The Enforcer or The Mafia Prince

Chapter 40

Declan opened his eyes at the sound of his alarm. It was Friday and the second day of his new job. Yesterday had been rough. Selina had run him through the ropes, as it were. She wasn't unreasonable. Yet her expectation of excellence and timeliness was strict. It was no wonder she was a rising star in the O'Sullivan Group. After meeting her, Declan doubted that she'd slept with Ciaran. For one, she was much too prideful to sleep her way to the top. For another, Selina was even younger than Tristan. Ciaran might be a d**k when it comes to women. Still, even he wouldn't f**k someone that young.

Declan's usual morning routine included working out, eating breakfast, and reading the paper. This morning was different. Declan saw a message from Tristan that made his stomach ache.

"Went on a date with Jess. We ran into Mr. Boerson, Greg's father."

He must have fallen asleep before Tristan texted him. How late was Tristan out with Jess that Tristan was two hours ahead of him and still messaged him late? Declan didn't respond right away. Instead, he navigated over to Jessica's i********:. Damn, she was so beautiful. Declan recognized the background as After. He'd accompanied Tristan there before. Amongst the backdrop of indigo, Jessica stood out like a diamond in her dress. Her radiance was undeniable.

By the time Declan got out of bed, the sun was already up. He skipped his workout and breakfast. The newspaper lay forgotten on the table as he sipped his coffee. Declan thought he'd made peace with leaving Jessica. Now he realized that yesterday had been so busy he hadn't had the time to think about her. It wasn't that he had let her go. Before leaving his apartment, Declan straightened his tie in the mirror. He ran a hand through his stubble. His hair was at an awkward in-between stage. He'd head to the barber this weekend for a fade so the grow-out process wouldn't look childish. He frowned at his reflection. How would Jessica ever settle for him when she could have anyone?

It was nine in the morning when Declan arrived at the office. As he did, Jessica had already finished yoga. She waved to Laurie and Hailey before she left. The girls had gone to yoga as they had planned the night before. Laurie looked adorable in her yellow honeycombed yoga pants. She looked like a little bumblebee paired with her black top. Jessica didn't have time to chat before Gia started to pull her over to the mats.

"How was your date last night?"

"It was..." Jessica timed her breath as she began punching the bag. She didn't know how to answer Gia's question. The food was amazing. Ever was beautiful. She enjoyed her time with Tristan. He was starting to open up to her. But meeting Mr. Boerson put a damper on the evening. The couple had left shortly after that. Tristan had wanted to take Jessica up to the hot tub afterward. But the mood was gone. She'd fallen asleep early after Tristan bid her goodnight at the door.

"That bad?" Gia winced.

"Not bad. We ran into someone unpleasant, and he ruined the evening."

Jessica explained about Greg and how he'd been making her life difficult. When she told Gia about the library incident, Gia needed to throw a few punches to let off steam.

"I can't believe that little twerp. Want me to teach him a lesson?"

"No, no. I'm going to meet with his father this afternoon. Oh! After that, I'm going to visit my mom. But I don't need you to go with me anymore if you don't want to."

The original plan was for Gia to join Jessica on an outing to her parent's home. Now that Tristan would be with her, Jessica didn't need Gia to go.

"I'll go. I promised to watch over you, remember? Even if Tristan is there, he'll need someone watching out for the both of you."

"Thanks, Gia." Jessica smiled and drank some water.

Two hours later, the trio was sitting in the lobby of a well-kept but aging high-rise filled with offices. The elevators only worked with a key card. If a company didn't inform reception ahead of time, a representative had to go down and meet their guests. A well-dressed, handsome young man approached the group. He introduced himself as Mr. Boerson's personal assistant, Leland. Jessica looked at the young man, shocked. How could someone so young rise to an executive assistant so quickly? They had to be the same age. Recalling what Ciaran had told her the day before, Jessica decided she didn't want to know the answer.

The group trailed behind Leland up to the thirty-seventh floor. Boerson Industries leased the entire floor. When they walked out of the elevator, they saw a company directory. Jessica gleaned that this was strictly the executive office. She wondered where the other employees worked. Jess glanced at Tristan. Dark circles ringed his eyes.

"That's odd," Jessica thought. "We didn't stay out late. Why does he look so tired?" Jessica didn't get a chance to ask if he was okay.

"Thank you, Leland. Would you please bring our guests some water?"

Bill gestured to a set of gray sofas he used for personal meetings. Jessica and Tristan took a seat while they waited for their host to join. Gia, wearing a skirt and heels, posted up by the door. The entire room was visible to her. Leland brought in a water pitcher and glasses. He poured two for Jessica and Tristan before leaving the room. Mr. Boerson walked over. He unbuttoned his blazer and sat across from the couple.

"Now, Ms. Hernandez, I've taken the time to speak with my son. His account varies from what you suggested happened last night."

"And you believe him," Jessica challenged. Tristan had long since learned not to speak for her.

"He's my son. Of course, I believe him."

Jessica stared at Mr. Boerson. No one knew what she was searching for, but she must have found it. Jess nodded to Tristan. He removed a file from his briefcase.

"Already doing a woman's bidding, son?" Bill tried to insult Tristan by insinuating he was a whipped man. A poor attempt to belittle his masculinity.

"This is my partner's problem. She is handling it as she sees fit. I am here in support," Tristan replied. He showed his distaste and disrespect by refusing to look at Bill. He tossed the file on the table between them.

"What's this?" Jessica rose from her seat and walked over to the window. She looked out at the Chicago skyline.

"Those are the witness statements, incident report, and images of the bruise I sustained when your son assaulted me, Mr. Boerson." She whipped around and found Mr. Boerson still seated. His back was to her. Jessica could tell he didn't feel she was a threat at all.

"Would you like me to pour you a glass of water while you read them, Mr. Boerson?"

Jessica tucked her skirt behind her knees as she retook her seat. Mr. Boerson's face had gone from a placid calm to a ruddy look of fury. Greg hadn't told him this at all. Twice now, Mr. Boerson had found himself in a weaker position than a young, poor, Hispanic woman. Bill hated it.

"How do I know these documents are real?" Jessica looked at Tristan and rolled her eyes. Mr. Boerson, noticing the gesture, turned redder.

"You can see the notary seals from the paralegal that works for the law firm the O'Sullivan Group keeps on retainer. They are representing Ms. Hernandez in this matter.

"Oh? Then you should know, boy. Anything we discuss today in the absence of our attorneys is nonbinding."

"Certainly. But Jessica felt like extending a limited amount of grace to your family. Before adding another tick against your son in the public record."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Mr. Boerson," Jessica stated. "As we speak, your son is being arrested for the assault and attempted murder of Miss. Andrea Jones. Did you know that?" As Jess spoke, a call came through on Mr. Boerson's cell phone.

Wife.

He declined the call and returned his attention to the room. Before he could speak, his desk phone rang, and went to the intercom.

"Mr. Boerson, your wife is on the line," Leland said.

"Tell her I'll call her back."

"Sir, she says it's an emergency about your son."

Mr. Boerson rose from the sofa and returned to his desk. He picked up the receiver, "Put her through."

Jessica and Tristan listened as Mr. Boerson grew agitated with the news.

"He did what?"

"Looks like your timing was spot on," Tristan leaned over to say.

"I spoke with Andrea before bed last night. The legal team told her she could press charges as soon as she was ready to turn the evidence over to the police. She was ready," Jessica whispered.

Jess kept her eye on Mr. Boerson. When he slammed his phone down and marched back over, she didn't flinch. Bill stood over the little girl, hands on his hips.

"What do you want, Ms. Hernandez?"

His anger didn't intimidate her at all. She remained seated. Speaking in a cadence sure to infuriate the old man further, Jessica replied.

"I want to let you know that I'll be filing a restraining order against your son."

Bill began to interrupt her. But, she put up a hand and refused to let him cut in.

"I'll be filing a restraining order regardless of what you have to say. I want you to tell your son that if he comes near me or someone I love ever again, I will not file charges. Instead, I will share this information with the press. I'm sure Boerson Industries doesn't want a reputation as a company with the CEO who lets his son batter women."

"Fine. Anything else?"

Jessica pulled out an agreement. "If your son bothers me again, I want you to give ten percent of your company's yearly profits to CAWC. If not, I will have full rights to bring a civil case against you, your son, and your company."

"If I don't?"

"Jessica," Tristan looked over, "will you and Gia please wait for me in the hall?"

Jessica knew that Tristan had something to say to Bill that he didn't want her to hear. She didn't know what it was, but he was the heir to the O'Sullivan family. Jess didn't ask. Leaving the agreement with the men, Jessica left the office with Gia.

"Mr. Boerson," Tristan stood up and buttoned his suit jacket. "The last thing you want to do is to make an enemy of my family."

"Is that so? Are you going to send your goons at me?" Bill looked at the untouched water on the table and back to Tristan.

"No. I will let your board of directors know about how Leland got his job. I will tell them what happened to the assistant before him. Then, I'll tell them the truth about the work contracted to Ace Industries." Mr. Boerson went pale.

"Do your wife and son know how you're financing his college education?"

"How dare you threaten."

Tristan spoke over Bill. "This isn't a threat, Mr. Boerson. A threat would be something like I will have individuals turn up at your home if you don't sign. This is a promise. Either you force your son to stay away from my woman, or I will destroy you, your family, and your company and put you in jail. It's that simple."

"Fine."

Tristan walked to the door and poked his head into the hallway. Once Jessica had rejoined them, Bill called Leland into the office. Mr. Boerson and Jessica signed the agreement, notarized by Leland Willis. As they left the office, Tristan turned to Leland. He handed the young man his business card.

"My family's company is hiring interns. If Mr. Boerson ever makes you uncomfortable or fires you without cause, we'll be happy to hire you."