Page 399 of Reign

I look at his face.

And suddenly I understand him.

This is the part he keeps behind locked doors. The part he thinks will make me run.

It should.

It doesn’t.

I’ve always known Luciano is big.

Of course I know. The man is six-foot-fucking-five. I’ve stood beside him. Slept beneath him. Climbed into his lap. Wrapped myself around him.

I’ve never understood how big he is until now.

His shoulders look enormous.

His hand around the knife looks massive.

Everything about him looks too large while another man’s blood runs down his wrist.

And his face—

Fuck.

How is he still beautiful?

There is no amusement in it. No warmth. None of the softness he gives me.

But I know him.

This is him too.

And something dark inside me likes knowing this is what he becomes when another man puts his hands on me.

Someone runs into the garden.

I see a mouth moving.

I can’t hear anything over the screaming.

A hand catches Luciano’s arm.

Luciano spins so fast I barely see him move.

Rodrigo jumps back.

The knife turns toward him.

Oh my God. He’s going to kill Rodrigo.

Rodrigo’s mouth moves again. Luciano takes a step toward him.

Rodrigo points.

At me.

Luciano follows the gesture.