Page 26 of Poison and Wine
“We’ll see,” I murmured.
After an awkward silence, he asked, “Want more soup?”
“Yes, please.”
He gave me a small smile. “I’ll be right back.”
“Thank you.” I then lay back against the pillows and closed my eyes. The longer I laid there, the stronger I felt. I knew it was probably too soon, but I swore I did.
A voice caused me to jump. “I see you finally decided to listen to me.”
My eyes popped open to see Callum smirking down at me. Before I could respond, Kellan appeared with another bowl of soup and more bread. At the sight of Callum, he froze in the doorway.
With a victorious smile curving on my lips, I said, “It wasn’t you I listened to—it was Kellan.”
Callum’s expression darkened as Kellan made his way to my bedside. “I suppose I don’t need to question the validity of Caterina’s statement considering you’re standing there with a fresh tray of food.”
“I’m sorry, Cal. I was only trying to help.”
While Kellan and I waited for Callum to unleash his fury, he surprised us both by smiling. “Good for you. I’m glad someone could make her see reason.”
Shock flashed across Kellan’s face. Turning to me, Callum shook his head. “You may have won this battle, Kitten, but you will lose the war because you will be my wife.”
After curling my lip at him, I replied, “Go away, and let me eat in peace.”
After starting for the door, Callum turned to flash me a shark-like smile. “Yes, eat up, Kitten. I want you well fed and strong for our wedding day.”
And with those words, whatever appetite I had left was gone.
Chapter Eight: Callum
Since Seamus felt we shouldn’t squander our time in Sicily, he’d set up a meeting an hour outside of Catania for us to meet with two smaller families looking for American allies. Before we headed out, I stopped to see Caterina. I found her curled into a fetal position staring at the wall. At least her breakfast tray was half eaten.
With an exasperated sigh, I stalked over to the bed. When I sat down next to her, she didn’t bother scooting away from me. Instead, she just continued staring straight ahead. “My brothers and I have to attend a meeting out of town, and we’ll be gone until dinner time.”
At the mention of being deprived of our presence, Caterina’s expression brightened. Of course, I quickly doused her hope when I said, “But don’t worry. There will be men posted throughout the house and grounds.”
She huffed out t breath. “I should’ve imagined as much. I’m surprised they’re not instructed to stand in the bathroom while I shower.”
“The only reason you’re allowed that privacy is because I’m the only man who will ever see you naked, Kitten.”
“You’re such a gentleman.”
Ignoring her jibe, I added, “As for today, my men have strict orders not to let you leave the grounds, but you are allowed to go downstairs or outside for a walk if you’d like.”
“How generous of you to extend the confines of my prison,” she remarked. It didn’t escape my knowledge that her lashes were encrusted with tears.
“It’s only a prison of your making, Kitten.”
“Just leave me,” she sniffled.
I reached my hand out to place it on her shoulder but then thought better of myself. Instead, I rose off the bed. Giving comfort wasn’t something that came naturally to a man like me.While I loved my mother and my sister and showed them affection, it never seemed to correlate to the women I was with. The moment they showed any flicker of negative emotions I showed them the door.
“I’ll see you this evening,” I called from the doorway.
“I’d say be careful, but your demise only benefits me.”
“Aye, with the claws, Kitten. Your words wound me only with how not Christian they are.” When she whirled around in the bed to glare at me, I winked. “I’ll be sure to say a prayer for you.”