Page 340 of Reign

“And if I’m not there as your backup, your protection, or simply the person who notices when something is wrong, how do you expect me to live with myself afterward?”

The last of my anger struggles weakly inside me.

“It’s only a pool.”

“No.” His gaze holds mine. “It’s something capable of taking you from me.”

My heart gives one painful, traitorous beat.

“I need you safe, Elena. I would rather survive your anger every day for the rest of my life than survive losing you once.”

Well.

That’s deeply unfair.

“You can’t say things like that while I’m trying to be furious with you.”

“I’m not trying to make this easier for you.”

“You drained my pool.”

“I did.”

“And ignored my messages.”

“I was driving.”

“The bubbles appeared and disappeared.”

“I started explaining, decided this conversation needed to happen while I could see your face, and came home.”

I narrow my eyes. “That’s irritatingly reasonable.”

“So was draining the pool.”

“No, that was deranged.”

“Perhaps.”

“And controlling.”

“Yes.”

“And dramatic.”

His thumbs brush beneath my cheeks.

“Yes. But I love you, so to me, it makes perfect sense.”

My lips part.

Every thought in my head disappears.

“You love me?”

His expression softens. “Very much.”

The words rush out before I can overthink them.