Page 88 of Cross + Catherine: The Companion

“So?” Cross asked.

Juan laughed. “You’re not going to make this easy on me, huh?”

“Not in the least. Ask properly.”

“Could I take Cece out this coming weekend, Cross? I would appreciate your blessing, and permission.”

“A date, you mean.”

Juan shook his head, grinning. “Yeah, a date.”

“To where?”

“I was thinking Niagara Falls, actually.”

Cross nodded. “Nice.”

“Is that a yes, then?”

“One moment.”

Cross pulled out the drawer in his desk that kept his weapons safely hidden away. He pulled out each one that was inside—a glock, an eagle, and another small handgun that was practically useless unless it was shot at close range.

He set each of the weapons on the other side of the desk one by one. It forced Juan to take a good look at each thing as Cross took his sweet ass time putting them out.

“Pick one,” Cross said, leaning forward on the desk.

“Pardon?”

“Pick a gun. Whichever one you like the most, I guess.”

Juan cocked a brow, but gestured at the eagle. “That one.”

“Good choice.”

“It’s a dangerous gun.”

“It is,” Cross agreed. “And if you hurt my child, or if you return her to me—at any point in her life—in less than perfect condition, this is the gun I will ram down your throat before I pull the trigger.”

Juan straightened in the chair.

Cross smiled. “Do you understand me?”

“Yeah, I got it.”

“You sure?”

Dark brown eyes lifted to meet Cross’s.

“I’d probably do it for you,” Juan murmured.

Yeah, Cross knew that, too.

“Good talk, Juan,” he said. “Good talk.”

“Cross?”

Cross looked away from the card game he was currently having with his father, and father-in-law to find his wife standing in the kitchen entryway of their home. Catherine leaned in further with a smile, and a little nod.