Page 112 of Beautiful Trauma
“There’s a big fucking difference in doing everything possible to ensure mywife’ssafety compared to you wanting to fuck some Bratva piece of ass.”
His words sent fury pulsing through me. The next thing I knew I launched myself at him with a flurry of swinging fists. “What the fuck?” Callum demanded before hitting me back.
At the sound of our fighting, Quinn and Eamon rushed over and started pulling us away from each other. Once Quinn slung me off of Callum, he demanded, “What the fuck is going on?”
For a moment, we couldn’t speak. With our chests heaving, I replied, “He insulted Mila.”
Callum growled, “This fucker has a death wish.”
“Mila? Are you seeing the Korolova girl?” Quinn asked.
At the expectant look of my brothers, I replied, “I am.”
“Fuck,” Eamon muttered while Quinn shook his head.
“Her brother tried to kill you,” Quinn said.
“While I’m aware of that, it has nothing to do with how Mila feels.”
“She played you for a fool once. What if she’s doing it again?” Callum demanded.
When I started to go for him again, Quinn grabbed me around the waist. “Knock it off, you eejit.”
“He’s the one playing dirty with the insults.”
Quinn sighed. “He has a point, boyo. You’ve always worn your heart on your fuckin’ sleeve. We can’t help but worry.”
“Thanks for saying I’m a pussy.”
“That’s not what I meant.”
Narrowing my eyes at him, I countered, “I know what you’re all thinking. Instead of letting my cock lead him around, I let my heart do it, and it makes me a fool every fucking time.”
Callum grunted. “That’s not what we’re thinking at all.”
Quinn nodded. “Cal’s right. You’re our brother–we can’t help but worry about you.” When I started to protest, he held up his hand. “But if you’re sure that Mila truly cares for you, then we’ll do what we can to allow the two of you to be together.”
Chuckling, Eamon said, “Jaysus, man, marriage and fatherhood as mellowed you the fuck out.”
“Kellan deserves to be happy. Just like you do,” Quinn replied with a pointed look. I knew he was referencing what we’d been through with Maeve.
With a roll of his eyes, Callum said, “And just how do you suggest we do that when our boy has a target on his back?”
“Considering the power that Caruso has in this city, Kellan is as safe in his territory as he is in enemy territory in Boston.”
Callum eyed me curiously. “If I allow you to stay, will you promise to stay in Caruso/Neretti territory and not go to Mila’s apartment or anywhere that’s Bratva territory?”
“Are you listening to yourself? You’ll let me stay? I’m not a child, and I’ll do what I fucking want.”
Rage flickered in Callum’s blue eyes. “I don’t care how fucking old you are. As your clan leader, you follow my orders. Brother or not, you’ll face consequences if you don’t.”
As my fists clenched at my side, Quinn brought his hands to my face. “Pick your battles, arsehole. Do what is asked of you, and you get to see your girl.”
“Fine,” I spat.
“Good, boy,” Quinn replied with a grin.
“Arse.”
