Page 54 of Explosive Union

“How many did you lose?” I ask, knowing they’ve taken a big hit tonight with their loss.

“Five dead, six injured. Thankfully, those six aren’t fatal,” Jade responds somberly.

Liam moves in closer to his daughter. The two are extremely close. She’s a daddy’s girl, that’s for sure. I learned so much about my future wife tonight. She’s independent, strong, and a great leader, but she’s also vulnerable and has a soft side.

“Go on home, mo chailín milis. There’s nothing you can do here. We’ll let those that are injured seek medical attention, then tomorrow we’ll visit the families of those that lost their lives. After we grieve, we hit the Masters where it hurts the most,” Liam instructs her, placing a kiss against her forehead.

Jade’s lips twist into a mischievous grin. “Lila Masters,” she says, stepping away from her father. “The poor girl isn’t going to know what’s hit her by the time I’m finished with her.”

Liam grins like a proud father. “That, mo chailín milis, is why you were appointed ahead of your brother. You know what needs to be done and have no problem taking out anyone. Family included.”

She presses her lips together. “Hmm, only when you say so, right? Otherwise, Granny would have been taken care of a long time ago.”

Liam shakes his head. “Get my girl out of here, Rocco. I’m trusting you to take her home.”

Jade rolls her eyes. “I’m more than capable of getting home by myself.”

“Babe,” I say, and she shuffles on her feet. “For my own sanity, let me take you home. Those fuckers could be waiting for you.”

She sighs as she glances between me and her father. “Fine. Neither of you are going to shut up about it. So, Rocco, you can take me home. Da, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Liam steps closer to her and whispers so that only she can hear him. I wait until the two have said their goodbyes before stepping close to her and taking her hand in mine.

“Getting close tonight, aren’t you, Rocky?”

I grit my teeth. I should have known it wouldn’t be long until she gave me a fucked-up nickname. “Jade,” I growl. The woman can test my patience unlike any other.

She laughs. “You know something, Rocco, you’re not as bad as I thought you’d be. But this entire macho bullshit you’ve got going on has to stop. I’m not a fragile creature that needs to be hidden away from the world. I’ve been taking care of myself for a long-ass time. I’m more than capable of doing so.”

I come to a stop and pull her into me. “You think it’s macho bullshit? You actually believe that me wanting you safe is macho bullshit?” I ask incredulous. “No, it’s fucking who I am. I protect those that mean something to me, and whether we want to or not, you’re going to be my wife. It’s happening. Nothing we say can stop it. So, you’re going to mean something to me. You getting hurt is not something I can let happen. I will not stand by when danger surrounds you.”

Her eyes close and her head falls forward. “Rocco,” she whispers, “I’m never going to be like the women you’re used to. I’m no damsel in distress. I don’t need a man to save me. I just want you to be by my side. I’m the Underboss, it’s who I am. I will not give it up for you. As you wouldn’t for me. You need to decide over the next two weeks if it’s something you can come to terms with. If not, then the wedding’s off.” She wrenches her arm from me and walks outside, her head held high and strides full of purpose.

I don’t even hesitate; I chase after her. By the time I reach her, she’s climbing into her car. I slide in beside her, and she tells the driver she’s going home.

The ride to her apartment is quiet, and the silence stretches between us. She’s putting up walls. Erecting bigger ones than she already has. She’s pushing me away, and I understand why. But I’ll be damned if I allow it to happen.

The car comes to a rolling stop outside her apartment complex, and I see she has men patrolling the perimeter. Good, she’s got things covered, not that I had ever doubted that she wasn’t good at her job. I watched her tonight, saw her switch from having fun with her family to the boss, and she did it flawlessly. Her family definitely made the right choice in promoting her.

She’s out of the car as soon as the car stops, not once saying a word to me. I sigh and climb out after her. I’m sick to death of seeing the back of her. This shit has got to stop. She walks into the complex just as I reach her. She fights a smile when I take her hand once again. Elio is right, I need to get a ring on her finger. She’s far too fucking beautiful not to have one. Any man that sees her will instantly see no ring and think she’s available. They’d be wrong and lose their life if they even tried.

We step into the elevator, and as soon as the doors close, I turn to her, crowding her, pushing her back against the wall. My hands either side of her head. “That’s what you want,principessa—this wedding called off?”

She looks up at me and the air around us crackles. The oxygen seems to leave me, and I stare at the woman beneath me and see her. Not a boss, not a Gallagher, but Jade.

So fucking beautiful, so vulnerable. So fucking perfect.

Mine. She’s all mine, and I’ll be damned if I’m letting her walk away from me.

“No,” she whispers, her tongue snaking out of her mouth and swiping across her bottom lip. “But I’ll be damned if I let you belittle me because of who I am. I’m the boss, and you’d best get used to it.”

Can I?

I don’t know.

But I want her. I want this marriage. I want everything from her.

“I’m an ass, Jade. I’m gonna make mistakes and I’m going to fuck up.” I drop my hand to her cheek and caress her face. Her skin is soft to touch, and I press closer to her, my cock fighting to escape my pants. It’s rock fucking hard. “But I will never hurt you. That, I can guarantee.”