Page 136 of Reign

I look down at Elena. Embarrassment burns across her face. “Do you want to stand?”

Her gaze flicks toward the empty doorway before returning to mine. “No.”

“You’re sure?”

Her chin lifts. “I said no.”

I smile. “Then stay, princesa. I’ll be back.”

I cross the room and down the hallway where Rafael stands with the stiff discipline of a man who very much wishes he had announced himself louder.

“What is it?” I ask.

“Elena’s things arrived,” he says. “The truck is at the service entrance. Do you want the men to start bringing everything in?”

I look back to the living room entrance.

“Give us five minutes.”

Rafael’s head tilts. “Five?”

“Yes.”

“That seems optimistic.”

I look at him. “Rafa.”

“I didn’t see anything,” he says immediately.

“You clearly saw something.”

“I saw a rug.”

I stare at him.

“A very expensive rug,” he adds.

“Rafael.”

He lifts both hands. “Five minutes. I’ll hold the men.”

“Do that.”

He leaves before I can decide whether firing my best friend would be excessive.

It would be.

Probably.

When I return, Elena is still kneeling. Her shoulders have relaxed, and one wrist has loosened behind her back, but her eyes meet mine immediately.

She could’ve stood the moment I left.

She chose to stay.

I stop in front of her. “Good girl.”

The praise changes her immediately. Her lips part, her shoulders straighten, and warmth rises beneath her skin before she lifts her chin in a failed attempt to hide any of it.