Page 40 of Poison and Wine
“Dream on.”
Seamus chuckled. “Is there anything you’d like me to do around here before the ceremony?”
It shouldn’t have surprised me that our wedding would take place at the house. We were trying to keep a low profile. “Considering her faith, I’m sure Caterina will be disappointed not to be married in a church.”
“Then find some ways to make it up to her.”
I grimaced. “You want me to be romantic?”
“Don’t tell me you’re incapable of wooing your future bride?”
“I can woo the fucking nun’s knickers right off of her.” I raised my brow at him. “Have you ever known me not to have any woman I wanted?”
“Romance and lust are two very different things.”
“Give me pure and unadulterated lust any day.”
“It’s not going to work with your untouched bride.”
Since I was never one to stand down from a challenge, I cocked my head at Seamus. “You want romance? I’ll give you fucking romance. Stand back and watch the master work.
With a chuckle, Seamus replied, “Oh, I look forward to this.”
After the three phone calls with Guido translating and almost an hour spent in one of the shops, I’d gone farther for Caterina than I had for any other woman outside Mam and Maeve. I suppose I’d expected to feel differently about what I’d done. Like I would be repulsed by my actions. If my father were still alive, I’m sure he would’ve had something to say about it. He’d probably use his hands to express his disgust.
But in the end, a peculiar sense of pride filled me. I hadn’t backed down when Seamus had called me out for being unromantic. Even though it was about proving a point to him, there was also a part of me that wanted to prove it to Caterina. To show her I was more than just the mafia criminal who’d kidnapped her. Although it was still too soon, I wanted her to want me. I wanted her to reach a point where she could be grateful I’d swooped in to save her from a life she wasn’t truly destined for.
When I returned home with an enormous white garment bag thrown over my shoulder, Quinn and Dare exchanged curious glances. “What the fuck is that?” Quinn questioned.
“None of your damn business.”
Quinn tilted his head. “While it looks like a bodybag, I can’t imagine anyone choosing white ones.”
“It’s not a fucking bodybag.”
Dare flashed Quinn a grin. “Ooh, it’s something for Sister Sassy I’d wager.”
With a roll of my eyes, I replied, “Stop calling her that.”
“I will if you’ll tell me what’s in the bag.”
Kellan snorted. “You’re completely daft if you don’t know what that is.”
“Okay, smartass. Enlighten me.”
Crossing his arms over his chest, my shit of a little brother replied, “It’s a wedding dress.”
Both Quinn and Dare’s jaws unhinged at his comment. “You actually bought her a dress?” Quinn asked.
At the same time, Dare questioned, “You went to a wedding dress shop?”
“They’re called bridal shops,” Kellan corrected.
“Have you lost your balls along with your self-respect,” Dare asked Kellan.
“Fuck off,” Kellan replied.
“Why don’t you all fuck off!” I growled.