Page 19 of Poison and Wine
“I’m the enforcer.”
Her brows furrowed at his words. “You enforce the laws?”
“Something like that.”
“Don’t tell me a capo’s daughter is ignorant to what an enforcer is?” I questioned.
Caterina threw a glance at me over Quinn’s shoulder. “My father and brothers always kept me out of the business.”
“Then allow me to educate you. Quinn does the beating and the killing for us,” I replied.
While Quinn scowled at me, Caterina’s dark eyes widened. Ducking her head, she replied, “Oh, I see.”
“Don’t worry, lass. I never harm my family, and you will be my family when you marry my bastard brother,” Quinn replied.
Caterina didn’t reply. I’m sure she was probably thinking he’d already harmed her by helping in her abduction. She remained quiet as Quinn put her in the backseat of the waiting SUV. She scooted across the seat to press herself against the window. I hopped in next and took my place beside her.
We made the half hour drive to the house in silence. From time to time, I would cut my eyes to Caterina. She sat as still as a statue with her attention drawn out the window. She didn’t tear her gaze away until we pulled into the driveway. Her body then tensed as if she was now on high alert.
After the driver parked, we exited the SUV. Surprisingly, Caterina didn’t have to be told to get out. With her arms wrapped around her waist, she warily watched us unload the back.
As we started gathering our bags, Caterina asked, “What about my things?”
Dare held out the small bag to her. “This is what I managed to grab. Obviously, I didn’t take any of your clothes since you wouldn’t be wearing them anymore.”
She dropped her gaze to the bag. As a sister, I couldn’t imagine she would’ve had many possessions with her since they took a vow of poverty. Something among the contents embarrassed her since her cheeks reddened.
Glancing over her shoulder, I saw lacy bras and panties among framed photographs and a jewelry box. Narrowing my eyes, I demanded, “Was it necessary to bring those?”
Dare shrugged. “They were easy to grab.”
“Of all the cheek,” I grumbled before jabbing a finger at him. “Just so you know, that’s the last fucking time you ever touch her underwear.”
He chuckled. “Aye, I understand.”
“Do you need any help?” Quinn asked Caterina.
She shook her head. “Although I appreciate you carrying me earlier, I believe I can walk now.”
“That’s fine.”
After placing my hand on Caterina’s upper arm, I began leading her up the drive to the house. Seamus stood in the doorway with an anxious expression on his face. His gaze dropped from mine to my leg. “How are you?”
“Fine. Nothing I haven’t dealt with before.”
With a nod, Seamus turned his attention to Caterina whose neck was tucked to her chest. Reaching out his hand, he patted her arm. “You have nothing to fear, lass. No one here is going to hurt you in any way.”
Caterina jerked up her head and glared at Seamus. “Liar,” she hissed.
Seamus’s brows shot up in surprise. “I beg your pardon?”
“How can you stand there and say no one will hurt me when your nephews kidnapped and drugged me?”
At Seamus’s continued shock, I rolled my eyes. “Your research was lacking when it came to the part where in spite of being a sister, she’s a fecking shrew.”
“I’d defy you to find any woman who would be agreeable with being kidnapped and drugged,” Caterina challenged.
I gave Seamus a pointed look before tugging Caterina through the doorway. As we stepped into the living room, an older looking man with wire rimmed glasses rose off the couch. When he eyed my blood-stained pants leg, I realized he must be the doctor. “I better have a look at that,” he replied in broken English.