Page 171 of Reign

“I did not invite you. I convinced Santo to invite you.”

“To cover up your lies.”

Her mouth tightens. “You’re my brother. Perhaps I wanted to see you.”

“Nice recovery.”

“Thank you.”

“Adriana. This lie won’t last, you’ve never been good at lying to people you love.”

“Funny. I appear to be doing quite well at dinner.”

“No.” I hold her gaze. “Angelo trusts you. That isn’t the same thing.”

That one lands. She looks away.

Only for a second.

“Does she at least have what she needs? Clothes, toiletries, whatever will stop Angelo from asking questions?”

“Yes. She has all of it.”

“You had everything moved into your house?”

“She needed it.”

“Luciano.”

“Adriana.”

“Don’t do that.”

“Do what?”

“That thing where you act like you don’t understand what I’m asking.”

“I understand. I’m choosing not to answer.”

“Are you and Elena—”

“No.”

Her brows lift. “That was too fast.”

“It was an easy answer.”

Easy. Right. Elena sleeping under my roof, kneeling at my feet, trusting my hands on her body—easy.

“You care too much,” she says quietly.

“You don’t care enough.”

Her face closes.

The words are crueler than I meant. I don’t take them back.

Her voice softens. “Don’t hurt her.”