Chapter Nine Quinn
“ C ome on, Quinn, say yes,” Caterina pleaded.
As I stared across my desk at my very persuasive sister-in-law, I shook my head with a chuckle. “Now I know why Callum never stands a chance when it comes to you.”
A smirk curved across her lips. “What can I say? It’s a gift that I can charm each and every one of the Kavanaugh men.”
Dare snorted in the chair next to her. “Aye, you sure as hell do, especially since Quinn and I don’t reap the same benefits as Callum.”
Caterina shrieked in horror at his innuendo before playfully smacking his arm. “Dare, I can’t believe you said that.”
He grinned at her. “After eight months of being blessed with my presence, it’s an honor that I can still shock you.”
“Since I like your handsome face as it is, I’ll refrain from telling Callum of your remark,” she huffed.
I barked a laugh. “Watch out, boyo. She’s going to snitch on you.”
Dare held his hands up. “You’re the one denying Callum’s pregnant wife her heart’s desire.”
After rolling my eyes at Dare, I focused on Caterina. “Is my eejit brother correct about this mission you want to do?”
When she bobbed her dark head eagerly, I groaned. “Speaking of Callum, how can he possibly be on board with this? Especially when you made him give up his stake in Alainn .”
“Because he sees it as a way for me to make peace with darker aspects of this family. Considering my background, it gives me a way to merge my past and present,” she replied.
I flicked my gaze over to Dare who shrugged. With our line of work, it was hard to shock us, but when Caterina had appeared at my office door with a proposition involving the club, I was fucking floored.
Since her marriage to Callum, Caterina had insisted on continuing some aspects of her former life as a novice nun. In between nursing school and the social duties of being Callum’s wife, she served others. Some days it was in the soup kitchen at our church and others it was the women’s shelter.
But her proposed idea was a doozy. After coming across a post on social media, she learned about some clubs having House Mothers. It was a term given to a woman who not only cooked every night for the dancers, but she also counseled and encouraged them.
We currently employed two women who helped with the music, costumes, and makeup. They cued the girls on stage and set up their private dances. Caterina wanted no part in that, so it wasn’t like we would have to lay off anyone.
She argued that since all of our dancers were college coeds or girls seeking a better life, they needed a female to have their back. She also knew that most weren’t getting proper nutrition, and as a ridiculously good cook, she wanted to use her talents in that area.
Although it sounded like a win/win for both Caterina and my brothers, I still wasn’t completely sold on the idea. When I opened my mouth to voice that, Shane poked his head in the door. “Excuse me, Sir.”
“I believe I said I was not to be interrupted,” I blared.
“I know that, sir, but there’s someone here who is insisting on delivering something to you.”
When Dare palmed his gun, Caterina sucked in a harsh breath as her hand went to her abdomen. “Don’t worry. If it was a serious threat, Shane would’ve neutralized it,” I reassured her.
Although she appeared relieved, she continued rubbing her barely there baby bump. I turned my attention back to Shane. “Take the package and–”
“I’m sorry, sir, but she insists she deliver it herself.”
“Ooh, it’s a she ,” Dare remarked.
“Then take the package from her and tell her to fuck off.”
The corners of Shane’s lips quirked. “She said if you tried to refuse her, I was to tell you her name.”
Caterina clapped her hands with glee. “Why didn’t you tell us you were seeing someone?”
“Because I’m not.”
“You’re lying,” she scoffed.
“I swear on the saints I’m not seeing anyone. Least of all some demanding woman bearing a package.”
Caterina’s gaze swept over to Shane. “What’s the woman’s name?”
“Isla,” he replied with a shit-eating grin.
Fuck me.
Of all the times she had to show up, it would have to be now. As I glared at Shane, I grumbled, “Fine. Send her in.”
I refused to look at Dare or Caterina who were practically on the edge of their seats. Regardless of what I said or did, I knew they were going to harass the hell out of me.
When the door swung open to reveal Isla, my cock jumped in my pants simultaneously as my heart raced in my chest. She stood in the doorway with a hesitant smile on her face. Although I’d seen her in nothing but a g-string, the red sweater dress and black knee-boots she was wearing seriously tempted me.
I gripped the arms of my chair to stop me from running to her side and dragging her into my arms.
Her gaze bounced cautiously around the room. “Oh, you really are in a meeting. I thought he was just shooting me a line, so I would go away.” She jerked a thumb at the door. “I’ll just come back.”
“No!” I bellowed a little more forcefully than I meant to. While Dare turned a laugh into a cough, Caterina ducked her head. Meanwhile, Isla shifted on her legs like she might bolt at any moment.
With a flick of my wrist, I beckoned her. “Please come in.”
As Isla hurried to my desk, she said, “Since I was off last night, I wanted to check on how you were doing. Some of the girls said you were back. I figured that meant you were doing better, but I really wanted to see for myself.”
Trying to keep the mask up in front of Dare and Caterina, I coldly replied, “I’m fine.”
I felt like the biggest bastard in the world when her smile faded with my tone. Staring down at the plastic container in her hands, she said, “Right. Well, um, since my dad was an Episcopal priest, my mom was always making this soup and bread to take to sick or healing parishioners. Because you’re Irish, I thought you might enjoy some.”
Before she could hand it to me, Dare asked, “What kind is it?”
“Irish Colcannon,” she half whispered.
My eyebrows shot up in surprise while Dare’s jaw unhinged. “Seriously?”
A nervous laugh bubbled from her lips. “Um, yeah. I didn’t even know it really had a name until I went into my mom’s recipe box. We always just joked it was ‘the sick soup’.”
When Dare started for Isla, I shot out of my chair. “Keep your hands to yourself!”
While Isla jumped, Dare merely grinned. “Easy, mate. I was just going for the soup.”
Warily, I watched him take the container from Isla. After peeling back the lid, he inhaled deeply. A groan of pleasure came from his lips. “Fuck me. This smells just like Mam’s!”
“Really?” I questioned.
“It sure as hell does.”
Dare grinned at Isla. “Do you have a little Irish in you, Ms. Vaughn?”
She nodded. “My mother’s great-grandparents came over from Cork.”
When a teasing glint flashed in Dare’s eyes, I anticipated his coming cheek by starting around the desk. Before I could reach him, he purred, “You know, if you cook as good as my mam, it’d be my pleasure for you to have a large amount of Irish in you.”
At Isla’s gasp and Caterina’s groan, I shoved Dare. Hard . “Watch your mouth, or you’ll be eating that soup through a straw,” I snarled. Of course, that just made him laugh harder.
I then snatched the soup from him. When the smell invaded my nostrils, it was my turn to moan. “It does smell just like Mam’s.”
Caterina smiled at Isla. “Would you mind giving me the recipe? Considering how these two are salivating, I can only imagine my husband would like it as well.”
Isla returned Catrina’s smile. “I would be happy to.”
Motioning between the two of them, I said, “Isla, this is my sister-in-law, Caterina. She’s married to my oldest brother, Callum.”
Recognition flooded Isla’s face hearing Caterina’s name. “It’s nice meeting you.”
“Likewise,” Caterina replied. Tilting her head, Caterina apprised Isla. “Could I bother you with another favor?”
With a shrug, Isla replied, “I suppose so.”
“You’re the perfect person to weigh in on my idea for the club.” Caterina cut her gaze over to mine. “Isn’t she?”
Before I could answer, Isla said, “I’m not sure how well I can answer considering I’ve only been here for a week.”
“You’re a woman and a dancer–the exact market I’m targeting.”
Shifting on her feet, Isla nibbled her bottom lip. “Okay.”
Caterina’s dark eyes lit up. “Please have a seat,” she instructed, motioning to the chair next to her. While she eased down on the leather, I didn’t return to my chair. Instead, I leaned back against the desk across from Isla.
“Just give me your honest thoughts about this,” Caterina said. After Isla nodded, Caterina informed her of her plan. During certain parts, Isla’s head would bob and a few times she smiled.
Once Caterina finished, she stared expectantly at Isla. After clearing her throat, Isla said, “I think it’s a great idea.”
Caterina beamed. “You do? You’re not just saying that?”
Shaking her head, Isla replied, “No. I really do. But you really shouldn’t just poll me. Why don’t you come talk to the other girls?”
“I would love that. Maybe they could give their input on what they would like to see the mission be.”
“I’m sure they would.”
Caterina tilted her head at me. “Of course, I don’t want to get their hopes up if we don’t have permission.”
With a snort, I replied, “Did you honestly think I was going to say no to you?”
She grinned. “I didn’t want to come across too cocky.”
“As long as your husband won’t give me shit, you’re welcome to start your mission.”
“He won’t. We’ve already discussed it.”
“In or out of the bedroom?” Dare teased.
While Isla gasped, Caterina merely smacked Dare’s arm playfully. “I think instead of Owen, you can accompany me to mass this week.”
With a wink, Dare replied, “Not happening, Sister Sassy.”
Caterina turned her attention to Isla. “Would you go with me to talk to the girls?”
“Sure. I’d be happy to.”
“See you later, gentleman,” Caterina said.
After she fell in step behind Caterina, Isla threw a glance at me over her shoulder. “I hope you enjoy the soup.”
“I’m sure I will. Thank you for bringing it to me.”
“You’re welcome.” After wiggling goodbye with her fingers at me, Isla followed Caterina out of my office door.
As I stared down at the soup, I realized I was in so much fucking trouble.