Page 135 of Poison and Wine
My heart skipped a beat at his words and the intensity in which he said them. But there was still unresolved hurt with him. “While I love you more than life itself as well, I hope you know I’m still angry with you.”
The corners of his lips turned up. “I’d hoped a near-death experience had softened your heart.”
“I’m not joking, Callum.”
His expression darkened. “Don’t think you’re the only one who is angry.”
I narrowed my eyes. “Excuse me? Did you find me with a half-naked man?”
“Like I told you before, it was business.”
Shoving him away, I cried, “Fuck you and your business!”
“I told you yesterday before you ran away, nothing happened between me and that dancer.”
“Stripper.”
“Semantics.”
“I saw the way she looked at you. She wanted you.”
“But I didn’t want her.” At the roll of my eyes, he added, “Jesus Christ, Caterina, there isn’t a single woman I want on this fucking planet but you.”
“Don’t take the Lord’s name in vain,” I chastised.
A low growl came from deep within his chest. “I only want you.”
The vast majority of me believed him. Before yesterday, Callum hadn’t given me any indication that he was cheating. At the same time, he had deceived me in the worst possible way. We had to reestablish trust.
I shook my head at him. “Trust is the most important aspect in a marriage.” Tears welled in my eyes. “And you broke that by lying to me about where you were and owning a strip club.”
Callum's expression grew agonized. “What else can I say or do for you to understand that you’re my entire world?”
“It’s easy for you to trust my fidelity. I’m constantly shadowed by a bodyguard, or I’m on camera at the house. It isn’t fair that you’re not under the same scrutiny.”
Crossing his arms over his chest with a smirk, Callum countered, “Considering you stalked me down to the club, you know more about my whereabouts than you’re letting on.”
With a roll of my eyes, I replied, “It’s just a basic tracking app.”
“I didn’t realize you were so techie.”
“You know I’m not,” I snapped.
“Last time I checked, Gianni had an IT background.”
“Yes, he does handle the family’s technology.”
“All his family’s,” Callum pointedly remarked.
I huffed out a frustrated breath. “Fine. Gianni fixed my phone at the reception, and while you were inebriated, I gave him your phone.” I looked at him. “Happy?”
He gave me a crooked grin. “Although I’m glad to hear you admit it, I won’t be happy until you are.” Squeezing my hand, he said, “Tell me what to do.”
I knew what I wanted to ask of him, but it was difficult. I knew how I wanted him to react, and if he didn’t, he was going to disappoint me even further.
After drawing in a deep breath, I said, “I don’t want you making money off women.”
“It’s just dancing, Caterina. It’s not like we're trafficking or prostituting women.”