The Enforcer or The Mafia Prince

Chapter 3

The alarm clock went off at 6 AM, scaring the hell out of Jessica, who had briefly forgotten where she was until memories from the night before came rushing back with depressing clarity. Once she turned the clock off, she sat there for a while, reconsidering attending class. After everything that had happened last night, she wasn't sure she felt like it. She stood up and began to shuffle toward the kitchen for a glass of water, hoping to find medicine for the headache she felt blossoming above her left eye. She was shocked to see Mr. Hamil sitting at the dining table with the newspaper and a cup of coffee, appearing as though he'd gotten a whole night's sleep. Jessica was annoyed that Declan didn't acknowledge her when she entered the room. Thinking he was rude, she didn't pay him any mind and began searching for a glass.

"They're to your right, just above the Keurig." Mr. Hamil stated, not bothering to look up as he turned the page. Jessica just shot him a glance and took a glass out of the cabinet before pressing it against the water dispenser in the refrigerator door. He continued, "There's coffee if you'd like some. I've also been informed you prefer Earl Grey in the morning, so we have that as well." Again, Declan didn't look up as he spoke, irritating Jessica further. He wasn't looking at her but knew what she wanted, what she liked, how he knew Jessica wasn't sure, and he was flipping through the paper so quickly she wondered if he was even reading it. "If you have something to say, say it. I don't like being stared at." Declan's gravelly voice woke Jessica up from her stupor.

"How do you know I like tea instead of coffee?" Jessica began with the first, most complicated question. Declan finally looked up at her and frowned. He hated lying but couldn't tell her the entire truth, so he settled on a version of the truth. "I've known your father for a long time; he's mentioned it before." Not sure if she believed him, Jessica simply nodded and asked her second question. "Are you looking for something or simply flipping through the paper?" This question confused Declan; why would she care what he was doing with the paper?

"I'm reading it," Declan responded incredulously.

"It doesn't seem like it since you're only flipping through it." Jessica knew her tone sounded harsher than she'd meant. Still, her irritation and exhaustion had removed any drive she may have had to be courteous, let alone civil.

"I can read rather fast," looking back up at her, Declan guessed she probably didn't sleep well. "You need to get dressed. Tristan will be here soon to escort you to class." She realized she was still in her clothes from yesterday. Draining her glass of water, Jessica set the empty glass on the counter toward Declan. She announced, "I'm not going today. I don't feel well."

"That's not an option. You have to attend your classes as though everything is normal." He went back to reading and turned the page again.

"I feel a migraine coming on; I've barely slept. Attending class will not benefit me any more than staying here. I can get my notes from a classmate. That is, I can if you give me back my phone." Jessica looked directly at Declan as she spoke, slowing her rant every second she gazed at him. In the chaos of last night, Jessica had yet to give him a good look. He was tall and much younger than she had thought initially. Mr. Hamil was closer to her age now that she was seeing him properly. His head was bald but showed signs of stubble, as though he chose to shave it, and his very chiseled face was clean-shaven. He set the paper on the table and stood to walk towards her. Jessica's breath caught in her throat. He was tall, almost a foot taller than her, and looked muscular. Without his suit jacket, Jessica could tell Declan was built; his black button-down stretched to accommodate his broad shoulders. She had stopped breathing when he finally reached her and looked down at her with the most intense eyes she'd ever seen. Declan had maintained a polite distance, but she felt utterly engulfed by him.

"That's not an option. You're going to class; get dressed. I'll make you something to eat." It wasn't a request or suggestion. It was a command.

"Okay, fine," she thought as she struggled to regain her breath. She would go to class. She only had two this morning and could be back in bed by one this afternoon. Without speaking, Jessica ducked around the man, returned to her room, and started the shower. She tied up her hair to prevent it from getting wet and did a perfunctory washdown; there was no way she was in the mood to wash it today. Usually, Jessica would wear makeup and dress up for class, but not today. She picked out a pair of gray leggings and a loose-fitting purple top. Jessica was fit and didn't need to cover up, but she did not want to encourage anyone to look at her. She was going to class and coming back. She repeated that phrase like a mantra: "Go to class and come back. Go to class and come back." Once she was at least clean and in fresh clothes, she strode back into the main room with her backpack and set it down next to the glass dining table. Needing another glass of water, she didn't sit but returned to the kitchen. Sitting on the island that separated the kitchen from the dining room was a glass of water and a bottle of Advil.

"Is this for me, Mr. Hamil?" she questioned Declan with a grateful look.

"You have a headache. Take it and sit down. Breakfast is almost ready." Jessica took the bottle and the glass and sat down at the table. She took a couple of tablets out and chased them with water just as Declan sat a plate of scrambled eggs and dry toast in front of her. She felt uncomfortable and didn't want to seem unappreciative. "Mr. Hamil, thank you for making breakfast, but I don't eat eggs. I'm -"

Declan cut her off, "Vegan, I know. Those aren't real eggs. They're a soy product that Tristan had recommended." Jessica didn't bother asking how they knew and just began eating. She was grateful the toast was dry; her stomach was slightly stressed, so she didn't want to eat anything too heavy. Declan sat all the way at the other end of the table, across from her. She kept glancing at him, feeling oddly lonely now that he was so far away.

"I told you to stop staring at me," Declan said, again reading the paper and not looking at her. Before she could say anything, the door beeped, announcing Tristan's arrival.

He sat next down next to her, "Good morning, Jessica. Did you sleep well?" It was like she'd been hit over the head with her Comparative Politics textbook. Good God, how is it legal for someone to look that good? Tristan couldn't be more different from Declan but was just as handsome. He was lean and a few inches taller than her. He had dark, thick-styled hair and dark blue eyes. His jaw was sharp, but his features were softer and more ... beautiful. Her throat was dry, and she struggled to swallow her food before answering.

"I -I slept fine," she responded nervously.

"She's lying. She looked like hell before you got here," Declan didn't even bother looking up at Tristan. Jessica supposed it was just a habit of his not to look at people when speaking to them, but, damn it, did he have to say that just now?

Jessica glared at Declan as Tristan responded, "Well, that's to be expected after last night, but I bet you still looked pretty. We should go soon. I don't want you to be late." It was already 7 AM, and Jessica knew he was correct. She stood up and began to put her plate away when Tristan gently grabbed her hand, "Don't worry about it; someone will be around to pick it up shortly." He smiled at her.

"Okay," Jessica hadn't realized more people would be around the apartment. Still, she guessed that men like Mr. O'Sullivan and Mr. Hamil didn't clean up after themselves. "I'll brush my teeth, then we can head out," stammered Jessica. She needed a moment to breathe. Both men were incredibly sexy, not that Jessica wanted to find them attractive. She stood in front of the mirror, absentmindedly brushing her teeth. Jessica was nowhere near close to having processed her feelings from last night and had just added 'confused' to the top of the list.

Declan was relieved when Tristan arrived that morning. Even having just woken up and wearing her clothes from last night, Jessica looked gorgeous. He kept thinking about her messy brown hair, how it tumbled down her back, and how her body seemed to glide when she walked. She hadn't had an easy life from what he knew. Regardless, somehow Jessica carried herself differently from other young women her age. Yet, those eyes, her bright green eyes that stood out against her tan skin, captivated him. He kept trying to avoid them as she stared at him over breakfast. He couldn't imagine why she was doing it, but it made him feel awkward. He could breathe a little better when Tristan got there since it was immediately apparent how attracted Jessica was to him. They weren't stupid; when she left the room to brush her teeth, both men just grinned at each other.

"Well, that should make things easier, boss. She thinks you're hot, at least." Declan laughed at Tristan.

"I couldn't care less, but you're right. It will make things easier. Did Jessica say anything after I left last night?"

"I didn't give her a chance. I showed her around and then left her in her room. Leaving her to her thoughts after everything last night seemed the best course of action."

"You know, " Tristan grabbed the last triangle of dry toast from Jessica's plate and started munching on it while staring at his friend, "Dad wants to meet her later."

Declan visibly blanched, then hastily whispered, "Do you think that's such a good idea? I mean, she just got here."

"I know," Tristan groaned with his mouth full, "but you know how he is. I think he wants to get a feel for her before finalizing his decision. I don't think he will tell her anything just yet." That assumption was enough to calm Declan. He'd agreed with the boss's plan but thought Jessica would have fewer reasons to go against it if they were tactful.

Standing up, Declan motioned to the entrance, "Well, that makes me feel better. We should head to the door. She'll be ready in a moment."

"I guess it's time to put my face on again, then," Tristan murmured. He wasn't interested in the girl, but a little kindness went a long way. Declan was right about that.

When she left her room, both men stood in the entranceway waiting for her. She could see they were very comfortable with each other and wondered just how close they were. However, when Mr. Hamil wore his suit jacket, and the mood instantly turned cold. They'd gone from friends, or so it seemed, to boss and employee with a single action. She was in awe of the transformation and could feel the energy in the room change.

When they arrived at the entrance for Mr. Dunn to pick them up, Tristan held the door open for Jessica again as they got into the car. Jimmy had brought it around and already had the temperature just right. Tristan hated getting in the car when it was too hot or cold for the day. Once confident that Jessica was comfortably situated, he walked around and sat beside her again. "Jessica, may I please see your hand?" Tristan asked her with a brilliant smile. Jessica was reluctant. Why did he want her hand? She didn't want this guy touching her, no matter how pretty he was.

"Please? I have something for you," Tristan's puppy-dog eyes made her heart race. Curious, she angled her body towards him and held out her right hand. Tristan opened a small box from his coat pocket, pulled out a thin silver bangle with a delicate star, and placed it around her wrist. "There we go; it looks lovely on you."

"What's this?" questioned Jessica.

"It's a bracelet I thought you might like," replied Tristan.

"I know what it is. What I mean is, why are you giving me a bracelet? I don't normally wear jewelry on my hands." Tristan hoped Jessica couldn't feel the atmosphere in the car change. Her question shouldn't have been asked, yet she couldn't stop herself. He was not used to being questioned; his father's men knew better than to challenge him. Trying to get her to like him would be tough if he couldn't handle her constant inquiries.

"Well, for one, I thought it'd be nice to give you a present. Second, that star is a GPS monitor. We can't risk losing you, can we? You're too special for that. Besides, it'd be strange to have someone following you around campus. That wouldn't be keeping up the norm, now would it?" Tristan smiled as he talked to Jessica, but it didn't reach his eyes. He was trying so hard not to be rude, but he didn't feel like dealing with her if she were upset. Plus, she was smart and an adult; she should know that someone like Declan following her around like a babysitter would seem peculiar. Jessica stared at the bangle for a moment before looking up at Tristan. He could tell she was torn but wasn't sure if it was about him or the bracelet, though he didn't much care. Tristan held her hand and tried to calm himself down. He leaned toward her, placing his free hand over hers, "It does look good on you; please wear it. I think you'd be much more comfortable than the alternative."

Still somewhat uncomfortable, Jessica responded, "Thank you. You're right. I appreciate you thinking of me." Tristan was curious to know if she meant it. They were already pulling up to a road near the campus. He exited the car and walked around to let her out onto the sidewalk. "We're a block south; you can leave from here. Having the car drop you off directly would draw attention. This is the safest location you can walk from and be fine. You have time before class starts, and we're not far at all from the social sciences department. We'll be back around noon to pick you up."

Tristan was pleasantly surprised when Jessica got out of the car and thanked them for the ride to class rather than arguing. Once Jessica had left, Declan told his boss, "Sir, we need to attend to your schedule this morning. First, you have a meeting with a developer near the rail yard. Later, we have to be in Chinatown by 10:45 for a quick product pick up." Tristan watched Jessica walk away, her messy bun bouncing on top of her head, wondering what she was thinking.

"That's correct. Thank you, Declan. Jimmy, let's get a move on. " Tristan didn't see Declan glance out his window, taking a quick look at Jessica himself.