapproving glance only adds to my discomfort.
Vittorio’s sharp cough catches everyone’s attention. “I appreciate the sweet behavior, really,” he says, voice cutting through the tension. “But we should start planning this before you two get too lost in each other.”
Daniel shoots him a look, not harsh, but one that’s clearly familiar. He’s used to his father’s teasing. But this time, there’s something more in Daniel’s expression.
Something deeper.
Daniel turns to me, his eyes soft for a moment. It’s an unspoken question; one I recognize well: Is this what you really want? Being here, in this world?
I nod, forcing a smile, though the situation is far from light-hearted. “I’m in this with you. You know that.”
Daniel nods. He doesn’t seem to notice the faint tint of lipstick on his lips from our kiss. I grin but say nothing more.
“Alright, so…” Daniel shifts his focus to his father. “You’re coming with us, Dad?”
Vittorio scoffs. “Why? Are you not okay with that?”
“No, I’m not saying I’m not okay with it, but… Since I’m the boss, you’ve never joined us on missions again. You’ve just stuck to paperwork and… you know.”
Vittorio rolls his eyes. “I know these guys better than all of you combined. What do you expect me to do? After Lilia’s death, I don’t have much to do here.”
He finishes with a sharp, “I’m going with you.”
Daniel shrugs. “Fine with me.”
Though Daniel doesn’t voice his concerns, I can tell he’s not completely okay with us joining them. He’s just not saying it.
He begins explaining the plan, throwing me a few glances to ensure I’m on board. I am.
The snitch is gone. That danger is over.
But this mission, against a rival? I’ll never forgive myself if something happens and I can’t help. Again.
The night is bitter cold, the kind of chill that sinks into your very bones and makes your skin ache with it. Or maybe, it’s the crushing weight of my anxiety.
We’re deep in the heart of Chicago now, a city whose shadows feel like they’re swallowing everything—everything—including my thoughts.
The air reeks of concrete and smoke, mingled with the rancid scent of something less savory. Something foul. A reminder of this city’s dark soul, the one I’ve only begun to understand.
We move through a narrow alley, the sound of the city distant, muffled, like a forgotten dream. But here, in this suffocating silence, it feels wrong. Too quiet.
The kind of quiet that makes every nerve in my body hum with tension, each step a calculated risk. The uncertainty gnaws at me because no matter how many times Daniel reassures me, tells me we’ll strike first, I don’t believe him. I can’t.
I glance at the buildings looming above, towering and silent, as if they know things I’ll never understand. They cast their long shadows down on us, stretching into every crack of the city’s concrete veins.
Daniel’s steps are steady, purposeful, his gaze sharp as it sweeps the dark corners. He’s a predator, calm and calculated. Hayden falls in sync with him, a beast in his own right, while Julian trails behind like a shadow too eager for the hunt.
And then there’s Vittorio, his eyes constantly on me. Not watching for threats. Watching me. Like he’s protecting me, the way he protected his wife, Lilia.
But all I can think about is how none of us protected her that day.
The air feels thick, like it’s pressing down on my chest, suffocating me, and I can’t breathe. This is the life they live, the one I’ve only seen from the sidelines, and I’m about to dive into it headfirst.
I stay close, my movements quieter than theirs, my hands wrapped tight around the medical kit that now feels like an ironic accessory.
Daniel insisted I carry his gun, but it’s heavy, awkward, and completely alien in my grip. I don’t belong here. I’m not built for this. I’m not a killer. I’m a nurse.
A nurse, who’s been told to carry a weapon like she’s ready to take a life. But I’d probably end up shooting myself before I could hit anyone.
“Stay behind me,” Daniel orders, his voice low and commanding, the unspoken warning clear. “Keep your head down.”
I nod, my chest tightening with every step we take. I feel like I’m suffocating, the dry air crawling down my throat, and the weight of everything pressing down on me. This isn’t me. This isn’t my world.
We turn into another alley, even narrower than the last. The kind of alley you only walk through when you’re desperate. Like I did, on the day we met.
The faint glow of streetlights barely reaches us, and the walls are slick with dampness. The stench of rotten garbage clings to the air, and all I can think about is how disgusting this city can be. How ugly it can be.
“This is where they’re hiding,” Daniel mutters, his voice barely above a whisper. His eyes flicker across the dark, scanning for any movement, any sign of life—or death.
I stay close, my heart pounding like a war drum in my chest. It’s not just fear. It’s the uncertainty—the gut-wrenching, soul-crushing uncertainty that twists my insides.
I’m not here to fight. I’m not here to kill. I’m here because I have to be. Because Daniel needs me. And maybe—maybe—I need to be here for him.
The sound of shuffling reaches my ears, and Daniel holds up a hand, signaling us to stop. My body freezes. I press back into the corner, my heart slamming against my ribcage.