Chapter Fifty-one Jennifer #2
Julian steps forward eagerly, like a dog on a leash, while Hayden stays a few paces back, his eyes scanning the surroundings with cold precision.
Daniel glances at me, and for a fleeting second, I see something soft in his gaze. Something protective, even tender. His eyes linger on mine for just a heartbeat longer than necessary, but then they harden again, and he turns back to the dark, ready for what comes next.
The plan is simple: Get in. Take out the rivals. Ensure they never threaten us again.
Three men. Three dead bodies. Quick. Efficient.
It should be simple. But it never is. Nothing is ever simple when you’re living in this world. I’ve realized this ever since I’ve been here.
A figure appears in the darkness, and Daniel moves first, his movements fluid and deadly, the kind of grace only a thousand hours of practice can give.
He pulls his gun in one smooth motion, and I can’t even blink before the first man hits the ground with a sickening thud.
The others try to harm us, but we’re faster. Hayden takes out one more, while Julian finishes the last one.
I stand back, the medical kit still clutched to my chest, my gun awkward in my hand, never aimed. I’m not meant for this. I’m not a soldier. I’m not a killer. I’m a nurse, goddamn it.
I catch Daniel’s eye for just a moment, and I see the flicker of something there—a storm of emotions too complex to unravel. He’s in his element, but there’s a question in his gaze, a silent, tortured question. Why am I here?
He doesn’t ask it, but we both know the answer. I’m here because he needs me. I’m here because, for some reason, I’m the only person he trusts. But this world? It’s not my world.
I glance at the fallen bodies, the blood pooling around them, and I wonder: what the hell am I even doing here? Why did I insist on coming?
Before I can even process the thought, I feel it. The push. The violent shove.
Vittorio. He shoves Daniel away, and my mind doesn’t register it at first, but then the sound—bang—rips through the air.
And I know. I know what this means.
“Get down,” Daniel growls, shoving me inside the warehouse, his hand gripping my arm with terrifying strength.
I crash to the floor, pain shooting up my spine, and look up at him, helpless and confused. Why? Why would he do that? Why would he push me away like that?
“Jennifer—” Hayden starts, but I’m already moving, my hands trembling as I grab my kit and rush back to Vittorio.
But it’s too late.
He’s been shot.
Vittorio. God, Vittorio.
His blood is spilling everywhere, soaking the floor, his eyes half-closed. He whispers something I don’t even hear at first.
I can’t breathe. The blood won’t stop. It’s pouring out of him like a river, and I’m losing him, just like I lost the first man.
“Daniel…” Vittorio coughs, his voice weak. But the words barely reach me.
I have to save him. I must.
But his wound—it’s too much. It’s too deep.
I press my hands to his chest, trying to stem the flow of blood, but it’s hopeless. The pulse beneath my palm is slowing, fading with every breath. I know. I know there’s nothing I can do.
But I can’t fail him. I can’t fail Daniel again.
“Jennifer...” Vittorio whispers, barely audible. His hand shakes as it reaches up to touch Daniel’s face. “Marry her. Daniel... please. Listen to your…mother.”
And just like that, the world falls apart.
I can feel my heart breaking as I look into Daniel’s eyes. He doesn’t say anything, but I know. He knows what’s coming next.
I failed again. And this time, I couldn’t save the man who protected me.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper, the words strangling in my throat.
But Daniel, ever the stone, doesn’t respond. He just stares at his father, watching him slip away.
And just like that, we’re back to square one.
We don’t know who did this.
And I don’t know how to cope with the feeling of losing someone I was supposed to save.
When I look up at Hayden and Julian, I can tell that Daniel isn’t the only one hurting.
Because although Hayden’s face stays cold, I know him just good enough to know it’s not true. He’s always like this, his face sharp, trying not to act like he’s affected. Even the first time we met, he did the same.
However, the second my gaze hits Julian? My God. This guy is done. Pure shock spreads all over his face, and if I wouldn’t know better, I’d think he’s Vittorio’s son.
I mean, technically… He is. Sort of. Vittorio has always been like a father to him, according to all the things Daniel told me.
It’s why Daniel slowly but surely is starting to get close to Julian. Because although Daniel, Andrew and Vicky are Lilia’s and Vittorio’s children by blood, they’ve taken care of Julian since he was a child.
Daniel and Julian have never liked each other ever since. But I think they’re old enough now to realize that in these times, being loyal to each other is more important than whatever childish grudge that both of them have been holding ever since the day Vittorio saved Julian.
“We should head home soon,” Hayden cuts through the silence.
And while others would see him as an asshole for interrupting this moment, all of us know he’s right.
We should leave as soon as possible, so no other accidents happen.
“Right,” Daniel responds, getting up. His knees almost give out, but before he falls back down, I make sure to hold him. He flashes me with a thankful smile before looking at Hayden for help.
It’s obvious that we need to take Vittorio with us. But judging by Julian’s traumatized expression, I don’t think he’s going to be of any help.
So, instead of complaining, I help Hayden carry Vittorio’s now limp body all the way back to the vehicle.
“Hayden?” I whisper after we close the door of the car. He looks at me, a small hint of remorse in his expression.
“Something wrong?” he asks.
I sigh. “How do you manage to stay sane after seeing all those… dead bodies?”
His expression immediately shifts to guilt. “Jennifer, you… You didn’t have to be here. Just say the word, and Daniel will never include you in any of this again. He can find someone else to take care of medical emergencies if you’re having trouble with this.”
I shake my head. “I don’t want to stop, just… I don’t know how to deal with all of this.”
“Have you told Daniel?”
No. Not really, at least.
“I think he has enough on his plate already, Hayden.”
He scoffs in disbelief. “Of course he fucking does. But he loves you. He’d do anything for you. Even if he’s feeling like shit. You know that, don’t you?”
I gulp. Hayden’s right.
Still, I don’t want to give him one more thing to worry about.
He’s in enough pain already.