Children of Vice (Children of Vice #1)(24)

“First, you will be wise not to call my family…this family… criminals.” I did my best not to come off as harsh as I would if it were anyone else. “And secondly, Ms. O’Davoren, you have the rest of your life to get information about me but an occasion to get to tonight.”

“It’s your party. It starts whenever you show up, and so I’m not late,” she shot back, brushing her hair behind her ear. “Unless you don’t want to talk to me?”

“I’m not much of a talker.”

“Which makes you bizarre…I’ve never met an Irishman who didn’t like to talk…especially about himself.”

Smirking, I reminded her, “I’m only half-Irish.”

“Have you ever met a quiet Italian?” Her eyebrow went up.

She had a point. “Very well. I’m bizarre. Anything else?”

She sighed, hopping off the railing and stepping into her heels. Dressed, she stood straighter. “How do I look? Your cousin put a lot of effort into making sure I looked beautiful for you.”

“I know. I got the bill.”

She stepped right up to me, not stopping until there was barely a gap between our bodies. “You are making our first meeting very anti-climactic, Mr. Callahan.”

“Would you have preferred it if I grabbed you by the waist and kissed you the moment I laid eyes on you?”

She thought for a moment, honestly, before shaking her head. “Far too presumptive and threatening. But knowing that the thought crossed your mind is nice.”

“You are quite bizarre yourself, Ms. O’Davoren.” Not at all what I was picturing and I was normally a very good judge of character.

“How so?”

“Frankly, I’m wondering if you’re trying to seduce me. Which would be pointless because you already have me. Or if there is some other reason as to why you’re acting so…lucid and soft-spoken. From what I hear you tried to jump my grandmother when you first met her.”

“That—ugh…that was my bad. I guess.” She made a face and then shook her head like she suddenly remembered something. “No, I’m definitely not trying to seduce you! I’m just nervous and I don’t want to make a fool out of myself…more than I already have.”

I stared at her. “Then don’t.”

“Oh, thanks, I hadn’t thought of that.” She snapped at me and this time it was my eyebrow that rose. “Sorry. Just staring at me like that, it’s only making me more nervous…you’re just…”

“Handsome?”

“Cocky apparently!” She rolled her eyes and smiled. “And yes, handsome, but I was going to say daunting. I’ve heard so much about your family, so much about your position, as head of the family, and yet almost nothing about you. What you hate, what you like, what you love—”

“I hate disloyalty. I like and love loyalty.”

She just stared at me, her blue eyes peering into me so…innocently, it was jarring.

“Are you a robot?”

“Do you have any questions left worth answering?” If not, then I would prefer to get this night over with quickly.

“So that’s all you need from me then, loyalty?” she asked slowly, as if processing it. Why, I had no idea.

Reaching into my jacket pocket, I pulled out the ring box. Taking out the ring and dropping the box to the floor before I lifted her hand.

“I’m not romantic. I’m sure I’ll do or say many things that will come off anti-climactic, robotic, and bizarre as you have said. However,”—I slid the ring onto her finger—“I’ll never lie to you, nor will I abandon you. I’ll always be loyal and faithful. Everything I have will be yours always. In return I ask for the same.”

“What a ring!” She gaped down at the ring until a smile spread across her lips. “If this is you being ‘not romantic’ I’m curious to see what the romantic side of you is like. I can do loyalty… Happy birthday, by the way.” Her pink lips turned slightly.

Just like that she stepped back into the room, and I couldn’t help but think…if this was her not seducing me, what would the seductive side of her look like?

“Are you coming?”

Pushing off the door, I glanced back at her. “I’ve been informed it’s my party and as such I cannot be late.”

Her lips made a thin line. “Are you mocking me?”

“Yes.” I spun around and walked over. However, before she could open the door I closed it, spinning her back to face me and pinning her against it.

“Is this just nerves?”

“What?” Her eyes searched mine, probably as much as I searched hers.

“You told our lawyer, and I quote, ‘If they all drowned in their blood it wouldn’t be justice enough.’ Then upon meeting my grandmother, you tried to break free of your chains. And then immediately after she showed you a video, you called your family. The next morning you agreed to become my wife.”

“What are you trying to say?” she said calmly, though her blue eyes glared at me in rage. “I’m a spy? Are you f*cking insane?”

“I’ve agreed to marry a woman with almost nothing to offer.” I leaned in, our faces barely an inch apart. “My sanity must be questioned. Just as your loyalty must be.”