Chapter Fifty-two Daniel
Chapter Fifty-two
Daniel
My eyes focus on the shooting target in front of me. I hate that we’re at this point. At this low point. But I have to do what a caring boyfriend should do at this point—teach Jennifer how to shoot.
It could’ve been the Mexicans, yes. But I truly feel like it wasn’t them. Julian mentioned how maybe, just maybe, they would’ve known we were coming—but why’d they shoot?
They were in our territory. Besides, why the fuck would they start a war? They never did. We’ve never been enemies.
Though, we’ve never been allies, either. But the Mexicans have been allies with the Russians.
And Yuri? When I called him this morning, he said he would’ve known if they planned something.
This couldn’t have been them. But I killed my uncle. He was behind all this. Right? Everyone agreed with me on that.
Fuck. Just when I thought it’s over, all of this bullshit starts again.
I sigh, leaning onto the metal bars. Jesus. I seriously need a vacation. But I can’t let my family down. I can’t leave now.
Jennifer steps away to the small room next to the target shooting range, the one where we keep the other guns—away from the main practice area. She’s determined to get this right.
I watch her go, hoping she doesn’t take too long.
I can’t let her be out there in this kind of world unprepared. Not after everything that’s happened.
She’s trying her best to be strong, but I can’t shake the feeling that she’s in over her head. I need her to understand what’s at stake, but I also need to make sure she knows what she’s doing.
Yes, I want to teach her. But fuck, I also don’t want her to overestimate herself.
A few moments later, Jennifer’s voice calls out, sounding uncertain. “Which one was it again?” Seconds later, she comes right back, looking at me with confusion.
I walk over to the counter where we keep the most important weapons, picking up a Glock 19 and turning it in my hands.
“Here,” I say, handing it to her. “This is the one you need to find, okay? Glock 19. It’s compact, easy to handle, and a reliable gun for anyone. Even for you.”
I pause, looking at her, hoping she’s taking in what I’m saying. She nods slowly, taking the gun and inspecting it.
“See this?” I point to the slide. “This part moves when you pull the trigger. When you load it, make sure there’s a round in the chamber.”
I show her the magazine and explain how to load it. “The grip is slim, so it’ll fit comfortably in your hand, especially since yours are small. You just need to get used to the weight. It’s not too heavy, but it has enough punch to stop a threat.”
She nods again, clearly taking it all in. Fuck, that’s it. My smart, pretty woman.
She steps back, the gun held loosely in her hands, yet she’s still unsure.
I smile a little, trying to ease her nerves. “You’ll do fine. You just have to keep calm and steady. That’s the key with a gun like this.”
She looks at the Glock one last time, then glances back at me. “Alright. I’ll be right back!”
“Hopefully with the right one.” I grin at her. Her soft giggles back off the walls as she heads toward the small room next door.
It’ll still be the same as the one from the counter, however, it’s going to be a fully loaded one.
We need that for her training. I’m sure she’s not gonna get it right the first few times, but the more she learns, the better she will get.
As I wait for her, I lean back against the counter, feeling the weight of everything that’s happened. The sudden responsibility, the loss of my father, and now this—having to teach Jennifer how to protect herself.
I’m so damn tired.
But before I can sink too deep back into my self-destroying thoughts, I hear footsteps behind me.
I stop in my movements the second cold metal meets the back of my head.
No. It wasn’t my uncle. It wasn’t the Mexicans either. But I know that if I turn around now, I’m going to find out.
The stranger’s presence is suffocating, a reminder that nothing stays calm for long in our world. I don’t turn to face them, but I know they’re standing just behind me.
The stranger sounds quite familiar, though. Too fucking familiar.
“You look like shit,” Julian says, his voice carrying that smug tone I’ve grown so used to hearing. “You’re not even looking at me. Something wrong, Daniel?”
I can feel the tension building between us. “Not now, Julian. I don’t have time for your games. I have to teach Jennifer to protect herself.”
But Julian’s not the type to leave well enough alone. “You’re always busy, aren’t you? You think I’m here for small talk? Maybe it’s time to talk about your future. After all, the Caruso name isn’t what it used to be. Am I wrong?”
I stay silent, feeling the pressure rise. Julian’s always been the manipulative type, but this? This feels different.
It’s not the normal teasing. Not the bantering I’m used to. Not the hate that we’ve shared since we’ve been kids.
No. Fuck, no. This is much more than that. And if it’s what I’m actually thinking of, then I swear to God, I’m gonna bury that bastard six feet under in just a few hours.
And trust me, this motherfucker will not get to rest under an elegant graveyard stone. He’ll rest beneath my next fucking mansion, a sign for my next enemies to not fuck with me.
He moves closer, just enough for me to feel his breath right behind the cold metal of the gun still sticking to the back of my head. I don’t move, but I’m waiting for the right moment to turn around.
“Don’t even think about it,” Julian whispers, his voice low and threatening.
I freeze, barely breathing. The gun presses harder against me. This isn’t just some bluff. I know Julian. He’s not afraid to make things real.
And now that I’m his enemy, he’s making things fucking real.
“You really think you’re still in control here?” Julian says, his voice dripping with contempt.
“You’ve always been in over your head, haven’t you? Losing your father, killing your uncle. You thought it was over, but it’s just beginning.”
I bite down on my jaw, refusing to give him the satisfaction of seeing my reaction.
“I’m going to take this from you, Daniel. Everything you thought you had—it’s all mine now. Wanna know what happens once you’re dead?” He laughs. He fucking laughs.
“I’m going to kill this pretty woman of yours. And then? Guess, what happens then?”
My lips stay sealed. I do my best not to turn around and throw my fist into his ugly face.
Him threatening me and making fun of my mistakes? Yeah, that’s bad enough.
But talking about killing her? The love of my life?
Yeah, haha. No. He can do that in his mind, once he’s dead. But right here, right now? He’s not gonna do shit.
If he even thinks about touching my soon-to-be-wife, I’m going to do everything to him he’s ever seen in his worst nightmare.
Wrong. I’m gonna be his worst fucking nightmare, just for talking about my woman like that.
Disrespectful piece of shit.
I hear Jennifer’s footsteps approaching again, and I feel the pressure of the moment grow heavier. She’s walking back into a trap, and I can’t stop it. Not right now.
Before I can do anything, the door of the small room opens.
God, no. Please leave. She has to leave. What if I’m the reason she’s gonna die? Jesus. I couldn’t forgive myself. Even if I were to die, too.
“Daniel?” Jennifer calls softly, her voice full of concern.
I don’t want her to be in a situation like this again. She’s been through so much already, why does she have to be here with me?
My pretty princess. I’m so sorry.
She freezes when she sees Julian standing behind me with the gun still pressed against my skull. From the corner of my eyes, I can see her gaze dart to the gun in his hand, and for a moment, it feels like time stops.
Julian just laughs as he turns around.
I hate that I didn’t keep a gun in my hand. I could’ve fucked him over so quickly. But without any weapons? I’d be dead within seconds.
Right now, I feel like the only thing I can do is wait for my death. For our death. I feel hopeless.
Like nothing I can do will get us out of this unharmed. All because of this fucking traitor.
“Daniel, my beloved brother.”
I roll my eyes at his words. My God. Whatever he wants to say, it’s fucking enough—
“So, it’s you?” I ask. My voice is cold, fully in control. When in reality, I’m fucking terrified.
I have never feared something, or someone—but today, it finally happens. I hate that I’m giving Julian the satisfaction of being able to be the first one to achieve this.
“Of course it’s me. Took you long enough, honestly”, he chuckles behind me. When he pushes the gun further into my skull, I moan in pain. God. It fucking hurts.
Would it hurt if he’d shoot me right through the head? Would I even notice? Or would it be over quicker before I’d even realize anything?
A pained groan escapes my lips when my knees hit the floor. This asshole just made me fall onto my knees.
Jesus. I want to kill him. How the fuck did he—
Shit. This can’t happen. This has to be a nightmare… It wasn’t him. It wasn’t my uncle…
I killed someone innocent. I killed someone innocent.
A sharp laugh escapes me, bitter and empty. My eyes lock onto the floor as the weight of it settles in. "Are you fucking serious?" My voice is hoarse, like it’s been ripped from my throat.
Julian clicks his tongue. "What's wrong? Got the wrong guy? Aw. I'm so sorry."
His voice makes me physically ill. Each word he spits out twists my stomach, a sickness creeping into my bones. I want to throw up right here, on this cold concrete floor.
I turn my head just slightly—just enough to catch Jennifer in my periphery. But the second our eyes meet, I look away. Fuck, I can’t.
She’s terrified.
She should be.
I should tell her to leave. I should be protecting her. But I don’t. I can’t. Not with Julian here.
The same bastard who tried to get my father to start a fucking sex-trafficking business. The same one who would do anything to win, no matter the cost.