Chapter 1
HAYES
"Hayden will be there," Da says to his men. We're at our restaurant in downtown Chicago having our weekly meeting. The premises have been swept for bugs and made sure that we're not overheard. "Make sure that we're ready. I don't want anyone to know the plan."
He rises to his feet and I follow him out of the restaurant. My jaw is tight as I keep my head held high. Once again, I've been pushed out of the picture in favor of my younger brother. "Will you be coming with us?" Da asks, his words clipped.
He's angry, I get it, there's a lot to do in order to gain the majority control over Chicago, especially with the opposition of the Italians and the Masters.
The latter are the ones putting up the biggest fight.
They want The Gallaghers out of Chicago and for us to turn everything that we have built over to them.
That's not going to happen and when they're interfering with our business, that affects us and my da isn't a man you want to get on the wrong side of.
I nod. "I'm coming," I say through clenched teeth. "Da, I'm your son, you don't even have to ask that question."
The man doesn't realize but he doubts me, at every turn he doubts everything that I do. It's subconscious on his level. I've seen the way that he acts toward me and the way he does with Hayden are completely different. He's already priming Hayden to take over.
It should be me. I'm the oldest son of Liam Hayes and Edwina Gallagher.
I'm the one that should be second in command to my father, but I'm not.
It's so fucking annoying, having to be second guessed every step of the way and he doesn't even know it. The worst thing is, I’ve never given him a reason to doubt me, never done a thing wrong, I’ve been at his side dutifully for years.
We stop by our vehicles and he turns to face me, running a hand over his face and sighs. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked. I just worry about you."
"I may not be a fucking monster like Hayden, da," I snap, beyond pissed that we're having this conversation yet a-fucking-gain.
"But that doesn't mean that I'm useless.
I've worked my ass off for the Clann. I know who I am and what's expected of me.
I do what I'm asked without question. Why do you believe that I'm not good enough? "
He stares at me for a beat. "I never said that."
I shake my head. "You didn't have to. You're training Hayden, Da, you've been training him for years to take over.
You never once did that for me. So yeah, you don't have to say the actual words.
I already know." I slide my hands into my pocket.
"I've never given you any reason to doubt me, I've always done everything asked and then some. "
His jaw slackens as he stares at me. "Son—"
"I've got to go," I say, not wanting to have this conversation, it's not only him, but the men have watched him do this and they do the same. He's unconsciously made it impossible for me to climb the ranks of the Clann. I don't hate my da, I just don't understand why he's done this.
Climbing into into my car I start my engine.
I pull away from the curb and drive into the horrendous traffic.
I strum my fingers against the steering wheel in frustration.
Even having said this to my da, it's not going to change anything.
It's too late for things to change. Hayden will become the Underboss and then go on to be the boss.
I'm okay with that. My brother, even at his young age, is a monster.
He will do whatever it takes to protect the family, as will I. We just go about it in different ways.
I drive around for a while, finding myself pulling up outside of a bar. It doesn't belong to us Irish, in fact, it doesn't belong to any criminal underworld family. It's a small dive bar that is run by a woman.
I step inside, and unlike when I step into a bar that we own, nobody turns to look at me. They carry on their conversation, the drink is flowing and the music is good. .
Ordering a whisky I sit down, I'm beyond pissed. My anger is simmering beneath the surface, I can feel it. Tomorrow it'll go back to how it always is. My da's a good man, he has faults like everyone else does.
"Who pissed in your wheaties?" a softly lyrical voice asks, I hear the laughter in her voice.
Lifting my gaze, I'm stunned by the brunette sitting opposite me. The woman has balls, that's for sure. "What's that?" I ask, not in the least bit trying to hide my annoyance.
She doesn't falter, instead, she smiles brightly at me. I can't help but note just how beautiful she is. Her eyes are wide and bright, she's got cute freckles that cover her nose and cheeks. "You're awfully mad, anger like that doesn't do anyone any good. Let it go."
I blink. "Let it go?" I echo.
She nods. "What good does it do? I mean, holding onto anger just destroys you, not the person who you're actually angry at."
"How would you know?" I retort.
She lifts a shoulder and shrugs, she's trying to seem nonchalant about it, but I see the pain in her eyes. "Family isn't all that it's cracked up to be. You know?"
There's a slight lilt to her words. It's barely there, almost as if she's trying to hide it.
"You're Irish?"
She flashes me a smile. "Takes one to know one," she replies. "I've lost my accent somewhat, I didn't think it was noticeable."
"It's noticeable," I tell her. "So, what's your family done?"
She waves her hand, her green eyes dull rather than with the humor they had when she first sat down. "It's been a long time since I've been home."
She's ignoring my question, which is understandable. This woman has piqued my interest. Something that hasn't happened in a while. "I'm Hayes," I tell her.
She flashes me a grin. "I know," she replies. "Everyone knows who you are. The son of the mafia man. I'm Anne-Marie."
I raise a brow. "You know who I am and yet you sat down beside me."
She grins wide. "Is that a problem?"
She's fucking crazy is what she is. "Not at all."
She flashes me that smile of hers and I know that tonight, she's mine.
It's been a while since I picked up a woman at a bar.
The women I've dated have been ones that have close ties to my family.
The Gallaghers' marriages have always been about cementing ties with other families.
To build The Clann to be the biggest and best it can be.
Anne-Marie isn't a part of this world. She's innocent. Yet, I want her.
"You want to take a walk on the wild side?" I ask.
Her laughter is husky and lyrical. "Who said anything about that? I came down to have a nice chat. Beats being alone, right?"
I can't make this woman out. She's unexpected and I like that.
"Where are you from?" I ask, wanting to keep speaking with her. I don't know what it is about her, but she has my attention.
"Originally, from Galway, but I've lived in America since I was twelve. I've been in Chicago for four years now."
I nod. "What brought you to Chicago?"
She reaches for her drink and brings it to her lips. "I'm studying law. I've got two semesters left and I'm done." She smiles widely, pride filling her words.
I lift an eyebrow. "You think it's a good idea, you sitting beside me?"
Her laughter is soft and I have a feeling it's a sound I could become addicted to. "I'd say you'd know more about the world of law than I do."
My lips twitch. "Of that I have no doubt. So you're going to become an attorney?"
"Who else is going to keep you out of prison?" she quips. "I want to help people who've been wrongly imprisoned." She looks up at me and I see the pain slice through her eyes. "But enough about me. What about you? What do you like to do outside of being Hayes Gallagher?"
I have a feeling there's a lot that she's hiding. I don't know why, but I want to uncover every little thing about her, find out who's hurt her and then kill anyone who did.
I stare at the woman that I've known for less than thirty minutes and yet, she's the first person to ask questions about me, about who I am outside of my family. No one, not one fucking person has ever asked me that question.
I want to know a fucking lot more about her. Being in this bar isn't what I want. I came here to get drunk and drown my sorrows. Now I want to spend time with the gorgeous brunette.
"You know what, Anna," I say roughly. I fucking love how her name rolls of my tongue.
"Anne-Marie," she corrects.
I give her a wide smile. "Anna," I repeat. "Let me take you to dinner and we can talk."
She pauses, her glass at her lips. I see the hesitation behind those beautiful green eyes.
"Just dinner, nothing else," I promise her. As much as I want to fuck her until she's screaming my name, I know she's not like that. So I'll bide my time, getting to know her until she's comfortable.
"Okay," she says softly. "Dinner it is."
I give her a big smile, something in my chest settles. I have no idea what, but I do know being around her is calming for me. I'm no longer feeling that anger I felt speaking with my da. Hell, I'm at ease and that's not something I've ever felt.
Anne-Marie is going to be mine. I just need her to realize that.