Page 18 of Explosive Union
“Hayes?” I question him, wondering what the hell I’m missing.
He once again rakes his hand through his hair. If he continues, he’ll be bald by the time he’s forty.
“It shouldn’t have happened,” he snarls. “None of what you went through would have happened if that coward had owned the fuck up.”
I stare at him in complete and utter shock. Hayes is the quiet one, the sibling who just sits back and watches. I’ve never seen him so angry at one of us. I can’t recall a time when any of us argued with him.
“Hayes,” I say softly. “Do you know how hard he tried to make me change my mind? How hard Killian did too? I would have done the same for you. I would do the same for you.”
He shakes his head. “You shouldn’t have to do it. We’re old enough to make our own mistakes. We all know what could happen when we sign up for this life. Killing people comes with consequences, Jade. It burns deep in our soul. We’re engraved with their lives. Every life we take, it consumes us until there’s nothing good left in us.”
“You think I don’t know that?” I hiss. “You think I don’t feel everything you do? I’ve killed, and I’ll continue to do so. Just because I’m younger than you, it doesn’t mean I’m not capable of doing what needs to be done.”
“It’s not because you’re younger,” he tells me as he begins to pace.
Red hot anger courses through my body. “I know it’s not because I’m a woman.” He glances away at my words, and I stare at my brother in disgust. “We’ve grown up in this life, Hayes. We knew from a young age that women are just as vital as the men are. If not more. We work harder than the men because we have to continue to prove our worth. Just because you’re not happy that a woman is in power, it doesn’t mean it’s not going to happen.”
“That’s not what it fucking is,” he snaps. “Christ, Jade. The women in this family have a penchant for being kidnapped. I’m fucking scared that you’ll be next, and if they get you and do what those bastards in prison did to you, that you’ll not survive.”
“Then it’s our job to ensure it doesn’t happen, right?”
His jaw is tight, his blue eyes flinty, but he reluctantly nods.
I sigh. I’m not going to put up with this shit. “You have a choice, Hayes. You can be my right hand and finally start earning the respect you deserve, or you can continue to act like I’m weak and stay where the hell you are. Those are your options. Make your decision.”
He pulls me into his arms. “I don’t think you’re weak. The complete fucking opposite. You are amazing, Jade. You are the perfect role model for my daughters. Your strength, humility, and kindness are everything I wish for them to be. I’ll never see you as weak. I just don’t want you to have to deal with even more shit.”
I smile at him, my heart bursting with love for my brother. “I won’t. That’ll never happen again. Trust me.” I’d fucking die before I let anyone do that to me again.
“With my life,” he replies.
I giggle as I pull away from him, ready to end this conversation. “Who knew you were such a smooth talker?”
His smirk is cocky and filled with arrogance. “That’s why I’m a married man.”
“Christ, could you imagine if you weren’t? You’d be lethal.”
He straightens his suit jacket and stands up tall. “Smooth talker and damn right sexy.”
I hold up my hand. “Ah, now, I never said that, and I never will.”
He chuckles as he makes his way to the door. “Jealousy is such an ugly trait, Jade. You can do better.”
I flip him the bird. “Is there tension between you and Hayden?”
He simply shrugs.
“Fix it,” I snap at him. “He isn’t to blame for what happened to me, just as I’m not. I will not have our family in tatters. I need you both around me. Don’t make me feel as though I have to choose between you both.”
He nods quickly before leaving. I just pray that I’ve gotten through to him and he’ll be able to let his anger go. My family are the most important people in my life. I would do anything to protect them. I would die for them if it meant keeping them safe. I’ve done it before, and I’d do it again.
* * *
I smooth my dress down, making sure there are no ruffles. The deep purple dress fits like a glove. It’s modest—a little too modest for my taste. There’s no leg showing, my cleavage is covered, and even my neck is unexposed. It’s sleeveless, so at least there is a little skin showing—even if it is my arms. It showcases my curves and leaves a lot to the imagination.
I reach up for the claw clip that’s holding my hair up and unclasp it. My hair cascades down my back. It’s sleek and straight, something I haven’t had in a long time. My hair is usually in its normal form of unruly curls.
I hear a gasp and glance into the mirror and see Mam standing at the door. Her eyes are filled with tears, her hands covering her mouth, and she’s staring at me in awe.