Page 24 of Cross’s Reckoning

"Not standing in the line of fire."

"He won't shoot me."

Cross's expression goes hard. "You sure about that?"

The answer catches in my throat because yesterday I would've been. Tonight, I don't know.

Cross sees it. "I'm not willing to find out."

"And I'm not willing to let him arrive here, threaten everyone and never have to look at me."

"You already gave Kane what he needs."

"That isn't the same thing."

"Why the fuck do you need to be there?"

"Because he's my father."

Cross runs a hand over the back of his neck. "That's exactly why I don't want you there."

I step closer. "I'm not asking you to want it."

His jaw tightens.

"You don't get to spend ten years telling me I'm smart enough to see what's happening and then decide for me the second you don't like the answer."

"That's not fair."

"It is completely fair."

"I watched Cyrus not ask whether you were alive an hour ago. Forgive me if I'm not excited about putting you in front of him with a gun in his hand."

The fear beneath the anger shuts down my next reply. I realize that this isn't about Cross trying to control me. He's scared for me.

I let my arms drop. "I'm still going."

"I know."

That surprises me.

Cross looks away and swears quietly. "I fucking know."

I move closer until there's barely any space between us. "My whole life, I've let being Cyrus's daughter decide what I could do. Who I could trust. What I was supposed to ignore." I put my hand against his chest. "I'm done doing that."

His gaze drops to my hand. "Whatever happens tonight, I'm not going back to the woman who stood in Perdition making excuses because it was easier."

"Lola—"

"And I'm not going back to pretending I hate you either."

His eyes come back to mine. That one lands.

I swallow. "I don't know where I'm going to live next month or what half my life looks like anymore. But I know I want you in it."

Cross doesn't speak, and for a man who usually has an answer for everything, he's suddenly very quiet. "Nothing irritating to say?"

He catches my wrist and turns my hand over, pressing his mouth against my palm.