Page 62 of Poison and Wine

“Suit yourself,” she replied.

Just as Caterina finished her food, we turned onto Beacon Street. As we pulled up to the house, Caterina peered curiously through the SUV’s window. “I know it’s hard to see in the dark, but what do you think of your new home, Kitten?”

Her eyes bulged wide. “It’s… beautiful.”

“Thank you.”

“I didn’t dream you lived somewhere like this.”

I smiled. “Don’t tell me you thought I resided in some shithole?”

She laughed. “Of course not. This is just so historic and classic. I guess I saw you in something more modern.”

“Wait until you see the view from the rooftop.”

Her eyes widened. “The rooftop is yours?”

“Yes, we have the 4th and 5th floors of the penthouse. The rooftop has gorgeous views of the neighborhood along with the Charles River.”

“And you all live here?”

I nodded. “Since arriving in the states, we felt there was strength in numbers.”

“That makes sense.” Caterina smiled. “Of course, I can’t imagine my brothers living in the same house.”

“That’s because they’ve lived and reigned in New York all their lives. We’re starting from the bottom.”

“That’s true.”

Harvey parked on the street to let us all out. While my brothers and a few bodyguards handled the luggage, I took Caterina on ahead. After we entered the lobby, we took the elevator up to the main floor. I led Caterina into the foyer.

Walking to the edge of the living room, I said, “The kitchen and dining room are just across the hall while the master bedroom and bath are down the hall.”

“Where’s my bedroom?”

I gave a slight shake of my head. “We only have four bedrooms. You’ll be sleeping with me.”

Caterina’s eyes bulged. “No. I won’t,” she countered.

“Yes, Kitten, you will. You’re my wife, and wives sleep with their husbands.”

“Not always.”

“In our case, you will.”

“I could give her my room,” Kellan suggested.

I jabbed my finger at him. “Mind your own business.”

After holding up his hands, Kellan pushed past me to climb the circular staircase to the second floor. Caterina tracked his movement up the stairs. Once he was out of earshot, she argued, “You didn’t have a right to turn him down. That should’ve been my decision.”

“It’s my home and my decision.”

“Stop being such a caveman.”

“We have to form some sort of intimacy. If not, we’ll never consummate our marriage, and we’ll never produce an heir.”

“Surely there are other ways to do it without sleeping in the same bed with each other.”