Page 396 of Reign

Luciano has an army walking around the property, and apparently we’re going to be murdered by landscaping.

“Walk.”

My mouth goes dry.

“Where?”

“Toward the back.”

I look in that direction. The rear path disappears behind a tall line of hedges before curving toward the service side of the property.

“No.”

The gun presses harder against me.

“Elena.”

The fact that he knows my name frightens me more than the weapon.

“Walk quietly and nobody has to get hurt.”

Nobody.

Not you.

Nobody.

He isn’t here to kill me. He’s here to take me.

“Walk.”

I don’t move.

He steps closer.

Pressing the gun into my side.

His other hand closes around my upper arm, fingers digging so hard into the muscle that pain shoots toward my shoulder.

“Walk, Elena.”

I do.

One step.

Then another.

His hand tightens whenever I slow. The gun stays pressed into my ribs. I can hear myself breathing.

Too fast. Too loud.

I look toward the house without turning my head.

There are guards everywhere. There are always guards everywhere. I only need one of them to look outside.

“Keep moving.”

I swallow.