The Enforcer or The Mafia Prince

Chapter 38

After her appointment, Jessica decided to go swimming to clear her head. All too soon, she had to return to the condo to get ready for her date. Laurie and Hailey showed up like fairy godmothers to work their magic on Jessica. This time was much less awkward since Jess knew what to expect. Now that the women were familiar with each other, the process went much faster. There was less poking and prodding to do. It would be chilly later in the evening, so Laurie had several sleeved dresses with her. She opted to put Jess in a champagne-colored SHO sequin lace low-back midi dress.

"Hmm." Laurie had an odd look on her face. She kept pinching the fabric around Jess's upper arms and hips. "Have you lost weight? I have your measurements with me from Friday." Laurie took out her measuring tape and wrapped it around Jess.

"You have lost weight! You lost half an inch around your arms and two inches around your hips. How in the world" Jessica blushed. She hadn't thought her body had changed that much.

"Um," Jess said. She looked down at her feet and explained. "Last week, I was on my period, and I've been working out a ton this week since it's spring break."

"Being bloated can explain the change in your lower body. But that doesn't explain your arms. What's your secret?"

Both women were eager to hear Jess explain her magic. When they heard that she'd been working with Gia three times a day and swimming, they paled.

"Oh, no, thank you," Hailey laughed. "I've taken a few of Gia's classes. She's awesome. I didn't realize she was so skilled."

"Yeah! She holds a master's degree. Did you know that?"

"Really?" Laurie and Hailey chirped together.

"That explains her skill. I'll have to take more of her classes," Hailey replied.

Laurie looked to her counterpart and asked, "Can you bring me with you? I don't like going alone."

"Sure!"

As Hailey did Jess's makeup and curled her hair, Jess and the girls planned to see each other the next morning at yoga. Working in the O'Sullivan Group's Personal Image and Style Department required odd hours. The girls worked with seven other people. Each made sure the group looked good for any events with photo opportunities. Often, this tended to be after normal working hours. Laurie was also in charge of Ciaran's personal wardrobe. She spent months planning each season's style. Jess hadn't realized how much research and thought went into their work. She felt ashamed for having assumed their work was superficial but kept that to herself.

Tristan arrived early. Jessica wasn't finished getting ready, but he didn't mind. Tristan carried two gift bags with him and took a seat in the living room. While Hailey finished Jess's makeup, Laurie picked out her accessories. Jessica didn't know where Tristan was taking her for dinner, but the girls did. This was to keep the evening a surprise. Hailey analyzed the color of Jess's dress for the evening. She settled on a smoky look, using brown instead of black and gold instead of silver. The effect was a subtle ferocity. Laurie gave Jess a pair of suede kitten heels in rosewood and a matching quilted purse. Jess's look was mature with a hint of whimsy.

"You look beautiful," Tristan told Jessica. She joined him in the living room, followed by Laurie and Hailey. He glanced over her should to speak with the stylists. "My dad sent me with these for each of you."

Tristan handed a gift bag to Laurie and Hailey. The plain butcher-paper look of the gift bags did no justice to the treasure inside. Jessica watched the women's faces light up when they looked into the bags. Speechless, they stared at one another. The girls read the handwritten note Mr. O'Sullivan had included. Hailey was the sentimental type and teared up at the note.

"What did he send you," Jessica asked, eager to know what was going on.

Since Hailey was unable, Laurie spoke for both of them. "Mr. O'Sullivan sent us something as a thank you for our extra work lately. He wanted us to know how much he appreciated us."

"What is it?" Jessica stepped forward but resisted the urge to take one of the bags. If Laurie and Hailey wanted to keep it a secret, that was their right. Hailey handed over her bag. Jessica pulled out a beautiful red box and opened it. Inside was a Ballon Bleu De Cartier Watch. A generous gift, indeed. Jessica understood why the women felt overwhelmed. "It's beautiful. You two deserve it."

After learning how hard and often the two stylists worked, Jessica meant her praise. Hailey had attended the Pivot Point Academy Beauty School. Her i********: account showcased her more fantastical works and had thousands of followers. She was often requested by top designers to work during fashion week. Laurie studied fashion styling in New York and interned for Vogue and Elle. While working full-time, she runs a boutique business styling looks for local celebrities. The effort they put into their work was outstanding.

Tristan would have loved to spend the evening alone with Jessica. Yet, Liam's unspoken threat lingered in the back of his mind. Since Jessica's safety was his top priority, Tristan gave up privacy. Instead of driving himself, Tristan had Jimmy drive. Jimmy's car was well-equipped to endure any attack. That's one of the reasons he was Tristan's primary driver. He also had two bodyguards pose as a couple having dinner in the same restaurant. Of course, he didn't tell Jessica this. Tristan wouldn't make the mistake of underestimating Liam Ryan a second time.

Walking into Ever gave Jessica goosebumps. It was like a different universe sequestered on the west side of Chicago. The dark decor gave diners a feeling of minimalism. The contrasting golden accents provided a feeling of warmth and intimacy. Jessica longed to touch them, to know if they were wood or something else. The impulse felt silly. Instead, she let herself bask in the unknown world Tristan had brought her to.

"Ah, Mr. O'Sullivan, we have your table ready. Please, follow me." The couple snaked through the romantic space, Jessica clinging onto Tristan's arm.

"What is this place?" Jessica kept her voice low, feeling she'd disrupt the hallowed space.

"This is Ever. A Michelin-starred restaurant with a divine tasting menu," Tristan replied. It seemed as though he'd eaten there often. A tasting menu?

"Will they," Jess started to say.

"Don't worry, Jess. I called ahead and made sure they could accommodate a vegan palate."

Jessica sighed with relief. The last thing she'd want to do is force Tristan to leave. She hated to think how embarrassing it'd be to leave after having just sat. The two savored each course.

"Declan gave you a black eye? That's how you met?" Jessica struggled to keep her laughter down. Tristan told her the story of how he and Declan had met. He'd run into the younger boy one day after he'd snuck out of school. The two had been best friends ever since.

"Yeah." Tristan gave her a lopsided smile. Jess found his faint blush handsome. It climbed up his neck and intermingled with his long dark hair. "I'm sure you found out that my father adopted Declan when we were kids. When we say we're like brothers, we mean it in the literal sense. We've gone through so much together."

Jessica felt guilt pool in her stomach as she watched Tristan take a sip of his wine. "Why did Declan keep his last name instead of taking your family's?"

"Two reasons. The first is either noble or stupid, but he swore to make something out of himself without relying on our name."

"And the second?"

"It's the only thing he knows about his birth family. Their last name was Hamil." I profound sadness swept through Jess. She hadn't realized how much Declan must have struggled with his feelings for her. Jessica did her best to put him out of her mind. They were over now.

"Did you ever find out how..." Jess couldn't bring herself to ask how Declan ended up in the foster system.

"No, we tried, but a flood destroyed his records. This was before the transition to paperless files by the state. The electronic system was being implemented, but they hadn't gotten to his file yet. We only know that his parents hadn't surrendered him to the state. There was a note made that something happened to his family and their last name. That was all."

"I could never give up my child," Jessica said. Her comment piqued Tristan's interest.

As she bit into her second course, he asked, "Do you want kids?"

"I don't know. A part of me does, but a part of me is afraid to want kids. My parents tried and tried for years. Then my mom was diagnosed with cervical cancer," Jess's words got choked up. Tristan reached across the table and held her hand.

"You don't have to go into it if you don't want to."

"No, it's just," Jess struggled to find the words. "It's just that if I allow myself to want kids only to find out I can't have them, that would break my heart." Tristan rubbed his thumb along Jessica's knuckles, hoping to comfort her.

"I watched Jimmy's baby today," Jessica admitted. She told Tristan about Emma's emergency. He looked shocked. "What?" Jess c****d her head to the side, confused by Tristan's expression.

"You're the first person that's not direct family to see the baby," Tristan told her. "Jimmy and Emma must really trust you."