Page 10 of The Price of Mercy

On the fourth day, Julian’s solitude was interrupted. He was sitting by the window, staring out at the grounds, when there was a knock at the door. Before he could respond, Enzo stepped inside, his presence filling the room like a storm cloud.

“We need to talk,” Enzo said, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Julian turned to face him; his expression guarded. “About what?”

Enzo walked over to the desk, leaning against it as he studied Julian. “I have a meeting tonight with the heads of the other families. Tensions are high after the attack on me, and I need to make sure they know I’m not weak. You’ll be on standby in case things go south.”

Julian’s stomach churned at the thought. “You think there’s going to be violence?”

Enzo shrugged. “It’s always a possibility. That’s why I need you close. If someone gets hurt, I need you to patch them up. No questions asked.”

Julian shook his head, his frustration bubbling to the surface. “I’m not your personal medic, Enzo. I didn’t sign up for this.”

Enzo’s eyes narrowed, his expression hardening. “You signed up for whatever I say you signed up for. You’re here because I allow it, and you’ll do what I tell you. Understood?”

Julian stood; his hands clenched into fists at his sides. “You can’t just keep treating me like this. I’m not one of your lackeys. I’m a doctor, not a…”

Enzo cut him off, stepping closer until they were inches apart. “You’re whatever I say you are,” he said, his voice low and dangerous. “And if you don’t like it, tough. You made your choice, Julian. Now live with it.”

The tension between them was palpable, a crackling energy that made the air feel heavy. Julian’s chest rose and fell with quick, shallow breaths, his eyes locked on Enzo’s. He wanted to argue, to push back, but he knew it was pointless. Enzo held all the power, and Julian was just a pawn in his game.

Finally, Enzo stepped back, his expression unreadable. “Be ready by eight. And don’t make me come looking for you.”

He turned and walked out, leaving Julian standing there, his mind racing. The meeting, the potential for violence, the realization that he was now complicit in Enzo’s world; it was all too much. He sank back into the chair, his head in his hands.

What have I gotten myself into?he thought for what seemed like a hundredth time, his chest aching with a mix of fear and resignation.

But deep down, he already knew the answer. He had stepped into Enzo’s world, and there was no going back.

???

At exactly 8 p.m., Julian descended the grand staircase of the Moretti mansion, his steps heavy with reluctance. The entryway was alive with activity, the air thick with tension and the low murmur of voices. The Moretti brothers, Enzo, Luca, and Matteo, stood near the door, their sharp suits and sharper expressions making them look like a trio of predators ready to strike.

Surrounding them were the others Julian had come to think of as "the muscle": burly men in dark suits, their faces hard and unreadable, hands resting near their holstered guns. They were the bodyguards, the enforcers, the ones who made sure the Moretti family’s will was carried out, no matter the cost.

Julian’s stomach churned as he approached, his hands shoved deep into the pockets of his jacket. He felt out of place, like a lamb walking into a den of wolves. Enzo’s eyes locked onto him the moment he reached the bottom of the stairs, his gaze piercing and unreadable.

“You’re late,” Enzo said, his voice calm but laced with an edge that made Julian bristle.

“It’s 8 on the dot,” Julian shot back, his tone sharper than he intended.

Enzo’s lips twitched, almost like a smirk, but he didn’t respond. Instead, he turned and gestured toward the door. “Let’s go. You’re riding with me.”

Julian hesitated; his feet rooted to the floor. Riding alone with Enzo was the last thing he wanted, but the look on the mafia boss’s face told him arguing would be pointless. With a sigh, he followed Enzo out the door and into the cool night air.

A sleek black car was waiting at the curb, its engine purring softly. Enzo opened the back door and gestured for Julian to get in. Julian climbed inside, sliding across the leather seat to make room. Enzo followed, his presence filling the space as the door shut behind him. The driver, a silent man with a face like stone, pulled away from the curb, the mansion disappearing behind them.

The ride was tense, the silence between them heavy and suffocating. Julian stared out the window, watching the city lights blur past as they drove through the streets. He could feel Enzo’s eyes on him, the weight of his gaze making Julian’s skin prickle. He refused to look at him, and refused to give him the satisfaction of knowing how much his presence unnerved him.

But the silence didn’t last long.

“You’re angry,” Enzo said, his voice breaking the quiet like a crack of thunder.

Julian clenched his jaw, his hands tightening into fists in his lap. “What gave it away?”

Enzo chuckled, a low, dark sound that sent a shiver down Julian’s spine. “You’ve got a fire in you, Doctor. I’ll give you that. But you’d do well to remember who’s in charge.”

Julian turned to face him, his blue eyes blazing. “I didn’t ask for this, Enzo. You dragged me into your world, and now you expect me to just fall in line? To be your obedient little pet? Well, newsflash; I’m not one of your lackeys.”

---