Page 6 of The Price of Mercy

He tossed his keys on the counter and headed to the kitchen to pour himself a glass of water. But as he turned around, he froze.

Enzo Moretti was sitting on his couch.

Julian’s heart stopped, the glass slipping from his hand and shattering on the floor. Water splashed across the tiles, but Julian barely noticed. His entire focus was on the man in front of him. Enzo looked as imposing as ever, dressed in a tailored black suit, his dark eyes sharp and calculating. He leaned back casually, one arm draped over the back of the couch, as if he owned the place.

“You should mind your surroundings,” Enzo said, his voice calm and smooth. “It’s a dangerous world out there.”

Julian’s mouth went dry. “How…how did you get in here?”

Enzo raised an eyebrow. “You think a flimsy lock would stop me?”

Julian’s mind raced, his pulse pounding in his ears. This was it. This was the moment he’d been dreading. Enzo had come to tie up loose ends, to silence the witness. Julian’s hands trembled as he took a step back, his eyes darting to the door. But before he could move, Enzo spoke again.

“Relax, Doctor. If I wanted you dead, you’d already be dead.”

The words did little to calm Julian’s nerves. “Then what are you doing here?”

Enzo stood, his movements slow and deliberate, like a predator stalking its prey. He walked over to Julian’s desk, picking up one of the unpaid bills and glancing at it. “You’re in quite a bit of debt,” he said, his tone almost conversational. “Medical bills, student loans… it’s a lot for one person to handle.”

Julian’s stomach churned. “What do you want?”

Enzo set the bill down and turned to face him. “I’m here to offer you a job.”

Julian blinked; certain he’d misheard. “A job?”

“Yes. I need a personal doctor. Someone who can patch me and my associates up without asking too many questions. You’ve already proven you can handle yourself under pressure. I think you’d be a good fit.”

Julian stared at him, his mind struggling to process the words. “You want me to work for you? As your… doctor?”

Enzo nodded. “You’d be well compensated. Enough to clear your debts and then some. All you have to do is be on call when I need you.”

Julian shook his head, taking another step back. “No. No way. I’m not getting involved in your… your world. I’m a doctor. I save lives. I don’t patch up criminals.”

Enzo’s expression darkened, and for a moment, Julian thought he’d gone too far. But then Enzo smiled, a cold, humorless smile that sent a shiver down Julian’s spine. “You think you have a choice?”

Julian’s eyes flicked to the stack of bills on his desk, the numbers glaring up at him like a death sentence. He thought about his mother, about the life she’d sacrificed to give him a chance. Hethought about the years of hard work, the sleepless nights, the endless grind, and how it still wasn’t enough.

Enzo stepped closer, his voice low and steady. “You’re drowning, Julian. I’m offering you a lifeline. All you have to do is take it.”

Julian’s hands clenched into fists, his mind warring with itself. He wanted to say no, to tell Enzo to leave and never come back. But the weight of his debts, the crushing reality of his situation, pressed down on him like a vise.

“I… I can’t,” Julian whispered, his voice barely audible.

Enzo tilted his head, studying him. “Can’t? Or won’t?”

Julian didn’t answer. He couldn’t. The truth was, he didn’t have a choice. Not really. And Enzo knew it.

The mafia boss stepped back, a satisfied smirk playing on his lips. “Think about it. But don’t take too long. I’m not a patient man.”

With that, Enzo walked to the door, pausing only to glance back at Julian. “Oh, and Doctor? You should really change your lock. Anyone could come in.”

Then he was gone, leaving Julian standing in the middle of his apartment, his heart racing and his future hanging in the balance. He looked at the stack of bills on his desk, the numbers blurring as tears filled his eyes.

Enzo was right. He had no choice, and that was the worst part.

Chapter 5

The Decision

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