Chapter Twelve Callum
After eyeing the clock above the mantle, I winced. It was almost noon. From the anxiety overtaking me, it felt like high noon at the OK Corral from the old Westerns our grandfather had watched. In spite of being the best shot in the west figuratively speaking, I somehow felt Caterina was nailing me straight through the heart. Outfitted in the best suit I’d come to Sicily with, I paced around the living room while inwardly trying to talk myself down from a ledge. The feeling escalated as I glanced down at the contract I clutched in my hand.
The steely conviction that I’d fought Caterina on us being married had begun to wane, and I wondered what the hell was I doing agreeing to this alliance. At the very least, I was marrying a woman outside my nationality. Worse than that, I’d agreed to let my future wife get an education and to have a career. Both of which were unheard of in mafia circles. I’d even agreed to let her determine the number of our offspring, which also was never, ever done.
My father’s evil chuckle echoed in my ear. I never thought a son of mine would become utterly fanny whipped.
My father was right. I’d handed my balls on a silver platter to Caterina in exchange for a somewhat peaceful union. But if she was already able to emasculate me this quickly, what the fuck was to happen when we’d been married five or ten years? Better yet since it appeared she already had me fanny whipped, what was to happen after I actually got a taste of said fanny? Would I hand over everything to her?
As he sat in a chair by the fire, Quinn eyed me curiously. “Are you all right, boyo?”
“I’m fine,” I croaked.
He snorted. “From the looks of it, you need to rub another one out.”
“Fuck off.”
Dare shook his head. “He’s not sexually frustrated; he’s scared out of his bleedin’ mind.”
I skidded to a stop in my pacing. “The feck I am.”
“Don’t lie to us. You’re about to piss yer fucking pants at the very thought of marrying Sister Sassy,” Dare replied with a grin.
With a growl, I launched myself at him. For the second time in a matter of days, my feelings for Caterina had me fighting Dare. After shoving him against the wall, I brought my hand to his throat. “I’m not afraid, motherfucker. I don’t fear anyone or anything. Least of all a woman.”
Although Dare’s face began to turn crimson, he chuckled. “You. Fear. Her,” he choked out.
Before I could argue that I would end him if he ever said that again, Quinn and Kellan came charging over and shoved me away. “What the hell is your problem?” Quinn questioned me.
While I said, “His fucking mouth!” Dare coughed out, “Nerves.” The bastard then had the nerve to wink at me.
“You’re full of shite, mate,” I shot back.
A throat cleared above our heads. Whirling around, my gaze took in Caterina standing at the top of the stairs. Fucking hell. She was an angelic vision in her white dress. Her dark hair cascaded in waves over her shoulders. Although she hadn’t been professionally fitted for the dress, the satin bodice clung to her breasts and her waist like a second skin.
She was everything I could’ve ever wanted in a bride and so much more. And I wasn’t just speaking of her physical beauty. Although her strength was often a thorn in my side, I still could admire her for it. It was the same steely reserve my mam possessed, and without it, she couldn’t have endured the demands of a clan leader’s wife.
As she slowly descended the stairs, my feet moved forward of their own volition. It was as if I couldn’t wait to touch her to ensure she was real and not just some dream. At that moment, I wasn’t a man ensuring an alliance to further my family’s standing. I was a man who was truly enthralled by a woman for the first time in my fucking life.
Instead of being alarmed by my feelings–ones my father would have considered weak–I embraced them. When she met me at the bottom of the stairs, my hand automatically went to her cheek. “You are stunning,” I pronounced.
As red tinged her cheeks, she bit down on her full, lower lip. “Thank you, Callum.”
“It is me who should be giving thanks that yer to be mine.”
When my words about possession caused a momentary flash of anger in her dark eyes, I shook my head. “Don’t fight it, Kitten. You’re mine, and I’m yours. We’ll possess each other until our last breaths.”
“You’ll never own me,” she protested.
I frowned at her. “Why is it so wrong for me to be possessive of you? To be so devoted to you that I would threaten to maim or murder another man for simply looking at you.”
She shook her head. “But I don’t want to be possessed or owned. That’s not who I am.”
“Don’t be so sure about that, Kitten. It’s only been a few days, but you’re well on your way to owning me. I’ve done more and gone farther for you than I have for any other woman.” When triumph tinged her expression, I shot her a shark-like smile. “In the same token, one might say you’ve done more and gone father for me than any other man.”
“That’s only because I wanted to make the best of this situation.”
“Exactly.” Taking her hand in mine, I led her over to my brothers. They stared at Caterina in wide-eyed reverence. “Isn’t my bride stunning?”
“Aye,” Dare replied while Quinn and Kellan merely bobbed their heads in agreement.
She smiled genuinely at them. “I look forward to having you as my brothers.”
“You’ll never want or need for anything, lass,” Quinn proclaimed.
Tilting her head, she teasingly asked, “Does that mean you’ll knock Callum around for me every once in a while?”
As my brothers chuckled, I gritted out, “Dream on.”
Caterina grinned. “You can’t blame me for trying.”
“Come, let’s meet the priest and get this show on the road,” I instructed. After she slipped her hand in mine, I began leading her over to the terrace doors. Although I hated myself for it, I couldn’t stop the racing of my heart. The rational side of me argued it was only normal since I was about to bind myself to a woman I barely knew while vowing to love, honor, and keep her until death parted us.
Of course, in my line of work that wasn’t always that long.
Motioning to the glass doors, I explained, “I thought it might be nicer to have the ceremony out here.”
At the sight of the newly decorated terrace, her mouth gaped open in surprise. Under my directions, the stone patio and railing overflowed with vibrant wildflowers. The path to the makeshift altar was littered in red and pink rose petals.
The self-respecting mafia boss within me couldn’t believe I’d given such ridiculous orders. I commanded men to kill and torture not festoon fecking altars with flowers. If any of my enemies got wind of such a thing, I’d be fighting to keep my territory. I’d even gone so far as to lie to my brothers that it was Seamus’s idea.
All the regret faded when Caterina stared up at me with a beaming smile. “It’s beautiful.”
“It’s all for you.”
Eyeing me skeptically, she asked, “You really did all of this for me?”
Nodding, I replied, “I knew that with your faith, you would be disappointed not to be married in a church, so I tried to make up for it.”
Caterina’s expression softened. “That’s very kind of you, Callum.”
“You’re welcome.”
At the makeshift altar, Seamus stood with Father Leahy. At Caterina’s surprised expression, I could only imagine she wasn’t expecting a very Irish looking priest with red hair that was practically orange and bright blue eyes. Turning to me, she asked, “Where did he come from?”
“You know as well as I do that Sicilians can have red hair and blue eyes.”
“Not hair like that,” she huffed.
I laughed. “Aye, lass, you’re right. After the initial trouble of finding a trustworthy priest, Seamus finally resorted to flying one in from Belfast this morning.”
I knew she didn’t bother arguing with me that not all priests were trustworthy. She knew as well as I did that crooked priests were often bought by mafia families. At the sight of us in the doorway, Seamus and the priest ceased talking.
Seamus walked over to us. “You look lovely, Caterina,” he said with a smile.
“Thank you, Mr. Kavanaugh.”
He shook his head. “Please call me, Seamus. I won’t be pretentious in asking you to call me uncle, but I certainly hope you will look at me as one.”
“I would like that,” she replied. I couldn’t hide my surprise at her words to him. Especially after the way she’d spoken to him on her first day.
Motioning to the table, I said, “I have the contract for you.”
An appreciative look filled her eyes as she made her way over. Once she’d read through the points she’d requested, she picked up the pen. “Once again, I can’t thank you enough for doing this, Callum.”
“You’re welcome.”
Intensity burned in her dark eyes. “I’ll make sure my father and brothers understand how generous you’ve been, so they can do the same.”
Considering the fire that burned within her, I didn’t believe for a second she was capable of keeping her word of peace. But I wouldn’t let her know that. I would allow her to think she had scored a major victory when in truth, I knew it was me who had won. With her in school and having a career, her mind would be occupied to where she wouldn’t be sniffing around my business. She wouldn’t be sitting around wondering where I was and nagging me to be home with her.
“I would appreciate that.”
After clearing his throat, the priest asked, “Since we’re all assembled, shall we get started?”
I nodded. “We’re ready.” Squeezing her hand, I asked, “Aren’t we, Kitten?”
“As ready as I’ll ever be.”
And I knew exactly how she felt.