Page 24 of Poison and Wine
Callum’s expression changed from shock to disgust. “What could an Italian princess possibly know of the suffering Bobby Sands and the other Northern men endured on the hunger strikes?” he growled.
“They were protesting something they believed in. Just as I’m protesting my kidnapping and this sham of an arranged marriage you are forcing on me.”
He stared at me for a moment before slowly shaking his head. “I must’ve been fucking insane when I thought taking vows and being a novice would mean your temperament would be any different.”
“Let me guess. You thought because I was in a religious order I would bend to your every whim. That I would be quiet and mousy and never speak my mind.”
“As a matter of fact, that’s exactly what I assumed.”
“I imagine it’s one of many things you’ve been wrong about.”
He swept his hands to his hips. “One thing I’m right about is you’re a stubborn, spoiled princess who is only used to getting her way.”
“That’s how you choose to see me.” Jerking my chin, I added, “I know exactly who I am, and I don’t care what you think of me.”
His blue eyes narrowed as fury danced in them. “You will care.”
“Are you threatening me?”
“Aye, princess.” He jabbed a finger at the bowl of soup. “If you refuse to eat that voluntarily, I’ll have one or more of my brothers hold you while I force that soup down your throat.”
A strangled noise came from behind Callum. I glanced past him to see the brother who had given me medicine on the plane. I’d heard him called Kellan. His mouth turned down in a grimace, and it was very apparent he didn’t like Callum’s suggestion.
“Do you not approve of my tactics, boyo?”
“Don’t ask me to hold her down.” Kellan’s gaze shifted to the floor. “You can shoot me before I’ll ever do that.”
My breath hitched as I glanced between Callum and Kellan. Callum’s jaw clenched before he slowly nodded his head. “Aye, you’re right. That would be too harsh for more than just her.”
While Kellan looked slightly relieved, the gleam burning in Callum’s eyes told me I wasn’t going to get off so easily. I should’ve backed down, but I couldn’t resist saying, “Do what you must, but I swear to you I will not voluntarily eat.”
“Get this through your thick skull, Kitten. You will not starve yourself to death. Before I let that happen, I’ll have a doctor hook you up to an IV and pump you full of nutrients. I’ll even send you down the aisle to marry me with a feeding tube if necessary. Regardless of what you think you’re going to accomplish, you will fail.”
Although I hated myself for it, I trembled beneath his intense stare and harsh words. When I ducked my head to refuse to look at him, his fingers gripped my chin and jerked my gaze back to his. “You will enter into a marriage with me, and we will unify our families. Understood?”
“I will not marry you,” I replied.
Callum threw up his hands before blaring something in Irish. He then stormed from the room. I sucked in a harsh breath to try and still my erratic breathing. When I started to slide the tray with the soup to the floor in continued protest, Kellan rushed forward. “Please, don’t.”
My eyes widened at his request. Since he had only ever been kind to me, I quickly removed my hands from the tray. “You’re not like him, are you?”
His friendly expression darkened. “I’ve been inducted into this family the same as Callum. I’m loyal to my brothers and my family. That’s all you need to concern yourself with.”
“I wasn’t doubting your devotion to your family. I just meant you have a kindness about you that he lacks. Like when you gave me medicine for my head.”
When he didn’t respond, I cocked my head at him. “You didn’t like he was going to force me to eat.”
Kellan eyed me warily. He was just as handsome as Callum, but there was an innocence to him that surprised me. I held my hands up. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything.”
“It’s all right.”
“Are you sure about that?” I countered.
“I am.”
Sighing, I turned and started to climb back into bed, but when I lifted my leg, the world spun around me. Pinching my eyes shut, I braced my hands on the mattress to try and keep myself upright.
“Are you all right?” Kellan asked, as he hovered behind me.