Page 30 of Reign

“No.”

The word drops between us like a stone.

I blink up at him. “What?”

“No,” he says again, quieter this time. “You don’t get to use me because you’re angry at your brother and try to hand me something back so it feels even.”

Heat rushes into my face. “Wow. Look at you, drawing lines now. How noble.”

“You came in here sad.”

“I’m not sad.”

“You were.”

“I was pissed off.”

“Same thing with you.”

That only makes me angrier.

I yank my wrist free and step away from him. “Congratulations. You can identify basic human emotion. Should we get you a medal?”

His jaw flexes, but he doesn’t bite. Riot never bites when I want him to. That’s one of his more annoying qualities.

“What did Angelo say?”

I laugh once. Sharp. Ugly. “Why? So you can report back?”

“Elena, you know I wouldn’t.”

“Don’t use that voice on me. I already had one man calmly explain why my life isn’t mine today.”

Something shifts in his expression. “What did he do?”

I hate that question.

The concern in his question makes me hate it even more.

I turn toward the mirror and shove my hair back from my face. My lipstick is smudged. My cheeks are flushed. I look exactly like a girl who just let her assigned guard get on his knees while the rest of the family prepares for a wedding.

Perfect.

“He’s arranging me.”

The silence behind me is instant.

Heavy.

I meet Riot’s eyes in the mirror.

“He’s got a list. Killian Byrne is one of the names.”

Riot’s eyes go cold.

“There are others,” I add. “Don’t worry. I’m sure Angelo will pick the most politically convenient cage.”

“Don’t call it that.”