Chapter 9
The morning sun filtered softly through the thin curtains of Jessy's bedroom, casting gentle patterns on the worn wooden floor. She lay awake, her thoughts a tangled web she couldn't untangle no matter how hard she tried. The night's uneasy sleep left her with a dull ache in her temples and an ever-growing tension in her chest. Rocky lay curled beside her, his steady breathing a small comfort in the quiet room.
Jessy's hand instinctively rested on her belly, feeling the subtle flutter of the baby within, a reminder of the life she was protecting even as uncertainty loomed over her own. The previous days played over in her mind — Dave's lingering gaze, Maura's warnings, the strange pull she couldn't explain. But this morning, a new feeling gnawed at her: fear.
What was Dave really hiding? And what part did she play in the tangled story of the Sebastiano brothers?
Her phone buzzed on the bedside table, making her jump slightly. She reached for it with trembling fingers and saw the name flashing on the screen — Dave Sebastiano. Her heart raced. Should she answer? Was she ready to speak with him again?
After a moment, she swiped to answer, steadying her voice. "Hello?"
"Morning, Jessy," Dave's voice came through, smooth and calm, but with an edge that sent a shiver down her spine. "I know this is sudden, but I need to see you. There's... something you need to know."
Jessy hesitated, her mind racing through possible reasons. "What is it?"
"I can't explain everything over the phone. Please. Meet me at the old garage tonight. Alone." His voice softened just slightly, but the command was clear.
Before she could say anything, the line went dead.
Jessy stared at the phone, her breath caught in her throat. The old garage — their shared past, the place that had always held secrets. Was she stepping into danger? Or finally getting answers she desperately needed?
The day passed slowly, each minute heavy with anticipation. Jessy busied herself with small tasks around the house, but her thoughts drifted constantly back to Dave's call. She kept glancing out the window at the Sebastiano house across the street, half expecting to see him standing there, waiting.
Even Rocky seemed to sense her tension, following her closely and resting his head on her lap whenever she paused. Maura had stopped by with a quiet smile but said little, reading the worry in Jessy's eyes.
As evening fell, Jessy dressed carefully — something comfortable but sturdy. She tucked her phone and a small flashlight into her jacket pocket, not wanting to be caught unprepared.
The walk to the garage was cool and silent. The fading light cast long shadows over the cracked pavement, and the air smelled faintly of oil and rust. The garage doors, weathered and heavy, stood closed like a silent guardian to the secrets inside.
Jessy paused, taking a deep breath to steady herself before pushing the doors open.
Inside, the dim light barely pierced the dust-filled air. The familiar scent of grease and metal mingled with something sharper — tension, maybe danger. She scanned the room, eyes adjusting slowly.
Dave emerged from the shadows, his dark eyes intense and unreadable. His usual smirk was gone, replaced by a seriousness that made Jessy's heart pound.
"You came," he said quietly.
"I had to," Jessy replied, trying to keep her voice steady. "You said there was something I need to know."
Dave stepped closer, lowering his voice even further. "There's a reason I've been distant. Things I've kept from you — from everyone. It's not just about me or my brothers. It's bigger."
Jessy's brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"
Dave sighed and looked away for a moment, then back at her. "The Sebastiano family... We're not just a family with a tough reputation. There's a history — a legacy. Something dark that's followed us for generations."
Her pulse quickened. "Like what?"
"A long time ago, my ancestors made a deal — something they thought would protect us, but it came at a cost. It's why the Sebastiano brothers are as feared as they are. We've been... bound to certain rules, certain enemies."
Jessy's eyes widened. "Enemies? What kind of enemies?"
Dave hesitated. "People who want to destroy everything we've built. People who would hurt anyone close to us to get what they want."
She swallowed hard. "And you think I'm involved in this?"
Dave shook his head slowly. "No. But I think the baby you're carrying might be the key. To end the cycle. Or to make everything worse."
The room seemed to close in around her, the weight of his words pressing down hard.
Jessy took a shaky step back. "I don't understand. Why me? Why the baby?"
Dave's expression softened, pain flickering behind his eyes. "Because you're the only one who can break the chain. You don't realize it yet, but you're part of something much bigger."
She looked down at her stomach, where the life inside moved gently. Suddenly, the uncertainty felt overwhelming.
"What do I do?" she whispered.
Dave took her hand in his, surprising her with the gentleness of the touch. "For now, be careful. Trust no one. I'll protect you both, I swear."
Jessy's eyes searched his face, looking for the truth beneath the shadow.
"Promise me you'll stay safe," he said earnestly.
"I promise," she answered, even though every part of her felt uncertain.
The night deepened, and Jessy walked home slowly, her mind spinning with everything Dave had said. The quiet streets felt different — dangerous and alive at the same time. Rocky trotted beside her, sensing her unease.
Once inside, she locked every door and window, a habit that suddenly felt necessary. Maura was waiting in the kitchen with a pot of tea, her face grave.
"Come sit," Maura said softly, passing her the cup.
Jessy sat heavily, the warmth of the tea doing little to calm her nerves.
Maura regarded her for a moment, then nodded slowly. "You spoke with him?"
Jessy nodded, recounting the conversation as best as she could.
When she finished, Maura took a deep breath. "The Sebastianos have long shadows, Jessy. You're tangled in something far beyond a simple family feud."
Jessy looked up, eyes bright. "What can I do?"
"Protect yourself and that baby. Keep your heart guarded, but don't close it completely. There's more to Dave than the darkness, but you must be careful not to lose yourself in it."
The words echoed in Jessy's mind long after Maura left for the night. She knew she was at a crossroads, and every choice could change everything.
Days passed in a blur of quiet tension. Jessy found herself watching the Sebastiano house more often, trying to understand the man behind the mystery. Dave's visits became more frequent, but their conversations were cautious, filled with half-truths and guarded glances.
One afternoon, as Jessy sat on her porch with Rocky beside her, Dave approached, his face unreadable.
"We need to talk," he said.
Jessy stood, ready for whatever came next.
"This isn't just about the past anymore," Dave continued. "There are people moving against us, people who want to take what we have. And they're closer than we think."
Fear coiled in her stomach.
"We have to be ready. For anything."
Jessy nodded, feeling the weight of his words settle deep inside.
The future was uncertain, but one thing was clear: her life and the Sebastiano legacy were now irrevocably intertwined.