Page 13 of Cross + Catherine: The Companion

The dance.

“So, you can tell me no?” Cross asked.

“You don’t know that’s what I’ll say.”

Cross gestured at the room, and then between them. “I have a pretty good idea.”

“That smart mouth of yours is going to get you killed someday.”

“Calisto says the same thing. I’m still here, though.”

“Shame he hasn’t somehow rid you of the impulse to talk out of turn, yet,” Dante muttered. “Ask me what you wanted, Cross.”

“I thought Catherine might like to go to winter formal with me. If that’s okay with you.”

Dante lifted an eyebrow in a high arch like he was considering Cross’s words. “If you ever touch my daughter without her permission, or take from her what she does not give you, I will strip your bones out of your body one by one in this room. I will do it while Catherine sits upstairs and eats dinner with the rest of her family. When I am done, I will mail pieces of you to your mother and father each day while they search for you. Do you understand me?”

Cross nodded. “Yeah, I hear you.”

“You may ask my daughter to winter formal.” Dante scrubbed his hands together, and added, “While we’re at this, let’s talk about the rules of my house.”

“Which are what?”

“Doors stay open when you are alone with my daughter. Respect for my wife and me is a must. Do not behave foolishly here. Understood?”

“Sure.”

Dante waved a hand as if to tell Cross he was dismissed. Cross almost made it to the door when Dante spoke again.

“Do work on the respect thing, Cross. It’ll be beneficial for you in the long run. Especially in this business.”

Maybe.

But probably not.