Chapter Twenty-Two Isla
D usk was falling when we arrived at Quinn’s house. Of course, I couldn’t help staring in awe at the expansive mansion where he lived. “This is really yours?”
“Aye. As well as my brothers.”
“It’s huge.”
“It accommodates the four of us very well.”
With wide eyes, I followed him into the backdoor. It certainly wasn’t what I had in mind for four Irish mobsters. I don’t know why I imagined everything being dark, sleek, and modern. The house had warm colors, expensive art, and other antiques. I wondered how much could be attributed to their mother or Caterina’s touch.
Speaking of Caterina, she came down the stairs to greet us. She was terribly pale and had on a silky bathrobe. At the sight of me, her eyes lit up. “Oh, Isla, you are stunning!”
“Aw, thank you. I owe it all to Quinn and my sister.”
“You two are going to makequite the gorgeous couple tonight.”
“I better go throw on my tux,” Quinn said.
Caterina smiled. “I’ll entertain her while you get ready.”
He kissed her cheek. “I appreciate that.”
After Quinn disappeared up the stairs, Caterina ushered me into the living room. I eased down carefully into one of the chairs, making sure not to wrinkle my dress. Caterina plopped down on the couch. “I’m so sorry you’re unable to go tonight.”
“Thanks. It’s been rough the last couple of days.”
“My sister never threw up very much when she was pregnant with my nephew, but she could barely eat from the nausea.”
“All I’ve got to say is whoever said pregnancy is beautiful has never simultaneously puked and peed themselves,” she joked.
I laughed. “That has to be the worst.”
As she rubbed her abdomen, Caterina said, “I just keep telling myself it will all be worth it when she gets here.”
“I know we feel that way about Henry. He’s the sunshine in my sister’s and my world.”
“I’ve heard that he’s quite fond of Quinn.”
“He is.” At my bark of a laugh, Caterina eyed me curiously. “Right before we left, Quinn tried cleaning up a blowout. It didn’t go well.”
Caterina grinned. “Somehow that doesn’t surprise me.”
At the sound of footsteps in the hallway, I craned my neck. When Quinn stepped into the doorway, I gasped at how handsome and debonair he looked. I popped out of my chair and went over to him. “You look amazing.”
“Sometimes I clean up nicely.”
I ran my hand down the front of his tux. “Seriously, you’re like James Bond in a tux.”
He smiled. “Thank you.” He then reached into his jacket pocket to pull out a large velvet box. “I have something for you to wear tonight.”
My heartbeat accelerated. “Oh?”
Quinn nodded. “It’s been in my mother’s family for three generations.”
When I gazed down at the box, I shook my head. “Now I really feel like I’m in Pretty Woman ,” I remarked.
Caterina snorted behind me. “I’m pretty sure Quinn doesn’t know to snap the lid on your fingers.”
He frowned. “Why the hell would I do something like that?”
She and I both laughed. “Trust me. You’ll have to see the movie,” I replied.
“It sounds like torture,” he grunted.
Caterina grinned at him. “Maybe I can organize a movie night.”
“That would be wonderful,” I replied as Quinn merely rolled his eyes.
Turning my attention back to the box in Quinn’s hand, I asked, “Let’s see what you have for me.”
When he cracked the lid, an emerald and diamond necklace glittered up at me. “That’s exquisite.”
“I could say the same of you,” Quinn remarked.
I flushed under his compliments. “You’re too good to me.”
“I can never do enough, Little Dove.”
He took the necklace from the box and then unfastened it. “Turn around,” he instructed.
I did as I was told. I then shifted my waves to the left side so he would have better access to my neck. His breath warmed the bare skin of my shoulders. At his closeness, my heart began to thrum wildly.
Once the necklace was in place, Quinn snapped the clasp. After adjusting my hair, I hurried over to the massive antique mirror on the wall. At the sight of the glittering emeralds and diamonds, I not so eloquently murmured, “Wow.”
Quinn came up behind me, and I met his reflection in the mirror. “I think you’d put Cliodna herself to shame tonight.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever felt more beautiful.”
“You’re my beauty. Mine alone.” His hands came around my waist, pulling me back against him. He dipped his head to place kisses down my neck. When he reached my collarbone, he slid his tongue along it, causing me to moan.
A throat cleared behind us. When I whirled around, Caterina gave us a sly smile. “Just in case you two forgot you had an audience.”
I blushed as I worked to entangle myself from Quinn’s embrace. He started to protest, but at that moment, Callum came down the stairs. “Sorry to keep you guys waiting.” He then stared pointedly at Quinn. “More bullshit from Mikita.”
Quinn tensed next to me. “I don’t know what it’s going to take for him to get the message.”
“Rafe is working on something with Leo and Gianni.”
At the mention of those names, Caterina sucked in a harsh breath. Callum went over to her on the couch. “They’re not in any danger, Kitten. It’s just business.”
She frowned as she rubbed her belly. “I hope it stays that way.”
At what must’ve been my questioning look, Caterina said, “Rafe, Leo, and Gianni are my brothers who live in New York.”
“It has to be hard worrying about all the men in your life.”
She gave me a tight smile. “It is.”
Callum kissed her lips and then her tiny belly. “I’ve asked Dare and Kellan to stay home tonight, so they can watch over my girls.”
With a laugh, Caterina replied, “Considering she’s only the size of a raspberry, I’m not sure how much watching we’ll require.”
“Regardless, they’ll be here.”
She smiled up at him. “I appreciate you looking out for us.”
With one last kiss for Caterina, Callum turned to face us. “Let’s go.”
Apprehension bubbled within me, but I gave Quinn a confident smile as I slipped my hand into his.