The Enforcer or The Mafia Prince

Chapter 31

Jessica's alarm rang, pulling her from a deep slumber. Without rolling over or opening her eyes, she groped for her phone on her nightstand and dealt with the obnoxious sound. She rolled over onto her back while rubbing her tired eyes. Declan's side of the bed had long gone cold, but she could still smell him on her skin. Staring at the ceiling, listening to the silence, Jessica couldn't fight the urge to replay everything from last night in her mind. Declan didn't have to ask or be told how to touch her; they had fit together perfectly. She could still feel his hard muscles and rough skin on her hands. That place between her thighs was sore, but the sensation wasn't unpleasant.

Groaning, Jessica got out of bed, much stiffer than she'd have liked for day two of her training week. She stripped her bed and put her sheets by her dirty laundry for the maid to wash. Jessica had bumped into the maid a few times. Still, somehow the polite woman usually managed to clean the condo without being seen. A burst of cold water helped Jess feel much more awake as she got in the shower. She couldn't go to yoga, still smelling like Declan. Tears welled up in Jessica's eyes as she again replayed the events of the previous evening. Declan had gone out of his way to learn and make her favorite foods. He'd dressed up handsomely for her. The fact that he wouldn't be with her, that he would leave tomorrow, hurt. She cried until her heart felt settled and turned the water to cold to help soothe her puffy eyes.

Under the freezing spray, Jessica felt something inside her give way. Once more, she resolved to let go. They'd had their one night together. Declan didn't even stay until morning. As they'd fallen asleep the night before, they agreed never to discuss it again. The illusion was over, and it was time for the second half of the agreement. They'd both move on. Jessica's mind was in two places as she went about her morning routine. On the surface, she was worried about how dry her skin felt after three showers in less than twenty-four hours. Deeper inside, Jessica was saying goodbye to her crush on Declan. When Jess stepped onto the balcony with her ritualistic mug of Earl Grey, she showed no signs that anything was wrong. She'd had her night with Declan and cried a lonely goodbye but now felt refreshed and ready to move forward.

For his part, Declan lay in his bed, listening to the sounds of Jessica waking up and starting her day. With each movement, he mourned what could have been. He heard her shower start and stop. He listened to the clatter in the kitchen while she made her tea; the balcony door opened and closed. Each step carried her heart further away from him; it was all his fault. Was he making the right decision? It was hard to give Jessica up, but was their mutual attraction enough to justify giving up years of hard work and the only family he'd ever known? He let silent tears stream down the sides of his face, not wiping them away so his skin wouldn't become raw and puffy. He'd have to act normal later today; Tristan and he planned to have beer and pizza at his townhouse later.

Yoga went much smoother than the day before. Jessica was still stiff and sore, but the positions helped stretch and warm her muscles. Fewer people stared at her, though some new faces still found her fascinating. However, hand-to-hand combat was still tricky for Jess. Gia thought her issue was psychological and that Jessica did want to learn to fight but not fight anyone.

"Jessica, remember, if you're pulling out any of these techniques, it's because you're in a position to defend yourself physically. The other side won't hesitate to hurt you; you might as well hurt them back," Gia encouraged. Jessica nodded. She knew that Gia had a valid point. Still, Jess showed little improvement during their session.

During Jessica's midday break, Tristan stopped by.

"Hey, Jess, guess what?" Tristan was eager to tell her the news.

"Hmm?" Jess chewed on her salad and didn't look up. Tristan frowned. The least she could do was act happy to see him.

"My investigators found proof that Greg attacked your friend," Tristan announced. That caught Jess's attention; her head jerked up.

"Really?"

"Yeah. Where he attacked her on campus had no cameras, but the store across the street did." Tristan beamed at her.

"So what's next? Do I need to call Andrea and tell her?"

Jessica's voice sounded dull and lifeless. Her initial excitement had dampened.

"Jess? Are you okay?" Tristan sat down at the table next to her. He peered into her eyes, worrying she was unwell. Jessica smiled at him.

"I'm fine. Just tired. It's day two of training week." Jess's response was mostly the truth. She was exhausted and sore. Her mind couldn't focus on much as a result. When Tristan walked into the condo and started talking to her, Jessica's mind was unprepared.

"I heard from Declan that you're meeting with Dr. Malone now. How is that so far?" Tristan's question was thoughtful, but Jessica felt it came out of nowhere. When did Declan tell Tristan?

"We only met yesterday. I guess so far, so good," Jessica responded.

"How often are you going to see her?" Tristan plucked a tomato out of Jessica's salad. She pouted and hugged her bowl, causing Tristan to laugh and apologize.

"You're asking a lot of questions today," Jessica said as she chomped on a cucumber.

"Just curious. I know you have a lot to do this week. I was going to suggest we go on a date this week. I thought that maybe after your next session would be a good time. I could take you to dinner instead of you doing your afternoon training." Tristan smiled at Jess while her eyes unfocused again. She mulled over his suggestion while not noticing what she was eating.

"Gia," Jessica responded, "said that had she known I had a session yesterday, she'd have canceled my afternoon. I guess that's true for my next session as well. I'll ask Gia and then text you. Does Thursday work for you?" Jessica yawned; she was so tired.

"Sure thing. Also, as far as Andrea goes, the investigators will contact her to arrange pressing charges. You can still call her through. She should already know about the evidence."

"Good. I'll call her later."

"I do have some bad news," Tristan said as Declan entered the room.

"What's that?" Declan sat across from Tristan. Jessica angled her body away from him without thinking.

"It seems that Jessica can file charges against Greg for the library assault, but even with the witnesses and campus security, it doesn't seem like a strong case. Jess, you have two options. First, you can continue moving forward and press charges which might not come to anything. Second, the attorneys can contact Mr. Boerson, Greg's father, to see what that might result."

"I'll think about it," Jessica said. She gave her attention to Tristan. Declan and Jessica didn't have much to say to each other. They were polite, but Tristan could see something had changed between them. Did Jessica's feelings towards Declan change? Tristan hoped that was the case. It'd make things so much easier.

"As for tonight, I'm going to take Declan off your hands for the evening," Tristan said, smiling. The odd wording made Jessica feel a sense of panic. "It's his last night in town, so we're going to have a guys' night. Are you going to be okay alone?" Tristan reached over and rubbed Jessica's head. It was a sweet gesture that made Declan clench his jaw tighter.

"What if something comes up, and I need to leave?"

"Gia will be your bodyguard until Sunday night. Your new one will be here then. She wants to meet you before you start class on Monday," Declan interjected. He had more information on the topic than Tristan did.

"Okay," Jessica responded without looking at Declan. He hated this distance between them. Declan couldn't help but feel dejected that Jess had already moved on. He knew it was wrong to hope otherwise. They'd agreed to move on after last night. Deep down, Declan supposed he didn't think through the consequences. He couldn't be mad at Jess for doing precisely what they'd agreed to. However, the sense of regret that Declan kept pushing down into the pit of his stomach was growing into a knot.

Tristan and Declan left Jessica at the table to head off on their bro night. Jessica had barely eaten half despite feeling like she was starving before lunch. Declan's professional demeanor and lack of interest in her before he departed, left Jessica with a sense of melancholy. However, she chose not to focus on these negative feelings and instead pushed them to the back of her mind. She still had strength training and swimming to do today. Afterward, Jess planned on a long bubble bath and going to bed early. Last night's activity had been too much for her, and Jessica needed the rest.

Instead of waiting until after her training, Jessica decided to call Andrea now since she had the time. The call connected after two rings.

"Jessica!" Andrea's mood had improved with the aid from the O'Sullivans, and she felt awful for giving Jess a hard time the other day.

"Drea!" Jess smiled at her friend's voice. "I take it that you already heard the news?"

"About the video of Greg attacking me? Yes! My parents are so relieved we can do something about him now."

"Me too. Did you ever find out how Greg knew you were getting discharged from the hospital?"

"No, but I did mention to the person I spoke to earlier that they should look into it."

"That's smart. I'll see if I can help push them along. Other than that, how are you doing?"

"Mostly fine. I'm depressed that I'll graduate later than I'd like because it's not my fault, you know?"

"Yeah. I get it."

"How are you, though? I feel bad about giving you a hard time, but I'm still worried about you."

"I'm okay. Since it's reading week, I've been doing a lot of physical training to defend myself if need be. I've been doing yoga, combat, strength training, and swimming."

"Woah, that's a lot."

"It makes my arms feel like noodles when I fall into bed, but my trainer is pretty cool. Her name is Gia."

"I'm surprised that Tristan and Declan aren't training you directly." Jessica could hear the surprise in Drea's voice.

"Yeah, well, about that. Declan is leaving town for three months tomorrow."

"Oh, are you going to be okay with that?"

"No."

The tears Jessica had been holding back all morning flooded out. She explained to Andrea about the night she'd spent with Declan. Andrea comforted her friend as best she could, but Drea didn't know what Jess was feeling at all. She'd never felt that way about someone. There was only so much she could do.

"Well, Jess. I think that Declan has made his stance clear, and with him leaving, maybe you'll be able to think more clearly. I don't think you want to be with a man that doesn't want to be with you anyway."

"So you're on Tristan's side then?"

"That's not what I said. Yes, I feel like Tristan likes you more. However, that doesn't mean you should date him because I think that. In fact, it'd be safer for you to stay away from him altogether. Seeing how that's not an option, at the very least, you can move on from Declan now."

"I guess. They say time heals all wounds, right? Maybe he'll be gone, and I'll realize I don't have feelings for Declan at all. Maybe it is only forced proximity to him or something."