Page 363 of Reign

“I can set myself up.”

“I’m know. You’re very independent. So this isn’t for you. It’s for me.”

She narrows her eyes. “Fine.”

I take her hand and lead her toward the east office.

Everything is exactly as she left it. Dress forms stand near the windows. Folded fabrics fill the shelves. Sketches remain pinned across the wall in overlapping rows, some finished, others only half-formed ideas she intends to return to.

Elena walks directly toward the largest worktable.

I pull her sketchbook from inside my jacket and set it in front of her. She abandoned it in the car when we arrived, too distracted by being home to remember she’d brought it with her.

Then I retrieve the box containing the fabrics she selected for the first design.

She watches me arrange everything.

“You realize I’m capable of opening a box.”

“I’ve seen you attempt several basic activities. The evidence remains inconclusive.”

Her mouth falls open.

I lean down and kiss it before she can defend herself.

“Work, princesa.”

“You’re rude.”

“You love me.”

It still happens every time I say it.

A brief stillness. A flush beneath her cheeks. The smallest softening around her eyes.

“Yes,” she says. “Unfortunately.”

I kiss her once more.

“I’ll be back.”

Elena’s fingers catch the front of my shirt before I can straighten.

“Luciano.”

I wait.

She looks toward the fabric instead of at me.

“Don’t let Angelo put you in a hole.”

My hand closes gently around the back of her neck.

“He won’t.”

“And don’t kill each other.”

“I have no intention of killing your brother.”