Page 60 of Fix You
I’d never envisioned spending Christmas Day with the Kavanaughs. But then again, I sure as hell hadn’t expected my father to renege on our deal over Callum’s safety. Not only had he put a hit out on Callum, but he’d been shot on the street walking right next to Caterina.
Once again, I could’ve lost my baby sister at the hands of my father. But thankfully, she remained unharmed, and Callum had pulled through surgery.
I had to give it to him–he was one tough motherfucker.
After the failed hit on Callum, my father had gone completely underground. My brothers and I hadn’t heard a word from him. We’d been completely iced out of any businesses that hadn’t belonged to us.
As for his whereabouts, there were rumors he was as far away as Sicily while other intel claimed he was hiding out in one of the boroughs. Wherever he was, he could stay the fuck there or deal with our wrath.
Of course our mother stood behind Father, so we would’ve been displaced from our usual family dinner on Christmas Day had it not been for Caterina’s suggestion to join them for lunch.
There was a small part of me that wanted to refuse her, so I wouldn’t have to face Maeve. But in the end, I wasn’t a pussy. I knew the day would come when our paths would cross again. It was inevitable considering we were tied together by family.
Whatever bravado I’d felt about seeing Maeve evaporated the moment I laid eyes on her. She was a fucking vision in a green dress. Her beautiful auburn hair fell in waves over her shoulders. Her creamy alabaster skin was on intense display with the plunging neckline of her dress that also showed off the voluptuous swell of her breasts. I licked my lips at the thought of burying my head in them.
Christ, I was a dirty bastard for sexualizing her at that moment. As hard as I tried to push those thoughts out of my head, I wanted nothing more than to close the gap between us and sweep her into my arms. I wanted her flush against me, her curves melting into my body. I wanted the warmth of her lips on mine.
But I remained rooted to my spot in the living room doorway, staring at the only woman I’d ever really wanted but couldn’t have.
Eventually Caterina blocked my line of vision to Maeve. For a moment, worry flickered in her dark eyes. But she quickly masked it with a beaming smile. “Buon Natale, big brother.”
I returned her smile and embraced her. “Buon Natale, Mrs. Kavanaugh.”
A contented sigh escaped her lips. “Can you believe that this time last year I wasSisterCaterina?”
I laughed. “No, I cannot.” With a wink, I added, “Mrs. suits you much better.”
“I agree.”
A yip interrupted us as Murphy came barreling towards us before launching himself at me. I bent down to scoop him into my arms.
When I glanced up from scratching his ears, Callum stared at me with creased brows. “Since when is he a fan of yours?”
“Since I snuck him bacon last time I was here, and didn’t freak out when he pissed on my leg,” I joked.
With a grin, Callum replied, “I suppose that would do it.”
“You’re lucky Maeve didn’t catch you. She doesn’t like him having treats,” Dare remarked.
I glanced past him to stare intently at Maeve. Now that I had her attention, there was so much I wanted to say in that moment, but I knew I couldn’t in front of everyone. Instead, I chose a word that I hoped would encompass my feelings about so many things. “My apologies.”
“No, it’s fine.”
At her earnest expression, it appeared Maeve was conveying the same emotions I was. After greeting everyone else, I found myself standing in front of her. “Nollaig Shona, Maeve,” I greeted her.
Pleasure flashed in her eyes hearing me using an Irish Christmas greeting. To my surprise, she whispered, “Buon Natale.”
My arms twitched as I debated pulling her into my arms. My brothers had both given her hugs. Surely no one would perceive anything suspicious if I was to do the same.
But my brothers hadn’t kissed her and left her a crumpled mess of emotional turmoil on the rooftop. Even though she’d insisted I leave her, Maeve had every right to hate me for what I’d done.
When she took a tentative step towards me, my heart dropped into my stomach. I then reached and wrapped my arms around her. God, she felt like heaven against me. The sweet smell of her perfume entered my nose.
“You don’t smell like smoke,” she blurted.
I jerked back to stare at her. “I decided it was a nasty habit that I should probably give up.”
A somewhat panicked look flashed in her eyes. Before I could say anything else, Callum called for us to go into the dining room. As Caterina, Orla, and Maeve headed into the kitchen for the food, I took a seat.