Chapter 21: Acceptance

**D O M I N I C**

I grumbled while sitting alone in the backseat of one of the four identical black SUVs, heading to a meeting. When driving around the city, I usually had a few decoys. It was something that I also did for Jade.

Of course, there were times when I just drove myself around in one of my many flashy cars. However, I knew that sometimes I needed to be more cautious and take my safety into consideration.

The lights of the city at night always calmed me. But tonight, it seemed like my irritation just could not be contained.

"Dammit!" I growled softly.

These last five months had me more on edge than ever before, as Jade and Cristiano continued to date.

I had to give the boy credit; he had some balls on him. After my appearance at their first date, I had been sure that shoving my gun down the teen's throat would have scared him off. Though, it seemed that Cristiano's fondness for Jade overpowered his fears.

Fiddling with my switchblade, I mumbled, "I'm thirty-three years old and I'm getting rattled over a nineteen-year-old. What the fuck is happening to me?"

In all my years alive, I had never been attracted to younger women.

In fact, I was never interested in anyone, period. Especially where emotions were involved, it was inconceivable to me that I would ever be capable of feeling such for another person. I was just too fucked up in the head to have what was considered a 'normal' relationship.

Naturally, my body had urges, but that was an easy fix as I would take my pleasures from a few select call girls provided by Aleksandr. Before any transactions were involved, the women were thoroughly informed on what they were in for.

I did not need my ego stroked, nor did I need a listening ear. I simply needed to use them.

With their consent, they would be gagged and bound as I had my way with them. No one was ever allowed to touch me; those were the rules, and that was just how things were.

Unfortunately, now, with Jade, things were different.

To this day, I still did not know why I allowed her to touch my skin. I had decided that I probably would never know. I was crazy enough as it was, and I did not need to bombard my already over-worked brain.

Lately, I found myself wanting to feel her hands on me, the touch of her fingers against my own. Such a simple act, yet it scared me. No matter how many women I had pounded myself into, it did not help quench the fiery need that I felt.

Things had become abundantly clear to me. Where Jade was concerned, my emotions towards her had definitely changed, and I hated it!

These last few months, I would sit aimlessly in my office, trying to figure out when my feelings for her had shifted. Perhaps it was on the night that we kissed for her nineteenth birthday, or maybe it was seeing her with Cristiano, getting ready to go on their first date.

Either way, I could not keep lying to myself. "If the circumstances were different, I would have just fucked her out of my system. Surely this is just a temporary feeling..." I said unconvincingly to myself.

I knew that what I felt for Jade was more than something physical. Of course, I cared for her, she was like family after all. Nevertheless, I was beginning to realise that my feelings for her were becoming less platonic and more romantic, or at least I thought that was what was happening.

Having emotions like this was a concept entirely new to me; one that gave way to my current petulant mood.

I hated not being in control!

No matter how hard I tried, I could not help but drive myself crazy every time Jade went out with Cristiano. It was hard to fight away the thoughts of them being intimate. The image of them kissing was enough to enrage me, much less anything more.

As of late, I felt a fierce possessiveness over her, but so far, I had managed to keep my emotions in check, well mostly. I knew that I was guilty of lashing out at her sometimes, no doubt confusing her with my behaviour.

I just hope that, whatever Jade was doing, she was being safe at least. I meant what I had told Vincent. If she had a chance at happiness away from the craziness of our world, I wanted her to have that.

Much to my surprise, Cristiano was proving to be a great boyfriend. He made Jade happy, which was the only reason he was not lying in a ditch somewhere, his body burnt and chopped to a million pieces.

"Oh, how I wish..." I muttered to myself as I looked out the window.

It was then that I noticed that the vehicle had arrived at its destination, and I sighed and put my blade away.

The SUV drove around to the back entrance of one of the fanciest hotels in the city, owned by me of course. I stepped out of the vehicle and inhaled the crisp autumn air before taking the private elevator up to one of the penthouse suites.

Entering through the fancy doors, I made my way into the living room. There stood the silhouette of a man standing by the window, a drink in his hand.

"I hope the room is to your satisfaction?" I questioned with a white smile.

As he turned around, a large grin was plastered on the man's face, "You know that it is, Mr. Calvetti! You're always spoiling me!"

"Well, nothing but the best for the Commissioner of the Aelbank City Police, no?" I countered, while removing a padded envelope from my jacket's inside pocket.

Commissioner Thomas Edgehill was a man in his late forties. His jet-black hair, which he always kept in pristine condition, was peppered with streaks of grey. He had once been a law-abiding citizen, doing everything by the book, trying to ensure that Aelbank City was kept safe. However, over the

years, he had noted the growing corruption that was taking over the city. Not wanting his beloved metropolis to turn into a crime-infested urban hell like the neighbouring cities, Thomas started working for me. When we first started our arrangement, he had just been promoted to the rank of lieutenant

of the police force.

With the resources provided via my organisation, Thomas moved up the ranks. I paid him to look the other way in some matters, and in return, Aelbank City's crime rate was the lowest in its history.

Finishing his drink in one gulp, Thomas rested his glass down before walking over to where I stood. He gratefully took the envelope filled with money; his dark brown eyes glancing over at the thickness of the wrapping.

"You'll notice that I put a little extra in this week's package. A thank you for all the good work you've done," I commented as we both sat at the dining room table, facing each other.

Showing his gratitude, Thomas then went on to say, "As you've been made aware, everything has been running smoothly as usual. I'm still amazed at how you've managed to keep the crime down in the city."

Chuckling softly, I replied, "It's like I told you all those years ago, you just need to be patient. No one likes being broken in, but in the end, they realise that it's better to live in captivity," I paused for a moment to briefly look out the window, appreciating the view of the city, "that way, they're taken care of as long as they do as they're told."

Thomas nodded in understanding.

Even though I may have been a ruthless mafia boss, the man could not deny my ingenuity in getting things done. I did not have the reputation of being a criminal mastermind for nothing.

The Commissioner was exceptionally grateful for the almost complete eradication of certain crimes, in particular the mistreatment against minors.

My unforgiving wrath against this type of offender had scared people to the point that no one dared to commit such crimes within the city limits.

Not to mention the yearly anonymous donations that I gave to help keep the orphanages and children's hospital running. One could be sure that the children of Aelbank City would not suffer if I had anything to say about it.

I had done some pretty fucked up shit in my life, but where children were concerned, they were never to be harmed, and I would be damned if such things were to happen within my city. Though I may not have been able to stop every single crime where such things were involved, I had done my best to eliminate them as best as I could.

"Forgive my uncertainty..." Thomas said, pulling me out of my thoughts as he frowned and continued, "But I can't help but think one day that something will go out of place, where the other mob bosses are concerned.

Perhaps the Irish may get greedy and attack the Russians. I know what a hothead James can be."

"O'Doherty may be a hothead, but he isn't stupid. Just continue keeping me abreast of everyone's movements and I'll be sure to keep them in line. If it's one thing, we can always count on the obtuseness of people," I stated, my grin widening.

"I have some intel concerning José Hernández García. Word has it that he's left Miami and is heading this way to meet you sometime next week. Why haven't you told me?" Thomas asked, his tone careful not to be accusing. Making a clicking sound with my mouth, "When have I ever shown you all of my cards, Commissioner?"

"Granted, but should I be worried, Mr. Calvetti? The Sonora Cartel always leave death behind, wherever they go," Thomas noted, a look of concern coming over his face.

"Yes well, I've done my best to keep their poison out of my city. I've been avoiding this meeting with García for months. Unfortunately, he has been relentless in his pursuit, and I'm starting to get annoyed. I suppose he wants to be rejected in person as I've already stated I won't be doing business with them, unless they're proposing to trade in something else." I said before adding, "Don't worry about it, as always, you'll know what you need to know."

Nodding, Thomas answered, "You're the boss."

"I'll see you again soon. I know that Tolstoy has three girls waiting for you in the lobby. Do enjoy your night, Commissioner, and tell your wife that I said hello..." I winked while tugging on the lapels of my dark purple pinstripe suit and flashed one last brilliant smile before exiting.