Page 46 of Poison and Wine
Nera brought me out of my thoughts by saying, “Come. It’s time to go.”
Chapter Twelve: Callum
After eyeing the clock above the mantle, I winced. It was almost noon. From the anxiety overtaking me, it felt like high noon at the OK Corral from the old Westerns our grandfather had watched. In spite of being the best shot in the west figuratively speaking, I somehow felt Caterina was nailing me straight through the heart. Outfitted in the best suit I’d come to Sicily with, I paced around the living room while inwardly trying to talk myself down from a ledge. The feeling escalated as I glanced down at the contract I clutched in my hand.
The steely conviction that I’d fought Caterina on us being married had begun to wane, and I wondered what the hell was I doing agreeing to this alliance. At the very least, I was marrying a woman outside my nationality. Worse than that, I’d agreed to let my future wife get an education and to have a career. Both of which were unheard of in mafia circles. I’d even agreed to let her determine the number of our offspring, which also was never, ever done.
My father’s evil chuckle echoed in my ear. I never thought a son of mine would become utterly fanny whipped.
My father was right. I’d handed my balls on a silver platter to Caterina in exchange for a somewhat peaceful union. But if she was already able to emasculate me this quickly, what the fuck was to happen when we’d been married five or ten years? Better yet since it appeared she already had me fanny whipped, what was to happen after I actually got a taste of said fanny? Would I hand over everything to her?
As he sat in a chair by the fire, Quinn eyed me curiously. “Are you all right, boyo?”
“I’m fine,” I croaked.
He snorted. “From the looks of it, you need to rub another one out.”
“Fuck off.”
Dare shook his head. “He’s not sexually frustrated; he’s scared out of his bleedin’ mind.”
I skidded to a stop in my pacing. “The feck I am.”
“Don’t lie to us. You’re about to piss yer fucking pants at the very thought of marrying Sister Sassy,” Dare replied with a grin.
With a growl, I launched myself at him. For the second time in a matter of days, my feelings for Caterina had me fighting Dare. After shoving him against the wall, I brought my hand to his throat. “I’m not afraid, motherfucker. I don’t fear anyone or anything. Least of all a woman.”
Although Dare’s face began to turn crimson, he chuckled. “You. Fear. Her,” he choked out.
Before I could argue that I would end him if he ever said that again, Quinn and Kellan came charging over and shoved me away. “What the hell is your problem?” Quinn questioned me.
While I said, “His fucking mouth!” Dare coughed out, “Nerves.” The bastard then had the nerve to wink at me.
“You’re full of shite, mate,” I shot back.
A throat cleared above our heads. Whirling around, my gaze took in Caterina standing at the top of the stairs. Fucking hell. She was an angelic vision in her white dress. Her dark hair cascaded in waves over her shoulders. Although she hadn’t been professionally fitted for the dress, the satin bodice clung to her breasts and her waist like a second skin.
She was everything I could’ve ever wanted in a bride and so much more. And I wasn’t just speaking of her physical beauty. Although her strength was often a thorn in my side, I still could admire her for it. It was the same steely reserve my mam possessed, and without it, she couldn’t have endured the demands of a clan leader’s wife.
As she slowly descended the stairs, my feet moved forward of their own volition. It was as if I couldn’t wait to touch her to ensure she was real and not just some dream. At that moment, I wasn’t a man ensuring an alliance to further my family’s standing. I was a man who was truly enthralled by a woman for the first time in my fucking life.
Instead of being alarmed by my feelings–ones my father would have considered weak–I embraced them. When she met me at the bottom of the stairs, my hand automatically went to her cheek. “You are stunning,” I pronounced.
As red tinged her cheeks, she bit down on her full, lower lip. “Thank you, Callum.”
“It is me who should be giving thanks that yer to be mine.”
When my words about possession caused a momentary flash of anger in her dark eyes, I shook my head. “Don’t fight it, Kitten. You’re mine, and I’m yours. We’ll possess each other until our last breaths.”
“You’ll never own me,” she protested.
I frowned at her. “Why is it so wrong for me to be possessive of you? To be so devoted to you that I would threaten to maim or murder another man for simply looking at you.”
She shook her head. “But I don’t want to be possessed or owned. That’s not who I am.”
“Don’t be so sure about that, Kitten. It’s only been a few days, but you’re well on your way to owning me. I’ve done more and gone farther for you than I have for any other woman.” When triumph tinged her expression, I shot her a shark-like smile. “In the same token, one might say you’ve done more and gone father for me than any other man.”
“That’s only because I wanted to make the best of this situation.”