Page 156 of Revere: A Legacy Novel

“You have the best gunrunner in this country at your will right now,” Andino interjected dryly, “and you want to waste time repeating to me the same old, tired rhetoric that literally means nothing. So I did what you told me not to—who fucking cares? It might not have worked out one way, but I see a whole other gain to be gotten at the moment where Cross is concerned. Bind him in; he’s the best, so make sure he only works for you. Don’t you see? This isn’t a bad thing.”

“I beg your fucking pardon?” Cross asked, staring hard at Andino.

Catherine’s cousin didn’t even flinch.

“You want me to take your seat when you decide it’s time for me to do that,” Andino said, uncaringly, “and so you’re going to have to deal with the way I work myself into the position. You’ll have to deal with who I choose to work with. I want the best, so make sure I have him.”

Dante’s gaze darted back to Cross, and then to Andino. Her father didn’t seem to have an appropriate response to give. Catherine wasn’t entirely sure what just happened, except that somehow, her cousin was doing his manipulating again. She hadn’t realized how good of a manipulator Andino actually was.

It was frightening.

Yet, her father seemed … proud.

“Cross, it seems the ball is currently in your court,” Dante said.

Cross scowled. “I’ll pay you the quarter of a million. Simple.”

“You know it’s the point of the matter, not anything else.”

“I’m not offering anything—”

“Try again,” Dante interrupted smoothly.

Catherine could see exactly where this was all leading them, and Cross did not seem happy about it at all. Still, he said, “I will run your guns, then.”

“Exclusively.”

“If that’s what you want.”

“Indefinitely.”

Cross sighed. “Until I no longer can, sure.”

“I like that agreement,” Dante said, smiling.

“On conditions,” Cross added.

Dante cocked a brow. “What would those be?”

“I don’t pay dues to you—you’re not my boss.”

“If you’re working for me that would imply I am your boss, Cross.”

“Yet, you won’t be. I’m doing a job for you, of which I will be compensated for, while not running guns elsewhere. That is it. Nothing more.”

Her father’s lips pressed together in a grim line. “You’re a very difficult man.”

“It has still done me wonders.”

“Your other conditions?”

“Just one.” Cross folded his arms over his chest. “Catherine no longer deals for Andino.”

Catherine stiffened against the wall, and tried to ignore the many gazes that turned on her.

“We talked about that,” Andino muttered to Cross.

“And Catherine told you what she wanted.”