06

She attempted to reach for him, and I reeled her back roughly with my arm around her waist. I forced her to hold the gun with me, and we aimed the gun at him.

« Please, leave him alone. He didn’t do anything. » She sniffled.

« You’re a married woman now, Elena. You need to be loyal to me. How can you be loyal to me if the man of your desires is still alive and well ? » I murmured in her ear, and the shiver that wrecked through her body went very much noticed by me. « Pull the trigger, mo ghrá amháin. »

I ran my nose up and down the side of her neck and groaned at how fragrant she smelled. She stiffened at the sound, and her entire figure froze before realizing where she was.

« Please. » She sobbed, and as much as I hated hearing her cry, it wasn’t worth it.

« Don’t beg for this man’s life, Elena. It’s not worth it. » I pulled the trigger, and she dropped her hands to scream as I emptied the entire chamber into his chest. Frustrated that I ran out of bullets, I sighed and put my gun away. « Let’s go ! » I made a waving motion with my hand. « Leave the priest and the Don. They live. »

I knew she wouldn’t come with me quietly, so I picked her up and tossed her over my shoulder. Her hands pounded on my back, and her screams pierced my ears, but I paid them no attention as I walked out of the church and to the parking lot where our cars were.

Liam opened the door, and I threw her in before climbing inside with her. She stayed screaming and crying and hitting me the entire ride home. Liam was more than amused in the front seat as he laughed and gave me looks.

« Now that you have her, cousin, what do you plan on doing with her ? » He asked, opting to speak to me in Irish, so she didn’t understand.

I looked over to see her curled up against the window with her arms wrapped around her knees. Her teeth were biting down too hard on her bottom lip, and I craved to pull it out and lick it better with my tongue.

« I plan on keeping her, maybe giving Aofie a brother or sister, » I replied to him in our language.

He let out a bark of a laugh, and Elena jumped from the sound. « Before or after she cuts off your dick and balls ? »

I smirked, my eyes catching her for a brief moment. « B’fhearr roimhe seo. »

(Translation : Hopefully before.)

The car stopped, and she exited from the side she was on, but she wasn’t going to get far if she decided to run. This place was locked down tight, and my men were on strict orders. Strict orders they’d obey if they wanted to live.

My men were loyal to the Death, and I trusted them as much as I could without being vulnerable and giving them a weak advantage point. I stepped out after her and stood behind her.

« Your new home, » I said, and I heard her mumble a prayer under her breath.

She spun around with a murderous look and shoved me in my chest. « This is not my home. This is my prison. If you wanted a war with my brother, you didn’t need to drag me into the fucking middle. » She sneered and stomped inside the house with me behind her.

I didn’t want or need a war with her brother. It wouldn’t even be considered war since I could crush him effortlessly and rapidly. He was her brother, and I had spared his life for her sake. Unfortunately, Enzo wasn’t a man who knew how to play his cards right, and today proved right when he didn’t take any precautions at his sister’s wedding.

It was pathetic. He was pathetic. She stood in the foyer, and her eyes wandered around the place before she ran toward the stairs. I could hear stomping down on every step, and I couldn’t stop laughing as I followed her.

« Your room is down the hall, mo ghrá amháin. Third room on the right. » I spoke, and she spewed curses left and right as she followed my instructions.

I leaned against the wall and saw her walk inside her room and slam it shut. She could hate me forever if she wanted to. I didn’t mind. I didn’t care if she prayed for my Death or swore at me up and down. As far as she was concerned, we were married, and I’d be married to her until I died.

Not even Death could take me away from her. She could dream and fantasize about a different life and outcome, but she would never get any. This was her life now, and the faster she adapted, the easier it would be. Her room in my house was a replica of her room back at her house.

It was grander and vaster, and I included my touches here and there, but the room was hers through and through. I hoped it would comfort her since she was in a stranger’s house, even if that stranger was her husband.

She’d warm up to me, and when she did, I’d thoroughly remind her who she was to me. My wife. My pretty little wife. I hummed at the thought.

« Daid, look what I colored. »

I spun around to see Aofie skipping toward me with a paper in her hand. I bent down to the ground and opened my arms for her. She jumped right in, and I hugged her to my chest.

« Show me, mo chailín milis. »

I held her on my hip, and she gripped the paper with two hands. There were trees, a rainbow, the sun shining, pink and purple birds, and two intricate figures holding hands.

« That’s me, and that’s you. »

« Oh, it’s beautiful, mo chailín milis. I love the birds. »

« Uncail Liam says birds can be whatever colors we want them to be. »

« Of course. »

I kept her in my arms as I walked us down the stairs. I passed by Fiona, my cook and help, who was gripping a laundry bin to her hip. She’s been working at the Callahan estate for too many years. She was here before Aofie was born and helped raise and care for her.

She was in a black and white maid uniform with an apron tight around her waist. She had light-red hair that was pinned back into a bun, and she had freckles scattered over her face. She wore reading glasses that hid those solid blue eyes.

Fiona was respectful and mindful of my work and a maternal figure to Aofie, especially when I couldn’t be.

« Mr. Callahan. »

« Fiona, how are you ? »

« I’m good. »

« How’s the new kitchen working for you ? »

She smiled widely. « It’s fantastic. The colors, the equipment, they’re a dream. »

« Do you think my wife will love it ? »

She winked. « I think she’d be a fool not to. Congratulations, Mr. Callahan. I pray you to have a blessed and happy marriage. »

« Thank you, Fiona. »

« Daid, when can I meet my new mam ? »

« At dinner. »

She smiled widely, flashing her pearly whites, and tightly wrapped her arm around my neck.

« I’m excited. »