The tension between us is as powerful as any explosive. Some intense electric force that sharpens the air in the room. It crackles like a live wire, signaling how volatile this moment is.
The room feels too small. The space is suffocating as my breathing deepens and I stand opposite my husband as if he’s my worst enemy.
And he is—Ronan Callahan is everything I detest and more. He’s everything I’ve never wanted in a husband, yet I’m trapped in a lifelong marriage to him.
He strides over slowly, each step measured and predatory. His green eyes are blazing, fixed on me with an intensity that makes my skin prickle.
When he stops in front of me, he’s so close I catch the musky, masculine notes of his cologne.
“Get one thing straight,” he says, his tone like steel. “You listen to me. You obey me at all times. I’m your husband, and I call the shots.” He leans closer, holding my gaze captive in intense, unblinking fashion. “I didn’t fucking give you permission to go anywhere—damn sure not to some fucking club grinding on some asshole—which means you were supposed to have your ass at home.”
I laugh in his face before I can even think about whether it’s a smart thing to do. The sound’s sharp and bitter and comes with a rebellious smirk that curls my lips.
“Permission?” I sneer, standing my ground. “I’m not some puppy, Callahan! I’m not a fucking dog! I don’t ask for permission, and I sure as hell don’t listen to commands!”
His jaw tightens, the same muscle jumping in his cheek. Warning signs he’s furious with me.
But I still don’t back down. I don’t budge an inch.
I jab a finger at his chest and continue. “I do whatever the fuck I want to do! Just like you. And tonight, that consisted of going out for drinks and dancing with my friend! You don’t own me!”
“The hell I don’t,” he growls, grabbing my wrist and holding it between us. “You’re my wife. You wear my ring. You live in my house. You sleep in my bed.”
“Because you and your crime family forced me to!” I yank my hand back, but he refuses to let go. “I didn’t choose any of this! I didn’t choose you!”
“And you think I chose you?” he snaps back, his voice rising to match mine. “You think I wanted to be shackled to some spoiled princess who can’t follow simple fucking rules?”
“What rules?” I spit the words like poison. “You mean like the one where I sit at home like a good little housewife while you disappear for hours? While you do whatever the hell you want, coming home at midnight—or not at all? Fuck your rules!”
“So you’re going to be a hard ass. Is that it?”
“If standing up for myself makes me a hard ass… then yes. I’m a hard ass. What are you going to do about it?”
He stares at me a moment, then cracks a grin that’s lopsided and attractive in the most frustrating way. He adds a thick chuckle as his hand comes up and he scrubs his jaw.
It’s like I’ve told a joke I’m unaware of. I’ve said something funny without realizing it.
“Alright, princess,” he says seconds later. “Apparently you need to be taught a lesson. Consider school to be in session.”
“What? What the hell are you—RONAN!” I scream out.
Ronan’s scooped me up, easily lifting me off my feet like the night in the study. I yelp, my hands flying to his broad, rock-hard shoulders for balance.
“Put me down!” I squirm and thrash in his hold.
But it’s no difference to Ronan. I might as well not be struggling at all with how calmly he carries me to the bed.
He’s transcended his fury. His features are set in an unreadable expression. His aura has shifted to quiet determination, like his mind is made up.
He drops me onto the mattress with a suddenness that makes me bounce.
I’ve barely processed what he’s done before I’m being flipped. I’m being rolled over onto my stomach and my arms are being folded behind my back.
“RONAN!” I scream in a panic.
Once again, I’m ignored. His large, powerful hand is clamped down on both of my wrists. He pins me like this until I feel something else sliding over my skin. Something smooth and cool that wraps around my wrists then twists into a knot.
“Ronan!” I squeal again, wiggling my body like a fish on dry land. “W-what are you doing? Ro-Ronan?!”