The Enforcer or The Mafia Prince

Chapter 32

Despite the tears, Jessica's call to Andrea had left her feeling lighter. Things were far from Jessica's ideal. However, Drea's situation was looking positive. Jessica's family was doing okay, her mom looked healthier, and Jess herself was doing fine. There was plenty to feel thankful for. Jessica's positive attitude carried into her afternoon training sessions with Gia.

"Look at you, Jess. You're killin' it. Think you can handle more weight?" Gia smiled at Jess; she could tell whatever had been eating away at her was gone.

The two women stood in the empty group workout room with a small pile of weights and a barbell each. Jessica had never considered herself strong. She was delighted when she found she could do deadlifts at fifty pounds with ease. Jess gave a vigorous nod to Gia. They set their weights down and added another ten pounds on each side.

"I can't believe you're doing seventy pounds. I was sure that thirty would push your ability," Gia said.

"I'm surprised, too. I guess years of lugging around stacks of textbooks and helping my dad move furniture around his store paid off," Jessica panted with a belabored laugh. A sense of pride and accomplishment filled her soul. She couldn't wait to tell. Jessica stopped her line of thought. She was thinking about telling Declan, then remembered that he was leaving for LA the next day.

"All right, I'll wait to tell Tristan during our date this Thursday," Jessica thought.

"Hey, Gia," Jessica huffed while continuing her set. "I have another session with Dr. Malone on Thursday, and Tristan wants to go on a date. Can we skip weightlifting that day? I'll still go swimming in the evening."

"Sure thing. I've been meaning to ask, what's it like dating Tristan?" Gia took a swig of water as she leaned toward Jessica. Though the room didn't echo, they had left the door open for others to use the space as they needed. Gia didn't know if asking was inappropriate and kept her voice at a whisper.

"Huh?" Jessica was caught off guard.

"What's it like? Is he really like the stories make him out to be?"

"What do you mean by that? Have you not met him yet?" Jessica set the barbell down and used a gray hand towel to wipe her sweat. She sat on the floor, her legs splayed out, looking up at Gia.

"Nope. We're about the same age, I think. Our paths never crossed, though. I've seen him from time to time. That's it. He seems like a flirt," Gia explained. Calling Tristan a flirt was the politest word Gia could have used. Tristan had a history of being considered a playboy. He was frivolous with his money and relationships. He'd been labeled a bad boy when he 'stole' Sophia from Liam. The innocent description made Jessica laugh.

"He's not like that at all." Jess focused on relacing her black sneakers so they were more comfortable around her arch. "Tristan is surprisingly serious sometimes; he doesn't buy things he doesn't need for himself. I guess if I were to explain where his money goes and what he likes to do, I'd say Tristan likes to spend money on experiences and friends. He doesn't waste it on himself."

"Oh? What makes you say that?"

"Tristan's condo is very minimalist and well organized. His things are high quality but not in excess, more like their quality is meant to make them last rather than look nice."

"That's so different from what I've thought of him. He's always on local social blogs and in the news." Gia's cheeks grew so pink that they matched her top. Her voice tapered down as though she was embarrassed to have said so much about her future boss. Jessica patted the ground next to her for Gia to sit. The afternoon sun lit up the room, making it feel warmer than it was; they needed to take a break.

"Don't worry; I thought the same things about him when we met."

"How did you two meet?"

Jessica recounted the same story she'd told Liam Ryan at lunch. The story wasn't a lie, but it wasn't the entire truth, either. She liked Gia and felt guilty for not giving the other woman the complete picture. Still, it was necessary to keep some details private. The last thing Jessica needed was for someone against the O'Sullivans to find out about her parents.

Before they parted ways, Jessica confirmed with Gia that she would be able to play impromptu bodyguard for her until Sunday night. Since Jess knew Gia's schedule was packed, she felt it necessary to make plans with her ahead of time. She wanted to go shopping tomorrow and visit her parents on Friday or Saturday. Since more people were off and took classes Saturday, Gia suggested Friday afternoon around lunch. She'd have another instructor fill in for two of her classes.

Ding! Jessica's phone notified her of a text message. While in the elevator, Jessica checked her phone. Oddly, she had a message from an unknown number via w******p.

"Hey, beautiful. How's your week going?" Jessica furrowed her brow. Declan or Tristan would just text her directly. Also, they didn't speak that way. Was it Greg? Jess hoped not.

"Who is this?"

"Ryan."

"Ryan, who? I'm sorry, I don't think I know a Ryan."

"Liam Ryan." Jessica understood. Contextually, she wouldn't have called Liam Ryan simply 'Ryan' on her own. In fact, she didn't think about him more than necessary. Jess couldn't have guessed it was him.

"Oh. Can I help you, Mr. Ryan?"

Jess trudged into the condo and threw her phone onto her freshly made bed. The maid had swapped her bedding out while she was in the gym. She went to the bathroom and cleaned her face but didn't change out of her workout clothes. No one else would be around until she was going to go swimming; no sense in dirtying more clothes.

Ding. "I'm hurt. Why do you have to be so reserved with me?"

Jessica rolled her eyes. What did Liam want from her? She knew he'd been flirting with her in front of Sophia and Tristan, but Jess thought that was only to annoy them.

"I don't know what you mean."

"Yes, you do."

Liam's winky face emoji in the text made Jess's stomach churn.

"How'd you get my contact info anyway?"

"LOL. I can find out anything I want about you. I know your full name is Jessica Vera Hernandez. I know you're studying at the University of Chicago. You're the daughter of Manuel and Heather Hernandez. I could go on."

"Look, I've already got one stalker I'm dealing with. Can you tell me what you want instead of trying to intimidate me with what you can find out about me?"

"Ouch. I'm not trying to stalk you. I think you're gorgeous and fascinating. Is this how you talk to your friends?"

"Mr. Ryan, I'm trying to be polite. We are not friends. You know why, so don't even ask. Did you need something, or should I just block you now?"

"Come on, Jessica. Please don't block me. I only want to know you a little better. How about you have dinner with me on Friday?"

"No, thank you. I have plans already."

"With Tristan? You could do so much better than him."

Jessica rubbed her eyes. The text conversation was going nowhere. She didn't like Liam's personality. He tried so hard to be suave that it was disingenuous and obvious. Everything Liam showed to the world was so clearly fake. Jess hated it.

Ding. Ding.

Two new notifications popped up, both from Liam. Jess struggled with what to do. It was simple enough to block him. Jessica didn't care if she hurt Liam's feelings. However, it was also wise to know your enemy. Even if there wasn't proof, Jess knew in her gut that Liam would try to harm her somehow. Sighing, she picked her phone back up.

"See? You can't respond to that because you know I'm right."

The second notification was a video he'd sent.

"Please don't be his d**k. Please don't be his d**k," Jessica silently repeated as she clicked play.

"Jessica," Ryan spoke into the camera, "Please go to dinner with me. I'd love to take you out sometime. You're so beautiful and smart. You're wasted on a loser like Tristan. I'd treat you better."

The video might as well have been an ad campaign. The wording, his clothes, the lighting- Jess wouldn't have been surprised if he had a small army of social media managers behind him. It was possible that Liam only waited a day to contact her because he'd spent all of Monday trying to make this video. The blatant manufacturing made Jess believe that Liam had some hidden agenda. He wanted her for something, but Jessica didn't know what.

"I already said I have plans. No, they're not with Tristan. Not that that's any of your business."

"I broke up with Sophia for good. It'll hit the news tomorrow if you're worried about that."

"I'm not worried about your relationship status. I. Have. Plans."

"What could be better than letting me treat you like a princess?"

"Ew," Jess whined out loud though no one could hear her.

"I'm spending time with my family. Now leave me alone."

Jessica was thankful that Liam didn't respond after that. He seemed to take her instruction to heart and was leaving her alone. She checked the time. There was still half an hour before she planned to go swimming. Jess used the time to pull out her pajamas and pick out the bath bomb she wanted to use later. Her intentions to indulge in a cozy night left a sense of excitement as she got ready to head to the pool.

Declan stumbled into the condo around ten that night, reeking of beer. It would have been easier to stay at his place and then go to the airport, but he wanted to tell Jessica goodbye before leaving.

They hadn't talked about it, but Declan was pretty sure that Tristan knew how he felt about Jess. Snide comments and irrational reactions from Tristan left Declan with a sense of security in his decision to leave. Tristan really liked Jessica, and Declan couldn't hurt his best friend this way. Going would be the best thing for them.

He drunkenly tiptoed to Jessica's door. Declan placed an ear against it, unsure what he hoped to discover. He just wanted to be near her. A faint snoring traveled through the door. Declan supposed that Jess was already asleep. The last two days had taken a toll on her.

Declan returned to his room and confirmed that everything was ready for the next day. His bags were packed. He had his laptop, a few suits in his garment bag, and his wallet sitting with his luggage next to the guestroom door. Declan did one final lap to make sure nothing was left behind. This room would go to Li on Sunday when she got in.

After taking a shower and putting his dirty laundry in its own bag away from his clean clothes, Declan climbed into bed. Around midnight, Declan was still tossing and turning. Nothing would help him fall asleep. He tried some of Jess's herbal tea. He put on a sleep meditation. Still, it wouldn't come.

Declan threw back the covers with a resigned huff and put on a pair of basketball shorts. He walked through the condo without making a sound. Again he tiptoed to Jess's door and listened for any signs she was awake. Hearing none, Declan snuck into her room and lay down next to her. Jessica looked so beautiful that Declan wanted to call the whole trip off. The scent of Jasmine wafted from her warm skin. Careful not to wake her up, Declan pulled Jess to him and held her as he drifted off to sleep.