Page 28 of Explosive Union
Her lips twist with anger. “That remains to be seen. What the hell were you three thinking? Hmm? Going out and killing that man?”
“Actually, the three of us didn’t do it. It was solely Jade,” Hayes boasts proudly, and I see my da’s lips twitch with amusement.
“Liam,” my mam cries. “You can’t let this happen.”
I’ve had enough. “You don’t get a say in this, Mam. I’m not you, which is why I’ve been made Underboss of Chicago.”
Her face loses its color, and she gasps, her hand going to her mouth as tears spring to her eyes. “No,” she whispers.
“Edwina,” my da says soothingly, in hopes of calming her down.
It’s no use, my mam is somewhat of a drama queen, especially when her kids are concerned. “Did you know about this?” she hisses at him.
“Yes,” he admits stupidly. Always deny it. It’s the best course. It’ll save you the hassle of having to listen to her bitch about not being consulted.
“I cannot believe you,” she whispers. Christ, that’s worse than shouting. Da’s in for it now. “What the hell were you thinking, Liam?”
Da straightens to his full height. “Edwina, watch it,” he cautions her. “You know that what happens in this business is none of your business. You made that extremely clear when we married. Do not even think about trying to dictate what happens now.”
“My daughter,” she cries.
“Our daughter,” he snaps back. “She’s our daughter, Edwina. I, along with you, have waited for her to return home to us. Have waited on pins and needles, praying that she’d be okay, that she’d make it through what those bastards did to her, and she has.”
I don’t think I have ever seen my da this angry. I certainly haven’t seen him speak to Mam this way before.
His voice softens as he continues. “But what you have to realize, Leannán, is that our girl went in, and the woman who returned to us isn’t the same. The shit she’s been through has changed her. The sooner you understand and get behind what she wants, the better. If not, you could end up losing her again, and this time, Leannán, it would be of no fault but your own.”
The silence stretches across the kitchen, no one saying anything, not wanting to get in between our parents' argument. But I could hug my da right now. He understands, and I love that he went against his wife for me. I should have known that he’d have my back, just as his sons have. They’re his replicas all the way down to the way they love—fiercely and with everything that’s within them.
“So, you’re really the Underboss?” Mam questions me after she’s composed herself.
I nod. “I am. Hayes is going to be my right hand. Granda asked me yesterday, and I would be stupid to turn it down. And you didn’t raise me to be foolish, Mam.”
She purses her lips and glares at my father. “Did everyone but me know?” The hurt in her voice is clear to hear, but there’s nothing that could be done about it. She’s not part of the Clann. She’s never had any interest in being so.
“If it’s any consolation, I had no idea,” Hayden says as he sips his coffee.
I narrow my eyes at him. I can’t tell if he’s lying or not. He’s got good at hiding it. I know I never told him, but surely, he’d have to wonder who’d be taking his place as Underboss when he was promoted.
“Liar,” I mouth to him, and he winks at me, letting me know he is a big fat liar.
“I don’t like this. Not one bit,” she says as she glares at me and my da.
“So you’ve said, Leannán, but there’s nothing you can do to change it. So, to support your daughter, why not congratulate her and move on with your day.”
I bite my lip to stop the laughter bubbling out. Damn, Da’s pushing it.
“I may not like what you’re doing, but you know that I’ll support you completely.”
That’s the biggest congratulations I’m going to get.
“Now, I have a question,” I say, and watch as she narrows her eyes. “Did you know before Da about my marriage to Rocco?”
Her pause is enough to give me my answer.
“How long before?” I snap, pissed that she knew and never said a fucking word.
“The day you went to prison. It was mentioned to me, and I thought it would be a good idea,” she says unapologetically. “Had I known what would happen to you, I would never have agreed to it.”