Babysitting the Mafia’s Heir
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Chapter 3: Murder Case opened
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Jesse furrowed his brows, taking a step back, and readied himself to bolt into back his apartment as he wondered why the cops would come knocking on his door in the morning.
One of the men, however, pulled a badge from his pocket. “I’m detective Hugh. That’s Inspector Cassidy.”
Jesse swallowed thickly, wondering why the police wanted to talk to him.
“There’s something we wanted to discuss with you.” Hugh said.
“I don’t think I understand what this is all about.” Jesse eyed them apprehensively, still not believing them.
“You are a close friend of a girl named Jessica Hal who’s in coma in the ICU unit right now on the case of attempted murder, she was found half dead in a ditch last night outside of a club that you were sighted at,” the man called Cassidy said. “We are here within reason, Mr. Jesse.”
Jesse’s mind was spiraling as guilt washed over him for not checking with Jessica after he dropped her off before leaving the said club to go with a handsome man who just happens to be in the fucking Mafia.
Wait...
She wasn’t with him at the club.
She didn’t even know which club he was headed to.
“Since you’re already familiar with the information of what happened to your friend, Jessica Hal, I’m sure you’ll be able to follow what we are going to tell you. Several major and minor crime syndicates run illegal activities in here in the city. The Cobras used to be one of them.” Hugh said as he turned his phone screen toward him. “Biggest of them all is the Dragons.”
Cassidy cleared his throat. “We suspect that your friend, Jessica, must have being attacked by a dragon member.”
Jesse narrowed his eyes as a few photographs popped on the screen. His throat constricted with a sudden ball of emotion clogging it. All traces of confusion were gone, replaced with shock and fear. His heart hammered and he wondered if his face showed what he felt.
His hands were becoming clammy and he held them together in a tight grip as he stared at the bloody pictures showing the stabs on Jessica’s body. And the craving of a dragon on her skin.
Which was obviously not by her will.
“The rumored suspect of her death is her boyfriend, or should I say Ex, who is under investigation.” A portrait was pulled up and Jesse froze recognizing the asshole.
Cassidy began to pull the photos one by one, studying Jesse’s expression carefully. “Now you know why we wanted to see you this morning,” he continued.
“Mr Javier, mostly known as Ivanov in the underground circle, the rumored kingpin and the man we also suspect to be behind the murder of your friend. The most ruthless mob boss even the other gang leaders fear. He’s a nightmare to the police.” The man scoffed. “Do you know what happened to those who go against him?” He questioned and continued to answer without waiting for Jesse’s response. “He’s a ruthless killer.”
Jesse was very well aware of the horrors of the crimes that dragons syndicate always commit. Had witnessed the extent of the victim’s sufferings and the scars that were left on them.
No. Cassidy was wrong.
Ivanov was none of those things to him today or even yesterday. He was the kindest and caring man who doesn’t even raise his voice at him. Jesse couldn’t tear his gaze off the screen even when the photo changed.
“Next, we have Wallace, his second-in-command. He’s just as ruthless as Ivanov. Our sources claim that he’s the only one who could talk to him the way he does and get away with.”
Once again the detectives was wrong.
His brother, Wal was the funniest and goofiest person to be around. He was one giant fluff ball who loved cuddles and any sort of affection Jesse showered him with.
“I’m sorry to spring this on you like this, Jesse. But by now you’d have understood the seriousness of this all.” He turned off his phone. “You are mingling with criminals.”
Jesse pursed his lips, his mind was in turmoil and his heart hammered in his chest.
“I know it’s hard to process.“ Hugh said.
“We need your help, Jesse.“ Cassidy spoke convincingly. “Your best friend needs your help.”
Jesse still didn’t meet their eyes as he stepped backwards to close his door. “I’m just a student, Sir. There’s nothing I can do to help you.”
He closed the door shut and turned letting out the breath he was holding.
Jesse was confused on what to do. His best friend was in coma and his brother is the number 3 suspect.
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"Got a potential job opportunity for you."
Jesse looks up from his computer and over at Joaquin as he walks into his apartment, helping himself to an apple. "The door was locked."
Joaquin wags his eyebrows, dropping down to sprawl across the couch, though he gives no explanation. "Job opportunity, Jesse. Are you listening?"
He sighs, trying to remove the situation with the police from his mind before setting his tablet down and turning in his chair. "What is it?"
"Babysitting."
Jesse’s eyebrow twitches up, looking at him over the top of his glasses. "Elaborate."
"Babysitting my boss' kid."
"Pass," is his immediate response, picking his pen and tablet back up.
Joaquin sighs, and Jesse can see him sitting up from the corner of his eye. "I knew you'd say that."
"Then you shouldn't have asked, should you?" He shoots back with a syrupy sweet voice, going back to shading.
"You need the money."
"I also need my brother to find a new best friend."
Joaquin tosses the half eaten apple at him. "Come on, Jesse."
The younger sighs, scratching his forehead with the end of his pen. "Thank you for thinking of me. But I don't want to get caught up in your little world of crime and rebellion."
"How many times have you heard that babysitting ends badly, huh? Nothing bad ever happens when a kid is involved," Joaquin protests as Jesse picks the apple out of his lap, dropping it in the trash.
"I'm sure there's a whole category dedicated to babysitting horror movies. You know, there's a horror movie just called The Babysitter. Try harder," Jesse rejects, eyeing his screen as he takes a sip of his coffee.
Joaquin sighs, coming to lean against the side of his desk. "Like me or Wallace would let anything bad happen to you."
Jesse scoffs, "Oh, that makes me feel so much better, thank you."
"Yah. I'm serious," Joaquin mutters with a scowl, swatting at Jesse’s chest. "You think I'd ask you if I thought there was any chance it was dangerous? You think I'd ask you if Wallace hadn't approved of the idea?"
Jesse can tell he's not going to get anymore work down while Joaquin is hanging around. With a frustrated sigh, he twists back in his desk chair to face his brother's best friend. "Why isn't he proposing the idea to me, then?"
"Busy."
He hums, "Vague. Busy doing what?"
Joaquin meets his eyes, both of them staring each other out before the elder's shoulders sag. "Alright, so Wallace doesn't know yet, but when I... briefly mentioned the idea, he didn't completely dismiss it."
Jesse gives him a vacant look.
"Jesse."
And no, Jesse won't tolerate whining. "Get out," he dismisses, attempting to swivel back around in his chair, but Joaquin doesn't let him, planting his hands on either shoulder.
"Please, kid. This isn't just a potential job opportunity, but a favour to me, too."
"I knew it. Why?"
Joaquin purses his lips. Jesse raises an eyebrow, waiting. "I told my boss you'd already agreed. You're actually meeting him tonight."
Jesse laughs before his face drops and he shoves Joaquin back so he can go back to work. "No, I'm not."
"Look, it's just over the weekend. You can take your work with you, the kid is as good as gold. I'll make sure you get paid handsomely. Ah, just like you, huh? Handsome?"
His brother has made a terrible choice with this friendship.
"Come on, Jesse. Two days and you walk away without having to feel guilty about Wallace paying your rent," Joaquin tries, knowing exactly what he's doing.
Jesse shoots him a sharp look. "That was a low blow, asshole."
Joaquin doesn't even pretend to look apologetic, just stands there and picks at his nails.
Fucker.
"Alright, fine. But if Wallace gets mad, that's all on you. I come out as the hero. Little brother taking up a job to pay his own rent and to help out big brother's best friend. Deal?"
Joaquin beams. "Deal."
"Now leave me alone."
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TBC
Babysitting the Mafia’s Heir .Chapter 4: A moral decision to make .Later that night, Joaquin comes and picks him up for a meeting, which sounds so ominous that it makes Jesse’s skin crawl. There's still a chance that the big boss man might decide he doesn't like him, and Jesse knows he wouldn't feel too bad. He's stayed clear of his brother's line of work for the last three years. Though it's not like Wallace’s ever been too keen on him being a part of it, either. He's never best pleased when Joaquin brings up anything involving work. Jesse doesn't want to know. He saw his brother come over with blood on his clothes one night and no scratches and he vowed never to ask about it. See no evil, hear no evil."My brother is gonna kick your ass," Jesse sighs as they drive through the city, scrolling through his texts. "He'll get over it," Joaquin waves off with a shake of his head, and the younger turns to look at him with a raise of eyebrows."Do you even know Wallace? Like, at all
Babysitting the Mafia’s Heir.Chapter 5: meeting the Mafia’s Heir . Joaquin fixes Jesse with a narrowed look, mocking a silent laugh before shaking his head. "No, c'mon. It's fine. It'll be fine. He loves me enough that he won't kill me."Jesse hums, patting Joaquin’s arm as he passes him around the hood of the car, climbing the steps to stand in front of large, grey double doors. "After you," he insists and doesn't miss the eye roll he gets as Joaquin lets himself in.Needless to say, the house on the outside has nothing on the inside. High ceilings and tall walls, covered in modern art and photographs of skylines. The floors are marble, the odd block coloured rug spread out here and there. And that's just the foyer alone. Two sets of black marble stairs start in the middle of the room, glass banisters, curving up to meet at the top in the shape of sideways eye. Couches and arm chairs hug the curves of the wall in the middle, styled like a waiting room, showing a fireplace right
Babysitting the Mafia’s Heir.Chapter 6: don't get us killed. "Oh, right. Yeah! Yeah, of course. I'd love to meet him. How old is he?" Jesse hears his own voice softening and he wonders if this is why Joaquin thought of him to look after his boss' kid. It's been a while since he's been able to dote on his younger siblings, but when he does, nothing makes him happier than playing with them. He's always had the biggest soft spot for children."Seventeen," Ivanov tells him with a blank face and Jesse is a little bit rattled, stunned from where he was midway to standing up. “I'm kidding," the man laughs, amusement curling at his lips. "He's six." And Jesse can hear the softness to his voice."Great age." Ivanov’s eyebrows raise in silent question as he leads him out of his office. “You know, it's when they're at their softest. They think you're the funniest and most entertaining person ever, like you know the answers to the universe."Ivanov seems to get it, going off the way his fa
Babysitting the Mafia’s Heir.Chapter 7: babysitting for the weekend. .Jesse picks him up that Friday, and he can see by the look on his face that he's pensive, clearly second guessing this."Come on," Jesse says as his brother drives them over to Ivanov’s. "It's gonna be fine. I've already had a long talk with Ivanov--" he stops at the look Wallace sends him. "I've already had a long talk with Mr. Javier, alright? I know the rules. No answering the door, put the alarm on at night, in by seven. I even made my own list. You know how serious I am about things if I bother to make a list."Wallace sighs, giving a nod, running his hand through his hair as they stop at a red light. "Just don't fuck up, Jesse. I'm your brother, but I can't be held accountable for your actions this time. Okay?"Jesse frowns, lips pushing into a sulk. "I can handle my own, thank you. It'll be fine," he repeats, this time a little more assertively. His brother just nods, not saying anything else on the matt
Babysitting the Mafia’s Heir.Chapter 8: Anger, fear, anguish, confusion. .By seven, they're both full from their dinner - and what a dinner it was. Jesse is not sure he's eaten that good in a long time. All the food was already prepped or plated, and all he had to do was heat it up or follow the last few instructions, which actually proved to be a little difficult in such a high tech kitchen. So many knobs, so many buttons. But he managed to figure it out with the help of Indor and a couple of texts to Ivanov, who was actually almost as clueless as him, considering they had a chef. A chef. Jesse eventually ousted Ivanov away and got it sorted. He's got his arm stretched over the back of the couch behind Iandor, the TV playing an animated movie that neither are all that interested in, and Jesse has got one popsicle in his mouth, and the other in the hand behind Iandor as the kid draws lines onto the tablet. They've been at it for the last forty-five minutes, Iandor creating a
Babysitting the Mafia’s Heir.Chapter 9.He struggles to fall asleep.Iandor has been in bed for almost six hours now, and Jesse for two. He stayed up a while to clean up and try and watch a movie, bring some type of normality back to him. But to no avail. He still feels the tumult inside him, thinking about that file in Ivanov’s office. The file on him. The more he thinks about it, the more the apprehension sizzles into animosity. That fucker. Jesse would have had no problem giving him all the information he needed, would have given it to him willingly. So the fact that he dug - and boy, he dug deep - into Jesse’s life without consent, it bothers him like none other. He's close to foaming at the mouth as he lies there in sheets too soft to ignore, still thinking of a way he can accidentally step on Ivanov’s toes and have a knife recede from the heel of his shoe. Jesse’s plans are disturbed, though, when he hears a noise from downstairs. He strains his ears, because he's heard the
Babysitting the Mafia’s Heir.Chapter 10."Jesse."It's such a soft, sweet sentiment, and it has Jesse waking up with a smile.Iandor called him when waking up. He sees him as a big brother. But his smile soon slips at the sight of the worried frown between Iandor’s eyebrows, immediately curling a protective arm around him. "What's wrong, bug?" He whispers, voice grainy with sleep."Bad dream," the kid replies just as quietly as he curls up into the space of his chest and Jesse can't help but internally croon at how soft of a gesture it is."Did I forget to turn your nightlight on? Oh, gosh, I'm sorry, Ian, I--"Ian shakes his head against his collarbone. "No, you didn't forget. I just had a bad dream anyway. Can I stay with you?"Jesse feels his shoulders go a little more slack, pulling the covers up around them both, giving Iandor all of his body heat. "Of course you can. I feel safer with you in here too," he confesses, hoping to ease Iandor as much as possible.It seems to work
Babysitting the Mafia’s Heir.Chapter 11: what a billionaire mafia jerk.After getting the earful of a lifetime from his brother regarding respect and just not being an asshole to someone like Ivanov, life goes back to normal for him. Jesse still insists on not knowing anything, though it seems Joaquin is very careful not to slip up anymore, whether it be from Jesse’s attitude towards Ivanov, or Wallace’s wrath, he doesn't know or care.He keeps on chugging through school life, keeps getting his work done and even combines Iandor’s drawings into one of his projects. The project is entirely customised to him personally, and Jesse bases it on creativity through the years and how it can become morphed by society and reused ideas. The only time Jesse thinks about Ivanov is the one night he dreams of him. Dreams of him coming into his room late at night and wrapping a hand around his neck and squeezing and squeezing until Jesse’s choking for breath and clawing at his wrists. He wakes u