Page 67 of Crossed

“What can I do for you two?” I ask, forcing my eyes away from Amaya and skimming them over Parker instead.

He grins and I imagine slicing the lips from his face. “I’m sure Bishop Lamont’s already told you, but we’re here to plan a wedding.”

My heart stalls even though I had already deduced as much.

“Whose?” I ask, needing to hear it said.

I focus back on Amaya, staring her down, daring her to be the one to tell me.Do it, I think.Look at me and say the words.

She keeps her eyes on her hands.

Parker’s hand squeezes her leg until she winces, and my chest squeezes along with it.

“Ours.”

Chapter25

Amaya

“WHATWONDERFULNEWS.” CADE’S VOICE IS LIKE ice, so smooth and cool it stings as it sprinkles across my skin.

My gaze is locked on my hands, afraid if I stare at him for too long, I’ll snap and do something crazy like reach across the desk and smack him in the face.

“You’re worse than a whore.You’re a witch. Just like your mother said.”

“When is the church available?” Parker asks.

Cade chuckles. “Non, you cannot have it here so soon.”

Now I do look at him, snapping my face up and meeting his gaze head- on.

Parker’s hand tightens on my thigh until I flinch.

“Bishop Lamont assured me it wouldn’t be an issue,” he hisses.

Cade clicks his tongue. “Sheis not ready for a Catholic marriage.”

My irritation at him intensifies, even as a tendril of unease winds its way around my middle.

“I’m Catholic,” Parker argues. “It wouldn’t be right to have it anywhere else. And Bishop Lamont said she could take courses.”

“It doesn’t matter if you’re Catholic.Sheis not.” Cade waves his hand toward me dismissively.

“I was raised Catholic,” I defend.

Cade ignores me like I haven’t even spoken, although his next words are aimed toward me. “You haven’t been to a single service since my arrival, and I’m sure if I asked anyone in Festivalé, they’d say you hadn’t attended in years. You’re asinner, Amaya.”

“Sinning is subjective,” I hiss through clenched teeth.

“It isnot,” he snaps back.

Asshole.

“Okay…” I draw out. “So I’ll start to attend with Parker then.”

Cade chuckles, low and dark, and then he finally looks back at me, his stare so intense I feel it deep in my core. “So easy to get you to attend Sunday Mass, is it, Miss Paquette?”

I swallow, my tongue sticking to the roof of my mouth.