The Enforcer or The Mafia Prince

Chapter 26

"Hey, can you take me shopping today?"

Since Declan staunchly drew a line between them, Jessica texted Tristan from her room.

"Hey, princess, what do you need?"

"Gia scheduled time for me to swim this week, but I don't have a bathing suit."

"I'll be there at eleven." Jess checked the time. She had an hour to get dressed.

Tristan's heart raced when he got the text from Jess. He couldn't take her right then because he was meeting with his father about Declan's promotion. Officially, Declan was Tristan's 'assistant.' Moving Declan into a new role would also require Tristan to hire someone new. However, Tristan didn't want an assistant anymore. He felt that anyone other than Declan would report directly back to Ciaran, which wasn't something Tristan couldn't stomach. He was already so far under his father's thumb that an added pair of eyes would feel like a prison.

"Declan is sure that this is what he wants?" Ciaran was reviewing Declan's resume on his tablet while looking at Tristan.

"He's been talking about it since he completed his MBA," Tristan told his father.

"He's been such a hard worker; you could learn a lot from him." Tristan mentally rolled his eyes. Every other day Ciaran mentioned how Tristan should be more like Declan. He wouldn't actually roll his eyes to Ciaran's face. Tristan enjoyed the use of both his hands.

"I'm proud of him, too. He's come a long way since we met as kids."

Ciaran agreed and looked at the open positions in his companies. He wasn't sure where to place Declan. Everyone knew he was the boss's 'son.' It'd be hard for Declan to feel he was proving himself anywhere. A position in Chicago was open for a branch manager, but that didn't meet Declan's standards. There were two openings in Kansas City. One for managing two residential and commercial buildings in the Power and Light District. Another was near the plaza working for an investment firm. However, the executives at those companies transferred from Chicago. They were bound to coddle the boy. When Ciaran saw the next opening, he smiled.

"What do you think about sending Declan to Los Angeles? The group I have managing the hotels needs someone to work directly with the vice president. She's a spitfire who will give Declan the challenge he wants." Ciaran wasn't asking. He was telling Tristan that Declan would be going to LA. Judging by how his father talked about the vice president, he'd probably slept with her before. The thought made him nauseated. Still, that was perfect for what Tristan wanted.

"How long?"

"I think three months should be enough. Her assistant will be back from maternity leave. After that, we can find him a permanent role here." Ciaran didn't want Declan gone for too long. He was one of the only people that could get Tristan to fall in line.

"Tell Declan that he has until the end of the day tomorrow to decide. If he wants to go, he'll fly out on Wednesday." Tristan stood up and took a folder from Ciaran. It was the job details to give to Declan. Looking at his phone, Tristan had enough time to make himself presentable for Jess.

Jessica was sitting on the end of her bed, playing games on her phone and waiting for Tristan to arrive. After their conversation earlier, she didn't want to be around Declan too much. The familiar beep of the front door was all too welcome when he arrived.

Tristan was awestruck by how pretty Jess looked. After dressing like her usual self, Jess waltzed out of her room in skinny pants that hugged every curve and a pair of flats. Jess would have worn her favorite pumps if she didn't have to walk so much today. Coupled with her new hairstyle, Jess drew attention from both Declan and Tristan.

"Hey, Tristan. Are you ready?" Jess grabbed a light coat from the hall closet. It was going to be a chilly day. She faced away from the men as she put it on. Jess could feel their eyes on her ass. With a smirk, she pulled her hair out from under the collar and fluffed it. When Jessica turned around, Tristan and Declan tried to act like they were checking her out. Jess gave them a wide-eyed innocent "what," as though she hadn't been teasing them.

Jessica thought that Tristan didn't look too bad, either. He'd worn a pair of loose-fitting slacks with a plain t-shirt and matching jacket; he looked smart but casual. It was a good look on him. Noticing Jess was looking him up and down, Tristan blushed and ran his hand through his hair. Jess found his awkwardness endearing. She looped her arm through Tristan's and walked him to the door. The way Declan clenched his jaw didn't escape her. But this is what he wanted, wasn't it?

Rather than have Jimmy or Declan drive, Tristan drove Jess in one of his more subtle cars. They weren't going far; they were only a few blocks from Water Tower Place. There were many places to choose from when it came to shopping in Chicago. It wasn't Tristan's normal go-to, but with eight floors, the tower was sure to have a few stores selling bathing suits in March, no matter how cold. Tristan thought it was their best bet to find something before tomorrow.

"Thanks for bringing me, Tristan," Jessica told him when they'd finally found a place to park and walked inside. Walking or taking the bus would have been wiser, but Tristan didn't enjoy public transportation.

"I'm happy to be with you, Jess." The smile Tristan returned was genuine. He'd been looking forward to shopping with Jessica since Declan mentioned she enjoyed swimming. Tristan trailed Jess around the mall, going through several stores until Jessica finally settled on a few suits she thought were cute at Free People.

Since it was still cold and Jess would be swimming alone in the evening, she had her mind set on a one-piece that offered modesty rather than something for the beach. Sorting through the swimwear, Jessica realized that swim rompers would be all the rage this summer. They were adorable but not her style. When she looked at the prices of the swimsuits she liked, Tristan noticed her eyes grow wide and put the suit back.

"Jessica, this is all on our tab, so get whatever you want."

"No, I really," Jessica meant to say she couldn't let them pay for it. However, Tristan reminded her that part of their agreement was that the O'Sullivans cover her living expenses.

"I've been meaning to give this to you," Tristan said as he pulled his wallet out of his back pocket. He fished around in it and handed her a black AmEx card with her name on it. Jess was astonished. These cards are only available by invitation, so how did she have one?

"Why? How is this even possible?"

"Dad called in a favor and got you a card linked to the family account. You can get whatever you need. It's the least we can do." Tristan shrugged. It didn't seem like such a big deal to him, but he'd had his own card since he was eight.

"What kind of favor did someone owe your dad?"

"How should I know?" Tristan grabbed all the suits Jess had been eyeing and dragged her to the changing room. The store staff had seen Tristan pass the card over to Jessica; no one was about to tell Tristan he couldn't go into a stall with Jess.

Tristan hung up the suits and helped Jess out of her coat. She started reaching for an emerald green surf suit with small cutouts along the arms but stopped herself. Jess looked at Tristan and blushed. They hadn't touched each other since the night in his living room. Now she was supposed to strip down in front of him? Under this lighting?

"Um," Jess said. She bit her lip and blushed, unable to ask him to leave. He'd just given her the world; how was she supposed to tell him to get out? Tristan realized why Jess was acting shy and voluntarily picked up her purse and left the stall so she could change.

"Please, at least let me see how they look on you," he called over his shoulder.

Jess knew better than to go naked while trying on swimsuits. She at least wore tight, seamless panties while trying them on. Still, they looked a little awkward under the suit. Jessica shrugged; it couldn't be helped. Once she zipped up the one-piece, she pulled back the curtain to let Tristan take a look.

"I like it. It looks good on you and should keep you warm as you exit the pool," Tristan replied. Jess was surprised by his thoughtful answer.

"Do you go shopping with women often?" Jessica studied herself in the mirror, twisting sideways while talking to Tristan.

"No, but you want me to tell you what I think, right?"

Tristan was right. Jessica hadn't realized she wanted his opinion until he said it out loud. After the emerald suit, Jess tried on a red floral one, then one with a tropical pattern. She liked all of them. The last one she tried on was an orange swimsuit that zipped in the back. Jessica managed to get it on. After showing Tristan, they both agreed it was a solid 'no.' The shade of orange didn't look good on her even though it was beautiful on the model.

Tristan managed the swimsuits Jessica liked and sneakily included a red bikini. He thought Jess would look good in it as he took it off her in the hot tub. Before Jess could leave the dressing room, he handed everything to the attendant and paid for the bikini. Tristan told her to include it in what Jess was buying as a surprise. Jess was still in the stall when he returned to the dressing room. He could hear her making a grunting noise.

"Jess, are you okay?"

"I'm," Jessica struggled to say, "I can't get out of this suit."

"Are you stuck?"

"No. Um, Tristan, would you mind unzipping this for me? I can't reach the zipper." Try as she might, Jessica's arms wouldn't bend that way.

Tristan set her things down on a chair in the waiting area and walked into the stall, tugging the curtain behind him. Jessica had her back to him, her cute little ass cheeks poking out from the suit. Tristan gulped as he grabbed the zipper and slowly dragged it down. It fell away from Jessica as he did, causing her to hold it quickly to cover her chest.

Jessica looked so cute that Tristan couldn't stop himself. He leaned forward and kissed Jessica's neck. He listed to her gasp as he gently sucked on the spot near her collarbone. Tristan ran his hands inside the suit and wrapped them around to massage her breasts. They felt perfect in his hands.

Tristan spun her around and pushed her against the back of the stall. Jess let the top fall away as she wrapped her arms around his neck to kiss him back. Though he looked rather willowy, Tristan was strong. He ran his hands along her ass before lifting her up to wrap her legs around his waist. Jessica's perfume ticked his nose; she smelled so good. As Tristan did so, Jessica thought of Declan in the library and her resolve to get to know them better.

"Tristan, we can't do this here," Jessica half-heartedly mumbled. She could feel he was hard against her, but she pushed herself away and slowly slid back to standing.

"Jess?" Tristan's blue eyes peered at her, worried he'd done something wrong. Did she not like him back at all? What was the other day? Had she already decided that she wanted Declan more?

"Oh, I'm okay. I don't want to do this here, and I want to know you better before we do this," Jessica explained, feeling like she'd just kicked a puppy.