Chapter Fifty-two Daniel #2
"But... all the signs pointed at him." My voice is quieter now, tinged with disbelief. "You’re fucking with me, aren’t you? That wasn’t all you. You don’t have that much power—"
Pain explodes through my back before I even register the movement. His boot connects with my back hard, and I fold forward onto my hands and knees, a grunt ripping from my lips.
Fuck.
That shit hurts. The audacity this bastard has.
"I paid a few guys to set this up." His voice is smug, laced with amusement. "Didn’t see that one coming, did you, Caruso?"
I swallow down the pain, forcing myself to breathe. The silence stretches, pressing in on my ribs like a vice.
"Who did you pay?" I finally ask.
Julian hums like he’s enjoying this. His foot presses down, nearly shoving my face into the floor. The weight is suffocating. I can’t see where his gun is aimed at.
It better be on me. If he’s pointing it at her…
I swear to God. I’m gonna kill him.
I’ll come back from the dead and murder this piece of shit.
"The guys who killed your dear Roy? Yeah, that was me," he laughs. "Oh, and the guy who tried to kill you? What a fucking surprise, right? Did I scare you that day? Did it terrify you?”
Another wave of pain flares in my spine, and I bite back a groan.
It did terrify me. But I’m not going to fucking tell him that. I’m not giving him that satisfaction.
"That, my dear brother..." He leans in closer, his breath hot against my ear. "That was me too. Now, guess who paid the guy you tortured to give you the wrong name, Daniel!"
I don’t answer. If I would, I’d end up throwing up.
Because he disgusts me, and because of him, I disgust myself.
I’m so sorry, uncle. I am so sorry.
Please don’t hate me. Take care of mom for me, will you?
But just… Don’t hate me. Please, I’m begging you.
Julian clicks his tongue. "Come on. It’s so easy, Daniel."
My lips stay shut.
"You’re so fucking boring." He sighs dramatically. "Of course, that was me as well."
A scoff leaves my throat, the only defiance I have left. "Let me guess. The one who killed my mother? And my father? That was you too, wasn’t it?"
Julian lets out an exaggerated sigh. "My god. So emotional."
"You’re a psychopath, Julian."
"Why? Because I’m not crying over two people? Jesus, I’m just not a pussy."
"They loved you," I grit out. "You were like a fourth child to them—and you just fucking betray them, like they meant nothing to you?"
He mutters something under his breath before speaking louder. "Well, I didn’t mean to get Vitto killed. He was like a dad to me, you know. But he just had to protect you. His loss. You were never good enough; he should’ve just let you die."
My body stiffens. My breathing slows. "Are you fucking kidding me? I’m his son. He would never—"
Another sharp kick.
Behind me, I hear a wince. A small, quiet sound.
Jennifer.
God, please no. Just run away, baby. Please…
I don’t look at her. I can’t. I fucking can’t.
I’m failing her.
I can’t protect her.
I couldn’t protect Roy.
I couldn’t protect Lorenzo.
I couldn’t protect my mom, my dad…
What kind of man does that make me?
"Daniel, come on. It was unfair of you to be boss, agree with me on that," Julian says.
"Why the fuck would that be unfair? I’m the heir."
"I’m older than you."
I bark out a laugh, sharp and bitter. "So what? You’ll never be part of my family. I already told you, I am his son. And you? You were a piece of shit without a family to take care of you."
The room goes silent. More silent than before.
I almost laugh at that.
“My dad only took you in because he felt bad for you. He never loved you, Julian.”
I hit a fucking nerve.
I’m glad I did. He deserves to know my father would never love him.
Even if my parents would be alive, if he would’ve succeeded in killing me—they’d never forgive him.
They love me. But him?
God, they could never love him.
He’s a heartless psycho who doesn’t deserve to be loved.
"I’ve always been part of your family," Julian says, his voice quieter now.
"You really think my family still wants you after all this shit you’ve done?" I snarl. "You really think so?"
"Andrew will—"
"Andrew will never fucking forgive you for killing both his parents and his brother. Even if you two are close now, he’s never gonna forgive you. I’m his brother, after all.”
Julian’s breathing quickens. The air shifts.
"Then I just have to make sure he never finds out."
A pit forms in my stomach. The weight of everything crashes over me.
I should have seen it coming.
All of it.
My uncle. My parents. Roy.
Even the ones I thought were untouchable.
I failed them all.
They trusted me. I let them down.
My father told me I’d be a good boss, and all along, I failed.
And the worst part?
Julian knows.
This bastard was driven by jealousy. He got four of the people closest to me killed. And I let him. I let him get too close, let myself believe I could control everything—including him.
But in the end, it wasn’t just him.
It was my blindness.
I let them die.
Now, they’re all gone. And I’ll never get the chance to make things right.
Every single one of them deserved better. Someone who would have seen the truth before it was too late.
But that person wasn’t me.
And I’ll have to live with that for the rest of my life.
A soft sound—footsteps. Someone stepping forward.
My breath hitches.
The only person who could be moving right now is…
Jennifer.
Fuck.
No.
No, no, no—
Why isn’t she running away?
Why isn’t she getting help while he’s focused on me?
I snap my head up. Julian does the same.
She’s holding up the Glock 19. After countless tries, she got the right one.
And fuck me—she’s aiming it right at Julian.
My eyes widen.
Jesus, no. She can’t do this.
She has no fucking idea how to shoot. She’s either going to miss, and he’ll kill her instantly—
Or she’ll hit me.
Either way, she should have stayed out of this.
But she doesn’t look scared.
She looks determined.
Her hands don’t shake. She doesn’t hesitate.
She lifts the gun with perfect precision, like she was fucking born for this.
No training. No preparation.
Just sheer, reckless confidence.
Lord, have mercy. This woman...
“Let my man go,” she says, her voice sharp but steady.
It makes me want to run to her and kiss her. Fuck her, even. She’s so hot when she’s confident.
But I’m worried. Not because I think she can’t handle this. Not because I think women can’t be strong—but if Julian can fuck me up, he can fuck her up as well.
And I would never want that for my pretty girl. I want her safe. Away from all of this.
… I don’t think she wants the same right now.
Julian laughs, his smirk widening as he turns to face her. “And what are you going to do about it, sweetheart? Shoot me, hm? With what experience are you gonna use that?”
Jennifer’s grip tightens on the Glock, her fingers firm around the handle. “I said—let him go.”
Julian chuckles, but when I finally get the courage to look back at him, there’s a flash of doubt in his eyes. He knows Jennifer’s serious now. He knows she means it.
Julian might think women can’t be strong, that they’re only good for business when it comes to sex trafficking.
But Jesus, he truly looks scared. I’ve never seen this bastard fearing a woman.
She’s not just any woman. She’s my woman. And I know she’s strong.
I’m just… Worried. I need her to be safe, at all times. Even when she feels like she has to be strong.
Regardless, she’s the one protecting me right now. And if that doesn’t show her love for me, I don’t know what will. Seriously.
Just a few days ago she looked at me in terror when I killed somebody. And today?
Today she looks like she’s about to kill someone for me.
He doesn’t move for a second, but then—without warning—Jennifer pulls the trigger.
The sound of the gunshot is deafening, but there’s no mistaking what just happened. Julian crumples to the ground, lifeless.
His body hits mine for a second before I move, still on my knees, staring at him struggling.
But God. There’s so much fucking blood flowing out of his neck, I really doubt he’s gonna survive that.
Preferably because Jennifer’s gonna refuse to help him. She never refuses to help.
But him? Who’d help a psycho like him?
Definitely not my girl. Because she knows where her loyalty is.
And they’re right by me. Forever, no matter what.
God, I need to get my ring on her finger asap. It’s been only a few months since I’ve laid eyes on her, and she’s already driving me insane.
She always did.
My pretty girl stands there, her hands still shaking slightly but her expression unwavering. I can’t fucking believe it.
She just saved my life.
I turn to her, trying to find the words. “Pretty…”
She lowers the Glock, her voice soft but full of certainty. “You’re mine, Daniel. And I’m not letting anyone hurt you again. Especially not this piece of shit.”
I don’t know what to say. All I can do is kneel there, in awe of her strength.
And for the first time in days, I feel like I can finally breathe again.
Because I finally know that all of this is over. All of it.
Because the other times, I’ve been worried sick about our future. These times, in the back of my mind, I knew this wouldn’t be the end. But right now, right here?
I know she just put an end to all of the fucking drama that’s been happening.
She’s my Savior. My fucking savior, all mine.
All this drama started when I’ve met her, and yet, she’s the one to end it. I always felt the need to protect her, to care for her—
But deep down, I’ve always known she’s a much stronger woman than I expected her to be.
“Mia principessa… You—how did you manage to shoot him? You had no practice, I—”
She shrugs. “I mean, I’ve seen you do it, and… I know where to shoot. I mean, I studied all this.”
Her fingers are trembling, but she’s acting tough. She’s always done this.
Acting like it doesn’t affect her, when we both know it does. It brings back all the memories of the day we met.
And now that she’s the one who to shoot, I can’t even imagine how she must feel. I don’t know if she felt like she had to do it, if she felt forced to help me, but what I do know is that I’ll forever be grateful for her.
My body finally allows itself to relax, a loud sigh the only thing I can let go of right now. “Pretty, I’m so fucking glad you’re a nurse.”
She smiles at me before she slowly walks toward me, getting on her knees right next to me.
“Are you okay, sweetheart?”
I just grin at the nickname. Anytime she treats me this gently, I feel the sudden urge to make her mine. All mine.
And trust me, I definitely will. Soon.
“Are you okay, my pretty girl?”
She nods. “I think so.”
“You just killed somebody for me, baby.”
Before I can continue, she scoffs. “I’d feel guilty if it wasn’t for this asshole. I never liked him.”
I smile. “You’re right, pretty. No time to feel guilty. Not when it comes to him.” I let out a sigh when I take her hand into mine. “Let’s go talk to Hayden, alright?”
Jennifer nods instantly, her grip on my hand tightening gently.
I slowly get on my knees with her help, but when I walk towards the door, she lets go of my hand and kneels down next to Julian.
“Something wrong?” I ask.
She shakes her head, her fingers slowly reaching up towards his neck. “Just feeling his pulse to make sure he’s really dead.”
Her fingers change positions several times, but then finally, she grins before she gets up. “I really killed somebody for you, you know?” She keeps the gun in her hand before she steps right over his lifeless body, walking right toward me.
Fuck, she’s so hot acting all tough like this. I’ve never seen her in so much control, but God, I want that woman to be mine forever.
My hand reaches out for hers,
“Ready to put an end to all of this, Daniel?”
“So ready, you should know that. Where are we going for vacation, pretty? I need that.”
I don’t mention how our first and our next vacation will 100% be our honeymoon.
Because she? She just murdered that bastard for me. To save me. And although I knew this before she did that, I want to marry her even more badly now.
Fuck, she’s the only woman I’ve ever truly loved—and if I don’t get to marry her, I might drive myself insane.
But I know that won’t happen. Because her killing Julian in order to save me, the way she looked into my eyes right after Julian dropped down to the floor, it made me realize just how much she truly loves me.
And fuck, I love her so goddamn much more.