Page 13 of Cross’s Reckoning

"You're Cyrus's daughter."

I fold my arms. "That's your explanation?"

"Your father made damn sure everyone in Perdition understood you were untouchable."

My heartbeat changes. "Untouchable how?"

His mouth twists. "Don't make me spell it out just because you're enjoying watching me hate this conversation."

"I'm not enjoying anything."

"Another lie."

"Cross."

He exhales through his nose. "Wanting you was never the problem."

The entire argument stops inside my head. "What?"

"You heard me."

"No. I heard something completely fucking ridiculous, so I'd like you to say it again."

His eyes lock onto mine. "I wanted you."

The past tense irritates me instantly, which is an insane thing to notice right now. "For how long?"

"Does it matter?"

"Apparently."

"Years."

My stomach drops. Every argument. Every time he walked away. Every look I decided was contempt. "You are such an asshole."

That almost makes him smile. "That's what you're taking from this?"

"You let me believe you hated me."

"I didn't know you thought I did."

"How could you not?"

"Because most of the time you looked like you wanted to stab me. I figured we understood each other."

"We clearly didn't."

"No." His voice has changed, and so has the space between us.

"What stopped you?" I ask.

"I told you. Cyrus."

"You're afraid of my father?"

Cross gives me a flat look. "No."

"Then what?"