Page 169 of Reign

Her jaw tightens.

Across the table, Angelo’s attention shifts between us.

Santo watches in silence.

Elena goes still beside me.

“Whatever it is,” Adriana says, “it can wait.”

“It can’t.”

“It can.”

I smirk and she knows what that means. I turn my attention toward her husband.

“Amato—”

Adriana’s chair scrapes against the floor.

“Actually,” she says brightly, “now is fine.”

Angelo looks at her. “Adriana?”

She leans over and presses a quick kiss to his cheek. “Just a minute.”

His hand catches hers before she can pull away.

The question is already written across his face.

She softens for him. “I’m fine.”

Elena doesn’t move. She barely breathes.

Adriana slips her hand free and walks toward the kitchen without looking back.

I stand and follow my sister.

The kitchen is warm, bright, and empty except for the staff moving in the far pantry.

Adriana waits until we’re out of earshot before turning on me.

“Don’t.”

I arch a brow. “I haven’t started.”

“Keep it that way.”

“No.”

Her eyes flash. “I cannot deal with this tonight.”

“Your decision would suggest otherwise.”

“Luciano.” She folds her arms.

“I thought you were going to tell him.”

She gives me a humorless laugh. “Then you don’t know me at all. My husband hasn’t been calm for five consecutive minutes. He doesn’t need this.”