The Enforcer or The Mafia Prince

Chapter 43

Ciaran stood back and watched Jessica and Tristan give their statement. Yet again, he felt impressed. Everything Jessica included in their statement was the truth. Ciaran and Manuel had known each other for a long time. Tristan had asked her out many times. Jessica had focused on school and volunteering. The couple was working together. They did have lunch with Sophia and Liam last weekend. The only thing she'd said that Ciaran disagreed with was her statement of worthiness. He understood why she'd worded it that way. But he felt it was the other way around. Ciaran wouldn't admit to it out loud, but Jessica was of a much higher caliber than Tristan.

"We're done," Jessica asked.

"All done. We got what we needed. We'll edit it and show you the final cuts." Charlie rushed out to meet Charlie and work on their footage.

"Ciaran, does the marketing team have the formal written statement ready to go?"

"They do. When you're ready, we'll post it on our website."

"Okay, let's go ahead and do that."

Ciaran opened his phone and pressed send. As he did so, Tristan smiled and posted the pictures from the lunch on his i********: account. It took mere moments for the news to begin to spread. Waiting for the team to finish their work, Jessica remembered what Tristan had asked her.

"Will you go on a real date with me?" Jessica blushed as she thought about Tristan's lips on that spot below her ear.

"What are you blushing about," Tristan asked. He winked at her, knowing what she was thinking. Jessica swatted his arm. He'd taken advantage of the situation to get her to agree to a date. Still, Jess felt surprised to discover how excited she was at the prospect.

Ciaran watched Tristan and Jessica's interaction when they thought no one was looking. It pleased him to find that Jessica was warming up to his son. Soon. He'd be able to coax Jessica deeper into the plan soon.

Jessica wanted to change into something more comfortable and talk to Gia. She dragged the other girl into her bedroom.

"So I guess we're not going to work out this afternoon," Gia stated.

"I guess not. We've got to resolve this issue."

"So, wait. I don't understand what's going on at all, Jess." Gia plopped herself onto Jessica's bed.

"I'll be right out and explain," Jess called from behind her closet door. She walked out in yoga pants and a hoodie. The time outside left Jessica feeling frozen.

"Gia, I'm going to tell you the entire story between me and Tristan. But you have to promise not to tell anyone. Please?"

Gia agreed. Clearly, Jessica had a reason for not explaining everything. Jessica explained everything from the past two weeks. She told Gia about her father's involvement with Ciaran. The agreement. Dating Tristan. Everything. By the time she finished, Gia's jaw was wide open.

"I... I..." Gia stuttered, not knowing what to say.

"I know it sounds crazy."

"I knew that the O'Sullivan's did some unsavory things, but I didn't realize," Gia tried to explain. She felt uncomfortable hearing the truth from Jessica.

"I know it's easy to forget that the O'Sullivans are an Irish mob family. Ciaran protects his people and helps them reach their potential. Tristan looks like a playboy to the outside world. It's easy to forget. I recommend not thinking too hard about it."

"Why didn't-" Gia started to ask why Jessica didn't tell her sooner. But she realized it would have been crazy to do so. She and Jessica had only met recently. How would Jess bring that up? "Do you like Tristan?"

"I do like him," she replied, blushing.

"That's good. Lots of people have ended up together for less, I suppose." Gia was still trying to wrap her mind around things when there was a sharp knock on the door.

"Jess," Tristan called, "everyone's back and ready to show you their stuff."

"We'll be out in a moment," Jess yelled back. "Gia, don't think too hard about things. I'm Tristan's girlfriend. He's my boyfriend. I hope you and I are friends and not only trainer and client."

Gia grinned, "of course we're friends."

Jessica reviewed the joint statement first. It would need to go out before the hot tub footage, anyway. Everything looked perfect. Their words were mostly truthful, so Jessica didn't look uncomfortable. Tristan's kiss at the end looked natural. Everyone agreed they looked good together. The pictures from lunch had drawn the attention of the netizens criticizing Jess. As far as the marketing team knew, everything going out was the solid truth.

Jessica released the joint statement on her t****k and i********:. Tristan released it on his Twitter account. Ciaran released it after the company's press release. The news was traveling fast. The original blogger had already posted an update to their story. An hour later, Jessica posted the stills from the hot tub on her i********:. Tristan posted the video on his. The pictures looked feminine and sweet. In comparison, the video looked natural and romantic. As the last post went out, Ciaran dismissed everyone except for Tristan and Jessica. He had more to discuss.

"Jessica, I'm pleased with the turnaround on this. You've put out a major fire in less than a day."

"Thank you, Ciaran. I trust everything will come together to show that we've done nothing wrong."

"To recap, we put out a press release, a video statement, images from lunch, and stuff from our relationship. What's left?"

Jessica sighed. "I need to turn commenting back on. I know people are going to have harsh things to say, but leaving them off will invite worse comments."

"Also," Ciaran coughed, "I want to investigate this matter now that it's under our control." Tristan nodded, understanding his father's thoughts. Jessica c****d her head. She wasn't sure what the men were thinking this time.

"What's wrong?"

"I find it too convenient that you met with Mr. Boerson, then his son was arrested, but you're the news today. What are the odds someone saw you at dinner, took a picture, then posted it as Liam Ryan announced his breakup?"

"Are you suggesting that Mr. Boerson and the Ryans are working together?"

"Not in the traditional sense. I find it odd that the two events would line up so well together. This incident completely overshadowed the younger Mr. Boerson's arrest."

Jessica realized what Ciaran meant. Even if the two sides weren't working together, they still benefitted one another. Either Liam was still having Jessica followed, and that person took the photo. Or Mr. Boerson, who was at the restaurant last night, had already known who Jessica was and had something to do with it. What were the odds that the men didn't know about each other? Either way, the public knew Jessica's identity now. Jessica used social media to keep in touch with only a few people. This morning she had about forty followers. Since the news broke this afternoon, she gained thousands of new followers.

Still, whatever they would find, they had the upper hand. Now the O'Sullivans had control over the narrative. Not the Ryans. As for the Boersons, Jessica and Tristan might have overshadowed Greg's arrest. But it'd only be a matter of time before it was common knowledge. Greg could have killed Andrea. That wouldn't be a secret for long. Ciaran left the couple with a warning to be careful and to take security wherever they went. As he left, Tristan followed him out into the hall.

"Dad," Tristan called. He jogged to catch up.

"What is it, son?"

"I want to take Jessica to the house tomorrow."

"The house? What for?"

"I, um," Tristan fumbled his words. He'd never asked his dad for something like this.

"Spit it out. I don't have all day." It annoyed Ciaran that his son lacked the balls of the young lady still in the condo.

"I want to go on an actual date with Jessica. One that's real and not for show. But with today's news, we can't go out anywhere without an audience. Can I take her back to the house for dinner and a movie?"

Ciaran pretended to mull over Tristan's request. Inwardly, he was thrilled his son was making a move with the girl Ciaran had chosen. Outwardly, he remained stern.

"Sure. Make sure to call ahead and let them know you'll be there." Tristan nodded and thanked his dad. He hoped Jessica liked what he had planned. He went back inside and found Jess pacing back and forth.

"Yes, Mom. Everything's taken care of now. You should see updates to the news. Tristan and I proved that Sophia and Liam were together last weekend. They both knew about us. Yes, that's right. Okay. I love you, too. Tell Dad I love him."

As Jessica ended the call with her mom, Tristan grabbed her hand. He pulled her over to the living room. Tristan sat down and pulled Jessica onto his lap. Without saying a word, he ran a hand through her hair and brought her lips to his.