Page 87 of Always: A Legacy Novel

Catherine’s impatience picked up, so she walked down to let her father know she was leaving. She found her mother and father in a stare-down. Dante looked fit to kill, and Catrina seemed calm and cool with her diamond incrusted fingernails resting at her hip. This was almost how every single one of her parents arguments went down over the years.

Catrina almost always won, too.

Almost always.

“Try me,” Catrina murmured.

“It’s not the same, Cat. Jesus.”

“It absolutely is, bello. You will not demand a different behavior from her simply because she is a girl. She is doing nothing wrong, not by wanting to see someone, not right now. Let her do as she wants, just like you did for Michel.”

“I can ask questions, can’t I?”

“Not if you’re going to pose them in such a way that suggests she has to conduct herself how you, or the rest of the male population deem acceptable for her gender,” Catrina replied with a sweet smile.

Oh, no.

Catherine knew when her mother’s sweet smile came out, bad things were sure to follow. Catrina only ever smiled like that when she was ready to slash someone’s throat.

“The day you’re willing to tell Michel whatever it is you’re considering telling Catherine about dating, sex, or private and public conduct, is the day I’ll allow you this,” her mother added, “and not one second before, Dante. Mark my fucking words, not one second before.”

“Liliana is waiting, Daddy,” Catherine said quietly.

Dante didn’t turn around as he replied, “Go, Catherine. But—”

“Dante.”

“You can call us anytime,” Dante said, still looking at her mother, “for anything, Catherine.”

“Okay, Daddy.”

Catrina’s gaze darted over her husband’s shoulder to Catherine. “Have fun, reginella.”

“Tell Cross we say hello,” Dante added.

Probably not.

“It’s Catherine, right?”

Catherine nodded. She had never actually had a conversation with Cross’s mother before, and the woman seemed quiet. Unlike Catherine’s own mother.

“Did your father send someone with you?” Emma asked.

“He didn’t say, but someone probably followed behind my cousin,” Catherine admitted.

“Ah, I see.” Emma smiled widely. “Well, I’m heading out with Camilla, but if you need anything, I’m sure Cross can find it for you.”

“Wait, you’re not staying?”

Emma’s brow lifted. “Do I need to?”

“Pretty sure my dad wouldn’t leave me alone in the house with a boy.”

“Maybe not,” Emma said, “but my boy is not his, and Cross knows how to properly behave with girls. I trust him to act appropriately, no matter what he chooses to do, especially where girls are concerned. So yes, I don’t mind leaving him alone, or you with him.”

“Oh.”

“He’s upstairs, by the way.”