Page 367 of Reign

Elena carrying our child through the house she already treats as her own.

The thought arrives too easily. It also clarifies why I’m standing here. I’m not negotiating for a temporary arrangement. I’m protecting the rest of my life.

Adriana looks between Angelo and me.

“Nice to see you’re still alive.”

“Not for long,” Angelo says.

“Angelo.”

“Tesoro, I need you to go.”

“No.” She steps inside and closes the door behind her. “Why are both of you standing like you’re about to kill each other?”

“Because your brother thinks he’s keeping Elena.”

“I am keeping Elena.”

Adriana looks at me.

Then Angelo.

Then back at me.

“Wait. Keeping her how?”

Neither of us answers.

Her lips part. “Oh.”

“There is no fucking oh,” Angelo says.

“There is absolutely an oh.” Her attention settles on me. “Luciano, do you love Elena?”

The question should feel intrusive.

It doesn’t.

“Yes, hermana. I love her.”

Angelo closes his eyes. “Fuck me.”

“Amor,” Adriana coos at Angelo.

“No.”

“If they love each other—”

“She’s hormonal,” Angelo tells me.

Adriana’s head snaps toward him.

“Do not call me hormonal.”

“You are.”

“That doesn’t make me wrong.”