Page 216 of Reign

I know exactly what we’re doing later today.

Chapter 33

Luciano

The star beside Throne Kingston’s name has followed me all morning.

A stupid little mark in Elena’s handwriting. Barely more than a scratch of ink.

It still pisses me off.

She wants to know about impact play.

Fine.

I can show her impact play.

I lead her downstairs with my hand at the small of her back, already considering exactly where to start. Enough for her to understand what she’s curious about and for me to learn how her body responds.

Preferably enough that the next time she sees Throne Kingston’s name, she remembers who taught her.

My hand settles a little more firmly against her back.

Elena glances up at me. “You’re doing the quiet thing.”

“I’m always quiet.”

“No. This is different quiet.” Her eyes narrow. “This is suspicious quiet.”

I open the gym door. “You’ll survive it.”

“That’s not comforting.”

“It wasn’t meant to be.”

She steps inside ahead of me, then stops.

The gym is dim and empty, the heavy bags still, the mats clean, the machines lined in order along the far wall. Her gaze moves over all of it, then comes back to me with immediate distrust.

“We’re working out?”

“No.”

“Then why are we in the gym?”

“Because this is where the door is.”

Her brows pull together. “The door to what?”

I cross to the far wall and press the panel hidden beside the shelving unit.

The mechanism releases with a low click.

A section of the wall slides open.

Elena’s mouth parts.

For once, nothing comes out.