Page 364 of Reign

“That was carefully worded.”

“It was.”

Her eyes finally meet mine.

“Come back home to me.”

For a moment, I just look at her.

At the beach, I promised her I always would.

I kiss her forehead and leave before I decide Angelo can wait another day.

He can’t.

The longer he believes Elena’s future remains open for negotiation, the more irritating this conversation will become.

***

Nico opens the door before I ring the bell.

“Castillo.”

“Conti.”

He steps aside.

I enter Angelo’s house without waiting to be escorted.

“He’s in his office,” Nico says, following behind.

“I know.”

“He’s been pissed off all morning.”

“I assumed.”

“I wouldn’t go in there.”

“I don’t care.”

Nico laughs quietly as he walks away.

I reach Angelo’s office and knock once before entering.

He stands behind his desk.

The room is too controlled for the anger on his face. Papers sit in perfect stacks. His chair is aligned precisely with the center of the desk. Even the glass near his hand appears untouched.

He has been waiting for me.

“You have a lot of fucking nerve coming into my house.”

“You opened the gate.”

“I should’ve had Nico shoot you through it.”

“He would’ve missed.”