Chapter Twenty-Four Isla
A fter dinner was over, we entered the ballroom for dancing. When Quinn didn’t ask me to dance after two songs, I couldn’t help questioning, “Not a big dancer?”
He shook his head. “I’m sure that won’t come as a big surprise.”
“It is.” With a wink, I added, “Considering your rhythm during our lap dance, I imagined you’d be good at it.”
Quinn laughed. “I appreciate the compliment, but I’m not dancing.”
Before I could guilt him into taking me for a turn, we were interrupted by Callum appearing before us. “May I have this dance?” he asked.
When I cut my eyes over to Quinn, his jaw clenched. “Um, maybe?” I replied.
Callum chuckled. “Come on, boyo. It’s only a dance.”
“Fine,” Quinn gritted out.
When Callum offered me his hand, I reluctantly slipped mine into his. As he led me onto the dance floor, I couldn’t help but throw a glance at Quinn over my shoulder. He gave me a tight smile.
After Callum slid his arm around my waist, he remarked, “You look exquisite tonight.”
“Thank you. You and Quinn clean up nice as well. I mean, you always look nice in your suits, but the tuxes are top tier. I bet you didn’t even have to rent those, did you?” Before he could answer, I rambled on. “Quinn got this dress for me. I wished he wouldn’t have spent so much. But he insisted. He even spent a fortune on lingerie for me.” At that admission, I shrieked in horror. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. When I get nervous, I literally can’t stop talking.”
He gave me a reassuring smile. “Do I make you nervous?” When I nodded, he asked, “Is it because you don’t want to piss off Quinn?”
“A little. I think it’s more because of who you are in your organization.”
“We call them clans.”
“I know. It’s just hard for me to say that with the negative connotations here in the states with that word.”
“Ah, yes, those eejits who run around in bed sheets have definitely sullied the word,” he replied with disgust.
“Exactly.”
“You don’t need to fear me, Isla.”
“Somehow I don’t think that’s entirely true.”
He cocked his brows at me. “What makes you say that?”
“I imagine that you didn’t just bring me out here because of your desire to dance.”
Callum eyed me shrewdly. “You are smart.”
“What is it you wanted to say to me?”
“I don’t know you well, Isla, but you could say I’m a pretty good judge of character. It comes with the territory of the work I do. There’s also the fact that my wife likes you very much.”
I smiled. “I like her, too.”
“I trust her assessment of you since she also possesses the ability to judge character.”
“Why do I feel there’s a but coming?”
“You are very perceptive.”
I shrugged. “Once again, why else would you want to get me away from Quinn than to warn me?”
“Quinn isn’t just my brother. He’s the enforcer in my clan. He’s a vital part in the success of our businesses.” He drew in a ragged breath. “We almost lost him physically two years ago, and it’s still an emotional battle. I can’t allow anyone or anything to screw with his head.”
A myriad of emotions swirled through me. Part of me was angry that Callum felt the need to threaten me not to hurt Quinn. Another part understood that despite his imposing appearance and menacing attitude, Quinn was truly vulnerable. At the same time, a shiver of fear crept up my spine that my mild-mannered self was having such a conversation with a clan leader.
Callum cocked his head at me. “Do you understand what I’m saying?”
“If I hurt Quinn, I’ll sleep with the fishes?”
Callum’s blues eyes bulged before a bark of a laugh came from deep in his chest. “I wouldn’t use that exact verbiage, but nothing good would come from using or hurting him.”
I frowned. “The last thing I would ever want to do was hurt Quinn. I care about him.”
Callum’s eyes searched mine. After what seemed like an eternity, he replied, “I believe you, Isla.”
“Good. I’m glad to hear that.” Throwing a glance over my shoulder, I surveyed Quinn’s almost eggplant-colored face. “I think it’s time we end our dance before Quinn has a stroke.”
Callum laughed. “I think so, too.”
Just as I started to untangle myself from his embrace, he stopped me. “I’m really happy Quinn has found you, Isla. You’re really good for him. He hasn’t been this happy since the bombing.”
“You really mean that?”
“I do. I hope he doesn’t fuck things up and keeps you happy.”
I laughed. “I hope for the same.”
He placed a tender kiss on my cheek. “Thanks for the dance.”
“Thank you.”
Quinn didn’t wait for me to meet him. Instead, he was at my side just as Callum started walking away. “Did you enjoy your dance?” he bit out.
“Not really.”
Furrowing his brows, Quinn asked, “Why not?”
“Well, because your brother threatened to hurt me if I mistreated you.”
Quinn’s blue eyes turned dark. “I’ll kill him.”
“Easy, now. He was only being the macho clan boss who was looking out for his younger brother.”
“I’m still going to kill him.”
“Please don’t. I want Caterina’s baby to have a father,” I pleaded.
He exhaled a sigh. “Fine. But only for the wain’s sake.”
“The what?”
He grinned. “Wain is Irish for baby or child.”
“Interesting. I think I’ll start calling Henry the wain. It lends a little cultural distinction to our house,” I replied with a smile.
“We’ll see if Brooke appreciates it.”
As we started off the dance floor, Quinn cocked his brows at me. “You’re not to dance with Callum or any of my brothers. Ever. ”
“Quinn, be serious.”
He shook his head. “I mean it. I don’t ever want to hear of you alone with one of them. Especially Dare.”
Sweeping my hands to my hips, I said, “You don’t honestly think I would be interested in your brothers?”
Quinn shrugged. “They’re handsome men.”
I rolled my eyes. “For starters, Callum is married, and I happen to like his wife a lot. Not to mention she’s pregnant. I’d have to be a ‘see you next Tuesday’ to do that to her.”
Frowning, Quinn asked, “A what?”
With a giggle, I replied, “A cunt.”
His eyes bulged at me using that word. “I can’t believe you said that.”
“Well, I didn’t at first until you made me explain myself.” Closing the gap between us, I pressed myself flush against his body. “I want you to listen to me and listen good. There is not a single Kavanaugh I want anything sexual to do with but you . There is no one inside or outside of your family that I want but you .”
“You really mean that, don’t you?”
“Yes, I do.”
Quinn cupped my face in his hands. “You truly are an angel heaven sent.”
“Now will you take me home and ravish me?” When he shook his head, I protested, “You promised.”
He flashed me a wicked grin that sent heat straight to my core. “I’m taking you upstairs instead.”