Page 73 of Poison and Wine
“I’ll live with the repercussions. Don’t think you have to sacrifice yourself,” Rafe argued.
I came around the side of the desk to stand before him. “Considering we were married by a priest, I’m not sure how you claim you can annul the marriage.”
With a sneer, Rafe replied, “On the grounds it hasn’t been consummated.”
“Who says it hasn’t?” Caterina countered.
After my incredulous gaze snapped to hers, I quickly masked my shock before the others noticed. When I dared to look at Rafe, his face paled. Both Leandro and Giovanni stood up. With a pained groan, Rafe said, “Kitty Cat, you don’t have to lie to me.”
My breath hitched as I waited for Caterina’s response. After drawing her shoulders back, she pronounced, “I’m not.”
Rafe lunged at me. “You fucking bastard.”
“Stop it, Rafe!” Caterina shouted as Leandro and Gianni pulled him away. She placed her hands on his shoulders. Staring into his eyes, wild with rage, she said, “On my word, he didn’t force me.”
His dark brows raised in surprise. “He didn’t?”
“No. I wanted to consummate our marriage.”
Inwardly, I groaned at the elicit images flooding my mind. Although her words were lies, it still did something to me hearing her say that she had willingly come to my bed. That she had wanted sex with me. More than anything in the world, I wanted to bury myself inside her, marking her as mine.
When her brothers remained silent, Caterina sighed. “Like I told you on the phone, Callum is giving me the opportunity for a future I never dreamed possible. I wanted to do everything I could to ensure that the alliance was successful.”
“You really want to be his wife?” Leandro questioned in disbelief.
I stared expectantly at Caterina for her response. After she met my gaze, her cheeks flushed before she stared down at the floor. “I do.”
After staring between Caterina and me, Rafe finally sighed defeatedly. Leo and Gianni exchanged horrified looks. “Then I suppose I should offer my congratulations.”
Caterina jerked her head up. “Really?”
He nodded and looked at his brothers. “Right, guys?”
“Yes,” they agreed in unison.
A beaming smile lit up Caterina’s face. “You all make me so happy.”
“As long as you’re happy, that’s all that matters,” Gianni replied before his gaze locked with mine. “And she will remain happy, correct?”
For reasons I couldn’t possibly articulate, I wanted to see Caterina happy. I liked the feeling her smile elicited, and I liked being the one to put the smile on her face. I wasn’t ignorant to think that it would be easy keeping my little hellcat happy. But I was willing to put the work in not just for what it would mean for my family, but what it meant for the two of us.
“I will do everything within my power to ensure her happiness,” I replied.
When I met Caterina’s gaze, she gave me a shy smile before eyeing her brothers. “So, we’re good?”
“Yes, Kitty Cat, we’re good,” Rafe replied.
Caterina nodded. “Then I’ll leave you boys to it.”
As she started past me, I reached for her hand. Her eyes popped wide with surprise when I brought it to my lips. “Go have some fun. We won’t be long.”
“Try to behave,” she instructed.
Smirking, I replied, “I’ll try.”
She rolled her eyes before walking out of my office. Once we were alone, Leandro clapped his hands together. “Now that’s out of the way, I suppose we should get to work.”
Gianni nodded. “Kidnapping Caterina along with your airfield pyrotechnics has kicked up a fucking firestorm.”