Page 65 of Cross + Catherine: The Companion

The Mother

Cece POV

“I miss when you were younger,” Catherine said.

Cece peered up from the tablet in her hands to find her mother staring at her from across the aisle of the private jet. Other than the dark hair and brown eyes she had taken from her father, looking at her mother was like staring into an older mirror. A reflection of herself stared back—the same bow-shaped lips, delicate features, high cheekbones, and wide eyes.

“Why?” Cece asked.

Catherine smiled softly. “Things were simpler—easier, maybe. When I had to pick up and go for business, I could just take you right along with me. You were always happy to go, too. Now, you’re thirteen, have school, and—”

“You could always homeschool me,” Cece suggested.

Her mother lifted a single, perfectly manicured brow high. “Really?”

Cece made a face. “Well, maybe not. I guess I wouldn’t get to see most of my friends nearly as much as I do now.”

“If ever,” Catherine added.

“Yeah.”

Catherine gave a little sigh, and stared out the port window of the plane. “I know you’re pretty set on … doing this with me. Being like me, I mean.”

Her mother was always careful with her words. She chose each statement she made like someone might overhear it. Cece had become used to communicating this way with her ma—and even her dad—over the years.

It was just their way.

Their life.

“This is all I ever wanted, Ma,” Cece said.

To be like her mom.

And her grandmother before her, too.

A Queen Pin—the queen.

It was in Cece’s blood. It was what she was born to do. This was her birthright. She had grown up under the feet of some of the most powerful and amazing woman she had ever known. Her mother and grandmother commanded.

They ruled.

They were feared.

Respected.

“Maybe this is all you’ve ever wanted to do,” Catherine replied, “because it’s also the only thing you have ever known, Cece. Have you ever considered that side of the coin?”

Cece shrugged. “So?”

Her mother laughed lightly, and glanced upward. “So, my little smartass, I feel like you might be a bit biased.”

Again … so?

Cece just stared at her mother, and said nothing. Catherine continued to stare right back entirely unfazed.

“Do you know that I am trying to let you have as normal of a life as I can possibly give you?” her mother asked. “High school, prom, friends, boys … I want you to enjoy these things, Cece. I want you to appreciate having these experiences, and this time before your focus changes to business entirely.”

Because it would happen.