Page 76 of Explosive Union

Everyone is feeling what that asshole has done to her.

“Good afternoon and thank you for coming,” Jade says loud enough for everyone to hear. Her words are clear, but I can see she’s in pain, those amazing eyes of hers haunted yet again.

Bastard. I’m going to enjoy killing him.

“Miss Gallagher, can you tell us if you were arrested for the murders of the four men?” one of the anchors asks her, everyone eager to get the scoop on what’s gone down.

“Yes, I was. This morning, I was arrested on suspicion of murder. The detective that arrested me was the brother of one of the murdered men. While I understand that he’s grieving and wants to see his brother’s killer brought to justice, what happened here today was anything but that.”

Everyone is hanging off every word she’s saying.

“What exactly happened, Miss Gallagher?”

“Detective Barker asked me questions, even though I had said I wanted my attorney present. He wouldn’t take my answers as the truth, and when I laughed—"

“Laughed?” June questions.

“While I know I shouldn’t have laughed. There are men that have died, and their loved ones are hurting. I couldn’t help myself. I’m five-foot-three, Ms Austin. The men that have been murdered are all over six-feet, and all of them are big. So, I laughed, wondering why he assumed it was me.”

The press nods in understanding. Jade is small but she’s strong. She’d overpower anyone. But those that don’t know her, they see a small, fragile woman that’s been beaten. They’re taking her word for gospel.

“Why did they think it was you?” someone shouts out.

“That’s a really good question,” Jade says, and winces as she holds onto her side. “I made a mistake five years ago. I shot someone in self-defense. Something that lives with me every day of my life and will continue to do so.” Her eyes fill with tears, and she glances away from the enthralled crowd. “I killed a man, and there’s nothing I’ll ever be able to do to bring him back.” Her voice cracks at the end of her words.

“She’s so fucking good,” Makenna praises as she stands beside her husband, both of them watching the TV with rapt attention, all the while smiling proudly at my wife.

“I went to prison and served my time. While I know that five years to his family would never be enough, I did serve my time. The men that have died apparently work in the prison as correctional officers. That’s the only connection they have.”

Jade is working the crowd. Anyone who is watching this at home, and it’s prime time TV, will no doubt believe she’s innocent.

“What the police failed to do,” Annemarie snaps as she stands up to the microphone, “was check for an alibi. Hell, they didn’t even ask for one. Had they, they’d have known that during the first murder, Jade was at home where she was the guest of honor at her homecoming party. For the last murder, Jade was marrying the love of her life.”

“Holy fuck,” Elio exclaims. “These women are good.”

He’s right. The two of them are making everyone doubt the police department, and if that gleam in Annemarie’s eyes is anything to go by, I doubt she’s finished yet.

“My client was locked in an interview room where she was beaten.” As she says the words, footage from the interview room is shown. The motherfucker storms into the room and locks the door. As soon as he does, he backhands my wife, sending her to the floor, then he proceeds to kick her.

I turn away, unable to watch any more. That motherfucker is going to die. I’m going to make sure of it. No one touches her and lives to tell the tale.

“As you can see, the attack was unprovoked, and Jade had to use a tactic that many women have learnt to help them when they are being attacked. My client has not done anything wrong, and yet she’s been subjected to abuse from the Chicago PD.”

“If this is what they do to try and coax a confession out of people, I’m wondering how many innocent men and women are behind bars right now because of the police’s inability to find the right perpetrator. How many innocent men and women are sitting inside a prison cell right now because the police believed they were the culprit without having done their jobs? How many have been beaten and forced to admit that they did a crime when, in fact, they didn’t?” The passion in Jade’s voice is clear to hear.

“And that, gentleman, is why you never piss off a Gallagher,” Liam says with a grin. “Jade has now caused a fucking media shit storm that’ll go on for years. Everyone who’s been sent down by Chicago PD is going to want a retrial. The beating she’s taken will not be forgotten. That bastard will pay for putting his hands on my little girl. But this has bought us time to find that last fucker and put him in the ground.”

“It’s time to take a stance against the abuse that this police department has been doing. Just how many others are there? One’s that haven’t been able to speak up?” Jade questions.

“Thank you for coming,” Annemarie says. “But it’s time that Jade goes home. She wants to be with her husband.”

“Congratulations on your nuptials, Miss Gallagher,” June says as the crowd parts.

“Thank you, June, and it’s Mrs Gallo now.” She gives her a bright smile and walks down the steps toward the waiting car.

The moment the door to the car closes, my cell rings. Relief washes through me when I see it’s her name on the screen. “Mia cara,” I answer.

“Hey, Roc,” her voice is gentle. “I know you’re all at my parents, but I’m not in the mood. I’m going home. Meet you there?”

---