The Enforcer or The Mafia Prince

Chapter 42

A small crowd of reporters swarmed the entrance of the condo. Gia drove around the city while Jess and Tristan argued about what to do.

"We need to get inside. Let's park in the garage," Tristan proposed.

"No. If there are people in the garage, then it looks like we're hiding."

"But we're not hiding."

"We know that. No one else does."

"If we march through that crowd, someone could sneak up and hurt you," Tristan worried. He couldn't bare the thought of Jess getting hurt because of him.

"If we walk through the garage, we could get ambushed anyway. We should walk through the crowd, hand in hand, smiling. It's a show of strength."

"f**k strength, Jess. What if someone pushes the crowd and hits you?"

"Excuse me," Gia piped up from the driver's seat. "What if we pick up two of our men at a meeting point? One of them can drive. The other can help me protect you two as we get inside. Tristan, you don't have to worry about Jess's safety. Jess, you can put on the show you want."

"I like that idea. Plus, I need you to come with me. I have things to discuss with you later, Gia," Jessica agreed.

"Okay, fine. I put a call out and see who's where."

Half an hour later, Gia pulled the car over and hopped in the back seat with Jess and Tristan. A driver and another bodyguard sat in the front. They would pull up to the entrance so that the bodyguard in the passenger seat would hold the door open for Gia. Gia would lead the way inside with Jessica behind her. Tristan would follow Jessica. The bodyguard would bring up the rear. The driver would wait in the parking garage for two security guards to escort him from the car to the building. That last instruction was from Jessica. She would not permit someone to get hurt while they were protecting her if she could prevent it. Rick was out of the hospital but had yet to return to work. That incident still haunted Jess.

The car pulled in front of the building. As soon as the doors opened, the reporters shouted questions at the adulterous couple.

"Tristan! Is it true you dumped Sophia?"

"Tristan, did you date Sophia to attack Liam Ryan?"

"Jessica, over here!"

"Jess, are you ashamed for your role in ruining Tristan's and Sophia's relationship?"

The clamorous atmosphere intimidated Jessica. She'd never involved herself in something like this. Jess steeled herself to the comments and reached for Tristan's hand. The couple shared what looked like a sweet smile as they stepped out of the car. The crowd's excitement rose. They watched as Tristan and Jessica doubled down on the rumors surrounding them. They didn't even have the decency to look ashamed. They didn't care that they hurt another woman and ruined her marriage.

Everyone could feel the enmity wafting from the crowd. Tristan's fears proved reasonable. Some of the less established "journalists" began pushing forward. A wave went through the crowd, squeezing in on the group. Jessica felt claustrophobic but didn't falter. Someone had locked the rotating door, so they had to angle for the side door near it. It took several minutes, but they made it into the lobby without injury. The reporters could follow no further. As the doors closed and shut out the sound from outside, Jessica took a breath. She didn't turn around to look at them. Tristan placed a hand on her lower back and escorted her to the elevator bank.

Tristan knocked on his father's door. Once inside, an assistant ushered Jess and Tristan into the study.

"What is going on?" Ciaran spoke through his teeth. Furious at the commotion outside. "What are these pictures?"

Jessica explained running into Liam Ryan the previous weekend. Jessica impressed Ciaran with her quick thinking. In under an hour, Jessica was presented with a crisis, and she'd already found a resolution.

"So, we have the pictures and your plan. How do you want to continue?"

"It feels distasteful that it's St. Patrick's Day, and we're doing this. Not to mention it's freezing outside. But, Tristan, grab your swimsuit and meet me on the roof. Ciaran, can you have a few social media team members meet us as well? I want everyone upstairs in 30 minutes."

"I can do that," Ciaran didn't like being ordered around by someone else. Yet, he was curious to see hows Jessica handled the situation.

The rooftop circus looked ridiculous. Ciaran and five of his associates were waiting for Jessica and Tristan to arrive. Each one was in a coat and hat. Jess and Tristan waltzed onto the roof wearing a red bikini and a pair of swim trunks. Jessica struggled to hide how sexy she found Tristan.

"Okay," Jessica addressed the group, shivering. "Tristan and I are going to get into the hot tub. Who is in charge of filming?"

"I am," a red-headed boy raised his hand. "I'm Charlie."

"Hi, Charlie. Thank you for your help today. I want you to get a few shots of Tristan and me kissing in the pool and playing around. It's sunny right now. You'll have good light. I also need you to capture a thirty-second clip of us. Sounds good?"

"Seems simple enough. It'll take a few tries to get the right shot. Especially since we're using a camera phone, and we'll need to do some edits after."

"That's fine. You'll give us time to do part two of my plan."

"Is anyone else from marketing around? A social media manager would be helpful, too."

Two women approached Jessica. One was the social media manager, and the other was the marketing manager. Together the girls came up with a few pose ideas and a background story for what they were doing. Tristan and Jess spent almost an hour in the hot tub. Any time they were out of the water, the wind made their skin feel like ice. Once the camera guy and the managers got enough to work with, everyone rushed back inside.

"Tristan, go change into something semi-formal. Like we're announcing an engagement, but more relaxed," Jessica instructed. "Ciaran, thank you so much for your help so far. You're welcome to join us in the condo. We have one more thing to do. Would you please rush Laurie and Hailey over?" Intrigued, Ciaran agreed.

"Charlie, do you have someone to film us while you edit the footage from upstairs?"

"Sure do. I'll send the other Charlie over to help."

"There are two Charlies?"

"Sure are. My coworker is a girl. She's an intern we hired for the semester. She'll be able to help."

"Thank you."

The first group departed to edit the footage of Jess and Tristan in the hot tub. Laurie and Hailey rushed to Jess's condo.

"Hey, girls," Jessica chirped. "I'm going to take a quick shower. Laurie, you have free reign to pull whatever you like from my closet. Hailey, gather whatever you need to make me look like America's sweetheart. We're going to announce that Tristan and I are in a relationship. I need to look adorable, not sexy."

"On it, boss," Laurie laughed. Everyone got to work.

Seated on the couch, Jessica looked like a modern princess. Laurie had dressed Jessica in a white tea-length skirt with delicate embroidery. She paired it with a soft v-neck sweater and matching pumps. Tristan looked romantic and regal in a blue suit and off-white dress shirt. Everything about the couple read soft, sweet, and in love.

Charlie, the intern, was about Jessica's age. Jess explained that they were going to film a statement short enough for t****k. But it had to be long enough for the O'Sullivan Group website. Charlie took on the challenge with excitement.

"Okay, let's check the lighting and backdrop first." Charlie put her phone on a tripod and made sure everything down to the angle was perfect. She gave a thumbs-up to the couple.

"Are you ready, Tristan," Jessica asked. She linked her arm with his and tilted toward him. Tristan leaned in and whispered in Jessica's ear. No one else could hear what he told her, but it put a cute blush on Jess's cheeks.

"Are you serious?"

"Yes."

"Fine. I agree. Now, are you ready?"

"Absolutely," Tristan smirked. "Let's go, Charlie."

"Ready. One, Two," Charlie mouthed three and pointed to Tristan.

"Hello, everyone. My name is Tristan O'Sullivan. I'd like to introduce everyone to my girlfriend, Jessica Hernandez. Our parents have been friends for a long time." Tristan looked down at Jessica with a smile.

"Tristan has repeatedly asked me out. I've spent so much time focused on my education and volunteer work. I've only recently felt worthy enough to say yes." Jessica looked down, blushed, and back up at Tristan. "Tristan helped me on a recent project, and it brought us even closer together."

"I have never been in a relationship with Sophia Walsh. We were friends and enjoyed going out together, but that is all. Only last weekend, Liam and Sophia joined us for lunch. We had no idea our friends were struggling. We are truly saddened to hear the end of their engagement."

"Tristan and I ask for privacy during this time. We hope everyone gives us the opportunity to enjoy this period in our relationship. We look forward to building a bright future together." Tristan kissed Jessica on the forehead.

Charlie yelled, "Cut!"