Page 192 of Revere: A Legacy Novel

“Why?” Cross asked.

“Because you’ve taken over your family a couple of months back, and we all know how these things work, don’t we? We were all in your position once, and the next logical step is marriage to an appropriate women. Yet, you’ve not approached me to marry Catherine at all. I know that’s probably because of our history—”

“It has nothing to do with that,” Cross said.

“Then why haven’t you?”

“Because I haven’t brought it up to her.”

Dante glanced to the side, as though he were considering Cross’s words. “You are aware how this works, aren’t you? You ask me first.”

Cross lifted a single shoulder. “I mean, that’s how everybody else might do it. I care more about her opinion, to be honest. I’m not jumping at the bit for something she might not be ready for.”

“She’s ready,” Calisto said.

Dante and Cross looked to Calisto.

“You think?” Cross asked.

Calisto nodded. “She’s like you, son—loved you for basically her whole life. Why wouldn’t she want to be your wife? Besides, Catherine just turned twenty-six a couple of weeks ago, Cross. And you’re going to be twenty-eight this coming November. It’s time to do the adult thing where you two are concerned and marry. She knows that.”

“I agree,” Dante said. “So, about Vegas.”

“Are you genuinely concerned about that?” Cross muttered.

Dante made a noise under his breath. “My son eloped. I understand why, and I won’t share his personal stories, but it was difficult for my wife and me. It’s a real fear where Catherine is concerned.”

“Eloping would take a fuck lot less work,” Cross mused.

Calisto shot his son a dirty look. “Don’t be a shit, Cross.”

“Don't elope,” Dante murmured. “Let me give her away.”

“As long as you do that.”

“Don't make this harder than it needs to be.”

“It's a serious concern.”

“Cross, she is my only daughter. Allow me the pleasure of walking her down the aisle.”

Cross sighed. “I can’t believe you seriously think I would do that.”

“I actually don’t, but I figured I should make sure, too. Catrina freaked out a bit when Catherine mentioned she was heading to Vegas with you next week. That was a whole shrieking fit over the phone that I don’t even want to get into right now, but my ear still hurts.”

“Well …”

“Cross,” Dante said.

“There’s a magic word you’re missing.”

Calisto rolled his eyes skyward. “See, this is what’s going to get him killed. When he was young, it was his mouth. Now that he’s grown, it’s this nonsense.”

“It’s called my arrogance,” Cross said with a smirk. “And it is the same as it always was.”

His gaze caught the sight of Catherine coming back from the restrooms.

Cross looked to Dante. “Is that your blessing, then?”