Chapter Fifteen Callum
If there was one thing I despised, it was not being in control of a situation. I didn’t like relying on anyone other than my brothers, and sometimes I didn’t even want to rely on them. I wanted complete and total control in any situation. Maybe it was the control freak in me, or maybe it was part of being a leader.
I despised having that control in the hands of a woman I didn’t completely trust even less. Or I suppose I should say two women. When it came to trusting Nera, she claimed to have no love for the Sicilian Neretti’s. But she had to know that by aiding us she could face repercussions. As long as she came through for me, I would make sure to have the Malgieri’s give her and her family protection.
If she double crossed me, I’d blow her brains out right in front of Caterina to drive home the point. You never double-cross a Kavanaugh, especially me.
Deep down, I knew Caterina had more to lose if her father was to capture her. I doubted even a fear of eternal damnation would keep Alessio from forcing another marriage on Caterina just as soon as he could annul ours. A lesser man–a true bastard–wouldn’t have been wasting this time on escape. He would’ve been forcing himself on Caterina to consummate the marriage to where its legality couldn’t possibly be questioned.
While I was a bastard, I would never be that level of a bastard. With a snarl, I imagined it would’ve been something my father would’ve done. But I could never do that. Even if I could, my brothers wouldn’t have allowed me to force myself on Caterina.
After one of my soldiers, Fionn, gunned the engine, we sped down the driveway to the main road. Nodding at Nera, I asked Caterina, “Where do we go first?”
After Caterina translated, Nera replied while wildly gesticulating with her hands. “She says to turn right out of the driveway.”
Considering it was the opposite direction we usually took upon leaving, I tried not to order against it. Instead, I nodded at Fionn.
Just as we reached the end of the driveway, a black SUV tore down the road towards us. Before we could get into position, gunfire erupted around us, blowing out the rear window. Both Nera and Caterina screamed as glass shards rained over the backseat.
Grabbing Caterina by the arm, I flung her into the floorboard. “Stay down.”
“You could’ve just told me to move instead of manhandling me!” she shrieked.
Rolling my eyes, I replied, “Stop arguing with me when we’re in a fucking gunfight.”
“Whatever,” she grumbled.
I turned in my seat and leaned against the door. After rolling down the window, I leaned out. I sent a hail of gunfire into the bottom of the SUV. While it appeared the outside was bulletproof, the tires weren’t. At the pop of the rubber, I shouted, “Got one!”
“Good. That will buy us some time,” Quinn replied, his head buried in our weapons bag.
“This shortcut better do the trick,” I replied, as I gave Caterina a pointed look.
“I’m sure it will,” she countered. Although she sounded convinced, I couldn’t help noticing how she wrung her hands in her lap and chewed at her bottom lip.
Since we’d been tearing down the tree-lined main road without any further instructions from Nera, I was growing wary. The two-lane country road with rolling grass and emerald fields to the sides reminded me of the ones back home outside of Belfast. It sure as hell didn’t look like we were anywhere near civilization, least of all the airport.
Leaning forward in my seat, I started bringing my gun up from my lap. Just as I was about to point it at Nera’s head, she waved her hand at the windshield and began furiously speaking to Caterina.
“Stop!” Caterina shouted.
“What the fuck is the problem?”
While Nera motioned out the window, Caterina replied, “She says to turn here.”
“Here?” Fionn and I questioned in disbelief.
“Yes.”
“There’s not even a fucking road here!” I protested, as I stared at the waist high grass to the right of us. Although it hadn’t rained since the first day we arrived, I had no idea if there was a muddy bog we might get stuck in or God knows what else we might encounter.
At Nera’s continued talking, Caterina replied, “She swears it reconnects with a road down the path.”
Fionn cocked his brows at me. “We doing this, boss?”
“Fuck,” I muttered under my breath. I sure as hell didn’t like this. With a final glance at Nera’s imploring face, I ordered, “Take the path.”
After whipping the steering wheel around, Fionn lurched the SUV off the road and into the grass.
The SUV rocked and rolled over the uneven terrain. As Caterina tried repositioning herself on the floor, we lunged over a bump, which sent her body careening between my open legs. Her face landed right in my crotch.
Smirking down at her, I replied, “Now’s not the time, Kitten.”
She jerked away from me. “Bastard,” she hissed.
“Such language from a former novice,” I tsked.
She scowled at me, causing me to chuckle. Before she could go off on me again, Nera started speaking. Caterina rose up and leaned closer to Nera. Nodding her head, she said to Fionn, “Take a left past that apple tree. The road we need to take should come into view.”
Since it hadn’t been me who gave him the order, Fionn glanced at me in the rear-view mirror. “Do what the lass says,” I instructed.
Caterina scowled at Fionn before shooting me a look over her shoulder. “Does this mean your men will never listen to me?”
“Aye, it does.”
“That’s…bullshit!”
The amusement drained out of me. With the stress of the moment bearing down on me and one of my men hanging on to every word, I grabbed her by the arm and yanked her to me. “You need to remember who you’re talking to, Kitten. You also need to remember the world you grew up in for eighteen years. Just like with your father, my men answer only to me. Just as you do. The sooner you get that through your thick skull, the easier it will be for all of us.”
From her venomous expression, it appeared Caterina wanted to tear into me, but she bit her tongue. My attention was torn from Caterina at Nera’s screech of, “Vedere!”
Although it hadn’t been me who gave him the order, he obliged. Just like Nera had said, I saw the road. Even though I knew it would take some time to fix the tire, it didn’t stop me from constantly glancing over my shoulder to make sure Alessio wasn’t on our tail.
Once we were on the main road, Caterina translated for Nera that we were just a few minutes from the airfield. “Tell her once again how grateful we are and how we will show our gratitude,” I said to Caterina.
After hearing Caterina’s translation, Nera bobbed her head. “Grazie.”
“Prego,” I replied.
My gratitude expanded even further when I saw the air field’s tower. She hadn’t screwed me over. More than that, my bride hadn’t screwed me over. But I wouldn’t fucking admit it. Not now in front of my brothers and Fionn. Only weak leaders admitted they were wrong.
When we wheeled up at the airfield, our jet sat on the tarmac. Normally, it would’ve been a welcomed sight, but considering the two black SUV’s on either side, I knew we weren’t out of the woods yet.
“Tell Nera to get down on the floorboard,” I commanded as I reloaded my assault rifle.
“Salire sulla pedana,” Caterina commanded.
Nodding, Nera shakily unbuckled her seatbelt before slipping onto the floor. With my rifle reloaded, I turned to Quinn. “What do we have to take them out?”
“A rocket launcher and two grenades.”
Caterina gasped. “We’ve been riding around with all of that weaponry in the car?”
“Among other things,” Quinn replied tersely.
After paling slightly, she murmured, “I don’t want to know.”
Nodding, I pointed at Dare. “You take the second SUV out with the grenades.” Cutting my gaze to Quinn, I instructed, “Use the rocket launcher on the first. Seamus and I will cover you. Then Kellan, while everyone is distracted, I want you to get Caterina on the jet.”
With a shake of her head, Caterina held out her hand. “Give me a gun.”
“You’re kidding me.”
Her expression darkened. “I have every right to protect myself.”
“You’re trembling like a leaf. How the hell do you expect to protect yourself?”
“You know as well as I do I’m a decent shot.”
“Kellan and I will be protecting you.”
“We’re outnumbered. We need all the ammunition and firepower we can get.”
“Forget the fact we need all hands on deck. I wouldn’t trust you with a gun against me.”
She rolled her eyes. “Do you really think after everything we’ve been through in the last couple of days, especially the last half hour, I would seriously shoot you or one of your brothers?”
Deep down, I knew she wouldn’t. With the parameters of our contract, I was giving Caterina the life she’d dreamed of in spite of being forced to be my wife. At the same time, I wasn’t a man who would allow women to defend themselves. As long as I had breath within me, I’d lay down my life for her. “I’m not risking it.”
Crossing her arms over her chest, she huffed, “I’m a good shot.”
“We don’t have time to argue about this.” I turned back to my brothers. “Let’s do this.”
The moment the SUV doors opened, gunfire erupted on the tarmac. Using the driver side door as a shield, I began rapid firing my rifle. Across from me, Seamus began doing the same thing on the passenger side.
As Quinn and Dare got into position, I nodded at Kellan who had a very reluctant Caterina by the arm. I texted the pilot to taxi the plane slowly down the runaway towards our vehicle. Once the jet was in motion, I gave the signal to Quinn and Dare.
The force of the simultaneous explosions jolted me back against the driver’s seat, knocking me into Fionn. Once I repositioned myself, I trained my gun on the SUV to the left. Kellan and Caterina crept out the back and then around to the front of the car. Although Kellan was armed, I held my breath that we’d taken out all the threats.
The fear dwelling within my chest was a surprise. It wasn’t directed at Kellan but at Caterina. It was more than just not wanting anything to happen to her because she was a woman. It was about the depth of my growing feelings for her.
Turning to Fionn, I said, “Once we’re on the plane, you get the hell out of here. Don’t bother taking her back to the house. Just get her safely back to Catania.”
“Sure thing, boss.”
“I’ll have Seamus text you flight plans to get you and the others back to Belfast.”
As he nodded, I met Nera’s terrified eyes, I said, “Grazie.”
“Prego,” she replied, her voice barely audible over the jet’s engine.
I wish I knew how to communicate with her how well I was going to compensate her family. Hopefully, my look of gratitude coupled with my position was enough for the moment.
Without any return fire, I motioned for Seamus to start for the plane. I don’t know how the hell my crazy plan had worked, but miraculously it had. The minute I got on the jet, Quinn shut and locked the door for the pilot.
I barely had time to take a seat before we were rocketing down the runway. I would have to thank the pilot for not wasting any time. When I glanced out the window, I knew the answer for the rush. Alessio’s SUV had wheeled up.
Jerking my chin at the window, I said to Caterina, “Your father made it just in time to say goodbye.”
She paled. Her legs must’ve given way because she sank into a seat. “I never thought he would take it this far,” she said in a whisper.
“Truth be told, I didn’t either.” Tearing my gaze from Caterina’s, I eyed Seamus. “Did you?”
He nodded. “This was one of the scenario’s I envisioned happening. Obviously, it wasn’t the one I was hoping for.”
“Somehow I don’t think this is all about a father swooping in to save his kidnapped daughter,” I said.
Caterina shook her head with a rueful smile. “It’s not.”
“I suppose the best thing to do is let him cool off while reaching out to Caterina’s brothers,” I suggested.
“I would agree,” Seamus replied.
Once we were safely in the air and had left her father far behind, Caterina finally relaxed. Or I suppose I should say she relaxed as best she could in her wedding dress that overflowed the seat. She twisted several times while wincing. Since we had a long flight, I hated the thought of her being uncomfortable.
Rising out of my seat, I went over to her. When I took her by the hand and pulled her to her feet, surprise flooded her expression. “What is it?”
“Come to the bedroom with me. We need to get you out of that dress.”
Caterina’s eyes bulged before she snatched her hand from mine. “E-Excuse me?”
I rolled my eyes. “That wasn’t a come-on, Kitten. I was just stating facts.”
“Oh, right,” she murmured, as pink tinged her cheeks.
With a knowing look, I added, “You’re uncomfortable, aren’t you?”
“I am.”
“Did you seriously expect me to fuck you on this plane with my brothers within earshot?”
The flush crept down her neck. “No, but…”
“But what? You think car chases and explosions get me so hot I would abandon all my honor to ravish you?”
”With my father chasing us, I didn’t know.” She swallowed hard. “I didn’t know what you might have to do. You know, to make the marriage more legal.”
Bringing my fingers to her chin, I tipped her head up to look at me. “Regardless of whatever bullshit your father pulled, I would never do that. Ever.”
After staring at me intently, she nodded her head. “Thank you, Callum.”
“Come,” I ordered. After grabbing her bag, I then led her into the bedroom off the cabin.
When I closed the door behind us, she jumped. “Easy. I’m only going to unbutton your dress.” The moment my fingers touched the first button Caterina flinched. “Seriously?” I demanded gruffly.
“I’m sorry. It’s not like I’m used to men taking my clothes off.”
At the illicit picture her words formed in my mind, I groaned. I wanted to do more than just take her clothes off. After ripping the dress from her body, I wanted to press her down onto the bed. I wanted to bury my face in her pussy until her need dripped down my chin. Then I wanted to bury myself inside her slick walls, driving into her over and over until she cried out my name.
“Callum?”
“Huh?”
“Why did you stop?” she questioned softly.
“Sorry. I have a lot on my mind,” I muttered as I continued working my way down the row of intricate buttons. “Christ, if I’d known about all these buttons, I would’ve picked a different dress.”
Caterina’s soft laughter rippled through me. “I’m glad you didn’t know because this one was perfect.”
“I’m glad you liked it.” Gazing down at the dirt and stains, I said, “I’ll make sure our housekeeper sends it to be cleaned.”
“Thank you. I appreciate that.”
When the last button was undone, the sides of the dress opened up, revealing a sexy white bustier and a lot of Caterina’s skin. I flattened my palm at the base of her neck. Although I should’ve resisted, I couldn’t. She was a beautiful temptation standing before me in the warm flesh. Slowly, I ran my hand down her skin. When she shivered beneath my touch, I swallowed down my groan.
Caterina twisted her neck to stare at me. “A-Are you finished?”
I fought the urge to lie, so I could stay close to her longer. There was nothing more in the world I wanted than to continue standing there with my hand on her delicate flesh. To feel the rise and fall of her breath beneath my fingertips. What the hell was happening to me?
Snatching my hand away from her, I took a step back. “Finished. Go ahead and get dressed,” I replied gruffly before starting for the bedroom door.
“Thank you, Callum,” she called.
“You’re welcome,” I replied before I ducked out of the door and made my way to get a drink.
Or two.