Page 298 of Reign

His gaze sharpens. “Why the fuck does that matter to you?”

I don’t answer.

I don’t need to.

He recognizes possession because he carries the same sickness.

His mouth shifts into a humorless smile.

“I understand. Elena’s beautiful. She’s entertaining when she isn’t being a pain in the ass. I’m sure you’ve enjoyed having her around.”

Enjoyed.

The word is too small for the way my home feels when she’s inside it.

For her dresses hanging beside my clothes.

For the pieces of fabric she leaves across my bathroom counter.

For the way she settles into my lap every morning and opens her mouth when I offer her berries, as though being cared for has finally become something she expects.

Angelo thinks this is appetite.

He has no idea how far beyond appetite I’ve gone.

“It may be months before she marries,” he continues. “You want to see her while she’s at the penthouse, fine. I won’t stop you.”

For a moment, I simply look at him.

He’s offering me access to Elena.

As though she belongs to him to loan out until another man claims her.

Violence lifts its head inside me.

I keep it behind my teeth.

“How generous.”

“She’ll live at the penthouse.”

“Of course.”

“You can visit her there until the wedding.”

“How progressive of you.”

His eyes narrow. “You don’t have to like it.”

“No. I suppose I don’t.”

“I was going to send Nico for her tonight,” Angelo says. “I’m being gracious. He’ll collect her at nine tomorrow morning.”

“Understood.”

“Have her ready.”

I lean back slightly.