Page 17 of Explosive Union

I worry my bottom lip between my teeth, wondering how I even begin this conversation. I decide to just bite the bullet and get it over with.

“I spoke to Granda today. He told me that tomorrow I’ll be introduced as the new Underboss of Chicago. He said you already know, but I just wanted to tell you myself.”

His expression stays the same. There’s not a flicker of emotion on his face. “That’s great, sis. You deserve it.”

I scoff. “No, I don’t. If anyone deserves it, it’s you. Christ, Hayes, you’ve proven yourself time and time again. Before I went away, I wasn’t even a soldier.”

His smile is soft and genuine, and it just makes me feel even worse for being given a position in the ranks that should be his. “I understand why I haven’t been given the position. I found the love of my life at a young age. Had I not, I’d be just like you and Hayden—the Clann comes first. But the moment I met Annemarie, my priorities changed. She became the most important thing to me.”

I shake my head. “Da’s the exact same. Mam is his priority. It’s bullshit.”

He grins wide. “Still as protective as ever, huh?”

I scowl at him. “Shut it.”

He pulls me into a hug and holds me tight. “Trust me, I’m not mad that you have been appointed as my boss. I trust you to lead us and will be with you every step of the way.”

I look up at him and thank the Lord he’s being so understanding. “Then I want you to be my right-hand man.”

His eyes widen a fraction, and his lips part in surprise. “Jade, the men know why I haven’t been promoted. To them, I went against the family.”

I merely shrug as I take a step back from him. “You did, but you’ve also made up for it. You’ll have my back, right?”

He rolls his eyes. “Of course. Like you even have to ask.”

“Then that’s all that matters. Tomorrow, I’ll make the announcement, and anyone who has a problem with that can go work with Da or Hayden. I don’t want anyone around me who doesn’t trust my judgement.”

He’s speechless, and I would laugh if I didn’t think it would be inappropriate.

“So, want to tell me what’s going on with your wife?”

He runs a hand through his hair, something all the men in my family seem to have a habit of doing. “When you were sent down, she saw how it affected not only Ma and Da, but also Hayden and me. The kids hated you being gone and would constantly ask when you were coming back.” His jaw once again hardens, and I brace myself for whatever he’s about to say. “The moment I found out what those animals did to you, I lost it, Jade. I’m not even going to lie. I wrecked the house. I saw red. I was so helpless. You were somewhere we couldn’t get to, and you had to deal with it alone.”

“Hayes—” I’m unsure what to say to him right now.

“What I felt was nothing compared to what you had been going through. Annemarie saw how much it damaged us and realized that she, too, was affected by what happened to you. She loves you like a sister, apparently.”

I don’t fucking buy it. Not a chance in Hell.

“So, she went back to law school and passed the bar. She was able to become your attorney, as you were stubborn as fuck and wouldn’t have one. So, thank you,” he says roughly.

“For what?” I question, confused as to why he’s thanking me.

“Letting her see you. Knowing that she could, and she’d tell us how you were. It was a lifeline we all clung to, especially Ma.”

The guilt of not letting them see me hits me hard. It was what I needed, but I wasn’t thinking about how my family was taking what was happening to me. Had I known, I’m honestly not sure if I would have changed things.

The silence spreads between us. I will not apologize for doing what I needed to do to survive.

“How’s Ma taken the news that you’ll be an underboss?” he questions with a smirk.

“She doesn’t know. I think Da’s hoping I’ll be the one to tell her.”

He shakes his head. “Wait until you leave the house before you let her know. That way, you won’t have to listen to the yelling.”

I laugh at his advice. “Yeah, that’s a good idea. In fact, I’ll have you tell her. You know, you being my right hand and all that.”

He grimaces. Even at the age of thirty-nine, Hayes is afraid of our ma’s response. “Make Hayden do it. The fucker owes you.” The anger in his voice isn’t something I expected.