Page 39 of Cherished Union

I smile. “I made plenty. I had planned on giving it to the men who are guarding us, but when I mentioned it to Christopher, he tensed and didn’t say a word.”

“He’s here to protect you and Vivi, Addie, not to eat.”

I roll my eyes. God, it’s food. The man has to eat. But I don’t voice my opinion. Now isn’t the time. I’m still trying to gage how he’d react to it if I were to argue with him.

He takes my hand and leads me back to the living room, where he has a plate of food waiting for him.

“What I say to you, Adelina, is to never be repeated.” His voice has an edge of darkness to it, not to mention that he’s calling me Adelina, something he very rarely does.

I sit down on the couch and nod. “I promise,” I say, glad my voice is even.

“When Granda Henry decided it was time to branch out from just Chicago, it didn’t take us long to gain the respect nor the soldiers to follow us. They knew what would happen when we expanded. It would mean they’d be promoted. The opportunities were there; they just had to earn them. So, the men blindly followed us, doing as we said.”

I nod, listening to him intently. I remember when my father found out that the Gallaghers had not only gained the footholds of Illinois, but also were gaining soldiers rapidly. The Gallaghers are well respected by not just soldiers and captains alike, but also by the people of Illinois. They’re a family that does a lot for the community and the people in it.

Hayden begins eating, and I wait patiently for him to continue the story. “The Masters were pissed. They’d gone from being the biggest players in Chicago to being a small-time crime family.”

“My father always said that Garrant Masters didn’t have the head for the business.” My father hates Garrant Masters and everything he stands for.

Hayden inclines his head in agreement. “He’s right, Garrant doesn’t. In fact, the man has made so many wrong business decisions that he’s hemorrhaging money. He was losing the soldiers he had as he wasn’t able to pay them, and it was just the icing on the cake that those men came in search of jobs and ended up working for us.”

He continues to eat all the while talking to me. It’s as though he can’t get enough food in his mouth. He’s shoveling it in. “I went to a bar one night on business. Jade came with me. While we were there, the manager of the bar called the Masters and the youngest son turned up.” He shakes his head, the anger in his eyes making my stomach churn. “He pulled out a gun, and I fired before he could get Jade or I.”

Oh god. My heart is thumping faster than ever.

“I killed him, and as I’m known to the cops, Jade took the blame. She served five years inside because of me.”

I shake my head. “Not because of you,” I say gently. “You didn’t cause that, Hayden, they did. The Masters did. Their jealousy did.”

“What happened to her in there…” he trails off, his gaze on the plate of food in front of him, and I know this is the end of the conversation.

I’m scared to ask what happened to her. I always knew there was something; the darkness in her eyes, the pain that shines in them. The way she doesn’t like being close to anyone. I have my suspicions, but I’ll never voice them out loud.

“This was delicious, Addie. Thank you.”

I smile at him. “You’re welcome. I love cooking. If there’s anything you want, just let me know.”

His grin is childlike. “You may regret that, my dove.”

I doubt that very much. I would be willing to do anything to get that smile again. “We’ll see.”

“Tomorrow, I have a meeting with my men. When I’m finished, I’d like for you to get to know some of them as you’ll be starting work soon.”

I sit up taller at his words. “I will?”

He nods. “Yes. As of right now, I have four clubs in this state that are underperforming. You, my dove, if you are up to the challenge, will make them successful.”

I nod. “I’ll give it my best shot.”

The excitement is already buzzing through my body. I can’t wait to get started. Tomorrow, while he’s meeting with his men, I’ll be doing all the research I need to.

“I have no doubt you will—" His cell rings, and I watch as he grits his teeth. “Shit,” he groans as he gets to his feet. “I have to take this, sorry.”

I wave him away. I know he’ll be called at all hours of the day. It’s something I’ll have to get used to. “It’s fine. I’ll clean up. I’ll also leave the lasagna out for you in case you want more.”

His gaze heats as he rakes his eyes over my body. “I definitely want more.”

My breath hitches. There’s no doubt that he meant more than just the food. My body trembles at the thought of being with him again. The pleasure I felt last night was more than I could have ever thought, and it is definitely something I want to experience over and over again.

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