Unchosen Ruler by Maggie Cole

24

Liam

"I thinkmy mom's lost her marbles," Hailee frets once we get in the car.

"Let me see your cheek," Nolan softly says to Gemma.

"It's fine," she replies and looks out the window.

Nolan gently turns her to face him. "It's swollen and bruising. As soon as we get home, I'll get an ice pack for you."

Gemma's lips tremble, and she blinks hard, but a tear escapes anyway.

Nolan wipes it then puts his arm around her.

I tug Hailee closer to me and kiss her head. "Did she do anything to you?"

"No." She swallows hard and locks eyes with mine. "My mom said her father gave both her and Riona to my father when he lost a bet."

I ball my hand into a fist and then open it up and grip the edge of the seat. Nothing the Ryans or Baileys do should surprise me, but it's another disgusting reality of who they are.

"I know things got out of control, but I feel bad for Mom," Gemma says.

Hailee looks at her and nods. She quietly agrees, "Yeah."

Gemma's voice shakes. "I-I think she did what she thought was best to protect us."

Nolan's hardened expression meets mine. Unspoken words are loud and clear. There's no question that Jane's time with Rory was a form of hell on earth. She was brave to leave him. It's a miracle she and all four of her daughters are still alive. But she also was raised to hate O'Malleys. Whatever her family ingrained in her isn't going to die quickly, if ever.

Gemma clears her throat, and more tears fall. "Liam, you won't remove my mom's protection, will you?"

Hailee's body stiffens. She holds her breath, and anxiety plagues her face.

"No. The O'Malleys will continue to watch her. If any Bailey or Ryan comes near her, they will pay for it," I vow.

Gemma nods and turns back to the window, twisting her fingers in her lap.

Hailee curls into me. I stroke her thigh with my thumb, and she asks, "My mom thinks we should run. But they'll find us, won't they?"

My stomach clenches. The acid begins to bubble. Any thought of Hailee leaving Chicago makes me want to chain her up in the house and never let her out.

Before I can answer, Nolan does. "They had to have been watching you for years. It's not possible to escape them. For whatever reason, they left you alone all this time. Running again will only get you all killed."

Hailee shivers, and my gut flips at the thought.

The driver parks outside of Nolan's house. He gives me one final look then opens the door and reaches in to help Gemma out.

"Gemma, do you want me to come in?" Hailee asks.

Gemma shakes her head. She leans forward and hugs Hailee. "No. I'll call you tomorrow, but I'm going to talk to Ciara and Ella tonight. They need to know what's going on."

"I can go with you."

"No. I'll take care of it," Gemma volunteers.

"Gemma—"

"Can you please let me take care of one thing?" she snaps.

I hold my hands out. "Okay. If you change your mind, let me know."

Gemma nods and gets out. Once they're inside the house, I pull Hailee onto my lap. I slide my finger over her forehead and down her cheek. "I need to talk to my dad. Will you come to my parents' house with me?"

"Okay. I was going to work on refurbishing the chair, but I can do it a different day."

I give her a chaste kiss. My chest tightens. I hesitate then say, "What did your mother say about me?"

She licks her lips and furrows her eyebrows. Her nails graze the side of my scalp. She deeply inhales and tilts her head. "She said the O'Malleys are just as bad as the Baileys or Ryans. And that you can't save us."

I don't blink or unpin my gaze off her blue eyes. My heart pounds harder, and blood pulses in my veins. "I would die for you. No one, and I mean no one, will hurt you under my watch."

The corners of her lips slightly turn up. "I know. And I would rather die than leave Chicago and you. I also told my mother you aren't as bad as the Baileys or Ryans."

My pulse shoots straight to my head, and blood slams between my ears. I could let her continue to believe her misconception, but Hailee and I don't lie to each other. "Oh, but we are, little lamb. Whatever the Baileys or Ryans are willing to do to take us out, the O'Malleys won't think twice about doing tenfold. Any notion that we lack something your family has regarding their moral compass is wrong."

A line forms on Hailee's forehead. "You would add your daughters to the kitty in a bet and willingly give them to a man?"

"No. What I'm referring to is the wrath both the Baileys and Ryans will soon experience under my name, starting with your father's life."

A typical daughter would be upset upon hearing anyone threaten her father, but Hailee doesn't flinch. In a cold voice, she replies, "The sooner he's dead, the better."

I fist her hair and bring my face closer to hers. It's pointless discussing this anymore. So I change the subject. "Why didn't you tell me you were awarded teacher of the year for several years in a row?"

Pink floods her cheeks. "I told you this morning. It's not a big deal. It's just a stupid plaque and night for the administrators to get free drinks."

I tug her head back and lean over her face. "Don't do that, little lamb."

Her breath hitches. "What?"

"Act like you don't deserve the recognition for the amazing job you've done with those kids."

She stays silent.

I peck her on the lips then loosen my grip on her hair. I ask, "Why can't you give yourself some credit?"

She sighs. "I do the best I can within the confinements of the system. It's not the best I could do. If I were doing the best I could do regarding teaching, I could make a much bigger impact."

I study her for several moments, letting her words sink in. I finally tell her, "We're going to celebrate your awards tonight."

She opens her mouth then shakes her head. "It was months ago."

"Yep. We're still going to celebrate. And soon, I'm coming into big money. When I do, I'm giving you whatever you need to build and run your school," I declare.

Her head jerks back. "Wh-what are you talking about?"

"Just what I said. You told me you wanted your own school, so I'm going to make it happen. Wherever you want it, I'll build it. And you run things how you see fit."

She stares at me as if she doesn't believe me. She blurts out, "That's a ridiculous amount of money, Liam."

"Yeah. I'm sure it is. But we're going to have more than we'll ever need, I promise you."

She shakes her head, gaping at me. "I don't care about money."

"I know. But I have to make sure the O'Malleys survive."

Sadness enters her expression. She cups my cheeks. "That's a lot of pressure, Liam."

I stay quiet. There's no point in denying it. The growing hole in my gut reminds me almost all day long.

"Sometimes I worry you might crack," she admits.

"You don't need to worry."

She tilts her head. "I see all that you carry on your shoulders, Liam. I wish I could say I didn't contribute to it, and the only thing I did was help you take your mind off the world around you. But I know I've added to it."

I wrap my arms tight around her. "You're my sanity, Hales. The only time I laugh or have fun or forget about anything is with you. And I love you for it."

She kisses me then retreats and asks, "How did you know to come to my mom's today?"

"When you texted me, I had a bad feeling. I was pissed Nolan let you go there alone."

"Why?"

I take a slow, calculated breath. I slide my hand up her shirt and stroke her spine. "I know she's your mom, but she's also a Ryan."

In a defensive tone, Hailee replies, "She's not a bad person. What they put her through..." She turns away.

I move her chin back in front of my face. "I don't doubt it was horrible. Your mother was raised by one devil then given to another one. But there are things instilled in you when you grow up in families like ours. Her hatred for my family and me runs deep. So I don't know if she's ever going to accept me in your life. And that worries me, little lamb."

"I'm not leaving you, Liam. No matter what she thinks, it's not going to change my mind about us."

I release a breath. The car parks in my parents' driveway. I give Hailee a chaste kiss, then we get out and go inside the house. I guide her into the kitchen.

My mom is cleaning vegetables and stops. She hugs me and then Hailee. "Are you staying for dinner?"

I glance at the clock on the wall. "It's only noon, Mom. Plus, we have plans."

Her face falls, which makes me feel guilty.

Hailee surprises me and says, "Why don't we pick a day this week?"

My mom's face lights up. "Sure. Whatever day you want."

Hailee glances at the vegetables. "Can I help?"

"I'm washing these then need to cut them up."

Hailee picks the knife up off the counter. "I can do that."

My dad walks into the kitchen. He gives Hailee a hug and kiss on the cheek, then we go into his study. As soon as the door shuts, he says, "I called the twins up from Tennessee. They'll be here tomorrow. The rumor is Rory plans on coming to Chicago when he gets out in two weeks."

The twins are my cousins Dylan and Dean. They might be the most ruthless of the entire O'Malley clan. My father has them take out anyone and everyone who gets in the O'Malley's way. They have no limits. I haven't seen them since before I went to prison, but it puts some of my worries at ease, knowing they will be watching Rory's every move. "You're giving them the shoot-to-kill order, correct? I want that bastard and his brother Mack taken out."

My father fills his pipe. "Mack's involved with Jack Christian and Judge Peterson. It's best to keep him alive for the time being."

"Fine. Mack stays alive until after Jack's company goes public. But Rory gets taken out," I insist.

My father lights up his pipe and takes a long drag off it. He exhales and points to the chair. "Sit down."

Nerves flutter in my chest. I obey and wait.

"Son, are you one hundred percent sure Hailee, her mother, or her sisters aren't in bed with the Baileys?"

Rage climbs up my body so fast, I have a hard time controlling myself from reaching across the table and choking my father on his pipe. Instead, I clench my hands into fists and sneer, "Don't ever question Hailee again."

My father never flinches. "You just discovered her mother is a Ryan. It's prudent to do more due diligence."

I clench my jaw and grind my molars. After several attempts to calm myself, I reply, "I don't need to do any more due diligence. Now drop it."

"You're thinking with the wrong body part again."

I slam my hand on the desk. "Dammit, Dad. When I tell you I'm sure about something, don't question me. And the next time you have anything but something nice to say about my woman, you and I will have issues. Understand?"

His eyes turn to slits. "Watch your mouth."

"No. You watch yours. Make sure the twins become a hemorrhoid on Rory's ass. When they get a chance, they better take him out or tell me where to be so I can do it." I get up and leave the room. I go into the kitchen. "Hailee, we're leaving."

She spins with a knife in her hand. The blade is sharp and shiny. She smiles. "Can I finish slicing this tomato?"

"No."

Her eyes widen.

"Liam, you just got here," my mother whines.

I snap, "Not now, Mom. I don't need your guilt trip."

Hurt fills my mother's expression.

"Liam!" Hailee reprimands.

"We're leaving, now," I repeat and stomp out the back door. The cold air hits my lungs, but it doesn't cool me off. I'm getting tired of the lessons and constant questioning. It's bad enough half my family and the Ivanovs don't have any faith in my ability to make decisions. I don't need it from my father and especially not where it concerns Hailee. She's the only good thing in my life and the person I trust the most.

I get in the car, put my head against the back of the seat, and close my eyes. A few minutes pass, and the door creaks open. Hailee's muted sugar scent flares in my nostrils. Her body heat merges with mine, and she straddles me.

I open my eyes.

"Bad day at the office, dear?" she teases and bats her eyes.

Even though I'm still pissed, I chuckle.

Her face falls. "What happened?"

I usually keep everything work related away from Hailee. But everything seems to fly out. "I'm tired of having to prove myself and getting questioned all the time. Sometimes, I wish I wasn't Darragh O'Malley's son."

She studies me and strokes my cheek. "Maybe we should run away. Go live somewhere off the grid so no one can find us."

I grunt. "If it were possible, I'd do it. But I'm not stupid, little lamb. Everyone would find us. We're in this world, and there's no getting out."

Sadness and frustration fill her eyes. She leans forward an inch from my face then gives me a small smile. "Then I guess I'm going to have to make you forget about the world for the rest of the night."

It's another reason why I love her so much. She does exactly that. By the time we get home, I don't think about anything else, except her. I take her to a nice dinner to celebrate her awards. My stress and anxiety disappear. She ignites the flame of life within me, and it doesn't burn out until I drop her off at school the next day. The moment she gets out of the car, my chest tightens, the acid bubbles up, and I begin to feel suffocated all over again.

* * *

For the next few months,I spend my days dealing with every O'Malley issue possible. Adrian's ex-wife Dasha is causing significant problems with the Polish mob. Obrecht is all over my ass about killing Jack Christian. I'm doing all I can to prevent him from pulling the trigger before Jack's company goes public, but I have constant anxiety he's going to do it. If he does, everything Finn and I worked for in prison will go down the drain. And when I look at my niece, Shannon, I think of her future and how we have to do better as a family. Then it makes me think about having kids with Hailee and how I owe it to her and them to change things.

The Petrovs and Rossis continue to lose power as the Ivanovs and O'Malleys keep each side balanced. Every time I come home from taking care of some thug, I've already showered but have to again. Hailee steps in with me. She takes over, scrubbing the death I can't shake off my skin.

Rory gets out of prison, and the twins keep a close eye on him. As expected, he moves to Chicago with his brother Mack. All the reports show Orla glued to her father's hip. There's so much security around them, my guys haven't had an opportunity to take him out. I often wake up in the middle of the night, thinking about how my little lamb isn't safe until we destroy the Baileys.

My dad's illness speeds up, but he continues to work every day, acting as though it doesn't exist and continuing to critique my every decision. The blood on his handkerchief is a constant reminder he won't be here much longer. I don't want to spend my last moments with him fighting, so I do my best to keep my mouth shut and do as he says.

I attempt to be a good son and visit with my mom, but she makes it hard to make her a priority. She never shuts up about me going to confession or church. Then there's the guilt trip about not inviting her over to my house often enough. It's usually during one of the multiple conversations I have with her to call before she comes over.

The feeling I'm failing in every part of life never leaves me. The only place I'm confident I'm succeeding is at home, with Hailee. Every night when I'm with her, she reminds me to breathe and helps me forget about all the bullshit, even if it's only for a few hours before my phone rings and I have to deal with more.

The day of Sergey and Kora's wedding arrives. I wake up alone since Hailee is in the wedding party and stayed with the girls. I call her guards, and they assure me she's safe. In all reality, she's probably the safest she's ever been, since all the other women have Ivanov bodyguards.

I get to the wedding and deal with more O'Malley issues then make my way to the bridal room to see Hailee. I turn the corner, and my gut drops.

My mother is blinking back tears. Her voice shakes, and she says, "I saw it when I was shopping and thought it would match your dress. It's freezing out. I thought you'd like it."

"It's not about what I like or don't like, Ruth," Hailee sternly says, as if she's talking to her kindergarten student.

"If you like it, what's the issue?" my mom asks.

"You went into our bedroom and through our closet. Then you made our bed and did our laundry. That's personal. You have to stop. Liam is a forty-year-old man, not a child."

A tear falls down my mom's face. She isn't usually a crier. Being the head of the O'Malleys, there isn't any leeway to show weakness. She wipes her face, and my heart races. She replies, "I thought you'd appreciate it. You both work so hard and—"

"You have to stop. I've had my own place for over ten years, and my mother has never once gone through my things. I can't take it anymore," Hailee cries out.

My chest tightens. My mother's makeup is a mess. Hailee looks like she wants to kill my mom. Neither Hailee nor I was amused about my mom coming into the house and doing what she did. I gave her a key because she forgot something and I had shit to take care of. Instead of grabbing it and leaving, she did our laundry. I meant to get the key back and kept forgetting. She came back when we were at work and did it again and put a shawl in the closet next to Hailee's dress, but Hailee didn't tell me it bothered her this much.

My mom puts her hand on Hailee's arm. "Hailee—"

"I think you both said your piece," I interject, stepping next to them.

"Liam, I was only trying to be nice," my mother cries.

"Oh, so I'm the bad person in all of this?" Hailee asks in a loud voice.

"No one said that. Chill out," I reprimand her.

Hailee's eyes turn into blue flames. She glares at me. "Seriously?"

"Just calm down. You're getting loud."

She gapes at me, and my father's voice makes my insides cringe.

"Ruth, what's wrong?"

I spin. "Everything is fine. Let's all—"

"Everything is not fine. Your mother doesn't just cry for no reason. You know this," my father barks.

"She's not exactly innocent," I respond.

My father steps forward and points in my face. "You seem to have lost your manners, son. This is your mother. Don't forget it."

"Oh, don't worry, she never lets me forget it," I sarcastically spit back.

"Ruth, you look beautiful," Finn's voice interjects. He shoots me a look, pushes between us, and hugs my mom.

She sniffles. "Thanks."

"Darragh." He nods at my father then spins. He pulls Hailee into a big embrace. "You look gorgeous. I think the women need you in the bridal room."

Hailee looks at him suspiciously.

Finn raises his eyebrows.

She sighs and walks away. I follow her to the door and reach for her arm. She spins into me and snaps, "What do you want, Liam?"

"Why are you mad at me?"

She puts her hand on her hip. "Seriously? You told me to chill out and didn't even stick up for me."

"I was trying to defuse the situation. We're in public."

She huffs. "Whatever." She attempts to turn, but I stop her and step so close, she retreats against the wall.

"You need to calm down," I demand.

Rage fills her face. "You have a lot of nerve, Liam O'Malley."

"What are you talking about?"

"Don't act stupid," she spouts.

"I guess I am. Fill me in," I angrily reply.

She shakes her head in disgust. "You say whatever you want to my mother, who hasn't once interfered in our life. The minute I say one thing to your mom about respecting our private space, you turn on me."

"I'm not turning on you."

"What would you call it?"

I snort. "It's not even the same thing. My mom likes you and is trying to help us. Your mother hates me and wants to run away to God knows where so you never see me again."

Her eyes grow hotter. "Thanks for having my back, Liam. Now get out of my way." She pushes my chest, and I step back. She goes into the bridal room and shuts the door.

I close my eyes and count to ten, breathing deep, not sure what just happened.

"Bad day?" Finn asks.

I open my eyes. "I'm never going to win that one."

"Then don't fight it. Let's go see Sergey and have a drink."

I don't move. "If my dad—"

"He's not going to be around much longer," Finn reminds me.

"No shit," I mutter, choking down the emotions creeping up in my throat.

Finn pats me on the back and leads me down the hall. I go through the motions with the guys. When the wedding comes, Hailee walks down the aisle but ignores me. In all the months we've been together, she's never done that. It pisses me off. When we get to the reception, she rotates between ignoring me and throwing daggers at me with her eyes.

Fuck this.

Several hours after dinner, I go into the side room and sit at the bar with Finn. He's clutching a tumbler of whiskey.

"Where's Hailee?"

"In the other room, acting like I don't exist or giving me a stare down like she wants to kill me," I reveal, sliding onto the stool next to him.

Finn taps the crystal glass. "Life's too short, man. Better fix that."

I blow out a breath of air and motion for the bartender to bring two more drinks. "She's out of line."

"I usually find it takes two to tango," he says.

"You going to lecture me all night?"

He chuckles. "Nope. I'm leaving soon anyway. The guys watching Jack and the judge need a break."

"We're so close. I can't wait for this to go through and prove to all the O'Malleys I'm not the moron half of them think I am," I admit.

Finn turns in his stool and stares at me.

"What?" The bartender sets the whiskey down, and I take a mouthful, trying not to cringe as it burns my throat.

His eyes turn to slits. "We spent all that time locked up, and you give a shit about what everyone else thinks?"

I don't respond. Something about Finn has always been wise. I only wish his words would take away my internal need for others to see me as capable.

He finishes his drink and rises. He leans down to my ear and taps my chest. "At the end of the day, the only person who needs to believe you're capable is in here. Everyone else can fuck themselves. The moment you stop worrying about what others think is when you'll be ready to lead. It won't matter what your dad or anyone else inside or outside of this family thinks. You'll know what actions need to happen. And that's what will save the O'Malleys from destruction." He squeezes my shoulder then adds, "Go talk to your woman. Make-up sex is pretty hot from what I remember." He winks and walks away.

I nurse my whiskey, thinking about what he said. I finish and go into the other room to find Hailee. She catches my eye near the bathrooms, talking to Aspen. I walk over and freeze behind her.

Hailee isn't a big drinker, but she's obviously had more than normal. I've never heard her slur before, but she does. "She didn't even see what she did wrong. And Liam thinks it's totally fine for her to invade our privacy. Well, you know what? I'm moving out. It's not like I officially moved in anyway. There are basic common boundaries you don't cross. Going through my things is bad manners, and I'm not living like that."

Aspen gapes at me. "Hailee, umm..."

"She touched my underwear and moved the treat box I made for Liam. It was open, too. I know she read it all. She probably had a heart attack and had to go to an extra confession." Hailee raises her glass to drink more, and I grab it from her. "What the—"

I spin her into me. "I think you've had enough."

"Give me my drink back."

"No."

The DJ announces it's the last song. I glance around the room and notice there aren't quite as many people here as at the beginning of the reception.

"Time to go," I claim.

"Have fun in your house alone," Hailee smirks.

I nod to Aspen. "Have a nice night."

She winces. "You, too."

I put my arm around Hailee's waist and lean into her ear. "You're either walking out of here, or I'll carry you out. So pick your poison." I move her toward the door.

"Liam—"

"Don't test me on this," I growl.

She glares at me but stays quiet until we get outside. When we get next to the car, she says, "I'm not going to your house. And you can't make me."

"Fine. I'll take you to your apartment. Now get in," I order.

She sticks her chin in the air then gets in the car. I slide in after her. When the door shuts, the car pulls out. We stay quiet for a long time. We're almost to her apartment when I turn toward her. "Wherever you want to sleep is fine, little lamb. But tomorrow, you're waking up next to me. When you open your eyes, you're getting over whatever this little temper tantrum is you're having."

Her face turns angry. "Me? You should talk to your mother. She's the one who—"

My phone rings, and I sigh. I answer, "Killian, I'm—"

"Get to the hospital. Adrian got shot."