Page 379 of Reign

“How?”

“Because I’ve seen your work.”

“That doesn’t make you an expert.”

“No. It makes me a man with functioning eyes.”

“That is an extremely low qualification.”

“And yet I remain correct.”

I tighten my hold on the portfolio and force myself toward the door.

“Fine. But if this goes terribly, I’m blaming you.”

“I assumed you would.”

***

The building looks surprisingly ordinary.

Beautiful, but ordinary.

Dark brick rises four stories between two larger buildings on a quiet street lined with trees. Tall windows reflect the afternoon light. Black iron railings border the front steps, and flower boxes sit beneath the lower windows.

I look from the building to Luciano.

“She lives in an apartment?”

“Yes.”

“One of the largest fashion designers in the city lives in an apartment?”

His hand remains on the steering wheel. “The entire building belongs to her.”

I turn back toward it.

“The whole apartment building?”

“Yes, princesa.”

“Oh.”

That changes things.

Maybe.

I still expected something taller. Glass. Steel. A doorman wearing white gloves. At minimum, a discreet gold plaque announcing that a fashion empire operates beyond the doors.

Instead, there’s an old brass intercom mounted beside the entrance and enough buzzers for dozens of apartments.

“Do you want me to go up with you?” Luciano asks.

My stomach immediately says yes.

My pride answers first.

“No. I can handle it myself.”