Page 167 of Reign

“Hi, Amelia,” I say, because apparently my voice has decided to be smaller than usual. “You look exactly the same.”

She pulls back and cups my face like I’m still little enough for it. “Liar. I’m ancient.”

“Elegant,” I correct.

“Sweet talker.” Her smile wobbles, then steadies as her attention moves past me. “Oh. Mr. Castillo.”

I glance back at Luciano.

He inclines his head. “Mrs. Keen.”

I don’t know why hearing him say her name feels strange.

Maybe because the estate has always belonged to one part of my life, and Luciano belongs to another. Seeing him here feels like watching two storms meet over the same body of water.

“Yeah,” I say, turning back to her. “Luciano brought me—”

“Elena.”

Angelo’s voice cuts in from the hall.

I look past Mrs. Keen.

My brother steps into view in a maroon shirt, his expression stern, eyes already moving from me to Luciano and back again like he’s counting weapons in the room.

Behind him, Adriana appears in red.

She looks beautiful. She also looks guilty.

That’s new.

Angelo reaches Luciano first.

“Castillo,” he says, offering his hand. “Thank you for picking Elena up from the hotel.”

I blink. The hotel?

Luciano’s posture doesn’t change.

Mine almost does. “The hotel,” I repeat.

Adriana’s eyes widen.

Just a little.

Then she smiles too brightly and steps forward. “Hi. Okay. Dinner’s ready, and if we don’t sit soon, Santo’s going to start acting like we’re starving his wife.”

I look at her.

She looks at me and very quickly, almost imperceptibly, she shakes her head.

Don’t.

My stomach drops.

Angelo doesn’t know.

Angelo has no idea I’ve been staying with Luciano.